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27 Target Products That Will Actually Make You Feel Like You Have This Parenting Thing Under Control

From one parent to another — it really can be easier.

Posted 4 hours ago

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by Raylyn Paquin BuzzFeed Contributor

I am a contributor who has been writing for BuzzFeed Shopping for two years, with a focus on products that make parenting just a bit easier — and hopefully more fun — home decor, kitchen gadgets, and whatever deals I can scope out.

1. A pack of mosquito repellent stickers that'll give your kiddo some much-needed relief from bugs by way of a cute little sticker they'll be showing off to everyone. The stickers, which can be worn for up to six hours, are DEET-free to keep both mosquitoes *and* icky chemicals away.

Target

These patches can keep the whole family safe with baby and adult patches, as well as tick repellent. All patches are plant based and free from harsh chemicals. 

Promising review: "I’ve tried a handful of kids’ mosquito‑repellent bands, sprays, even other sticker brands, and nothing has worked as consistently — or smelled as pleasantly as BuzzPatch. Our kids actually want to put these on because the characters are so fun, and the gentle citronella scent isn’t overpowering. The surprise hero, though, is the little carry case. It’s sturdy, snaps shut securely, and is the perfect size for tossing in a backpack or baby bag. Once we finish this pack, I’m repurposing the case to hold hair ties and plasters on day trips — talk about multipurpose! Giving 5 stars from our whole family." —Twinkles

Price: $9.99 for 24 patches

2. A fan-favorite Baby Brezza formula dispenser to fill bottles quickly, easily, and — most importantly — stress free. You're going to feel like you've totally got this parenting thing down, no matter how chaotic the rest of the day is.

Target

Promising review: "The Baby Brezza Formula Pro Advanced has simplified our feeding routine immensely. It's remarkably convenient to have a bottle prepared at the touch of a button, especially during those late-night feeds. This appliance has truly been a significant help, making the process much smoother for our family." —GT

Price: $229.99

3. An electric nail buffer because those basic clippers feel like you're actually performing high-stakes surgery. Instead, try a nail buffer decidedly low-stakes maintenance and the absolutely glorious feeling of "I've got this."

Target

With four different buffer pads for different age ranges, this buffer grows with your baby.

Promising review: "SO EASY and quick! Baby was sleeping and didn’t even flinch. 🥰" —Marissa

Price: $34.99

4. A set of pacifier clips so you don't have to spend tons of money replacing the downright ~plethora~ of dropped and lost pacifiers. Just hook the pacifier, toy, or teether on and watch them NOT fall into oblivion, you old pro.

Target

Promising review: "These are great as advertised, but are also great for other uses! You can use it for teething or wrap it around a stroller strap and clip a blanket in place. The options are endless! So many items don't hit the ground with pacifier leashes!" —Kris M

Price: $6.19 for a two-pack (available in two color combos)

5. A light-up tongue depressor to connect you to your smartphone to share pictures with your pediatrician because you don't have the time to be running to the doctor every time things are a bit scratchy.

Target

Price: $22.99

6. A cool mist humidifier that'll help soothe when your kiddo comes down with a cold and hopefully get them back up and running sooner. I don't know about you, but I have precisely zero minutes to waste on yet another virus my kids bring home.

Target

So many people swear by humidifiers, but I had never used one before having a baby. If you're a skeptic like I was, I can verify that getting a humidifier has been so helpful, especially now that my kids are a bit older. Whenever I see the first sign of a sniffle, I pull out the humidifier and see dramatic improvement when I grit my teeth and hold on until it passes. 

Promising review: "Best one I have purchased. It says it can go 60 hours. I will not test that, but I now have one that doesn’t turn off in the middle of the night, turned on full blast. The light isn’t bright, which I love, and the refill process and handle to carry are my favorite parts." —Micayla

Price: $34.99 

7. A bath toy–drying bin with drainage in the bottom to keep toys dry, clean, and out of the way. This bin is low-profile and helps keep those toys from just sitting at the bottom of the tub, waiting for the next bath. All you have to do is scoop them up and set them aside, and marvel at how organized your bathroom looks. Easy peasy!

