Our Family's Favorite Resources
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You don't have to scroll Amazon for hours—I've done the work for you! I'm sharing the trusted favorites that help our little learner grow. Browse the specific books, durable mealtime gear, and dependable travel supplies we truly love, and find resources that fit your family, too.
Daily Gear
Affordable and universal, what more could you need?
Travel fan for stroller, or anywhere on the go to keep you or your little one cool. Rechargeable, 3 speeds and flexible legs to attach to anything!
Use these bags to keep items dry. I use one for swim class, put wet clothes in and walk home dry. Or I place any items I want to keep dry, when we walk in the rain safe in the bag until we reach our destination. Also great for keeping snacks safe from NYC critters. (IYKYK)
I've had this small but mighty speaker since 2021. I've repurposed it for our stroller. Using a toddler friendly playlist, of music or podcasts, this speaker helps me to keep Rose entertained and engaged, without the use of screens. The small buttons are easy enough for her to control the on/off or volume buttons.
Hygene/Potty
I used this book when I introduced the Baby Bjorn potty. It helped to make the real world connection. The book perfectly lays out the steps and the lift the flaps make the book interactive and fun!
Perfect potty for home and away. This portable non-slip potty can move with you into any room for quick access for your potty learner. I like to remove the inner potty and strap it to the stroller and take it on the go.
Training undies FTW! If you can skip the pull-ups go with training undies to help little ones with feeling the sensation of wetness. This can help them to make the mind-body connection during training. They are absorbent enough and easily machine washable.
Step stool is light weight and easy to use for toddler. We primarily use it as a step stool. The handles on the side make it easy for Rose to climb up and down independently.
It is a good as they say. This potty seat folds and has it's own travel bag. It is non slip and stays in place. The little handles give her something to hold onto, keeping her from touching the dirty potty. And the seat size is perfect so that she doesn't slip into the large potty. Keep it folded in the stroller and use whenever you're near a public restroom.
Hair Care
Love this shampoo for curly hair, its become a favorite in the routine.
Love this shampoo for curly hair, its become a favorite in the routine.
Great conditioner, provides good slip . Not too heavy, and it helps detangle her hair with ease.
I use the wide tooth comb to comb out her hair with the conditioner. Great size for smaller head.
After the wash, add the leave in conditioner. Helps to seal in moisture, and help with later styling.
Curl cream to nourish and define curls. Great combo to help with her sweet curls. Provides enough hydration to last until next wash day.
Finish out the routine by getting those curls to POP! This mini brush is not only great for travel, but great for small heads.
As Rose's curls were developing and her hair was pretty fine, this bruch was our go to. NGL, as her curls became thicker, she snapped more than a few bristles. It was then I realized she needed to graduate to a stronger brush.
A variety of colors to create a rainbow of toddler hairstyles. Doesn't pull or tangle and holds shape even after a long day of styling. Check out my Instagram for more #toddlerhairstyles
Kitchen
Durable, reusable, dishwasher safe. Reduce microplastics with stainless steel items. Beautiful and functional.
Perfect for on-the-go, small size great for snack items.
Great lunch box, stainless, air tight seal. Hand wash to keep seal.
Spill resistant, flexible straw, great for travel, 12 oz. Lots of fun colors.
Books
Parenting doesn't come with a manual, but a good bookshelf helps. I call these my "Anchor Books" because they are the core we visit throughout the month that help guide our activities. Whether you follow along month-by-month or pick a topic you need right now, these are the trusted resources I stand by.
We start the year with this classic to set a tone of kindness and generosity. It’s a powerful, simple story that opens up surprisingly deep conversations with little ones about love and selflessness—a perfect "new beginning" for our family's focus.
This is so much more than an alphabet book. It’s a vibrant, powerful, and accessible introduction to Black History. We use this all month to spark conversations about important figures, events, and a legacy of resilience. It's an essential tool for building an inclusive library.
We use this month to celebrate the amazing women who shaped our world. This book is a vibrant ABC guide to 23 iconic women, from Amelia Earhart to Malala Yousafzai. It’s a fun, inspiring way to introduce role models and empower all our children.
As the world starts to bloom, this is our favorite Earth Day read. It’s a beautiful, hopeful story about a boy who patiently transforms his gray city into a lush, green world. It’s the perfect inspiration for talking about nature, persistence, and our own power to make the world more beautiful.
This is our official "Welcome, May!" book. Lois Ehlert’s vibrant, collage-style illustrations are captivating. It’s a simple, beautiful journey from bulb to bloom, making it the perfect tool for teaching colors, counting, and the magic of a flower garden.
As we kick off summer and think about beach days, this is our go-to. The shimmery, sparkling scales are magical for kids, but the story is a powerful social-emotional lesson. It’s the best book for starting conversations about friendship and the joy of sharing.
Books
Parenting doesn't come with a manual, but a good bookshelf helps. I call these my "Anchor Books" because they are the core we visit throughout the month that help guide our activities. Whether you follow along month-by-month or pick a topic you need right now, these are the trusted resources I stand by.
This book is pure fun and perfectly captures all the buzz and excitement leading up to the holiday. Using that familiar, cozy rhythm, it walks through all the traditions—from parades to fireworks—and is the perfect way to build anticipation for the big day.
Whether it's the first day of school or just navigating new social scenes, this book is a lifesaver. It’s a beautiful, gentle story that tackles separation anxiety head-on, giving children a concrete, comforting tool to feel a parent's love all day long. We reread this every August.
As the air turns crisp, this book becomes our guide. It’s a simple, sensory celebration of the season—perfect for toddlers. We use it to talk about the "crunchy leaves," "warm cider," and "cozy sweaters" that make fall so special.
This is the king of all Halloween-season books. It’s the perfect adventure, full of "wild things" and wonderful mischief. Beyond the fun, it’s a masterpiece for talking about big emotions and the comforting, unconditional love that's always waiting at home. Let the wild rumpus start!
This is our favorite story for Thanksgiving and harvest time. It’s a funny, heartwarming tale of a woman who goes from hating pumpkins to having way too many. It’s a beautiful, gentle lesson on abundance, generosity, and the joy of sharing with your community.
This book is the quiet magic of winter. It perfectly captures the wonder and sensory exploration of a child's first snowy day. It’s a peaceful, beautiful, and timeless story that we read curled up with a blanket to welcome the cozy "winter wonderland" season.
Toys
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We used these to learn ABC. They are sturdy, they travel well. Use them as a puzzle or flash cards for learning.
We love these. I used them back in my teaching days. These are great for water or sand play.
We use these for playdough or kinetic sand.
Travel Gear
We love this for travel. It has saved our trips where we share a room. It has a place for your baby camera, sound machine and fan.
We have upgrade to the SlumberTot travel bed, which is much easier and lighter to travel with. It comes with an electric air pump.
Portable sound machine. Has a variety of sounds, and has a light, with different colors. Has a good battery light. A must have for travel. Can even go with you on stroller for naps on the go.
I've used this as travel pillow and blanket. I've used this as a back-up at preschool. I've used this on plane. It washes well and has kept its fluffiness. You can fold the blanket and store in the pillow for convenient travel.