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Annnd that means you don’t have to constantly hover over them so you can get your own stuff done too!

I am a contributor and former BuzzFeed Shopping writer based in Cincinnati, OH where you can find me curating lists on ~a little bit of everything~ (and adding a few things to my own cart in the process).

Promising review: "These are just what I needed! I bought these for my 1-year-old and while I know she’s not quite ready to really be cleaning, she really tries to help me when I’m doing it. I figured why not grab her her own set to foster some independence and start helping her momma out lol. The stand is easy as pie to assemble, literally stick it in and go. It’s totally functional as well. We haven’t tried the mop one out for real, but it is absorbent because she’s used it while I was Swiffering. Packaging for this product is great as well." —Danae Baptiste

Promising reviews: "I've tried a number of different lacing systems that would allow my daughter, who has fine motor difficulty, to put her shoes on by herself without needing to ask for help with the tying of the laces. These are the only ones that both served the purpose and were comfortable for her to wear. They look (and she says feel) like regular laces, but she can pull her sneakers on and off without help. Yay for independence! Cool colors too!" —M. G. OD

“Worked great on my son’s high-top Converse! I didn't expect these to work so well on high-top shoes, but they do! We aren’t waiting 15 minutes for my son to get his shoes on to go to school, so these are totally worth it! My son doesn't use the top holes, so 45 inches worked, but I would have gone longer if I had known.” —ThriftyCouponMom 

Get it from Amazon for $4.40+ (available in nine lengths and 15 colors).

Check out a TikTok of the storage bag in action.

Promising reviews: "I never leave reviews on Amazon, but today I had to do it. This has been BY FAR the best storage for Legos we have ever purchased. We have tried boxes, plastic containers, bags, you name it, and this surpassed all our expectations. No more Legos lying on the floor! The girls (6- and 7-years-old) spill them all on the mat, which is great for finding whichever pieces they need and when they are finished, they store them in seconds all by themselves! A little pricey, but a great investment and great quality materials." —Annabelle Rivera

"I really like this for my kids' Duplo Lego bricks, but I think it could be used for a lot more than that. I want to get one for my kids' train track. The fabric part is really large and would fit the track on it. I found the cleanup is extremely easy; all you do is lift up the fabric, and it all goes in the bin. An added bonus, my 2-year-old can dump over the bin, and it stays on the fabric part. I also would like to add that I like the fabric on the outside of the bin; it looks durable and good quality." —KFundy

Get it from Amazon for $49.98+ (available in three colors). 

Promising reviews: "One of the best purchases I made for back to school for my daughter. It gives her an opportunity to be independent in the morning when getting ready, and also allows me a little more time to get myself ready for the day." —Nat Marie

"My son started kindergarten, and this is a big help for my husband and me. It's so nice having one less thing to stress about in the morning. It also helps my son to recognize the days of the week and how many days we have left. The sleeves are a good size for smaller clothing, pockets seem pretty durable. I had some issues with the door, which was hanging on closing, but I then moved it. Easy to use and a good value." —Deanna

Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in two colors).

Reviewers swear this brush works on all hair types: straight, wavy, or curly (from 3a–4c hair).

Promising reviews: "Only brush/comb my son has used independently without complaints. He’s tender-headed and gets tangles pretty bad because of his kinky/curly hair. Thank you so much for this product!!" —Georgia howard

"This is the one! My 9-year-old daughter has long, straight hair. Medium thickness. I told her that if she wants to keep it long, she has to care for it herself. I can't stand over her any longer, killing my back as I comb out knots after her shower for 20 minutes. Or tangles in the morning when she wakes up. So I stumbled across this brush on Amazon and figured it was worth a shot. It arrived yesterday, and my child is in love with it! She combed out her hair in no time and loved how silky it left her hair. She even brought it to day camp today to show her girlfriends. I love this brush!! I'm going to need a second one. Insurance in case this one goes missing. I will not go backward! ;-)." —Amy D.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 10 colors/patterns and two-packs).

You can even store leftover batter in the bottle and store it in the fridge.

