Feel like sprucing up your kitchen and mealtime? Behold these cool kitchen gadgets.

The kitchen is the center of any family home: from cooking to eating together, it’s a chance for busy families to reconnect with one another and fill their hungry tummies. We’re crushing on a few new and cool kitchen gadgets that are full of whimsy, fun and convenience. Afterall, if you have to have gadgets, they should definitely be cool, right?

These cool kitchen gadgets are not only exactly what will make your kids want to help cooking and eat (fun shapes always do the trick), but they’re also a lot of fun to use. Plus, they’re all things you actually need in the kitchen. Peelers, plates, and utensils are always going to be necessities. So, we’ve gone ahead and rounded up some of the most adorable goodies for all your future meals. Scroll below to find the new object of your foodie affection.

Cat Peeler

Amazon

Not only is this little peeler adorable, but it's also easy for little hands to hold. It should come in very handy for all those potatoes you need to peel for Thanksgiving mash. The little ears help to remove potato eyes, too. Also comes in white!

Cat Peeler ($12.99)—Buy Here!

ezpz Mini Play Mat

ezpz

This dishwasher-safe silicone mat not only makes mealtime fun, but it's also perfect for those eaters who like their foods "separate" whenever possible. We also love this mat for holiday baking (you can use all the compartments for different cookie toppings) and even crafting supplies. Because it's easy to wash, there's no problem using it for a variety of things. It comes in an array of colors and sizes (some have more "mat" areas for crafting, etc.). 

ezpz Mini Play Mat ($22.99+)—Buy Here!

Nessie Ladle

Amazon

Dive deep into pots of soup and stews with this long-necked, footed ladle in the shape of the elusive Loch Ness Monster. She even comes in a jumbo size.

Nessie Ladle ($17.95+)—Buy Here!

Construction Plate and Utensils

Constructive Eating

Make mealtime extra fun with this construction-themed plate and utensil set. Now all those noises you make to get the food down the hatch might sound so out of place! 

Construction Plate and Utensils ($35.95)—Buy Here!

Bear Hands Oven Mitts

Amazon

Protect hands from burns and amuse your guests with these silly-sweet oven mitts that look exactly like bear paws, made with insulated cotton with heat-resistant silicone pads. They also come in polar bear hands if that's more your taste.

Bear Hands Oven Mitts ($20.27)—Buy Here!

The Gratiator

Peleg Design

Get your knights to gather around the table with this adorable but functional cheese grater that looks like a dagger. Enough said, right? You will never buy the pre-shredded cheese again. We’re pretty sure you’ll have a few volunteers to pitch in with meal prep with this one.

The Gratiator ($14.90)—Buy Here!

Emoji Cookie Cutters

Etsy

With cookie baking season right around the corner, you and your kids will love whipping up a batch of sugar cookies (or really any solid dough designed for cutters) in the shape of emojis! 

Emoji Cookie Cutters ($5.49+)—Buy Here!

Lemoniere Lemon Juicer

Amazon

It’s a juicer, it’s a miniature watering can, and it’s a ton of fun! Perfect for your favorite salad dressing, just squeeze the lemon juice directly in, add whatever seasonings and oil you might want and then sprinkle directly onto your greens. This just might get them to eat those veggies! 

Lemoniere Lemon Juicer ($9.90)—Buy Here!

The Brain Drain

Amazon

Kids love playing in soapy water, so take advantage of that and get them to do a few dishes (non-breakables are fine). Even the most reluctant rinser will perk up when they see the Brain Drain, a clever little sponge holder that looks like a skull. And as a bonus, you can use it to hold a body scrubber in the bath, too. 

The Brain Drain ($11.99)—Buy Here!

Veggie Pops

Amazon

Whether you’re introducing carrots to a wee one’s diet or making fancy popsicles for a playdate, this adorable popsicle maker will bring on squeals of delight. How can you go wrong? 

Veggie Pops ($14.99)—Buy Here!

 

Their First Kitchen Utensil Set

kitchen utensils, kitchen tools for kids
Q.D. Foodie

Whether they're into banging on pots and pans or have graduated to helping in the kitchen, set your little chefs up for success with this seven-piece utensil set from Q.D. Foodie. The utensils feature sensory-friendly, easy-to-grip handles, have braille on the measuring pieces and mimic real fruits and veggies. 

