At age 3, the gift-giving game changes. Kids are more likely to know what they want. They have opinions, interests, and the language to express their excitement for presents. But that doesn’t negate the thrill of a good surprise. “Often the idea of receiving a gift is what’s exciting for them, not necessarily what the…
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Between the ages of 9 and 12, children start to outgrow their little-kid personas and move on to more grown-up interests. These so-called tweens are developing first crushes, taking more interest in their appearance, following social media personalities, and growing increasingly independent. But they still harbor a fondness for fun, silly, even “babyish” things, too.…
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The result displayed on a pregnancy test can be life-changing, so you need a clear, accurate result. After more than 50 hours of research, talking to a pregnancy hormone (hCG) expert and an ob-gyn, drinking too many cups of tea, and peeing on more than 60 sticks and strips, we think the First Response Early…
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Dixon’s Ticonderoga pencils are iconic. When you think about the pencils you wrote with as a kid—blonde wood, yellow paint, green metal cuff, pink eraser—you’re probably picturing a Ticonderoga. You can buy them pretty much anywhere school supplies are sold, and year after year teachers specifically request them for their classrooms.

If you’re thinking this just might be the winter to embrace sledding as a family pastime, we couldn’t agree more. And although we can’t tell you whether a snowy day will feel like a true snow day for the many kids who are already at home, we can tell you that all sleds are not…
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If any holiday is about pure fun, it’s Halloween. This year, trick or treating may look a little different (socially-distanced candy slide, anyone?) But with more people spending more time at home 2020 could be the perfect year to up your pumpkin-carving game, creep-out your front yard, or take the time to help your kid…
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After testing 45 baby monitors and living with a handful of them for seven years as parents, we’re confident that the best one available is the new Eufy SpaceView. In a category full of mediocre, outdated designs, the Eufy stands apart with better—well, everything. Its video and image quality, signal range, monitor battery life, and…
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The best kids bike seat should be comfortable, easy to install, and, most importantly, safe for both the child and adult riders. After conducting more than 65 hours of research and testing, polling dozens of family-biking enthusiasts, assembling and disassembling 13 kids bike seats, taking dozens of test rides, and getting feedback from several wee…
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My wife likes to make fun of me for the fact that I apparently “want to live in a spaceship.” Which is to say that I have “a lot” of smart-home devices integrated into our lives. But after our son was born several months into the pandemic, we realized we could use those devices for…
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Kids are superheroes for enduring the Covid-19 pandemic, and now they have the gear to prove it. Cloth face masks are easily the most important back-to-school item this year, but they are also among the most challenging. We looked at some 70 cloth masks for kids, pored over scientific studies, spoke with health experts and…
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If you’re a teacher getting ready for a new class, a parent prepping your kindergartener for their first day, or a college student transitioning to university life, this school year will likely be different—and bring new concerns and needs—from those of the past. But whether you’re planning for in-person learning, remote school, or a combination…
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At age 3, the gift-giving game changes. Kids are more likely to know—and tell you—what they want. They have opinions, interests, and the language to express their excitement for presents. But that doesn’t take away the thrill and value of a good surprise. “Often the idea of receiving a gift is what’s exciting for them,…
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If you don’t want to give your kid a smartphone but do want them to have a way to communicate as they become more independent, a smartwatch or a flip phone could be your answer. After testing eight of these devices with our own tween-age kids, we think a smartwatch is a better choice than…
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Shopping for a computer for your kid is stressful, even when everyone isn’t trying to figure out remote schooling in the middle of a pandemic. But now many more grade-school, middle-school, high-school, and college students need access to their own computer for both entertainment and virtual classes.

This is an uncertain time, especially for parents trying to plan for the upcoming school year. One thing, however, is certain: Until there’s a vaccine for COVID-19 or a significant reduction in cases, it won’t be school as usual. Whether you’re sending your kids to an in-person classroom, organizing a homeschooling pod, or planning for…
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The best kids water bottle is easy to clean, made not to leak, and designed so that even a toddler can use it independently. We spent 50 hours testing 15 popular water bottles with kids from toddler to tween and found that the best stainless steel option is the 12-ounce Thermos Funtainer Stainless Steel Water…
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Folding wagons can be useful tools for families, beachgoers, or really anybody who needs to tote a lot of gear from one place to another. We researched dozens of wagons, tested six of them, and concluded that the MacSports Collapsible Folding Outdoor Utility Wagon is our favorite all-around wagon for basic toting. And we found…
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Going away to college for the first time can be daunting, but having a dorm room that feels more like a home can make a huge difference. That’s why we’ve spent more than 180 hours evaluating the best dorm bedding, appliances, and other essentials to ease the transition from childhood home to college.

