25 best things to buy at Ikea for kids

Fancy high chairs can be pretty pricey, but you can save that cash for your kid’s college tuition thanks to IKEA, which has thoughtfully provided parents with a simple, durable option that’s dirt cheap. ANTILOP highchair with tray, $25, ikea.ca

Got a stuffie addict on your hands? IKEA makes it simple to feed the need thanks to a slew of quality toys at a great price point. They’re a good reward mid-shop when your little one is over traipsing through the store with you. Also, how cute is a stuffed carrot?! Soft toys, starting at $2, ikea.ca

If you don’t have a bathroom that’s easily accessible at all times (like, on every floor), just scatter a few of these lightweight potties around to ensure a perfectly timed tinkle. (Having a potty in the kitchen isn’t gross, right?) The design is simple and the seat is easy to clean. Here’s hoping you don’t need them in your life for too long. Godspeed. LOCKIG potty, $8, ikea.ca

Featuring classic IKEA styling, this adorable little stool is light enough for kids to carry around and it’s so easy to wipe down. But maybe the best part about this cheap cutie? The adorable toadstool hack! Get the instructions here. MAMMUT stool, $8.99, ikea.ca

One of the first purchases expectant parents make is the crib. Here’s a way to avoid one of those “I spent $600 on a crib and my baby won’t sleep in it and now it’s covered in laundry” moments. Simple and modern in design as well as durable and well constructed, this crib will stand the test of time. And keep your eye out for similar Ikea cribs, Hensvik and Sundvik; all three turn into toddler beds, which is a great feature. GULLIVER crib, $160, ikea.ca

Provided you aren’t living under a rock, chances are you’ve seen this ubiquitous tunnel. A playroom staple, it folds up nice and small so you can also throw it in the car or bring it to the park. Bonus: How fun is it to see the grandparents try to squirm through it after the kids? BUSA play tunnel, $17, ikea.ca

Sometimes simple is best. There are no bells or whistles on this basic wooden dollhouse, but you can buy cute mini Ikea furniture to decorate with, and small dolls you already have on hand will feel right at home. When your child outgrows this dollhouse, it can be mounted on the wall as a shelf for special knick knacks. FLISAT, $40, ikea.ca

This classic Ikea unit is lightweight and easy to assemble. And its possibilities are endless: For example, try it on its side as a change table, a bookshelf or for stashing diapers and toys. Just remember to install it with a safety kit (available at Ikea) to keep it safely harnessed to the wall. KALLAX shelf unit, starting at $60, ikea.ca

Let’s face it, a play kitchen is coming into your life at some point. Some of them are hideous and others obscenely priced. Ikea offers a happy medium. This play kitchen offers a fun plywood-industrial-scandi vibe with an affordable price tag. It doesn’t come with accessories, but you’ll have fun at IKEA picking out the cutest ones for your little chef. DUKTIG play kitchen, $119, ikea.ca

Ikea has a huge line of affordable bedding including a bevy of fun, kid-specific prints. We love the Ofelia Vass (starting at $40). Yes, it’s all white (we know what you’re thinking), but washes really well and is densely woven so can take spills and kid punishments like a champ. Bonus: All polyester duvets are machine-washable, which is an absolute must. Bedding prices vary.

Raise your hand if you intended to be one of those parents who vowed to never let your kids eat off plastic. Pfft, not so easy, right? Do yourself a favour and get a couple sets of these bowls, plates and cups. They’re so versatile—you can even use the cups in the tub or water table. And bring a set to the grandparents to keep on hand so you don’t end up stressing about using their nice tableware. KALAS coloured dishware, $2 for six, ikea.ca

Wooden toys typically come with a hefty price tag. Not this track. It’s a 20-piece set (which includes a bridge/tunnel and a four-car train) that can be configured in a slew of ways. It’s a welcome addition to a living room or bedroom floor. LILLABO, $13, ikea.ca

At some point, your little person will benefit from a table and chair that fits their body and is close to the ground in case of a fall. You can’t beat the price on this little set. And it’s neutral enough that it doesn’t burn your eyes when you look at it. The only qualm is that the lip on the table and chair snags dirt and crumbs, making it annoying to clean. But the extra dirt will probably just boost their immune system, right? LÄTT, $30, ikea.ca

How many open boxes of crackers or packs of raisins are going stale in your pantry right now? You need these simple clips in your life. BEVARA sealing clips, $1 for a 10-pack, ikea.ca

This cute collection is meant to encourage parents and children to play more together. The costumes are way cooler than you ever had as a kid. A brain hat? So cute, right? LATTJO games collection, starting at $2, ikea.ca

This iconic little stool can be found in most homes and daycares, and for good reason—it’s grippy and the perfect little boost to reach the bathroom sink. It’s also the ideal height for newly trained toddlers to reach the potty on their own. FÖRSIKTIG stool, $5, ikea.ca

Storage is key when you have kids. This bed’s big drawers underneath look cool and hold so much stuff. Style it like a daybed and keep it in the playroom—it’s a terrific space-saver. FLAXA bed frame, $170, ikea.ca

No matter how often you purge, toys and clutter just keep coming. Face it: You need a storage system. These units are at a great level for kids and you can sort all the toys into colour-coded bins, so when they dump them all out 30 seconds later, just give up, scoop and toss them back in—no lids to fiddle with. Now you just need to learn the “tidy up time song” (ask your daycare provider). TROFAST, starting at $40, ikea.ca

Chairs with minimal seams are easier to clean. This one also offers clean lines and is friendly to adult design sensibilities. Available in green and white, it’s a great option when transitioning your little monkey out of the high chair. The only downside is you can’t strap them in anymore—they are free! URBAN junior chair $50, ikea.ca

The storm of food and paint will be no match for this full-body smock. Maybe you need one for yourself, too. Being a parent is messy business. KLADDIG bib, $5, ikea.ca

Safety first! In this collection you’ll find plug covers, an alligator bathmat and finger guards for the door. Hot tip for the bathmat: Dry it out often or you’ll find a moldy surprise lurking underneath. PATRULL safety products, starting at $4, ikea.ca

While these towels aren’t meant specifically for kids, they’ll find a special place in your heart. They wash really well and have a perfectly nubby texture, which is so absorbent. They even have a little hook sewn in for you to hang to dry. Please, do yourself a favour and get the oversize bath sheet. You can hide from the world, even just for a minute. FRÄJEN towels, starting at $2, ikea.ca

This bag is your new best friend. From laundry, sleepovers, groceries and camping to a 30-minute outing where you need to bring everything just in case, this big blue bag has your back. Bonus: It wipes clean and stores easily. Buy one on every trip to IKEA. #worthit FRAKTA shopping bag, $1, ikea.ca

Prepare to be amazed by the quality of these cheapie art supplies. They come in a slew of vibrant colours and there’s so much to choose from. Keep the roll of craft paper with holder handy so little Picassos can create works of art. Tip: You can also use it to wrap gifts. MÅLA craft supplies, starting at $3, ikea.ca

This little rug doubles as a throw over an uncomfortable wooden rocking chair, making breastfeeding a lot more cozy. Or lay it on the floor for a tactile tummy time session. TEJN rug, $15, ikea.ca

Read more:
7 toy storage solutions for the new year
IKEA hacks: 10 budget-friendly furniture DIYs
How to design a modern nursery