Their First Kitchen Utensil Set ($50.50)—Buy Here!

Karoto Original + Karoto Julienne

Amazon

They look like giant pencil sharpeners, but they produce julienne-style results that can easily be formed into garnishes, thereby making your food look 10x fancier. 

Karoto Original + Karoto Julienne ($15.90)—Buy Here!

Bloom Rose Napkin Holders

Amazon

From birthday parties to everyday eats, these napkin holders make mealtime more like story time. Easy to use, you just grab any napkin (cloth, paper) and fold it in half, give Bloom a twist and bam! Your napkin just became petals. Whimsy with a side of good manners? Yes, please. 

Bloom Rose Napkin Holders ($15.90)—Buy Here!

OXO Tot Stick & Stay Suction Divided Plate

OXO

You want kiddo to learn to eat from a real plate but don't want said plate tossed on the floor. Your solution: OXO Tot's new stick and stay divided plate. The curved side walls encourage your babe to feed herself, and it suctions to any surface—it's easy for mom and dad to remove, not so easy for the baby. 

OXO Tot Stick & Stay Suction Divided Plate ($10.99)—Buy Here!

Splatypus Jar Scraper Spatula

Amazon

Never miss out on the last little bits of jam or peanut butter thanks to the Splatypus jar scraper. This little spatula is just $17; you'll save that much in jam in a year alone. 

Splatypus Jar Scraper Spatula ($7.10)—Buy Here!

 

—Amber Guetebier, Erin Lem, Gabby Cullen, Kate Cartia

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.

 

Got a paper plate? If so, you can easily make this fun instrument

Give your kids a crash course in music appreciation, and fill an afternoon with creative fun by helping them make a DIY tambourine. Scroll down to find out what you’ll need (a few supplies and lots of imagination!) to make this paper plate tambourine, and your baby Beethovens will be hosting their own jam sessions in no time. Feeling crafty? Check out these other homemade instruments that actually work.

supplies for diy paper plate tambourine

What You’ll Need to Make a DIY Tambourine

1. Stiff paper plates (we used Chinet lunch plates)

2. Curling ribbon— any color

3. Silver jingle bells

4. Marker pens

5. Stickers

6. Scissors

7. Fishing line

8. Hot glue gun (parental supervision required)

9. Hole punch

little girl making a paper plate tambourine

Design the Paper Plate Tambourine

Let your kids design their own tambourine using markers and stickers. Each plate will be a side of the instrument.

Assemble the DIY Tambourine

steps for putting together a DIY tambourine
Step One

Measure and punch along the edge of the two paper plates. One spot at a time, use a pen to line up the location of the holes on each side of the tambourine.

tambourine_jinglebellscollage_music_national_redtricycle

Step Two

Using the fishing line, thread two jingle bells through each hole. Continue until every punched hole has two bells strung tightly.

tambourine_ribboncollage_music_national_redtriyccle

Step Three

Curl strips of ribbon with the scissors and then using just a dab of hot glue, insert and secure the strips to the bottom of the tambourine.

Play the Tambourine

They’ll love the impromptu jam session that occurs right after the project is complete!

little kids enjoying a DIY paper plate tambourine

 

 

RELATED STORIES: 

25 Musical Instruments You Can Make at Home

10 Music-Making Apps Your Kids Will Love

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There can never be too many corny jokes on hand

While we don’t recommend quitting your day job and taking these corny jokes on the road (do people still throw rotten tomatoes?), we do promise that if delivered with enough enthusiasm—or by an undeniably cute kid—these cheesy jokes will get some chuckles. And, when you’re done with these, be sure to share our favorite knock-knock jokes, summer jokes, funny dad jokes, and our ultimate list of jokes for kids that are always good for a laugh.

Q: Why did the cookie go to the hospital?
A: Because he felt crummy.

Q: Why did Johnny throw the clock out of the window?
A: Because he wanted to see time fly!

Q: Why was the baby strawberry crying?
A: Because his mom and dad were in a jam.