Infant car seats are designed to click in and out of a base you leave installed in your car—making it easy to get a baby into a house or stroller with minimal disruption. After 50 hours of research, including testing 10 popular infant car seats at home and crash-testing four finalists in a top lab…
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Perhaps you, too, are looking for ways to liven up the yard now that it functions as your family’s playground, beach, and outdoor living room—at least until parks are safe to visit again. Wirecutter has long reviewed gear for outdoor recreation, and we’ve spent dozens of hours researching and testing it all. (We once spent…
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Keeping a squirmy infant clean is a task worthy of Sisyphus—the minute you get them washed, brushed, and diapered, it’s time to start all over. But the right tools can make grooming your kid a little less of a battle. From the best diapering supplies and tiny scissors that keep sharp nails at bay to…
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Getting in some outdoor time with the kids at the beach, lake, or pool may come with additional challenges or concerns this summer—but adequate sun protection doesn’t have to be among them. Below are some of our staff’s favorite items for keeping kids covered from top to bottom; elsewhere, we also have recommendations for sunscreen,…
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We don’t think there’s a right or wrong way for kids to play. For this kid-oriented gift guide, we focused on learning toys—open-ended games, kits, toys and crafts that promote lifelong skills like critical thinking, problem solving, logic, and even coding. To choose from the hundreds of toys available, we spent more than 30 hours…
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The cups of a nursing bra unclip or pull open to make it easy for you to bring a feeding baby to the breast. We spent six months testing 24 nursing bras with a panel of 17 moms ranging in size from 32D up to 42K (and including 36B and 34C) and found that the…
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The best humidifier for a baby is the same one that’s best for adults—it just needs to be cleaned more often. Beyond that, a humidifier in the baby’s room should run all night without over-humidifying or needing a 4 a.m. tank refill. The model that meets those needs is the same one we picked in…
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Hiking carriers are a great way to introduce your little one to the magic of exploring the outdoors, and to ensure that you keep getting out after you become a parent. We carried our infant and toddler sidekicks in 10 different carriers across almost 100 miles before concluding that the Deuter Kid Comfort is the…
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After 25 hours of testing 10 baby bathtubs and bath seats with our own infants, we’ve determined that though you don’t need a specialized tub or seat to bathe your kiddo, having one can make the task a lot easier, more fun, and comfortable for everyone involved. Our favorite baby bathtub is the Fisher-Price 4-in-1…
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We spent 15 hours researching hundreds of cribs, and three days assembling and converting 10 of them, before concluding that the DaVinci Kalani 4-in-1 Convertible Crib is the best choice for most families. This sturdy crib converts to a daybed, toddler bed, and full-size bed, offering the potential for years of use.

After researching bag policies for schools, venues, and stadiums, considering 29 see-through bags, and testing 10 of them, we think that the JanSport Mesh Pack Backpack is the best option if you can get away with mesh. It’s more comfortable than a plastic backpack, it comes from a brand we know and trust, and the…
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To find our favorite learning apps and games for kids, we spent more than 40 hours researching and testing 50-plus apps recommended by educators, experts, and parents. If your family has a tablet and you want it to be more than a game-playing and video-watching device, or if you’re trying to find apps for your…
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Backpack-style diaper bags are not only often more comfortable to carry than shoulder-style bags, they also keep your hands free for wrangling kids. After stuffing 15 backpack-style bags with diapers, bottles, and snacks, taking them on 60 outings, and deliberately spilling milk and crushed cereal in them, we’ve found a range of options well suited…
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When we tested robotics kits for beginners, the Lego Boost set won over the toughest critics: kids. And robotics pros, makers, and hobbyists agreed. With its Lego-based design, built-in sensors, and expansive options for creativity, the Boost kit was the most fun to build with. Plus, the tablet app’s super-simple programming was the easiest to…
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Protect your kids during the cold and flu season with our germ-fighting tips!   No one likes getting sick, but when your child is the one who is suffering it is even worse. Working parents often have an even harder time with their child’s illness as they have the added difficulty of sorting childcare, missing…
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Legos, the beloved plastic bricks that promote creative open play and STEAM skills, are so ubiquitous that for many kids their introduction comes in the form of a bucket of mixed pieces passed down from an older sibling or cousin or a family friend. But if you’re helping a Lego neophyte build a collection from…
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We have tested 19 diaper bags over the past three years, filling them with diapers, bottles, and snacks on more than 70 outings, and found several shoulder, messenger, crossbody, and convertible bags that are great for toting baby gear.

