So you have a newly-mobile little one. An official toddler. It’s a whole new world for both of you and while you’re baby-proofing all the things and chasing them down the hall, it’s also time to stop (you know, when they’re asleep) and consider what first walker shoes to start them out with. They’re a little different from pairs for older kiddos. New toddlers need shoes designed to keep them upright (obviously) and support their foot development. Luckily, there are so many baby shoes for new walkers to choose from, so you’ll be able to find the perfect pair or two for their little feet.

Carter's Relay Sneakers

navy and pink baby sneakers
Carter's

Carter's line of shoes for new walkers, called Every Step, features sneakers, boots, Mary Janes, moccasins, and even high-tops. A double hook-and-loop closure makes it easy to put on and take off these shoes, and the cute, classic styles and colors mean they'll easily match with your child's outfits.

Carter's Relay Sneakers ($17.05)—Buy Here!

First Walkers from Ten Little

Ten Little

Foot-shaped toe boxes make these ultra-lightweight baby shoes perfect for those first steps. Available in 5 colors.

First Walkers from Ten Little ($39.00)—Buy Here!

Wobbly Waddlers First Steps Shoes

Wobbly Waddlers

The First Steps line from Wobbly Waddlers,offer a flexible rubber sole, leather insole, ankle support and additional stability to support toddlers as they learn to walk. The shoes in this line are handmade in Mexico and come in cute and classic styles.

Wobbly Waddlers First Steps Shoes ($55.00)—Buy Here!

BirdRock Baby Mary Janes

BirdRock Baby

Four heart cutouts dress up this classic leather Mary Jane from BirdRock Baby. There's an elastic band at the ankle that keeps shoes snug and makes it easy to take them on and off. And with each purchase, BirdRock Baby donates a day's worth of food to a child in need through the charity Feed My Starving Children. BirdRock Baby also makes super cute moccasins and baby booties in a variety of colors and styles and at reasonable prices.

BirdRock Baby Mary Janes ($30.00)—Buy Here!

RO + ME Crib Shoes

silver iridescent baby shoes
RO ME

RO + ME by Robeez, their line of soft-soled shoes, feature eye-catching metallic and sequin accents and casual designs that can be dressed up or dressed down. They're especially made for babies in all stages from crawlers to walkers. Available in 6 styles.

RO + ME Crib Shoes ($20.99)—Buy Here!

Zutano Booties with Gripper Soles

Zutano

Zutano booties not only stay on little feet; they have a grippy sole that give them stability. Parents will love the hook-and-loop side closures, which make slipping the shoe on and off squirmy baby feet a breeze. Available in a ton of colors and prints.

Zutano Booties with Gripper Soles ($21.00)—Buy Here!

pediped Dani First Walker Shoe

grey and brown baby shoes
pediped

Pediped's First Walker Shoes are designed for a toddler's first steps, with flexible soles and spacious toe boxes that let little feet learn to grab onto the ground and march forward with confidence. Available in 7 fun color combinations, too.

pediped Dani First Walker Shoe ($39.95+)—Buy Here!

Stride Rite Soft Motion Artie Sneaker

white and navy baby sneaker
Stride Rite

For almost 100 years, Stride Rite has been making shoes for teeny tiny feet. The kicks in the Stride Rite Soft Motion line are built for toddlers' first steps, with bendy flexible bottoms, strong closures and rounded soles that won't trip up your toddler. Plus, these shoes come as small as a size 3 and in three different widths, so you should be able to find ones that fit well.

Stride Rite Soft Motion Artie Sneaker ($51.95)—Buy Here!

Baby Sock-Shoe with Memory Foam

off-white baby sock-shoe combination
Amazon

These slip-on baby shoes are incredibly flexible, soft, and come in a ton of different colors! They're also really affordable, so you can grab a few to mix and match.

Baby Sock-Shoe with Memory Foam ($19.99)—Buy Here!

jbrds Stand2Walk Baby Shoes

jbrds

jbrds Stand2Walk Baby Shoes' sock-like upper and injection-molded support cage are designed to promote the healthy development of feet + provide the support for first steps. They come in multiple colors, too.

jbrds Stand2Walk Baby Shoes ($48.00)—Buy Here!

kimi + kai Sam Stripe Baby Shoes

kimi kai

The fan-shaped toe box, supportive sole, and flexible upper make these sporty baby kicks a total winner. There are multiple colors to choose from.

kimi + kai Sam Stripe Baby Shoes ($54.00)—Buy Here!

adidas Superstar Baby Sneaker

adidas

It's never too early to start them on a journey into the classics. The footwear classics, we mean. These little Superstars come in multiple colors, too.

adidas Superstar Baby Sneaker ($33.93)—Buy Here!

 

All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

There’s an adage that says, “The most valuable life lessons can’t be taught—they have to be experienced.” And so it often goes with kids and many critical life lessons. For lots of developing young minds, learning things the hard way—whether through experience and/or repetition—can help to ensure that lessons learned are genuinely instilled. We asked parenting experts to share the best hard-earned life lessons for kids ages preschool to high school; here’s what they had to say.

1. Everyone makes mistakes.
Nobody is perfect, and making mistakes is an essential life lesson that children can learn starting from a very young age. “It’s important that we make mistakes because that’s how we learn,” said Boston Baby Nurse & Nanny founder Carole Kramer, a registered nurse and best-selling author of Newborn 101. Kramer explained that kids may accidentally spill things or break something, for example, but teaching them that the accident itself isn’t a bad thing, it’s what you do and how you react afterward—that’s the life lesson. “Kids shouldn’t get down or be upset at themselves when they make mistakes,” Kramer said. “Parents can use [mistakes] as teaching opportunities.”

2. Life isn’t always fair.
Every parent has heard their kiddo whine, “But that’s not fair!” Whether it’s a conflict with siblings or friends, or it’s used as a stalling tactic to avoid bedtime, kids will argue a lack of “fairness” to get their way. But many things and experiences in life aren’t always fair. “I think that’s a hard lesson for kids to learn,” said Kramer. “The truth is, you can’t always get what you want all of the time.” For younger children, fairness may seem like an abstract concept, but as they grow older, kids may recognize that they could do the right thing and still get the wrong outcome—sometimes through no fault of their own.