Knock, knock
Who’s there?
Theodore
Theodore who?
Theodore wasn’t open so I knocked.

Q: What do lawyers wear to court?
A: Lawsuits

Q: What did one toilet say to the other toilet?
A: You look flushed.

Q: Why is there a gate around cemeteries?
A: Because people are dying to get in!

Knock, knock
Who’s there?
Cows go
Cows go who?
No silly, cows go MOO.

Q: Why wouldn’t the shrimp share his treasure?
A: Because he was a little shellfish.

Q: What has one head, one foot, and four legs?
A: A Bed

Q: What do you call an angry carrot? 
A: A steamed veggie.

Q: What do you call a fake noodle?
A: An impasta.

Knock, knock
Who’s there?
Little old lady
Little old lady who?
I didn’t know you could yodel.

Q: Why shouldn’t you write with a broken pencil?
A: Because it’s pointless.

Q: Why did the man put his money in the freezer?
A: He wanted cold hard cash!

Q: What do call cheese that isn’t yours?
A: Nacho Cheese

Knock, knock
Who’s there?
Etch
Etch who?
Bless you!

Q: How do you make an egg roll?
A: You push it!

Q: What word is always spelled wrong in the dictionary?
A: Wrong.

Q: How do you make a tissue dance?
A: Put a little boogey in it!

Q: What do you call a sleeping bull?
A: A bulldozer!

Knock, knock
Who’s there?
Mikey
Mikey who?
Mikey doesn’t fit in the keyhole!

Q: Why were the fish’s grades bad?
A: They were below sea level.

Q: What do you call a sad berry?
A: A blueberry

Q: Why are cornfields bad places to tell secrets? 
A: They’re full of ears.

Q: Why did the golfer bring two pairs of pants? 
A: In case he got a hole in one.

Q: Why shouldn’t you write with a broken pencil?
A: Because it’s pointless.

From parenting hacks to tips to get us through the tough parenting days, TikTok delivers

You either love TikTok or you hate TikTok, but if you fall into the latter, hold up for just one second and hear us out. Yes, TikTok is sometimes questionable, but there are some real gems of wisdom and advice that we’ve seen on the video platform and have personally tried out—resulting in some rock-star parenting moves. So if you aren’t too sus of TikTok parenting advice, check out these tried-and-true favorites below.

Toys are overrated. Especially for toddlers.

@holly_at_home_

#greenscreenvideo just trying something different 😂 #momtok #playpen #dramaticplay #experiment #tryingsomethingnew #momhumor #jokes #parentinghack

♬ original sound – holly | motherhood

Sometimes all you need is water and a paintbrush for a moment of peace.

@nannyamies

Quick, simple and effective! I leannon this a lot! 😉✍🏻🙌🏻 #childcaretip #parentinghack #toddlerhack #children #imbored #childcare #toptips #parentsoftiktok #parents #mumlife

♬ In Da Club – Instrumental Hip Hop Beats Crew

Silence is more terrifying than screaming.

@deal_family

MASS CONFUSION AT THE END!🤣 #parenting #parentinghumor #parenting101

♬ sonido original – Isandrep

 

Duct tape is all you need to bring some quiet into your home (for the toys, not the kids).

@nicolestorydent

I hear the songs of their toys in my sleep. Trust me voluming down is better for everyone. #momlife #millennialmom #parentinghumor #relatable #humor #toddlermom #momsover30 #toddlerlife #honestmomconfessions #badmomsclub #momtruths #parentinghack #momtok

♬ original sound – Nicole Story Dent

Finding “unicorn mom friends” is hard. SO hard.

@annaleegrace15

And they do exist!! So if you havent found yours yet, keep looking!! ❤️ #momlife #momsoftiktok #babiesoftiktok #toddlersoftiktok #marriedlife #husbandwife #momtok

♬ original sound – Annalee

Spontaneous cuddles are always a good idea. PS: This 100% works for big kids too.