Target

Promising review: "Awesome value. One of the cheapest toy bins, and it does a fantastic job. Toys have no problem drying out, and ours is densely filled up." —pinknblue

Price: $14.99 (available in two colors) 

8. A potty ladder for helping kids independently use the potty at home. Now they can climb up the porcelain throne like the mature kids they are and you can save your poor back muscles from hoisting them up there.

Target

If you're also tackling how to use a urinal, this is an easy-to-clean option that comes in at $15.99.

Promising review: "This is my fourth toddler potty and the best one so far. I’ve purchased seats with 'cushions', but the rim around it is still uncomfortable and leaves a mark on my child. This technically has no cushion, but is sloped and smooth with no hard edges. I really like the easy handles to hold while climbing up and gives them something to hold while waiting to go. Very pleased!" —Faby

Price: $24.99

9. A lightweight and sturdy step stool that is 1,000 times better than lifting your kid to help them wash their hands. Unlike wooden ones, this step won't hurt them if they trip onto it, and it's light enough to move it around when they get older — saving you time and energy long-term.

Target

When my oldest started standing independently, I got a decorative, oh-so-cute wooden stool. I underestimated how clumsy toddlers are and how often they fall. She'd trip over her feet in the bathroom and get a huge bruise or scrape herself on my adorable footstool. Finally, I said "NEVER AGAIN" and bought a plastic one. What was I waiting for?? It's lighter and easier to clean and I do not miss the princess ballerina footstool. Plus, my kids easily grab it when they need to reach something, and I only need to involve myself if I hear a crash. Glorious. 

Promising review: "When I potty trained my youngest, I realized I got rid of our old step stool during a move. This was a great replacement. It's very sturdy and I don't feel any shifting when I step on it. It's sturdy and has never toppled over a child. I also like the grip on the top so even when my kids are having lots of fun with the water and get it everywhere, there's no slipping." —lolo

Price: $10 (available in four colors)

10. A compact, portable Jool Baby travel potty seat to make an adult seat the perfect size for little potty trainers. Save your back from holding them up onto the seat in public restrooms so they don't fall in because the bare minimum here means no peeing toddler clinging to you and bringing your face inches from a public toilet.

Target

This amazing potty seat comes with a travel bag and can be quickly and easily wiped clean with an antibacterial wipe. It suctions onto the toilet, keeping your kid both physically and mentally secure.

Promising review: "This product has been a game changer for getting my toddler to use the potty in public. He is smaller, so normal potties are intimidating to him. I highly recommend this seat for any little kids!!! So easy to attach and fold up. Each to clean after, too. Such a brilliant product." —Kate

Price: $14.99 (available in three colors)

11. A bottle of detangling spray for turning morning cryfests into a quick and easy process. This leave-in conditioner is hypoallergenic, all-natural, and gentle — plus it smells amazing.

Target

I recently switched my fine-haired daughter over to this leave-in conditioner, and we both love it! The citrus vanilla scent is SO good, and it actually works. I can spray this on wet hair after a shower or on a knot in dry hair, and it works equally well.

Promising review: "This stuff smells fantastic and works like magic! My kids have long, wavy hair, and this has become a part of their hair care routine because it’s so amazing. It detangles, and the good smell lasts in their hair." —Mama Kes

Price: $8.59

12. A car-seat buckle release tool that'll protect your nails *and* your patience from how surprisingly difficult unbuckling is — especially when you're attempting the very tricky car nap to crib transfer (*insert The Hunger Games salute here, friends*). These are also great when your kiddo gets older, and it feels like everyone behind you in the drop-off line is totally judging how long you're taking.

Target

Promising review: "Liked the colors. Bought one for each car. My daughter can now unbuckle herself with this, which helps speed up the drop-off line at school." —Erica

Price: $28.99 for a two-pack (available in two color combinations)

13. A super-convenient grape cutter to take all the work out of minimizing choking hazards. Quickly insert the grape or tomato and slice it into a safer size — especially when you have several young kids or are prepping for a party or play date. One less thing to worry about!