3. Actions have consequences.
One of the first steps toward understanding accountability and taking responsibility is learning that every action has a consequence. Kids may experience consequences of their actions that are positive, such as hard work reaping benefits and rewards, or negative, such as inappropriate behavior leading to punishment. But connecting the dots between what you do and what happens is an important lesson to learn for children of all ages, our experts said.

4. Attendance is important.
Showing up and being on time is part of overall success, and sometimes kids need a brush with repercussions to understand how important it is. “The importance of showing up and being on time (for school, for example) is something kids need to learn, oftentimes, the hard way, though hopefully sooner than later,” said Marjie Hadad, a global PR and parenting expert and author of The Power of PR Parenting: How to raise confident, resilient, and successful children using public relations strategies.

“In public relations, we schedule interviews for our clients. It’s very important that our clients arrive on time at the specified location for an interview. If without a good reason and they do not respect their commitment, they risk losing the opportunity.” That being said, perfect attendance isn’t necessarily the goal because there will be times when kids will have to miss an event or a day of school. It’s what they do when they are present that matters. 

kids participating in class
iStock

5. Pay attention to the instructions.
In pursuit of striking independence, kids may take instructions as loose guidelines rather than rules to be followed. But paying attention to instructions is an important lesson to ensure that something is completed properly or an intended goal is achieved. “There are times when creativity is required to navigate unexpected challenging situations,” said Hadad. “However, most times, it would be best to listen and abide by instructions.”

6. You won’t always get picked first.
It can be easy for kids to feel hurt or slighted if they are not picked first or are not invited to a friend’s birthday party. But these are opportunities for parents to teach their kids that sometimes there are reasons why things happen that people don’t know about. “Allow your child to have hurt feelings,” said Boston Baby Nurse & Nanny’s Kramer, but also teach them that sometimes things may happen for reasons that are outside of their own control.

7. It’s OK to be uncomfortable.
Kids may be anxious in situations that are new or unknown to them, but managing to get through those kinds of experiences can help to build self-confidence and resilience. “Most of us learn this lesson as adults,” said Kramer. “We often have this mindset that everything always has to be great and everything needs to be cool. But we’re going to have a variety of emotions, and not all of them will be good ones.” Learning to be uncomfortable is a valuable lesson for kids to learn early.

being bored is a life lesson for kids
iStock

8. It’s OK to be bored.
The corollary to being OK with being uncomfortable is being OK with being bored. As parents, we often feel we need to entertain or occupy every second of our children’s lives, so when there is downtime, our kids may express their boredom. Rather than trying to immediately distract or placate a bored kid, teach them that feeling bored from time to time is not only OK, but it’s a natural and ordinary part of life.

9. Don’t take everything personally.
What others do and say is often simply a projection of their own reality, so an important life lesson for kids is not to take everything so personally. “Someone may be having a rough day, and they take it out on others,” said Kramer. For a six-year-old, that may be difficult to understand, but as kids grow older, they can recognize that other people may be experiencing life differently, and parents can teach their children to be empathetic toward others.

10. Be thoughtful about the power of words and tone.
Parents can help kids develop better communication skills by being thoughtful about the words they choose and the tone used to deliver them. “Everyday communication should be given some respect, said author Hadad. “Sometimes this is a lesson that needs to be learned the hard way by our kids in social, academic, and after-school job scenarios. When word choice and tone are chosen carelessly, there is the risk of losing a friend, alienating a teacher, or annoying an employer. If these were the goals, then mission accomplished. If these weren’t, well then, hopefully, a lesson well learned. Think before you talk and choose your delivery wisely.”

Who says safety and style can’t be BFFs? Not us. These foam play mats prove that baby-proofing and cute home decor can totally go hand in hand. These mats are the perfect canvas for tying the room together and lowering your stress levels when it comes to keeping your minis on cushy ground. From charming florals to on-trend geo prints, these foam play mats are easy to keep set up even after the kiddos have gone to bed. Plus, beneath all the “okay, that’s super cute” sentiments is a layer of padding that helps babes bounce back from bumps and bruises a lot faster.

These foam play mats are the superheroes of convenience. Need a play area in the living room? Set up your play mat and add a few toys and you’re set. Planning a picnic in the park? Boom. Just roll your mat up, toss it in your trunk, and don’t forget the Goldfish Crackers. And here’s the best part: these mats are so easy to clean that even the messiest of messes won’t stand a chance. A quick wipe, an occasional spot treatment. Super easy. Maybe it sounds a. little dramatic, but these foam play mats really are a solid investment.

Totter + Tumble

Totter Tumble

You have several gorgeous, sophisticated patterns to choose from with Totter + Tumble play mats, and each reversible mat has two subtle, stylish prints to choose between. Certified for newborns on up, your child will love the soft 1/2-inch-thick memory foam that provides gentle support. These antibacterial mats are easy to care for; just wipe them down with a cloth and cleaning solution to keep them at their best. Your child will be playing on this mat for years to come, and during naptime, you can steal it for yoga and pilates sessions.

Totter + Tumble Play Mats (Starting at $110.00)—Buy Here!

Jabaloo

Jabaloo

Featuring a beautiful leaf shape design and three dreamy colors, this play mat will add a touch of nature to any space (including your living room!). The thick padding makes it comfortable and safe play area for your babe, while the double sided design allows for endless possibilities.

Jabaloo Thick Sherpa Cotton Baby Play Mat ($79.99)—Buy Here!

Cushmat

Cushmat

Double-sided with two tasteful prints, these generously sized mats (78x55 inches) are designed for the whole family to enjoy. Babies can use them for tummy time, crawling and rolling, while older kids can practice gymnastics and martial arts. The waterproof surface also makes it a great spot to get messy. Adults, and all ages, can use the mat for yoga, meditation and other workouts, so this is a room addition you'll love for years to come.

Cushmat (Starting at $179.95)—Buy Here!

Famokids

Famokids

These hand-illustrated and painted foam floor mats come in a soothing pattern and stylish colors. Made of non-toxic EVA foam and just under a half-inch thick, they wipe clean with a dry cloth and come in a 4 ft x 6 ft set consisting of 6 tiles and 12 edges, so you can customize the right size for your space.