@nubiabrownn

Best reaction ever. ❤️🥰 #cuddlechallenge#toddler#mifamilia

♬ original sound – James Blake

Finger hearts has given us a new way to say goodbye to our kids, all while spreading the love.

https://www.tiktok.com/@yourkoreandad/video/6893561364598508806?embed_source=71112494%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%3Bnull%3Bembed_share&refer=embed&referer_url=tinybeans.com%2Fbest-tiktok-parenting-advice%2F&referer_video_id=6893561364598508806

All parents lose their temper—even Molly Sims—and that’s okay.

@mollybsims

And it works like a charm🍷 cc: @The Variety Show, this is hilarious 😂

♬ original sound – mollybsims

This 30-second lesson in gratitude might change your life.

@davidchoe

I Get To > I Got To #gratitude #mindfulness

♬ Steven Universe – L.Dre

This grocery shopping cart hack is a genius move for those of us who have kids that are getting too big to lift.

@lauren.clutter

MOM HACK for the grocery cart! Thanks for the tip @shannonldoherty 🤯 #momhacks #momcontent #thetiktokmom #parentingtips #CanYouWorkIt

♬ original sound – LAUREN

Our kids eat cauliflower and don’t even know it thanks to this secret-ingredient smoothie recipe.

@kianatom

3 secret ingr for creamier healthier smoothies. Frozen cauliflower rice (low cal. very nutritious), frz banana & spinach. #smoothies #foryourpage #fyp

♬ original sound – kiana_tom_flexappeal

Growing avocado trees (and learning a bit about science) is our new jam thanks to all the plantspo on TikTok.

@its.all.green.to.me

What I mean when I say I grow Avocados 🥑 #avocado #avocadovers #avocadoseed #avocadosarmy #avocadoqueen

♬ Originalton – Hi

Two Words: Cheerios. Sand.

@ellethevirgo

🌞🐠🌴 #fyp #sensoryplay #upcycling

♬ Laxed – Jawsh 685

Having older kids really is leveling up so hang in there, toddler parents!

@jagarcia728

Their first time going inside without mom or dad to buy something 😂😂 #parenting #parentinghumor #parentingdoneright

♬ Cool Kids (our sped up version) – Echosmith

Additional reporting by Andie Huber

 

Did you hear the one about the fish who moved to Hollywood?

We’re not laughing at L.A.; we’re laughing with it. From jokes about earthquakes to jokes about LA traffic, these kid-friendly jokes will have your little one laughing out loud.

1. Why did the fish come to Hollywood?
He wanted to be a starfish.

2. Why did the cow come to Hollywood?
To make mooo-vies.

3. Why don't movie stars need air conditioning? 
They have so many fans. 

Roberto Nickson via Pexels

4. What happens when the smog lifts over Los Angeles?
UCLA

5. What kind of tree fits in your hand?
A palm tree. 

6. What did the ocean say to the surfer?
Nothing, it just waved. 

7. Where do LA ghosts go on Halloween?
MaliBOO!

8. Where can you always find free parking in LA?
The 405 at rush hour. 

9. What do you call grape jelly on the 10 freeway?
Traffic jam. 

10. What did the Rams fan say when his team made the playoffs?
Ewe have to be kidding me!

11. Why were the Rams players embarrassed? 
They were feeling sheepish.

12. What happens when a celebrity trips on the red carpet?
You see a falling star. 

13. What did the Hollywood director say to the hairdresser?
Cut!

14. What's an actor's favorite season? 
Awards season. 

15. What did one earthquake say to the other?
It's not my fault!

16. What did the ground say to the earthquake?
You crack me up.

 

Take your sandwich to the next level with two ingredients you already have in your kitchen

Tired of your go-to sliced cheddar on white bread? Mix up your routine with this no-brainer recipe from the food bloggers Jennie and Corelyn of Garlic My Soul. With two ingredients we bet you already have in your kitchen–apples and jam–the classic grilled cheese gets a major upgrade. The cooks’ secret to this delicious sandwich? Use Fontina cheese, which Jennie and Corelyn swear takes this dish to the next level.