Traveling with little kids can be a slog; a lightweight, easy-to-install travel car seat may make things a little easier. We researched over a dozen travel car seats to see how they perform for air travel and in rental cars, and determined that a regular infant car seat used without its base is the best…
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To find our favorite learning apps and games for kids, we spent more than 40 hours researching and testing 50-plus apps recommended by educators, experts, and parents. If your family has a tablet and you want it to be more than a game-playing and video-watching device, or if you’re trying to find apps for your…
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After plastering two water bottles, a nylon lunch box, several food container lids, and a few T-shirts with seven kinds of labels and putting them through a combined total of 24 wash cycles, we found that the Name Bubbles School Labels (in a pack of 76) are the best preprinted labels to put on kids clothes…
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If you own a Nintendo Switch and have a patient child who loves building and craft projects, you should look into Nintendo Labo, a trio of clever cardboard construction kits that bring Switch games into the real world in the form of toys you build yourself. The Labo Vehicle Kit is our top choice after…
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Swaddling—wrapping a baby securely in a thin blanket—can help minimize the startle reflex, replicate the coziness of the womb, and calm a baby who’s overstimulated. To find the best swaddles, we had five families spend two weeks testing 11 of them with babies ranging in age from 2 to 12 weeks, and talked to four…
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After spending 30 hours researching electronics kits and testing seven top-rated models with the help of kid testers aged 7 to 12, we found the SmartLab Smart Circuits to be the best electronics kit for kids (or anyone else) interested in experimenting with electronics concepts at home. The Smart Circuits kit offers the best combination…
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After nine hours of research and 25 hours spent testing seven baby jumpers—including having an elementary music teacher grade our top contenders on interactivity, melody, rhythm, and educational value—we believe that the Fisher-Price Jumperoo is the best baby jumper for most families.

After 40 hours of testing, including cleaning up pureed sweet potato and crushed Goldfish crackers from 13 high chairs, we’re confident that the simple IKEA Antilop will make mealtimes easier than high chairs that cost 10 times as much. We talked to dozens of parents and read hundreds of online reviews, and we concluded that a…
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My son has never been able to sleep in complete darkness. And according to a 2018 study published in Physiological Reports, a dark room is best when it comes to kids getting a good night’s sleep. Know what’s not best? Sheer terror and flipping the lights on every five seconds.

Social Nature – Free Kids Anti-Viral Flu Care Log into your Social Nature account and select “Apply To Try”. If selected, you’ll get a free bottle of Sambucol Black Elderberry Anti-Viral Flu Care for Kids. You can also Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter Or join our Deals & Discounts Facebook Group for…
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Last week the coronavirus was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) and today WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that the world may be “dangerously” ill-prepared for a pandemic. So what does this actually mean and do parents need to worry? We asked  Dr. Richard Honaker for his medical advice…
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Avoid back to school germs with 5 best practice tips from a doctor.    While many parents may look forward to their kids returning to school and getting back into a routine, many kids pick up more than just new friends when they return to the school yard.   The back to school sickness.   …
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No matter what your age, changing into pajamas can anchor a bedtime routine, and soft and cozy PJs make it a pleasure. The best sleepwear for babies and toddlers not only keeps them comfortable through the night, but makes diaper changes and getting those clothes on and off easy. Below are a few of our…
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Once you become a parent, a full night’s sleep can feel like a precious gift. Those of us at Wirecutter with babies and toddlers lean on each other for advice and sympathy when it comes to getting our kids—and ourselves—more sleep. We have deeply researched guides to blackout curtains and shades, white noise machines, crib…
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After more than 30 hours of research and testing, including a session evaluating eight pregnancy pillows with a prenatal physical therapist, the Bluestone Full Body Contour U Pillow is the pillow we’d recommend to help you sleep comfortably and keep your body well-supported during pregnancy.