Promising reviews: "Great for having my kids make themselves breakfast." —Mike

"Kid-friendly. Love this. My kids make waffles on the weekend. Really easy for them to use! And no messy spills or ladles with batter drips everywhere. Love! Highly recommend!" —Sonia Flavia

Promising review: "Bought this for our son who we are starting to potty train. It is made of durable plastic. It is easy to assemble (there is a one page illustration on how to assemble it) and there is no need for tools to assemble this. It is foldable for easy storage. Our son loves this as it gives him a sense of independence: (1) the step ladder enables our son to climb and sit on it on his own— yay!, (2) the handles on each side provide for additional support, and (3) it doesn’t slip as it rests on our toilet. There is a removable cushioned seat included for added comfort. The height of the potty training seat can be adjusted to fit the height of the toilet. Would recommend this product." —Jhyza

Get it from Amazon for $33.99+ (available in 13 colors).

Promising reviews: "These are great, I've only had them a week, but they've been very helpful in encouraging my son to use the potty by himself at night. Before, he was scared to go into a dark bathroom, even to turn on the light. Now he leaves the lights off and shouts about the different colors of his pee." —Laurel

"I absolutely love this product. Especially because with a husband and a son, they tend to sprinkle on the toilet seat in the middle of the night. With the color set to any bright color (like white, yellow, green, or blue), it illuminates every single sprinkle on the seat! You will no longer have a bottom wet with pee in the middle of the night! When I purchased this, I bought a case of AAA batteries, thinking I would have to change them often (with six people in the house, they get used up often). However, I have not had to change the batteries once in a few months! Also, the sensor is super sensitive, so it turns on as you come through the door, or even a little before. Just a great product all around. Definitely recommend for households with children, you won't have to leave your bathroom light on all night anymore, either! #MomWin." —Angela

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $9.89.

Promising review: "My daughter couldn’t reach the faucet to wash her hands and this was so helpful for her to be more independent and wash her hands by herself." —Caro Losada

Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in two colors and two-packs).

These install in minutes on standard light switches.

Promising review: "Must-have for toddlers! Perfect solution! As my toddler's independence soars, so do frustrations. This light switch extender pack was a great buy. He can now turn on the lights in his room and bathroom. Installation was easy and works as expected." —Anna

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (also available in a two-pack).

Promising review: "I’ve bought this item twice, once as a gift for my niece and once for my son. The cup isn’t leak-proof, but my baby has been learning how to use it pretty quickly. It’s sturdy enough for him to grab and drop without the lid popping off. Some water spills through the straw hole when he tips it over, but not a lot. He loves being independent, so this cup is perfect for giving him water and a little freedom at dinner time." —Amanda

Get it from Amazon for $17.49 (available in six colors).

Check out a TikTok of the drink dispenser in action. 

This requires two AA batteries. The dispenser should work on almost all non-carbonated beverages.

Promising reviews: "Got this for the grandkids so they don’t have to try and lift the cartons of milk, juice, etc. out and spill on the counters. Can fill their own glass and cereal bowls and don’t need to wait for mom to help in the morning before school, they love having them." —Diane Ferguson

"Super happy with this purchase. Our two little ones (5- and 3-year-olds) can now easily fill their own drinks. We also purchased a dual cereal dispenser from Amazon, so now the kids can get their own breakfast cereal with milk!" —April M. Ramos

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in four colors and multipacks). 

Promising review: "Easy to assemble bookshelf for children’s books. Perfect height for toddlers and to get them excited/pick books independently." —Ashley M.

Get it from Amazon for $23.59+ (available in 12 colors).

Check out a TikTok of the snack spinner in action.

Promising review: "This has been a game changer for on-the-go snacks with my toddler. The compartments are perfect for variety without the mess, and the spin-and-pick design keeps my kid engaged and eating independently. My toddler calls it his 'spinny plate' and asks for it always! We pulled it out at the pediatrician's office, and our doctor even commented on how great it was! We love that it’s made from durable, BPA-free materials and is easy to throw in the dishwasher. The included stickers were a fun bonus that let us personalize it. The sealing clasp is very tight at first; it requires a bit of muscle (or small help) to open until the seal 'breaks in.' Over time, it becomes easier. We’ve used it at home, in the car, and on the go — and it’s held up great. Highly recommend for parents looking for a smart, reusable snack solution." —Lily Lancaster

Get it from Amazon for $29.95+ (available in two styles, two sizes, and five colors).