Famokids Play Mat (Starting at $89.00)—Buy Here!

Hugomat

Hugomat

This handcrafted cushioned mat looks great in your home and folds in half with handles for easy transporting to different rooms, the park or grandpa's house. It's made from natural latex foam, which is breathable and resists mold, mildew and dust, and is covered in a removable, machine-washable cotton fabric. There's also a pocket for baby essentials. The mat measures 33 inches across and one inch thick and comes in soft neutral colors to complement any decor.

Hugomat (Starting at $220.00)—Buy Here!

Comfort Design Mats

Comfort Design Mats

With ultra soft padding (no bruised knees here!), Comfort Design Mats are a must buy. Each modern mat is ½ inch thick and made up of waterproof foam that’s hypoallergenic, BPA-free and non-toxic. Each mat is easy to wipe down and measures about 78” x 55”, so think of it more like a rug than the typical petite play mat you may be used to. It’s so comfortable and versatile you can even use it for yoga or exercise. Good to know: Because of the mat’s size, they do not fold up easily, so you won’t be putting this away once playtime is over.

Comfort Design Mats ($184.95)—Buy Here!

Gathre

Gathre

Made of bonded leather material, Gathre play mats are winning over design-savvy parents everywhere. Both beautiful and functional, the mats can be used at home, outside (think of the mat like a beach towel or picnic blanket) or even hung up on the wall as a piece of art. Gathre mats are waterproof, compact and free of toxins, PVC and phthalates. Pro tip: If you love the look of a Gathre Playmat but want something a bit thicker to soften falls, place it over a rug.

Gathre Play Mat (Starting at $89.00)—Buy Here!

House of Noa

House of Noa

These play mats are so gorgeous you could use them in both your baby's nursery and your kitchen for padding while you cook and clean. They're available in seven sizes, too. The mats were illustrated and designed by professional artist Sophia Vincent-Guy and are premium quality, non-toxic EVA foam that's just under a half-inch thick.

House of Noa Play Mat (Starting at $129.00)—Buy Here!

Toki Mats

Toki Mats

With play mat covers that are interchangeable and machine-washable, you’ll never grow tired of looking at your Toki Mat. Made of foam from the sap tree, each Toki Mat is soft enough to serve as your family’s meet-up spot for tummy time, cuddles, first steps and first falls. Toki Mats are foldable, so when not in use, you can stash it away.

Toki Play Mats (Starting at $185.00)—Buy Here!

Ruggish Play Mat

Ruggish

Ruggish Play Mats feature the look of a rug with the feel and functionality of a play mat. On one side you’ll find a cool geometric design; turn it over and you’re greeted with an interactive play mat that encourages imaginary play. Ruggish mats are ½-inch thick and are waterproof, non-toxic, easy to wipe down and provide more cushion than your typical foam tiles.

Ruggish Play Mat ($199.00)—Buy Here!

Make sure to capture all the playful moments—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.

All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

Puzzles are a must-have in any toddler’s toy collection

We are huge, huge fans of puzzles for toddlers. While there’s nothing wrong with some screen time, coloring, or playing pretend (in fact, we adore those things), puzzles are a classic that combines playtime with learning. They help little ones with motor skills and recognition, and they often hold their attention for a solid amount of time. There are wins aplenty here, folks!

Of course, we can’t throw them a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle (not that you would. We just have to cover our bases here.). Puzzles for toddlers are specifically designed for little hands and developing minds. Animal friends, shapes, colors, and recognizable characters are ideal (and luckily, we have all those and more below). And don’t sweat it if your babe isn’t immediately interested in actually matching the pieces to their spots right off the bat. Just holding, examining, and playing with puzzle pieces are super enriching for little ones! Our picks for the best puzzles for 1-3+ years are below.

Montessori Dinosaur Toddler Puzzles Set of 5

Montessori Mama on Amazon

Montessori Mama's wooden puzzles feature 5 of your little one's favorite dinos in vibrant colors designed to encourage your little one to play and keep them engaged!

Best For: 2+ years

Montessori Dinosaur Toddler Puzzles Set of 5 ($24.99)—Buy Here!

Colorful Wooden Shape Puzzle

GYBBER&MUMU on Amazon

Color and shape recognition is one of the first steps in your babe's development, so you definitely can't go wrong with this colorful wooden puzzle from GYBBER&MUMU.

Best For: 18+ months

Colorful Wooden Shape Puzzle ($7.99)—Buy Here!

The Bumble Nums Build It Together Puzzle Set

Super Simple Songs on Amazon

This unique floor puzzle that features 3 simple first puzzles—just 3 pieces each!—of the Bumble Nums Characters Grumble, Bumble, and Stumble. Adorable, right? The mini character puzzles then fit together as parts of the larger 34-piece floor puzzle, so it grows with your kiddo. 

Best For: 3+ years

The Bumble Nums Build It Together Puzzle Set ($18.29)—Buy Here!

Chuckle & Roar Shapes & Animals Learning Kids Puzzles 2pk

Target

Your toddler can use this Chuckle & Roar puzzle set to learn shapes and colors at the same time in the Shapes & Colors puzzle. Then, they'll learn about the sounds each cute little animal makes in the wooden Animal puzzle!

Best For: 3+ years

Chuckle & Roar Shapes & Animals Learning Kids Puzzles 2pk ($10.99)—Buy Here!

Puzzle Builders

Lakeshore Learning

They'll be building critical thinking skills and fine motor skills with Puzzle Builders from Lakeshore Learning. Each chunky piece has a sweet 3D ladybug, spider, or bug and all the pieces fit together no matter how they're connected for no-fail play.

Best For: 12+ months

Puzzle Builders ($59.99)—Buy Here!

Melissa & Doug Farm Wooden Cube Puzzle

Melissa & Doug on Amazon

Melissa & Doug puzzles are super popular, and with this clever cube puzzle, you can see why. It's actually 6 puzzles in 1, with each side of the cube pieces creating a different darling farm animal.

Best For: 3+ years

Melissa & Doug Farm Wooden Cube Puzzle ($9.99)—Buy Here!