Serves 1

Grilled Cheese with Apple and Jam Ingredients:

2 slices sourdough bread
2-3 oz fontina cheese
2 tbsp blueberry jam
¼ an apple, thiny sliced
4-5 basil leaves, chopped thinly sliced
butter
soup of your choice, optional

Method:

1. Butter both sides of your bread.

2. Spread the jam on the inside of both pieces of bread, then layer on the cheese, with the basil in the center.

3. Heat a pan over medium heat, and butter well.

4. Cook over medium heat on each side until the bread is well browned. Pro tip: if you want to, you can use a cast iron bacon press or another cast iron to put weight on the sandwich so everyone gets nice and melty.

5. Serve hot with soup!

 

This recipe was created by Jennie and Corelyn of the food blog, Garlic My Soul. East Coasters now living on the West Coast these foodies can be found adventuring around LA or cooking up something delicious. Visit Garlic My Soul for more fabulous recipe ideas that use in-season ingredients. 

If you know a toddler, then you’ve heard of CoComelon—the #1 kids channel on YouTube with a gazillion subscribers (chances are you’re one of them!). We love CoComelon for its oh-so-catchy tunes and adorable characters—it’s “edutainment” at its finest! Big news: CoComelon Toys from Jazwares has dropped its latest line of toys to learn, play and sing along with. Just like the series, these toys are in seriously high demand, so we’ve put together a list of the hottest new CoComelon Toys from Jazwares, based on your kiddo’s favorite CoComelon tune!

Hot tip: Shop now, because these coveted CoComelon Toys from Jazwares are sure to sell out quickly! (Not to mention… you want to ensure they have time to make it to you with all the shipping issues going on… ) Ready? Go forth, shop, and bring the world of CoComelon to life for your favorite tiny bean this holiday season!


If They're a Fan of Yes, Yes Vegetables

Deluxe Interactive JJ Doll

Press JJ's tummy to activate sounds and hear songs! When it’s time for JJ to eat, the peas “disappear” from the spoon when you feed him!

$29.99 BUY NOW

If Clean Up Song Is Their Jam

Deluxe Family House Playset

JJ's interactive playhouse features favorite songs like Skidamarink and Clean Up Song—plus it comes with a carrying handle for on-the-go play!

$39.99 BUY NOW

If They Can't Resist the Bath Song

Musical Bathtime Playset

This set includes two bath squirters and a cleaning cloth for JJ and TomTom. Press the warm water button to play CoComelon’s Bath Song!

$24.99 BUY NOW

If Your Kiddo Gets Excited to See Ms. Appleberry

School Time Deluxe Playtime Set

Welcome to Melon Patch Academy! The deluxe playtime set includes a table, cot, chair, easel, and teacher Ms. Appleberry to create a real school setting!

$24.99 BUY NOW

If Are We There Yet Is Their Favorite Tune

Deluxe Family Car

Play and sing along to the Are We There Yet song! Press the CoComelon button to hear car sounds like a horn, engine and more!

$19.99 BUY NOW

If They Jump for Jellybean

Pop n’ Play House Playset

This playset includes two chairs, a table, a toilet and the lovable JJ and Jellybean, the class pet!

$19.99 BUY NOW

If They Love Learning Colors with the Colors Song

Lunchbox Playset

Discover color by sorting shapes, learn to count, learn about different foods and more!

$19.99 BUY NOW

Happy shopping!

 

—Jamie Aderski

 

CoComelon™ Copyright © 2021 Moonbug Entertainment. © 2021 Jazwares, LLC. All rights reserved.

Calling all mini hip-hop artists! Fisher Price has outdone themselves with the newest collector’s edition Little People that will have parents secretly coveting the new toy.

You can already play with tiny versions of your fave characters from The Lord of the Rings, The Office and Frozen––but now its time to turn to the music industry with the Run-DMC set! Get ready to get down with Joseph “Run” Simmons, Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell and Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels in a whole new way.

The three-piece set comes in a stylized box and no detail is left out. Each member boasts their signature style in the form of hats, shoes and gold jewelry that will have your littles begging for their own pair of Adidas.

You can find the Run-DMC Little People Collector dolls on Amazon for $14.99

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Fisher Price

 

RELATED STORIES

“The Office” Fans of All Ages Need This Little People Set

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A few years ago, I remember reading an article about Mother’s Day. The writer observed how, instead of a spa day or sleeping in, what she really wanted was a day centered on the motherhood experience. Not the laundry. Not the dishes. Not the perpetually sticky floors. She just wanted to have fun with her kids, no chores attached.