Target

Promising review: "Add this one to your registry! Easily cuts lots of round fruit into safe bites." —Sarafae91

Price: $13.99

14. A suction plate for when you're in full-blown solids mode and your kid is in their full-blown "what happens if I do this?" stage. Although your little scientist might want to test out one of Newton's laws now — spaghetti night just isn't the time.

Target

Promising review: "So far it’s great! We are about to start our journey into solid foods and this is great so he can’t throw the plate onto the floor. Also, nice I can just put it in the dishwasher on the top rack." —mackensy

Price: $6.79 (available in four colors)

15. And a long-sleeve bib because you do not have time for more laundry. And *bonus* — it also doubles as an apron for arts, crafts, or whatever messy mischief your little one gets into. Learning to eat is a years-long messy business, so covering their entire outfit will make serving yogurt *ohsomuch* easier.

Target

Promising review: "Love this bib. It covers my little from the biggest mess and even has a catch-all pocket in front. I can easily wash it, and it looks brand new. The fit is great! The tabs stick well and do not come undone like other bibs we have. My LO is an escape artist, and these have not been broken out of yet! Love them and wish there were more cute patterns. We bought the dino and rainbow bibs." —Margie

Price: $9.99 (available in two blue prints)

16. A Shark handheld vacuum to quickly pick up crumbs under the table or high chair without getting on your hands and knees with the dustbin. Save yourself time, energy, and effort by quickly sucking up crumbs and enjoying the feeling of walking near the table without Cheerios sticking to your feet.

Target

For the longest time, I used a dustpan and broom to get my kids' crumbs after meals. It wasn't that big of a deal, but it was annoying. I finally decided to treat myself to a handheld vacuum, and I do not regret anything except for waiting so long to get one. It's one of those small things that made one part of parenting so much less work. Now that my baby is a big kid, she happily vacuums up after meals that are still messy years later. 

Promising review: "I absolutely LOVE this little vacuum! It’s so easy to use — my 2-year-old, who likes to help, can even use this vacuum. It’s powerful, and the attachments are easy to exchange. It is bagless and easy to empty; you can charge it easily from any outlet. I have a long-haired cat who sheds a lot, and this vacuum works well for pet hair." —Stru

Price: $69.99 (originally $99.99) 

17. A Graco TurboBooster LX Backless Booster Car Seat that'll help your kiddo stay comfy during long car rides. Designed for 40–100 pounds and 43–57 inches tall, this car seat comes with comfy armrests, a cup holder for their favorite drinks, and a storage compartment for travel essentials. 

Target

Promising review: "We love this booster. It's very easy to take it off and transfer it to a different vehicle. Our daughter has no complaints sitting in it, especially on long road trips." —Danny

Price: $49.99

18. A magnetic responsibility chart so the ~responsibility~ of literally everything doesn't fall on your shoulders. And by helping them learn the importance of doing their part, it conveniently makes things easier for you in the long run.

Target

This chart includes 14 chores, 8 rewards, and 35 gold stars for personal and communal skills. If you have a non-reader, check out this simplified version for the morning and evening routines!

Promising review: "Love this product for my toddler. Such an easy tool." —Melissashpr

Price: $22.49 (originally $29.99)

19. A Skip Hop back-of-the-seat organizer to keep everything handy no matter how long the car ride. This organizer fits a tablet, water bottle, snacks, and toys for much easier access than somewhere under their seat and just out of reach.

Target

Promising review: "Fits perfectly in my SUV! Protects the seat from little footprints and we have great storage now for all the small toys in the car!" —Shopper

Price: $13.69

20. A nail-biting deterrent that can help curb both nail biting and thumb sucking if your little one has had a hard time breaking the habit. The bad taste lingers after handwashing, and many parents have had quick success in helping their kids keep their constantly germ-ridden hands out of their mouths. Nothing like making that transition you've been dreading, quick and easy.

Target

This polish is free from phthalates, parabens, and aluminum.