Promising reviews: "We use this to keep our 9-year-old daughter on track for her morning routine. Instead of my husband and me constantly telling her what she should be doing, which can be stressful for the three of us, we gently ask her to refer to her checklist. It’s great because she feels more independent and accomplished when she is able to check off her list. I like that the list isn’t something she has to write on and get messy. She only has to move a button over to check an action off her list. Our checklist includes things like brushing your teeth, getting dressed, brushing your hair, putting on your shoes, packing your school bag, etc. She is easily distracted and not very motivated in the morning. The checklist offers her structure and affirmation without us having to continually remind her what she has to do next. It’s durable, sticks to the wall easily, and is easy to change out and add morning or nightly routines to help keep her on track." —ALucas77

"High functioning autistic child uses this each morning to get ready and out the door on time. It is great." —Julie Burton

Get it from Amazon for $4.99+ (available individually or in two- or four-packs and in two styles).

Fistik Puzzles is a small biz based in Ukraine creating wooden puzzles and charts.

Promising review: "The responsibility chart has been perfect to keep my children on track with their independence and a few chores. They really enjoy swapping the tiles and having agency over their daily tasks. As a home-educating family, it’s been reassuring to see that they are achieving more than I had imagined, and the boards serve as a great to-do list for me as well as them! They are beautifully crafted, and the seller was so helpful when I had some queries about ordering in Italian. Now they can’t wait to earn their daily star (which converts into pocket money at the end of the week!) and are practicing their Italian alongside becoming more responsible and independent. I highly recommend — the boards are worth the money and look great in the children’s rooms." —Samantha

Get it from Fistik Puzzles on Etsy for $58.89+ (originally $117.78+; available in six set sizes, three sizes, and with or without a name added).

Promising review: "Not only do my 7-year-old’s teeth look so much cleaner than they did when he was brushing them without an electric toothbrush, but he really looks forward to brushing and is motivated to brush twice a day!!! As a mom, this is very exciting. No more excuses from him since he uses the toothbrush app, gets to brush along with his fuzzy, cute friend, and earn virtual prizes. Wow! I do need to give him an extra minute before school and bed to brush along with his app, but it is more than worth it!!! Thank you!" —kristen

Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in three designs and in multipacks).

Promising reviews: "Fits on Hello toothpaste for kids. A bit snug, but it works and doesn't pop off. We bought this because the Hello toothpaste lids are stiff to open, and my daughter was getting flustered; she couldn't be independent. This has allowed her independence :)" —Nicolle Hill

"Not only does it work great for my 4- and 5-year-olds, but it also works great for the teenager who never puts the lid back on the toothpaste. This way, I have one less battle to fight in my house." —Ashley Moses

Get a set of three from Amazon for $6.45+ (available in three versions, three pack sizes, and five color combinations). 

This bad boy includes a toothpaste dispenser (that'll squeeze out every last ounce!), four cups and holders, and a place to store your toothbrushes.

Promising reviews: "EXACTLY what I was looking for! Perfect to organize the counters in the bathroom and rid them of the clutter from toothbrushes and toothpaste, and cups! Also great to teach independence in the brushing teeth process!" —Amy Renee Whitehead

"So glad we found this! With a 4- and 5-year-old, I was constantly cleaning toothpaste off everything in the bathroom! This is great; they basically need zero help from me now. And it keeps my counter less cluttered with everything in one handy place. Highly recommend, especially if you have kids!" —Maggie Byers

Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in four colors).

Check out a TikTok of the cereal dispenser in action. 

Promising reviews: "Really easy solution for busy mornings with kids. My daughter loves getting her own cereal. No more waste due to the bag being left open." —Brandy Mann

"It looks so cute on the counter, and it's been perfect to help give my little ones a little independence getting their breakfast in the morning!" —Mikell

Promising reviews: "This is exactly what I wanted for my toddler to start using to help with routines, bedtime, quiet time, etc. She can use it herself and helps with independence." —sarah alberico morris

"My toddler was struggling with transitions from one activity to another, so we got this little timer. She loves it because it’s cute, and now we transition easily. When she hears the beep, she says, 'That’s the timer,' and moves on from what she’s doing. I’m honestly amazed at how well it works. It’s small but mighty and easy to carry around the house with us!" —Kimberly S

Get it from Amazon for $14.49 (available in three colors).

