The Moms Who Get It Awards 2025: Our Favorite Products for Kids

One Skimm mom loves these so much she buys them in bulk and on repeat. With fruit, a yogurt coating, probiotics, and only 7 grams of sugar per serving, they’re a good on-the-go snack that happens to also have a decent amount of fiber.

This cute stainless steel fork-and-spoon set has its own plastic carrying case, and is perfect for packing with any lunch that requires cutlery. Might as well get a backup, too, since we all know the chances of both utensils making it through the school year are slim.

By the time they’re in elementary school, your kids may just be using your normal tableware at home, but when we want something super kid-friendly, we pull out these Pillowfort kids’ trays from Target, which cost less than $1 per plate. They’re plastic, with three divided compartments each. They should last a long time even if you put them in the dishwasher every day.

One reason we love this larger size of the kids’ Funtainer water bottle? No little straw to worry about. For a full day of elementary school, you’ll probably want to send a bottle of at least this size (16 ounce), and these insulated stainless steel Thermoses are reliable and easy. Plus, they come in tons of different patterns, from plain single colors to Batman and Sonic-themed designs. Did we mention the part about no straws?

Kind of like a grown-up Fig Newton, these bars offer a little bit of protein and fiber, plus just the right amount of sweetness for a boost of post-school energy. They’re nut- and dairy-free, and come in flavors like raspberry, blueberry, and apple cinnamon.

Here’s a little treat we don’t feel so bad about sending to school. These gummies are vegan, gelatin-free, and made with real fruit juice. With any luck, they’ll satisfy your kids’ cravings for something sweet.

This lunchbox goes with our Favorite Backpack pick, which makes things easy – just get the one that matches your elementary schooler’s chosen pattern (or mix and match, if they prefer), and you won’t have to worry about whether everything fits. Choose from a “classic” or “cold pack” version — the cold pack version has a removable ice pack you can freeze overnight and reattach with velcro in the morning.

Easy to wash, open, and use on repeat. These are the simplest and most cost-effective lunch containers we’ve found, so if you’re shopping on a budget and want a workhorse product that will get the job done every day, here it is.

Whether you’re in a city or on a suburban cul-de-sac, there’s a good chance you’ve seen these Micro scooters around. With options for kids under 5, 5-12, and 13+, there’s a smooth, reliably well-constructed ride for everyone.

When we first tried these little Air Dough packs, we were blown away by how easy and fun they were. One big bucket comes with 60 different packs inside, plus some shaping tools, googly eyes, and a tutorial book; the non-toxic dough itself is light and so much neater than Play-Doh since it doesn’t stick to anything. Creative kids can leave their mini sculptures to dry overnight, so they’ll be preserved forever.

One of our top parenting hacks is to keep a couple of these Mondo Llama craft kits hidden away in a closet somewhere, in case of boredom-induced emergencies. Starting at just $5 and surprisingly not-junky for the price, they’re a great way to keep kids off screens on the weekends and after school. You’ll find various all-season options available throughout the year, but the brand really shines when it comes to holidays like Halloween, Valentine’s Day, and Christmas.

If you’re ready for a break from Magnetiles and Legos (still some of our forever favorites), upgrade your home toy shelf with this Snap Circuits set. It will likely require some supervision, at least in the beginning, so join in the fun as your kids figure out how to turn on lights, play sounds, and even launch a flying saucer with some quick lessons in electricity for beginners.

Invite this foam furniture set into your home, and you’ll be gaining more than just a play couch. Yes, your kids can lounge around on it while reading books or watching TV, but they can also use it for pretend play, fort-building, and so much more. The covers are machine-washable, and the whole thing is even pretty comfortable to sleep on…as at least one Skimm’r knows from far too many nights spent on the floor of her children’s room.

Sound machines: they’re not just for newborns. But your big kid will probably appreciate a sound machine that offers more than just a dozen different types of white noise. With audiobooks, podcasts, radio, music, and more, Yoto Mini does just that. Kids can control it themselves by putting cards into the top slot, and listen either using the front speaker or with headphones. Screen-free bedtime entertainment? Yes, please.

This is the perfect gaming system for kids who are too young to operate a regular console on their own (that is, if you even wanted them to in the first place). It’s also a really good way to keep kids active when the weather’s too bad to get outside. The basic set comes with five games included; you can also spend $89 per year (or $49 per three months) for a Play Pass with access to many more games. We recommend going for the full pass, and exploring the constantly evolving content with your kids. Once you’ve selected a game, you don’t need a video game controller to play: you play using your body movements, which are picked up by the camera on the front of the console. And whether you’re slicing fruit in Fruit Ninja, ducking and jumping in the Miraculous Ladybug: Paris Dash game, or actually doing Zumba, many of the available programs are a surprisingly good workout.

If you want a one-and-done car seat you can use from 5 to 100 pounds, this is it. It works in a rear-facing setup for babies, forward-facing setup for kids up to 65 pounds, and highback booster after that…plus, it’s narrow enough to work in a three-across setup. Which means it pretty much checks every box.

