One Mom Swears by These 7 Toddler Products

You can ask 100 moms what their favourite toddler product is and you’ll get 100 different answers. So why should you listen to me? Well, it’s easy to get sucked into the I-need-to-buy-this-product-for-my-kid craze — which is why I won't steer you toward toddler products that’ll take up valuable playroom storage space. As a mom to a 2-year-old and a commerce editor and writer since 2017, I’ve carefully considered truly useful products that both my daughter and I love.

While my daughter isn’t a particularly messy kid, I’ve found the Nuby high chair floor mat one of the best purchases I’ve made in the past year. And even though I keep toys out of my daughter’s bedroom for the most part, I’ve found that the Little Big Playroom ball pit is the ideal nighttime wind-down activity. So, whether it’s the best toy for her or something that makes my life just a little bit easier, I swear by these must-haves. Take it from this mom—both you and your child will appreciate these toddler products.

Top 7 must-have picks for toddlers

Tilhumt Montessori Weaning Table and Chair Set for Kids

Young toddlers aren't ready for a regular chair and table but you don’t want them doing arts and crafts in their high chair. That’s where the Montessori table and chair set comes to the rescue.  The chair is height adjustable, with suggested heights of 5.5 inches for 1-year-olds, 6.9 inches for 2-year-olds and 8.3 inches for 3-year-olds. It’s designed for children ages 1 to 4, so it’ll be their go-to colouring station for years to come. The toddler table and chair set is available in white and grey. Assembly is required but fortunately not complicated.

My favourite thing about this set is that the chair slides perfectly under the desk, creating a compact cube that measures 15.91 inches long by 11.8 inches wide by 15.16 inches high. My 2-year-old daughter uses it nearly every day, mainly to colour on her Crayola mess-free colouring pages. When she gets crayon on the desk or chair, I don’t sweat it. A Clorox wipe and a little elbow grease have it looking like new. My sister-in-law liked this set so much that she purchased it for her daughter, too.

Nuby No-Mess Mealtime Floor Mat

Behold: the smartest $10 you’ll spend as a toddler parent because we all know that mealtime can get messy. The Nuby floor mat goes under your child’s high chair. You can get it in circular (50-inch diameter) or square (49.5 inches long and wide) versions. The vinyl is clear so it won’t be a huge eyesore in your kitchen. It does its job of catching any food your little one deems undeserving.

We discovered this high chair floor mat in the summer of 2023 and have purchased multiple since then. That’s not because it can’t be cleaned; it’s because, eventually, it’s worth spending another $10 instead of trying to salvage it after a few tzatziki-smearing incidents. This mat has saved my hardwood floors from grapes, peanut butter and other bites that have made the fateful fall from my daughter’s high chair.

Little Big Playroom Memory Foam Ball Pit

Gone are the days when ball pits were a novelty. Now, you can have one in your very own house, like the Little Big Playroom ball pit. This model measures 16 inches high, with a 38-inch outer diameter and plush, 2-inch-thick walls. Even after over a year of my daughter throwing herself into the foam pit, the sides haven’t slouched a bit.

Although my daughter’s playroom is filled with colour, I keep her bedroom muted, calming and with minimal toys. I love that this ball pit comes in neutral colours to seamlessly slide into nearly any space. Plus, it comes with 200 balls, so you have everything you need for the fun to start right away. This ball pit was designed for ages 1 to 3, and I don’t see my 2-year-old daughter giving it up any time soon.

Little Tikes Easy Score Basketball Set

This mini basketball set made Today's Parent's list of the best toys for 3-year-olds. When the Boston Celtics became the 2024 NBA champions, my husband bought the Little Tikes Easy Score basketball set for our daughter (and maybe kind of for himself, too). I’ve loved seeing my daughter's excited face when we cheer her on after she dunks it.

Designed for ages 18 months to 5 years, this basketball hoop has six adjustable heights, ranging from 2.5 to 4 feet tall. The water-resistant set can be used indoors or outdoors. I’m surprised it doesn’t take up more space in my daughter’s playroom. But I’m also looking forward to bringing it outside next spring. It comes with three junior-size soft basketballs that can be inflated if they go flat, but we've had this set for six months and haven’t had that issue.

BlueWood Pikler Triangle Set

If there’s one thing that toddlers want to do, it’s climb. Instead of our kitchen stools and side table, we’ve redirected my daughter’s interest in the BlueWood Pikler Triangle Set. This seven-in-one indoor jungle gym has three main sections: a climbing triangle, a climbing arch that can be flipped into a rocking arch and a slide that can be flipped into a rock-climbing ramp. There are various configurations, so you can find the best one to work within your space.

My daughter is very much into slides, so I was happy she enjoyed this smaller one. The climbing triangle has also built her confidence in trying new things and pushing herself physically. This indoor jungle gym can hold up to 160 pounds, so even older kids can enjoy it.

This toy should always be used with adult supervision. There are slots on the different sections, so it takes just a second for a foot to get caught. Still, I like this newer addition to our playroom and can see it coming in handy, especially in the winter when the park is a no-go.

UPPAbaby Vista V2 Stroller (V3 model newly released)

When I was pregnant with our daughter, my husband and I spent plenty of time figuring out which stroller to get. We were at our favourite coffee shop one morning and saw a couple with the UPPAbaby Vista V2 stroller. We instantly loved its look and had to have it. Upon further research, we understood how fantastic it is and why it's so well-respected in the stroller world. The UPPAbaby Vista V2 stroller features a bassinet and toddler seat, all-wheel suspension and converts into a double stroller that can accommodate three kids. Plus, it has 100% full-grain leather accents that just look luxe.

I’ve tested many strollers in the past couple of years — I'm a shopping editor and writer, after all — and one of the reasons I keep going back to the UPPAbaby Vista V2 is thanks to its huge under-seat basket that holds up to 30 pounds. I’ve yet to find my diaper bag fit any other basket better. I’ve taken this stroller everywhere from the mall to the fair, and I appreciate that it doesn’t feel bulky and easily folds and unfolds.

While the UPPAbaby Vista V2 has recently been replaced by the V3 model, you can still get the V2 on Amazon while supplies last. Compared to the previous version, the Vista V3 has enhanced all-wheel suspension, upgraded fabrics, a redesigned canopy, a one-handed recline mechanism and a mesh back. It's also more lightweight and streamlined compared to the V2.

WONDERFOLD W2 Luxe Stroller Wagon

Not many weekends go by when my family isn’t hitting up a street fair, some family-friendly event or a seasonal activity like visiting a pumpkin patch. We needed something with more heavy-duty wheels than our everyday UPPAbaby. The WONDERFOLD W2 Luxe stroller wagon has worked wonders for us.

This stroller wagon comes in two- and four-seater models, featuring removable seats, an adjustable and removable canopy, a magnetic five-point harness and all-terrain XL wheels. So many adults have commented that they wish they could be pushed around in it. And, even when my daughter sits in the wagon and we’ve loaded it with necessities and extras, it’s still easy to maneuver.