Wee Gallery Beginner Pet Puzzle

Wee Gallery on Amazon

This jumbo puzzle is ideal for floor play, and who could resist these adorably illustrated pets??

Best For: 2+ years

Wee Gallery Beginner Pet Puzzle ($19.99)—Buy Here!

Mudpuppy Mindfulness 4-in-A-Box Puzzle Set

Mudpuppy on Amazon

This puzzle set includes 4 different puzzles with different levels of difficulty with beautiful illustrations and important messages. It even includes a mindfulness booklet!

Best For: 2+ years

Mudpuppy Mindfulness 4-in-A-Box Puzzle Set ($13.44)—Buy Here!

Montessori Rabbit and Bear Silicone Puzzles Set of 2

Oliver & Company Montessori Toys

These silicone puzzles almost work as art on top of being so much fun to play with. This set includes both the rabbit and bear puzzles, each made of soft silicone!

Best For: Little ones able to grip 

Montessori Rabbit and Bear Silicone Puzzles Set of 2 ($26.99)—Buy Here!

Multi-Layered Whale Puzzle

TEKOR

We really love the uniqueness of this stacking puzzle. It's also really durable, so it'll be played with for a long time.

Best For: 2+ years

Multi-Layered Whale Puzzle ($14.99)—Buy Here!

At the Market Play A-Long Puzzle

Green Beans Toys

Help them build this huge 3' long 45-piece puzzle! It features five mini puzzles that increase in piece count from 1 to 5 and fit into the main jigsaw.

Best For: 2+ years

At the Market Play A-Long Puzzle ($12.99)—Buy Here!

Children of the World Puzzle

Onshine on Amazon

It's never too early to start learning about diversity, and this interchangeable puzzle not only introduces them to different races and ethnicities, it also shows them the different characteristics we share that connect us.

Best For: 12+ months

Children of the World Puzzle ($15.99)—Buy Here!

Furry Friends Jigsaw Puzzle

Hapinest on Amazon

The colors of these puzzles are so much fun and we really like the included numbered pieces!

Best For: 3+ years

Furry Friends Jigsaw Puzzle ($14.99)—Buy Here!

Cocomelon Puzzles 4pk

Spin Master on Amazon

It's always good to see a friend, and your toddler gets to hang with JJ and his buddies while they play and master these puzzles. Each one sports a different Cocomelon scene, too!

Best For: 3+ years

Cocomelon Puzzles 4pk ($12.88)—Buy Here!

Woodland Chunky Puzzle

Maisonette

Each wooden puzzle piece is smooth and chunky to make it easier for little hands to lift, grasp, examine and replace.

Best For: 12+ months

Woodland Chunky Puzzle ($24.40)—Buy Here!

Rainbow Caterpillar Gear Puzzle

Melissa & Doug on Amazon

The interlocking gears sit right on the pegs and work together for a fun twist on puzzles!

Best For: 18+ months

Rainbow Caterpillar Gear Puzzle ($10.94)—Buy Here!

 

All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

 

At Tinybeans, we have the best job in the world: helping parents share their sweetest, silliest, and, yes, sometimes messiest moments with family and friends. Since we’re parents, too, we know just how special and wild every day with your littles is, and we’re obsessed with giving you a place to store and share your favorite memories—and boy, did you come through.

Looking back on 2023, we’re blown away by how many milestones, reactions, and comments were exchanged. Honestly, it’s making our heads spin a bit (in a good way!). We’ll break down the exact numbers below, but needless to say, we’re beyond inspired by the flood of good feelings pouring in from around the world.

Heading into 2024, we’re doubling down on our commitment to continue doing what we do best: bringing families together, delivering daily doses of joy, and keeping your cherished memories safe and secure. Now that’s something to celebrate!

78 Million Memories Shared with Your Loved Ones

Tinybeans

Tinybeans families uploaded 78 million memories with loved ones this year. That's 78 million occasions of 'you've gotta see this!'.

15 Million Love Notes Left (to Read Over & Over)

Tinybeans

15 million comments? Absolutely. We have a lot to say about our tiny humans (just try and stop Nana from fawning over her newest grandbaby).

85 Million Hearts Tapped (& Tapped & Tapped!)

Tinybeans

With 85 million reactions, our families have shown each other how they feel in a second. Well, 85 million seconds.

242,000 Milestones That Everyone Got to Celebrate

Tinybeans

That's 242,000 'firsts' that the whole family got to be part of, even if they couldn't be there in person. So 242,000 first smiles, first steps, first days of school…these are the moments we'll never forget.

We’ve loved spending the year with you. Every moment of joy you share with the people closest to you keeps our whole staff smiling. We can’t wait to show you what we have in store for 2024. If you haven’t yet, what are you waiting for? Download the Tinybeans app here today and come see all the reasons we’re celebrating.

Here’s what makes parents fall hard for the app

When you ask Tinybeans parents what they love most about the app, we bet you’ll get no shortage of responses. As super users, parents always have a lot to say about the features they adore. We managed to narrow it down to the top 5 reasons parents love Tinybeans (it was tough, though!).

 

They’re able to capture their little one’s life story, right from the start

By adding memories, you’re creating a precious gift of everyday moments, milestones, and family comments to share with your kids one day. It’s not always easy to sit down and update a baby book (even when we swear we’ll get to it at some point), but with Tinybeans, your family’s story is right there, every time you open your albums.

With Tinybeans, there’s no such thing as overposting

There’s no such thing as too many photos or videos of your kids, and anyone you invite to join our Tinybeans albums feels the exact same way. That means you don’t have to think twice about sharing first words, first steps, and everything in between—guilt-free.

Two words: private. Sharing.

Newly posted photos and videos get sent to family and friends via push notification or email (no smartphone required!). Then they can like or comment on your moments via emails, website, or app. That means regardless of how tech-savvy they are, there’s a way for them to get in on the action.

You can create photo books in a snap

Tinybeans lets you easily create baby books and photo albums that your family loves looking back on. They also make the best gift for mom, dad, and grandparents.