This stuck with me. For all of us who work outside the home, we are used to negotiating our time out of the office. We lock down a certain number of days off before we take a job. We put in requests for PTO around holidays and vacations. But when it comes to motherhood, we’ve somehow drunk the Kool-Aid that we’re supposed to always be on duty.

What if we chose a different path? What if we assumed the role of a benevolent manager to our mom-selves and said, “With this job, you are responsible for a lot of repetitive but important tasks, you get a pension plan of unlimited love and joy, and you’re guaranteed regular days off from the drudgery?” I think we’d be happier parents and people.

Overcoming Your Inner-Overachiever

It can be hard, of course, to check out for the day. I get it. We are programmed to think about how we can multitask better, how we can optimize every minute, how we can be successful at home and at work in half the time. That’s grit. That’s drive. And in so many situations, that’s commendable.

The only problem is, burnout is a very real consequence of that mentality. We owe it to ourselves to step back every now and then to do fun things just for the sake of, you know, fun.

And if you think our COVID-era lifest‌yles preclude everything you’d want to do, think again. This isn’t a call for some grand gesture so much as it is an urging toward intentionally enjoying ourselves now and then for no other purpose than to bring happiness back into our parenting.

Still not convinced? Here are a few doable ideas to get you started:

1. Snuggle In: Even if you can’t sleep in, you can stay in your pj’s all day and watch movies and color together.
2. Bake: Forget pandemic baking. You’re baking for no reason! Cake, bread, whatever your jam is, you’re putting that sucker in the oven. Just. for. fun.
3. Get Outside: No park playdates here! Nope, you’re going on a walk just to feel the sunshine together. (Or, if you’re in Portland, to admire the clouds.) If you can’t completely squelch that overachiever mentality, you’re allowed to pack a picnic. But don’t forget dessert!
4. Bust Out the Boardgames: Even toddlers can hold their own in a game of memory or Candy Land. And that analog-st‌yle fun will bring back your own happy childhood memories.

PTO: APPROVED

So how often should you be doing this? Well, that’s up to you. There are those out there making the case that laziness has certain hidden advantages. (Looking at you, creativity!) I personally find that once a month strikes the balance between doable and rejuvenating. If you can do it once a week, more power to you. If you can’t do it at all, I urge you to reconsider. And, if all else fails, put it on your calendar. You can always schedule the laundry for the next day.

This post originally appeared on Modern Mommy Doc.
Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, FAAP
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

I'm a pediatrician and a mama mindset expert. I host The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast, and am a mom to two young girls in Portland, Oregon. I'm also author of The New Baby Blueprint and The Working Mom Blueprint from the American Academy of Pediatrics. 

2020 wasn’t exactly jam-packed with goodness. That is, expect for the Strawberry Glaze craze.

Given the popularity of this sweet, spring-time flavor last year, Krispy Kreme made the decision to treat the brand’s fans to another round of limited-time Strawberry Glaze doughnuts. The pink pick is available starting Apr. 26, 2021 at participating Krispy Kreme locations.

photo courtesy of Business Wire

Dave Skena, Krispy Kreme Chief Marketing Officer, said in a press release, “Last year, fans couldn’t get enough of Strawberry Glaze and have been asking for it to come back ever since.” Skena added, “So we’re bringing it back. Hurry in and enjoy!”

The delish doughnut flavor is back in two forms—a Strawberry Glazed Doughnut and a Strawberry Kreme Filled Doughnut. The glazed version is similar to the Original Glazed Doughnut, but with a tangy strawberry taste. If that’s not enough strawberry sweetness for you, the Kreme Filled version is exactly what the name sounds like. This sugary selection is filled with the brand’s beloved Kreme, in a strawberry flavor.

—Erica Loop

 

RELATED STORIES

Nostalgia Alert! NECCO Chocolate Wafers Are Making a Comeback

Krispy Kreme Is Launching Fruity Doughnuts Just in Time for Spring

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