Promising reviews: "Got one for myself and each of the kids as they now have their own rooms. The sunrise feature is shockingly effective without making me hate it. The kids are loving the independence of getting up on their own steam. My husband loves that the digital display can be turned off, so it doesn’t bother him while falling asleep. We’re all happy." —Vanessa

"My daughter is a very deep sleeper, which makes waking her for school an absolute chore. We have tried many alarms in the past. They would just go off until I went up to turn them off. I began to think nothing would ever wake her! I decided to try this alarm clock in the hopes that I would no longer have to set aside 30 minutes every morning to wake her. We have had this clock for about two weeks now, and I have not needed to go up to wake her since its arrival!! I cannot tell you how shocked I am at how quickly it worked. This is an amazing product!! Thank you so much for helping my 8-year-old become more independent." —Katelyn Lindberg

Get it from Amazon for $32.88+ (available in five finishes).

Promising reviews: "I love the wake-to-play option on this clock. It’s why I got it, actually. My son has been coming into my room at all hours of the night wanting to know if it’s time to wake up. This gives him 30 minutes prior to his wake-up time for him to know that that’s an acceptable time to get up and go watch TV or get himself breakfast because we are trying to encourage him to practice his independence. Watch the setup video, it helps a lot!" —DLS

“We bought this for my oldest child a few years ago. Within a week, everyone was getting more sleep, and I could plan my mornings around when I knew my kid would get up, so I could get ready before my kid was up. It was so great that we recently bought a second one for my youngest. In a month, my youngest went from waking up at 4:30 a.m. to waking up regularly at 6 a.m. with the 'green light.' When my kids play nap or bedtime, it always ends with them saying 'green light.' Customer support was great when we had a minor user error. We take the clocks everywhere we travel since they are essential for naptime and morning wakings.” —G.U. 

Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (available in four colors).

ChooMee is a small biz based in Northern California, owned by a mom, that specializes in innovative products that solve everyday feeding challenges.

*And* they are reusable… when they've finished a pouch, you can just toss the lid in the dishwasher!

Promising reviews: "I recommend these to all other toddler mom friends I have. They give the baby independence, letting them eat the pouch all by themselves without creating a mess! I throw them in the dishwasher after each use. Please bring these to stores!" —Erin Burnside-Roach

"Are you tired of your infant squeezing their food pouches all over themselves? The floor? And most importantly, your nice dress shirt as you're trying to leave the house in the morning and you're already running late for work, and no matter how many breakfast burritos from Whataburger you bring into the office, your boss is going to kill you for being late again?! Not saying that would happen to me, maybe you, but not me. Why? Because I bought these little puppies before that could ever happen. The one-way valve saves the day. And even my manly, manicured, buttery soft hands can't squeeze hard enough to get a drop out. Save your shirts and your jobs. Buy these tops!" —J. Mueller

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $8.98+ (available in five color combos). 

Check out a TikTok of the holder in action. 

Promising reviews: "I have twins, and it’s impossible to feed two babies fast enough. I just put the premixed food pouches in there, and my girls just suck them down! Works so easily and saves me time, so I don’t have to be glued to feeding them! It actually saves on food, too. They suck it down, so I don’t waste any giving them a little by little and having them spit it out. My girls are 6.5 months old, so it works great for coordination too! Would buy again!" —Kallie Pope

"BEST THINGS EVER!! My little one is 10-months-old and a little miss independent. She HATES when I have to help feed her. She LOVES the applesauce pouches, but always squeezes them and makes the biggest mess ever! I thought these would be worth a shot. I was right!! Works awesome for her with juice boxes, too! AND she's happy because mommy doesn't have to help!! I would definitely buy them again, and I told EVERYONE with littles how much they need to buy these!" —Kaila

Get one from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in five colors and multipacks). 