Safety & privacy come first with Tinybeans

We’re obsessed with safety and privacy, at work and in our personal lives. Thousands of parents trust Tinybeans with their cherished memories. We keep your kids’ identities safe with an app that puts privacy first. We don’t share your information with anyone, and your memories are stored on our secure server. And we feel really good about that.

Now, get Tinybeans for 25% off using code TBCM25

It’s the season for photos, and we don’t want anyone in your circle of loved ones to miss a single one. This Cyber Monday, take 25% off your Tinybeans+ subscription with code TBCM25, as our gift to you. Tinybeans+ gives you unlimited uploads without any ads. Or, if you don’t mind seeing ads for the brands we love, you can even use Tinybeans for free.

Start getting connected for the holidays, keep loved ones you can’t be with in the loop, and hold onto those connections all year. Download today.

Looking to pick out the perfect baby gift? There’s no shortage of adorable items to choose from. But if you’re angling for something upscale that really makes an impact at that baby shower, first birthday, or holiday, these splurgy keepsake baby gifts are ones that mom and her babe will cherish.

Savor Baby Edition Keepsake Box
What parent doesn’t want a better way to keep track of baby’s sweetest memories? Savor’s Baby Edition Keepsake Box is an organizing system that keeps everything protected and easily accessible with the help of nine drawers, eight vertical files for cherished paper artifacts like sonograms, letters, and birth announcements, and 50+ illustrated labels. Parents can keep track of the first four years of their child’s life, from the hospital blanket to baby’s first tooth to that first haircut, along with other treasured items.

Savor Baby Edition Keepsake Box ($54.99)—Buy Here!

Uncommon Goods' personalized woodland nursery pillow is one of our splurge-worthy baby keepsake gifts

Personalized Woodland Nursery Pillow
This comfy cotton pillow sprinkles the details of baby’s arrival amid a whimsical mix of plants, mushrooms, and woodland critters like deer, squirrels, and bunnies. If you don’t know all the details of your giftee’s birth (date, weight, length, birthplace, and time of birth), no sweat—those spaces can be filled in with additional illustrations. It’s the perfect addition to storytime in any nursery.

Personalized Woodland Nursery Pillow ($120.00)—Buy Here!

The Elsa Peretti bubble blower from Tiffany & Co. is one of our splurge-worthy keepsake baby gifts

Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Padova Bubble Blower
You can practically hear children’s laughter on a summer day upon unboxing this darling silver bubble wand. A wonderful baby shower gift, the design has a signature Elsa Peretti design and can be engraved for personalization.

Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Padova Bubble Blower ($150.00)—Buy Here!

Butterscotch Blankees Metallic Classic Monogram Stroller Blanket
For a gift that baby will use day after day, this super-soft and cozy blanket comes in nearly 30 different colors to match all tastes. Take it from the nursery to the stroller to the car and beyond for constant comfort on all those baby-led adventures. Personalize it with a monogram and send it soon after baby’s arrival.

Butterscotch Blankees Metallic Classic Monogram Stroller Blanket ($95.00)—Buy Here!

vera wang wedgwood piggy bank is one of our splurge-worthy keepsake baby gifts

Vera Wang Wedgwood Infinity Baby Piggy Bank
Baby’s first bank should be precious and timeless, and what’s more timeless than a piggy? This sweet treasury by acclaimed designer Vera Wang fits the bill with its simple yet sculptural silhouette and an infinity detail around the waist. Like all of her creations, the Infinity Baby Piggy Bank is a classic for contemporary tastes.

Vera Wang Wedgwood Infinity Baby Piggy Bank ($100.00)—Buy Here!

Artifact Uprising Baby Book | The Story of You
From picking baby’s name to favorite books and songs, this baby book prompts parents to write down every important detail. With 100 pages to fill and nearly 50 spots for family photos, it’s a highly interactive photo journal that aptly documents a child’s life to be thumbed through and pored over for years to come. And it fits many family structures, including single parents, adopted children, and same-sex parents.

Artifact Uprising Baby Book | The Story of You ($99.00)—Buy Here!

Michael Aram Bunny Cup with Spoon Set
Handcrafted by American artist Michael Aram, this cup and spoon set calls upon the wonder and innocence of childhood with subtle whimsy and elegance. Made of stainless steel and silver-plated metal, this sweet set will stand the test of time, and, like children themselves, no two are exactly alike because they’re made by hand.

Michael Aram Bunny Cup with Spoon Set ($105.00)—Buy Here!

Beadifulbaby Engravable Silver Baby Bangle Bracelet
A gift of jewelry will always be remembered, especially a child’s first bracelet as a permanent record of that unimaginably tiny wrist. This lovely, high-polished sterling silver rhodium bracelet is made in the USA and can be personalized with a little one’s initials or full name. While this piece of jewelry cannot grow with baby, it makes for a darling gift that can be passed down to future generations.

Beadifulbaby Engravable Silver Baby Bangle Bracelet ($210.00)—Buy Here!

Write to Me | Baby – First Year of You Journal
Inspire any new parent to notice the little things with the gift of this beautiful First Year of You journal. There’s plenty of room for taking note of moments both big and small, with cues to include milestones like first steps, first Christmas and first haircut. The natural linen, gender-neutral design with gold embossing is fitting for just about any family and it’s all made with forest-free paper.

Write to Me | Baby – First Year of You Journal (66.95)—Buy Here!

Reed & Barton Jungle Parade Silverplate Photo Frame
A classic silver frame gets a colorful upgrade with Reed & Barton’s Jungle Parade. This adorable 4×6 picture holder would look positively sweet in any boy or girl’s nursery, and it can be used to display a family photo from your latest adventures. To up the gift factor, personalize it for an extra $9.95.

Reed & Barton Jungle Parade Silverplate Photo Frame ($65.oo)—Buy Here!

—Taylor Clifton, Whitney C. Harris, & Jessica Payne

 

All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

Already, one-third of kids ages seven to nine—and half of all 10- to 12-year-olds—are using sites like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat

We live in a world where our baby’s first steps are just as likely to be posted online as they are to be saved in the baby book, so is it any wonder our kids are clamoring to get on social media? According to this study from the University of Michigan, one-third of kids ages seven to nine and half of all 10- to 12-year-olds are already using sites like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat. And with all the news about how social media may damage kids’ self-esteem, potentially attract sexual predators, and encourage online bullying—exactly how worried should parents be?

“Parents are generally concerned about kids’ safety when it comes to online predators,” says Patrick Quinn, a former teacher and the official parenting expert for Brainly.com, an online homework help site run by teachers and kids. “But the bigger danger is the matter of kids not being able to realize that everything on the internet isn’t exactly true. Everybody wants to put their best foot forward online.”

Consequently, self-esteem can take a hit. According to a 2019 Johns Hopkins study, teens who spent more than three hours a day on social media were likely to see negative mental health impacts. That said, Quinn believes there are plenty of redeeming qualities of social media platforms. Finding connections and community support, for instance, can be important, especially for teens and tweens who feel isolated or different.

So what’s a parent to do? According to experts, best practices include installing good parental controls, setting clear rules, and teaching kids what good “digital hygiene” means. “We recommend sitting down with your child and talking through any new apps they’d like to download,” says Titania Jordan, Chief Parenting Officer for the BARK parental control app and the author of Parenting in a Tech World. “Discuss the pros and cons of each, keeping in mind that ‘because everyone else has it’ isn’t the best of arguments. But be sure to listen to what they have to say. Their research and passion may surprise you.” Now then: What’s a Snap? How do you Twitch? Who can DM your kids? From Facebook and Instagram to Twitch and Discord, here are the pros and cons of social media for kids.

Related: 5 Critical Social Media Habits to Teach Your Kids

How to Manage Your Kids’ Social Media Usage

Ask your child to sign a social media contract (we love this one from iMom) that lays out the general rules for what kids can and can’t do on social media—and what will happen if they break these rules. If you’re not sure your child can police themselves, parental control apps can help by setting bedtimes, setting screen limits, and blocking apps or sites you don’t want your child to use.

“When you make your expectations clear, your child will have a better understanding of what they can do and when,” Jordan says. Also, when your child signs up with a social site, make sure they add you as a “friend” so that you can see and monitor what they are posting. Kids should also give parents their login information so they can check up on what they’re doing online.

Some things to talk about before letting your kids loose on any social media platform:

  • Knowing the difference between “real-life” friends and online “friends”
  • Understanding that pictures posted on social media don’t tell the whole story (and that, despite how it looks, nobody has a perfect life)
  • The dangers of misinformation
  • Understanding that strangers who contact them online may not be who they say they are
  • The importance of never disclosing personal information online
  • Make sure to make space for “digital downtime” to keep life balanced
  • Understanding that anything you put online may be seen and shared by others
  • How parental control and privacy settings within individual apps can keep them safe

Related: Three Tips to Help Kids Navigate the Social Media World Safely

Top Tips for Social Media Safety by Platform

Kids on Instagram

pros and cons of social media for kids
dole777 on Unsplash

What is it?  An image-sharing site that allows users to view and post pictures and videos.

What do kids do on Instagram? Share their photos and view their friends' feeds, as well as keep tabs on celebrity feeds and follow users (often strangers) with similar interests. Users can also communicate via direct messages (DMs).

What parents should know: Instagram has been under attack for allegedly causing low self-esteem, especially in young girls. To combat this, parents should have a serious conversation with their kids about how what they see on Instagram isn't actually "real life." Show them how filters can make people look different/better/thinner—and how everyone has flaws to hide (this enlightening short video from Ditch The Label explains the "Insta-Lie" perfectly). There is also a "disappearing message" feature that lets kids send timed photo or video messages that users can only view once before they disappear (though screenshots can still be taken), so many kids use this feature to hide things they may not want their parents (or others) to see.

How to safeguard kids: Common Sense Media rates Instagram as best for ages 15 and up because of its easy access to mature content, as well as access to strangers. When you do decide to let your kids use the site, make sure they add you as a friend (create your own Instagram account if you don't already have one) so you can see what they are posting. You can also make your child's account private, so only their friends can see their posts. To do this, go to Settings, then Privacy, and toggle on the Private mode (You can't lock this setting, so know that your kids can always change it back.).

Instagram.com

Kids on TikTok

kids on social media
Solen Feyissa on Unsplash

What is it? The hottest social media site for teens and tweens, TikTok has racked up more than 3 billion downloads, with youngsters everywhere clamoring to show off their antics or watch short, punchy video clips. The app is supposed to be for kids 13 and up, but younger users can easily skirt this rule by lying about their birthdays when they sign up. Also: Like YouTube, kids don't need an account to view videos, but they do need one to post them. 

What do kids do on TikTok? Watch endless video loops of dance routines, makeup tutorials, homemade music videos, cooking demos, physical stunts, and more. Videos can be up to 10 minutes long, though most are only a few seconds. Creative or enterprising kids can make their TikTok videos by uploading videos from their devices or by recording, editing, and adding effects (as well as music and filters) directly in the app—making it a great place for self-expression. 

What parents should know: Profanity and sexually suggestive content are commonplace, even with parental controls enabled, according to ProtectYoungEyes.com. The app also has direct messaging features, meaning that kids can easily contact and be contacted by strangers. That said, users ages 13-15 automatically have the following features set:  
-No direct messages
-Automatic private accounts
-Comments can be made from only “Friends” or “No One.”  
-No videos can be remixed or downloaded.  

How to safeguard your kids: TikTok has parental control settings, as well as “Digital Wellbeing." Go to the settings tab in the app on your child’s device and click on “Family Pairing” to set restrictions and screen time allowances.  If you are giving your child your phone to use, go to the app, click settings, click on “Digital Wellbeing” to set time limits, and set to “Restricted” mode.  

Tiktok.com

Kids on Snapchat

kids on snap chat
Souvik Banerjee on Unsplash

What is it? A camera tool and social messaging app that lets users send "snaps" (messages) to each other, mainly in the form of pictures. Pictures and messages are (supposedly) automatically deleted after they are viewed—but this doesn't stop the receiver from taking a screenshot, so kids should know it's still possible their messages will be shared or reposted. 