Promising review: "Got my daughter to stop thumb sucking! Dried fast and was strong." —kmal22

Price: $8.99

21. A cute toy basket for keeping their most loved toys close at hand while also helping them learn the basics of cleaning up after themselves.

Target

Promising review: "If toys are taking over your house, this basket (or two or three) will really help tidy things up." —B2022

Price: $22+ (available in two sizes)

22. A visual timer to help make transitions easier for everyone. Since kids can't tell time, "five more minutes" doesn't mean much. With this handy timer, they can watch the colored portion get smaller and be less shocked when time is up. If you have a kid who struggles with transitions (like mine!) or doesn't understand any time but NOW, this timer is for you because no one has time for a meltdown.

Target

Price: $19.95 (available in six colors)

23. A fan-favorite Skylight calendar for keeping all of your family appointments in plain sight. Not only does it automatically sync to your calendars, you can set up chore charts for your family members and keep lists all in one place. No more suddenly realizing you double-booked yourself — everything is officially in one spot.

Target

This calendar does use a subscription for a wider range of functions, but the calendar, chore chart, and lists (aka the most important) don't require anything extra. That being said, it's a huge time-saver since it connects to Google Calendar, iCloud Calendar, and Outlook Calendar to keep everyone's schedules in one place.

Promising review: "This literally does it all! There is also an app that goes with it, so you can see your calendar on the go, and it can be accessed separately by your spouse or kids as well! The chore charts and reward stars are great for kids. The meal planning calendar is such a great tool. Having everyone’s schedules in one place is just great. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" —AD

Price: $299.99

24. A sunscreen applicator to make applying sunscreen SO much less *dramatic*. Just fill the applicator with sunscreen of your choice and let the soft sponge apply it rather than your apparently-too-rough hands while you're trying to wrangle your slippery octopus child.

Target

Promising review: "I have bought two of these, and they’re fantastic!! I hate having any lotion on my hands, and this lets me avoid that gross feeling. Allows you to use any sunscreen you prefer and applies evenly." —Tara

Price: $16.49

25. A folding wagon for lugging around *allofthegear*. From sports events, to beach trips, to walking to the park, throw everything — including your kids! — into the wagon so you're not the pack mule for once.

Target

Promising review: "This wagon is what I assume the smaller version of NASA's Mars rover. It is agile, and the ease of movement is impressive. It holds up to 120 LBS., so it's strong enough to withstand cargo that might load unevenly into the wagon itself, to still move with ease." —TANK

Price: $100 (available in two colors)

26. A set of washable tempera paint sticks if you're tired of cleaning 18 different-size brushes after arts and crafts hour. They also use the pencil grip, which is great for keeping a steady hand and the paint on the project. Look at you just seamlessly streamlining craft time.

Target

Promising review: "Got these for my toddler, and they are vibrant colors and easy for his little hands to grab. Recommend!" —Pregg01

Price: $10 for a set of 10

27. A pack of glow sticks that'll suddenly brighten up any sour mood. Keep these handy for late-summer nights, adding some extra fun to games, and for the real MVP boredom-buster: glow stick baths.

Target

Each pack contains 109 glow sticks of various sizes and colors and 92 connectors, clips, rings, and cords. As a reminder, all baths with young kids should be supervised. 

Promising review: "Lots of options for the kids. I bring glow sticks to our camping family reunion every year, and they are always a hit to keep the kids occupied." —chocolate lover 94

Price: $14 for a pack of 200

Want to see even *more* of our recommendations for parents? Try these:

* Affordable Products That’ll Help Keep Your Kids Entertained All Summer Long

* Just 27 Affordable Parenting Products That’ll Make Your Life With A Baby A LOT Easier

* If You And Your Little One Are Always Running Late, Do Yourself A Favor And Check Out These 28 Products

* Amusement Park Must-Haves That’ll Make Your Day Of Fun Even Better

* Things That Teachers Say Are The Best Things They’ve Added To Their Classrooms

Plus, finds from Amazon, Uncommon Goods, Walmart, and Wayfair.

Why Trust BuzzFeed Shopping?

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Reviews for this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.