This is also great for any adults who need to unbuckle little ones but have long nails or arthritis!

Promising reviews: "I love this tool. It has made my life much easier now that my 4-year-old can unbuckle himself when it’s time to get out of the car. (He knows he will lose the privilege if he tries to unbuckle without permission.) He appreciates any opportunities I can give him to be a little more independent." —R Hawk

"This device is the best purchase I’ve made in a long time! It works as advertised, doesn’t require a learning curve and makes life with a child (grandchild) easier. Better yet three adults with zero mechanical skills are already using it. Everybody wants one for their keychain so to avoid any family arguments I will order two more. I have large hands so the wide pressing area works well. The   is also made with a non-slip cushioned covering which is a big help! Before I purchased this device pushing the red car seat button was sometimes problematic but no longer. Do yourself a favor and destress a small part of your life — you will love it." —yogaski

Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in seven colors).

Savoychef was founded by a parent and is a minority-owned small business. They created the original patented and award-winning sandwich sealers.

Promising reviews: "My kiddo loves this, and the fact he can do it himself is a plus! Quality seems great!" —Megan Landers

"These have been a GAME CHANGER in this house!! My son has always begged me for Uncrustables, but my wallet didn’t agree with them. I LOVE being able to make them at home and customize them to exactly what they would like them filled with! I make two weeks' worth of sandwiches at a time and store them in sandwich bags in the freezer, so in the morning during the school year, we can just grab and go! Love them!" —Katherine Smaczniak

Get a pack of three shapes from Amazon for $15.97.

Funbites is a small biz you may have seen featured on Shark Tank. And this is top-shelf dishwasher-safe!

Promising reviews: "Our kids love these because it's so simple to use that they can do it all themselves. We all know kids like to cut their own food!" —Joe La

"You know you’re a mom when you get excited about a food cutter! My daughter recently turned 1, and we needed to start packing a protein, a grain, and two fruits/veggies. I was overwhelmed and not sure how my daughter was going to handle eating a sandwich, even though she had been eating ‘real’ food since she was 6 months old. This is a game changer! It works perfectly, cutting her sandwich into the perfect size! Not only does it cut sandwiches perfectly, but I’ve also used it on slices of cheese to make them into bite-sized pieces! I tell everyone about this tool and can’t wait to try it on something else!" —cdecker

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in seven color-and-shape combos and multi-packs).

Check out a TikTok of the toddler tower in action.

Promising reviews: "Our Kitchen Helper has been a game changer in our household! Our toddler loves being independent in the kitchen, and she has learned a lot. The quality is outstanding, and I love how it is easy to clean. The modern and sleek design fits perfectly in our kitchen. It's a must-have for any little chef-in-training!" —Lauren Mupanomunda

"Granted, I did NOT want to spend this much on a toddler tower, but it's amazing. I love that it can be folded away and set up was so easy. The kids loooove it, can help cook and 'clean dishes.' The adjustable height and the grip on the bottom are amazing! I never worry about them when they are in it, and it wipes clean very easily. Definitely worth it." —Madison Owens

Get it from Amazon for $199.95 (available in three finishes).

Check out a TikTok of the knives in action.

PSA: children should still be supervised while using these knives!

Promising reviews: "I have recommended these knives to everyone I know!!! The independence that they give to the kids is HUGE. My oldest graduated from them and moved to regular knives with no problems." —Luisa Tabares

"I’ve only had these for a couple of days, but already my 4-year-old daughter keeps asking me for things to chop up. They’re perfect for the little chef in your life or the kid who wants to be a big helper. So far she’s easily (and safely) chopped up: lettuce, apples, bananas, strawberries, potatoes, even carrots! I can run my hand along the blade and not cut myself, and yet it’s designed in a way that you can still chop through veggies and fruits. Another pro is that they are super easy to clean and dishwasher safe. They came exactly as pictures for me: in three different sizes and colors, with a slight grip texture on the handle for little hands. They’re nice and lightweight as well, so it’s not cumbersome for younger kids. Love them!" —Abby Roeller

Get a set of three from Amazon for $9.95 (available in two color combinations and larger sets).

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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.

The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity.