A lot of you loved my Newborn Essentials post when I shared it quite some time ago now, so I figured I would so another one for toddlers! Jack is 2 now (eek, seriously where did that time go?!), and obviously what I need for him has changed dramatically. Here are a few things that Jack is loving at the moment and that I deem to be absolute essentials.
This post obviously doesn’t include toys, but if you want to know what Jack’s current favourite toys are you can view this post here and this one here!
I’d love to know what your toddler is loving at the moment – let me know in the comments below!
KIDS SOFA
When Jack turned one I bought him a neat little fold out sofa from Kmart (we have the blue and white grid pattern, but there’s now a really cool dino print one!). This thing gets a tonne of use, and at only $25 it was a great buy! Jack loves sitting on it while having his milk or watching Blippi and it’s nice that he can have his own space. He calls it his “lovely sofa”.
It also doesn’t take up too much room, and is perfect for sitting soft toys on when not in use! As well as being a sofa, it also folds out into a wee day bed where kids can lie and watch tv or even have a little afternoon nap. It’s lightweight, easy to clean and a total winner in our household! These come out in different colours and patterns all the time, so just keep an eye online or in your closest Kmart store!
PLAYMAT/STORAGE*
Jack loves his blocks and Duplo, but man do they make a mess everywhere! I’ve found this 2-in-1 playmate/storage SO helpful! I remember when my brother was little there used to be Lego everywhere and the neat freak in me vowed that wouldn’t happen with Jack! So when I was kindly offered a credit to use at Little Giants Kids Store I jumped at the chance to buy this playmat/storage bag. The idea is you can pull the tie in to make a storage bag for the blocks when they are not in use (keeping them all very tidy in a v. cute way!) or can unpull to tie to spread the bag out to make a playmat. I’m encouraging Jack to just try and keep his blocks on the mat as he plays, which also helps to cut down on the mess. If you hate toys lying everywhere like me, you need one of these in your life! Best purchase!
MOCKA TABLE & CHAIRS
A table and chairs set is a staple for any toddler or child as it gives them a bit of independence and allows them to learn to sit and do things like eating, colouring, puzzles etc. I knew I wanted to get Jack a set for his 2nd Christmas (18 months old), and I knew that I wanted a wooden set. This is for two reasons – one it blends in better with the decor and secondly, wood would wear better than plastic, as it would be sitting in the living room in the direct sunlight. I tossed up between the Mocka table and chairs and this cheaper one from Kmart, but in the end went for the Mocka table in natural as I loved the way it looked and figured it would probably wear better than one that was painted (and therefore might chip)
I’m so glad I chose this one and Jack absolutely loves it. After 6 months, it’s already worn so well and there are no big marks or discolouration (even though Jack definitely puts it through it’s paces!) The table and chairs are all the perfect height, and the table is a great size – big enough for activities, but doesn’t take up the whole room. The chairs are stackable too which is pretty neat. I grabbed the set, which has the table and two chairs for a reduced price – otherwise you can buy them individually.
CAMELBAK DRINK BOTTLE
I gave Jack this drink bottle at 12 months old and honestly, it get used all the time! It’s the 400ml Camelbak Eddy which is the perfect size for Jack to use every day as well as fitting nicely in my bag when we are out and about. It’s BPA free and easy to clean. You can also buy replacement parts including the straw and the sipper. Jack loves this and I do too for the ease of use! I was a little unsure about how Jack would go with a straw right at the start but he picked it up really easily, so I’d say this is fab for any kids 12 months+ and it will grow with them as they get older. Jack now uses this in the car and can put it in and out of the drink holder on his carseat easily. It’s an excellent little bottle, that kids will get a tonne of use from!
LITTLE DUCKS OVERALLS & JACKET
One of the best clothing items I have bought Jack are these overalls and wet weather jacket set from Little Ducks. They are a waterproof and windproof over layer that keeps kids clothes clean and dry, even when they are splashing in puddles! The overalls get worn year around, and are especially great for kids who are keen to get into the mud and puddles, and are also hugely helpful when they are sitting on wet grass etc. I bought a size 2 for Jack and he started wearing the overalls at about 18 months (even though at the time they were huge!). They will also fit next year too, so I will have gotten nearly three years out of them! I definitely recommend sizing up if you want to get the most out of them as they are quite adjustable (especially the overalls). Highly recommend these, they have been a lifesaver and reduced the amount of washing I have to do dramatically!!