Trust us, you’ll thank us later for this rec. Nighttime accidents, stomach bugs, giant glasses of chocolate milk that weren’t technically allowed in the bedroom…this easy cover will protect your kid’s mattress from all of it.

One Skimm’r admits she almost looks forward to dealing with stained clothes, all because of how satisfying it is to watch this stuff do its job. Just spray this nontoxic formula on any stained piece of clothing, run it through the wash, and watch in amazement as it emerges looking just like new.

Easy to store in its included travel bag, this inflatable booster seat makes travel pretty painless. With a non-skid base and comfortable pillow-like feel, it’s perfect for trips when you’ll be in and out of someone else’s car (or a taxi), and can even fit with three-across setups. Note that it’s designed for 4- to 11-year-olds who weigh between 40 and 110 pounds.

Outfitting a kid’s room can get expensive fast, and by the time you’ve already invested in furniture, a carpet, and various other decorative elements, you may not be dying to spend $100+ on some fancy sheets. At the same time, though, kids do get a kick out of a fun, patterned set. That’s where this Pillowfort collection comes in. With pattern options like dinosaurs, unicorns, dragons, mermaids, and more, it’s an outrageously good deal for $25 per three-piece set (that’s a twin-sized fitted sheet, flat sheet, and one pillowcase). The microfiber version of the set is even cheaper, but we prefer the 100% cotton variety.

Old Navy is killing it these days…and that’s especially true when it comes to the kids’ department, where we always find practical, on-trend basics at extremely reasonable prices. From uniform essentials to sweatpants, dresses, and more, for our money, it’s the best place to shop for everyday essentials.

Boden’s our destination for stylish staples that manage to be both quirky and classic at the same time. With beautiful dresses that are still durable enough for everyday wear, and colorful jackets that are bound to earn compliments wherever they go — not to mention adorable shirts and high-quality knitwear — it’s a great resource for wardrobe essentials at a higher price point.

It’s always a balance with kids’ sneakers…you don’t want to spend too much on something they may grow out of quickly, but at the same time, you want something durable and comfortable enough to stand up to long and busy days. We’ve never been disappointed with Tsukihoshi’s kids’ sneakers; they’re good-looking, last a long time, and feel like good value for the price. For another Skimm’r favorite at a higher price point, you can’t go wrong with the New Balance 990.

What can we say about these glorious PJs that we haven’t said many times before? They’re just as beautiful and long-lasting as they’ve always been, and adorable new patterns and seasonal collections keep us coming back year after year. Wait for a big sale so you can really stock up.

It’s hard to beat the price point of Kanu Surf. With lots of colors and patterns available on Amazon, they’re our go-to when we need to stock up on suits for camp, vacation, and daily summer pool visits. The durability is impressive; we’ve had suits and rash guards last multiple summers, and still be hand-me-down-ready.

For the best combination of quality and choice when it comes to preschool and elementary school backpacks, we keep coming back to Pottery Barn Kids. Depending on the pattern you choose, you’ll have size options ranging from Mini to XL (some patterns come in only small and large sizes), and whether your kid is into Hot Wheels, Frozen, Hello Kitty, Minecraft, dinosaurs, baseball, or something else entirely, you should find something that appeals.

It’s certainly possible to spend a ton of money on quality, but for us, this is a “here for a good time, not for a long time” situation. We don’t need the absolute most-advanced in winter coat technology; we need something that will do its job for a year or two, before we move on. Gap’s puffer coats perfectly fit that bill. Don’t pay full price — make sure to buy yours during one of their frequent sales.

It’s a pet turtle…without any of the responsibility. These adorable little toys start to “swim” as soon as you put them in the water, and should keep your kids entertained during bathtime for a good week, at least. (What more can you ask for?) The same company also has some other “swimming” animals you can check out.

With so many different hair types out there, kids — like adults — won’t all find success with the same exact products. And while we may not have a one-stop solution for everyone, we do think this widely available option is a good starting point. It’s intended for use with any type of hair, and the included detangler spray should help tackle difficult knots. All three included products are free from parabens, sulfates, and dyes, and PETA-certified cruelty-free as well.

Hooded towels aren’t just for babies, and these Pillowfort towels from Target are proof. They’re 100% cotton and 50 inches long by 25 inches wide, so they work for kids who are old enough to run around fighting after bathtime, even though you begged them 37 times not to. (There are plenty of other animals to check out, too.)

Not into thick lotions, or aerosols that seem to go right into your kids’ eyes rather than on their skin? This roller-ball sunscreen lotion is a fun twist. Just use the bottle to apply, then spread with your hands.

Keeping up with a dental routine is not most people’s idea of a good time, so when it comes to getting your kids on board, you may need all the help you can get. Enter this bright pink, bubblegum-flavored fluoride mouthwash, which is a fun way to help prevent cavities (and is also sugar- and alcohol-free).