What do kids do on Snapchat? Younger kids will be all about the camera filters and augmented reality elements that allow them to take fun pics of themselves with glamorous makeup, bunny ears, or a big cat sprawled on top of their heads. Older kids will likely use Snapchat as a messaging tool—sending Snaps to friends and posting photos to their “story," which disappears after 24 hours.

What parents should know: Kids may be exposed to inappropriate content on the Story feed, where they swipe through everything from up-close pimple popping videos to dance tutorials. Also, it may be hard to lull kids away from the app since users are rewarded for "Snapstreaks"—when two users send Snaps to each other at least once within 24 hours for more than three consecutive days. These reward badges are removed when the streak misses a day, so kids are incentivized to keep the conversation going.

How to safeguard kids: Parents can go into the app to prohibit location sharing (go into settings, go to “See My Location,” and set it to “Ghost Mode.”). Parents can also specify who can view or contact their kids. Parents should explain to kids never to send pictures they wouldn’t want their whole school to see (because it doesn't really "disappear"). Also, parents need to explain that kids should never post pictures of friends without similar consent.

Snapchat.com

Kids on Discord

ELLA DON on Unsplash

What is it? An online discussion/chat forum, originally designed as a way for gamers to chat while playing a video game. While the site is still mostly geared toward gaming, it has evolved into a forum to explore any subject-specific interests and group audio chats with friends.

What do kids do on Discord? Talk to other users about topics of interest (mainly gaming, anime, or music). Discord offers voice chatting, video chatting, and text messaging (it's Skype mixed with Reddit), and users can either join or create public or private groups (called “servers“) about whatever specific topic they want to talk about.

What parents should know: Being a user-generated site, kids may be exposed to inappropriate content including swearing and graphic language and images (though there are groups with rules against these things).

How to safeguard kids: While there are no parental controls, Discord does have some safety/privacy settings to control who can direct message or add your kids as friends. Its "Safe Direct Messaging" feature is supposed to delete any direct messages with explicit content (although, according to Common Sense Media, this isn't foolproof). To be safe, instruct kids to only accept invitations from and participate in private servers with people they already know.

Discord.com

Kids on Reddit

kids on social media - reddit
Brett Jordan on Unsplash

What is it? An online discussion board where users can post questions, start conversations, and share pictures and videos of things that interest them (its slogan is "Dive into anything"). While the site is designed for adults, it's easy for kids to explore, even without signing up (though they need to be signed up to post questions). 

What do kids do on Reddit? Share stories with others who have similar interests or questions, ranging from talks about their favorite video games and TV shows to personal questions about sexuality, friendships, and physical health. Once they register, users can vote, post, or subscribe to “subreddits” that focus on specific topics.  
 
What parents should know: There are no parental controls on Reddit, so kids asking particularly iffy questions may see or be exposed to inappropriate content. Also, given the nature of Reddit as an open discussion forum, kids may go down a rabbit hole of extreme opinions that may reflect racist, sexist, hate-filled, or ignorant points of view on a variety of heated topics. Parents should talk with kids about how to spot misinformation and extremism as well as how to differentiate between fact and hearsay. That said, if kids are looking for a community of people who understand particular issues, Reddit can help kids feel a little less alone in their plight. 

How to safeguard kids: Reddit is meant for adults, so it's recommended to use filters to block the app until your child is at least 13 (given the adult nature of some posts). If you'd like to let your kids explore the site, parental control apps such as Bark can send you alerts if your child is exposed to or posting anything concerning (including drugs, sex, violent or suicidal ideation).

Reddit.com

 

Kids on Facebook

kids on social media - facebook
Brett Jordan on Unsplash

What is it? With 2.74 billion users (and counting), Facebook—now part of Meta—is the most popular social media site out there, offering an easy way to share and view photos, videos, opinions, and thoughts. While the app is meant for users 13 and up, according to the BBC, it's estimated that more than 20 million of its users are younger than this. Also, even if they don't have an account of their own, anyone can view posts on Facebook (you only need an account to post or contact other users).

Note: Facebook is so adamant about its 13+ age limit that there is a page on its site devoted to reporting and deleting accounts believed to be for children (useful if you've banned the app from your house and find that your child set up an account anyway). 

What do kids do on Facebook? Share and view photos and videos of themselves and others, keep up with their favorite celebrities, watch videos of interest, and message each other.

What parents should know: Kids can easily be exposed to inappropriate content—as well as be contacted by strangers. Also, like Instagram, users can easily become obsessed with "keeping up" their image and trying to maintain the illusion of a "perfect life." Parents should keep in mind that if their kids are on Facebook, they can easily see all the things you've ever posted (something to think about if you've ever posted exasperated posts about your parenting journey or baby pics that would mortify your kids today).

How to safeguard kids: If you allow your child to have a Facebook account (preferably at 13), make sure it's set up as a private account to limit who can see their posts, photos and profile. To do this, go to the Privacy section of the Settings menu and pull the drop-down options to "Friends," "Only me," or "Close friends" (which requires you to enter specific names).  

Facebook Messenger Kids

Kids on social media on a phone
Tim Gouw on Unsplash

What is it? An app for kids that lets users talk via text and video chat. While Facebook itself maintains the 13 and up standard, Messenger Kids skirts this rule because parents set up and manage the account on behalf of their children. Bark calls this setup—where kids use the app, but parents manage every aspect of it — "like training wheels for a child’s first social media experience." This lets parents see who their child chats with, how much time they're spending on the app, and every image they send/receive. Note: This is the only app on the list that was designed for kids under 13.

What do kids do on Facebook Messenger Kids? Talk and video chat with friends. 

What parents should know: Parents must have a Facebook account to set up Messenger for their children. And while kids won’t have a public profile, parents can allow their name and profile photo to be visible to others (or not). Another important thing to note is that kids can't send links or YouTube videos through the app, which keeps them safe from iffy content.

How to safeguard kids: If you're worried about excessive use or unwanted friends, you set in-app time limits, approve or deny new friend requests, and remotely log your child out. 

Facebook.com

Kids on Twitch

kids on social media - twitch
Kadyn Pierce on Unsplash

What is it? A live-streaming site, primarily for gamers. Any kid who's obsessed with video games will likely be obsessed with watching other kids play video games—which is exactly what they do on Twitch.

What do kids do on Twitch? Watch live streams, most of which are devoted to gaming. If they're logged in, they can talk directly to the streamer and ask questions about the game (which may or not be answered, depending on how many people are watching the stream). For a fee, kids can also broadcast themselves playing. 

What parents should know: While the app doesn't technically allow threatening language or sexually explicit content, kids will still likely be exposed to plenty of profanity in the chats, which stream live beside the video. Kids don't have to sign up to watch live streams, but they do to chat. Users can also send "Whispers" (direct messages) to other registered users, though this can be restricted in the app's settings.

How to safeguard kids: Twitch doesn't offer parental controls, but logged-in users can set chat filters to limit discrimination, sexually explicit language, and profanity (though, according to Common Sense Media, these filters aren't foolproof.).

Twitch.tv

 

 

When I was pregnant with my second, my OB accidentally spilled the baby beans to my almost-three-year-old. I was lying on the exam table, holding the measuring tape at the top of my oversized belly when it happened. My doctor casually leaned over and asked my son if he was excited about becoming a big brother.

My toddler cycled through all the feels—excitement, confusion, shock—before shooting me a look that let me know it was time to let him in on the secret. While we weren’t necessarily keeping the news from my firstborn, my husband and I weren’t exactly advertising it either. Turns out we had already done a few things that clinical psychologist Maureen Turner agreed were good first steps.

As she explains, “kids thrive on connection and consistency,” and any time a baby enters a family this gets uprooted in parents’ lives. By trying to keep things as consistent as possible and carving out special time for your sibling-to-be, you can help them through this major life change. Here are Maureen’s top tips to prepare your toddler for a new baby.

Don’t attempt any big transitions around the time of baby’s arrival

Maureen suggests not making any major transitions right before or after the baby’s arrival. So if your toddler is taking up prime crib real estate (as ours was), make sure to move them to a different bed well before the baby needs the crib (as we did). It’s also not a great time to start potty training, retire a comfort paci or transition from sippies to big kid cups. Try to maintain a consistent environment and routine as much as possible during this time.

Related: I Knew My Kids Needed to Have Siblings but We Got So Much More

Try to keep routines as consistent as possible

Part of that overall consistency is figuring out what part of your family’s daily routine you can maintain once the baby arrives. For me, it was naptime. Maybe the bath time/storytime/bedtime trifecta is a stalwart in your house. Or maybe it’s gathering for family dinner. Whatever it is, building in predictability is key to helping toddlers with this exciting change, according to Maureen.

Help foster a connection with the new baby

In addition to moving our son into his big kid bed, we also added one of my favorites—The Berenstain Bears: New Baby—to our nighttime reading in anticipation of the baby’s arrival.

Maureen says that fostering connections between soon-to-be sibs and a new baby should be a cornerstone of adding to your fam. Take, for example, reading the Berenstain Bears book. Talking with my son about how he would soon be a big brother and exploring his questions and thoughts was a great way for him to connect with his soon-to-arrive sister and me. Signing kids up for a siblings class, having them make something special for the baby, like a painting or a story, or even picking out a special gift to give the baby are all ways that parents can help their older kids connect with the latest addition.

Related: 10 Playtime Activities for Babies & Older Siblings

Remember that your toddler may still act out

It’s hard to anticipate all the changes that come with welcoming a baby, but come they will. And when it comes to challenging toddler behavior, you count on that too. Maureen reminds parents to “interpret behavior changes as communication.” Young kids don’t have the emotional vocabulary to express complicated feelings or needs. It’s one of the reasons carving out special time to connect with them daily once the baby arrives is important.

In the end, that unexpected nudge from my OB forced my hand in a good way. While things weren’t warm-knife-through-butter smooth when the baby arrived (but then again what part of parenting is?), we made it to the other side as a family of four… and eventually five.

A licensed clinical psychologist on TikTok explains what “eggshell parenting” is and why you should strive to avoid it

All kids deserve a home where they feel safe, loved, and secure—where they know that no matter what happens, they’ll always have a safe harbor to return to. But sadly, that’s not what all kids have. One clinical psychologist is shining a light on a common “parenting style” that’s pretty much the exact opposite of this: she calls it “eggshell parenting.”

Dr. Kim Sage went viral on TikTok for describing this parenting style, which she says makes kids feel as though they’re “walking on eggshells” because their parents’ moods are unstable and unpredictable.

@drkimsage

Eggshell parenting and emotionally unpredictable, unsafe parenting often creates a lifetime of hypervigilance in us —and a deep belief that there’s no such thing as real safety in relationships.💔#eggshellparent #toxicparent #walkingoneggshells #emotionallyimmatureparents #narcissisticparent #drkimsage

♬ original sound – Dr. Kim🦋Psychologist

Eggshell parenting is “a way of putting your child in a position where they have to always be hyper-vigilant to what may or may not happen next,” she explained. “Even if you’re loving and safe and wonderful, if it follows that you can be unsafe at the core, you are not safe.”

The result is kids who constantly feel insecure, cautious, and afraid of making the wrong move—like they’re walking on eggshells so they don’t set off their parents.

In her video, Sage gives this example: “The parent’s mood is like being on a roller coaster. You never know what to expect, but there’s always going to be significant high highs and low lows. Basically, emotionally, you never know what to expect, but you have to prepare for the part where it’s not safe.”

@drkimsage

Eggshell parents& trauma💔#trauma #hypervigilance #eggshellparent #empath #drkimsage

♬ Claire de Lune – Ave Maria

Sage has gone on to make tons of other videos about eggshell parenting—both for people who are parents now and for people who may have grown up with these types of parents. She explains how to identify eggshell parenting (hint: if you’re reading this and wondering if you’re an eggshell parent, your self-awareness is already high enough that you’re probably not), and gives people tips on how to break the eggshell cycle.

If you were raised by eggshell parents, she says, it will likely take some active work to make sure those patterns don’t emerge as you raise your own kids. The first steps to take: work on regulating your own emotions so they aren’t changing on a dime. Then, take responsibility for your own actions and apologize to your kids if a sudden emotional switch or outburst left them reeling.