BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Read More

Nothing will stop you from having a good time this year!

I've been a BuzzFeed Contributor since 2020 and I'm always on the lookout for products that are the perfect blend of form and function — especially if it's in the realms of parenting, travel, and home goods and décor.

Promising review: "During our recent trip to Disneyland on a cloudy, rainy day, the Universal Stroller Rain Cover proved to be an essential accessory. It fit our stroller snugly, providing comprehensive protection from both wind and rain. The clear, durable material allowed our child to observe the surroundings while staying dry and comfortable. Ventilation holes on both sides ensured proper airflow, preventing any stuffiness inside. Installation was straightforward, and the cover remained securely in place throughout the day. Notably, we observed that many other families had similar covers, underscoring their practicality in such weather conditions. Given Disneyland’s unpredictable weather, having this rain cover made our experience much more enjoyable. I highly recommend it to any parent planning a theme park visit in uncertain weather." —DaKhine

Promising review: "I cannot recommend this enough!!! My 2-year-old played with this with me for over an hour on the plane. He loved it, and it kept him busy, and he could easily clear the image. He is usually high energy and can’t stay focused, but the easy clearing made it so he wanted to keep playing with me. We loved it so much that we bought it for my niece." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in six colors and four sizes).

Promising review: "Very good for traveling, my kids keep their snack and games! Only think if you put to much stuff its giving you less space for you legs in the car! But, still works for us! Especially if you have toddler and you want to keep their stuff all in one place, works good!" —Elvis

Promising review: "My child loves this lunch box that we used for snacks when traveling. It’s easy to use and holds numerous different snacks. It has a tight suction, so no spilling. The color is true to the picture." —LR

Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in 11 colors).

Promising review: "These are the BEST‼️ Our kids put them in their backpacks for school and often say thank you because the Tide pen came in clutch for them or a friend. We put them in the back-to-school teacher basket gifts and stockings, and have a Tide pen thrown in pretty much every vehicle and bag we own because they last!! We pulled one out of a camping bag that was at least three years old and still worked great‼️ We have used these on nearly every clothing stain without ever having the fabric color lift them, or after washing.  🤯😍 These are a lifesaver to share any time but are so great for professional settings or at business conventions, weddings, and formal events." —D

Promising review: "Having gone through a million and one snack cups with our 3- and 1-year-old (I swear there is a black hole in our car somewhere that causes them to vaporize mysteriously), this brand is our favorite. The lids are easy to pop on and seal well, the handles are easy to grip, the lid is soft enough for even hands less than a year old to get to the snacks easily, and after many, many, many cycles through the top rack of the dishwasher, they are still holding up great. Definitely recommended." —NYCtoRVA

Get it from Amazon for $5.96 (available in two color combos).

Promising review: "Took this on the plane to Disney World and my 4-year-old loves it! I didn’t have to worry about her dropping her Kindle/crayons/markers. I also didn’t have to worry about her spilling anything and making a mess. Super easy to clean and not flimsy at all! We use this in the car as well, and it is very helpful." —J.S.

Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in six colors).

Using UV light for disinfection carries some risks; read more at Mayo Clinic. To confirm your device actually disinfects, test it with this $7.99 reusable card.

Promising review: "I love this travel sanitizer! Perfect for when we’re on the go and well worth spending the extra dollars to get the rechargeable version." —Amazon Customer

Promising review: "I bought this for my toddler to use on a trip to Disney World. It worked on every single toilet in the Disney World parks that we used, and it worked on the airplane toilet. Love that it suctions so it won’t slide around easily. Folds up well and fits in our diaper bag. It’s easy to wipe down to clean. Now that we’re back from travels, I find it’s still nice to have in the car/diaper bag for emergencies. Very useful and I would recommend to anyone who’s got a child that isn’t quite confident on a 'big potty' yet." —M

Get it from Amazon for $14.95 (available in four colors).

The cherry on top might be the Amazon Kids+ subscription — it comes with a huge library of age-appropriate books, along with the option to set reading goals and track progress.

Promising reviews: "It’s been a game changer for encouraging my child to read more. The device is lightweight, easy to hold, and the adjustable lighting is perfect for reading day or night without straining the eyes. The parental controls give me peace of mind, and the colorful protective case is both fun and durable. If you’re looking to get your child excited about books, this is absolutely worth it!" —Natalie

"Got this for my 9-year-old’s birthday. I love that there is no access to the internet, so I am okay with her using it before bed in her room. She is easily able to navigate and use this. She has brought it on international travel, and it was durable and stayed charged for the trip despite only charging it all the way before the trip. Plus, she thinks the whale case is so cute and whimsical." —Busymom

Get it from Amazon for $129.99 (available in three colors/themes).

Promising review: "Perfect for travel! I needed something small and convenient for our diaper bag, and this is it! The container is high quality and the perfect size. The bandages also work great and stick well. I love that it comes with different sizes of bandages and a few antibiotic ointments! I highly recommend this!" —Somer

Get it from Amazon for $15.88+ (available in two patterns).

Promising review: "Purchased these AirTags for our teen who will be leaving the country. While it does function with/through internet service, it is still good to have for the travel in addition to other ways we are tracking her. We also use these for our toddler and personal belongings. This was such a great invention and a small peace of mind. I’ve recommended to others" —Lyn

Promising review: "I use these with my two kids whenever we travel or go on an adventure. When my younger child was little and would grab at anything on his wrist, I put it on his ankle, and it fit comfortably. The bands are comfortable, and my kids hardly notice that they're on. They've been used numerous times, and the bands and AirTag protector are holding up very well." —DaSilva Family

Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in 12 colors and three quantities).

Promising review: "This has been such a hit with my 3- and 4-year-olds and keeps them entertained for hours. It operates JUST like an adult digital camera but has some fun added filters like a mustache, kid face, and different border designs. It is a small size that allows them to operate it with ease. My kids walk around the house taking pictures of random things, and then love to come and show me. Battery life is great, and it seems pretty indestructible! I have purchased this three times now for birthday party gifts as it’s an affordable, great gift!" —Above and Abode

Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in five colors).

Promising review: "This tape was the best travel toddler find. Our son enjoyed racing his cars down the track on the airplane and around the table at the hotel and restaurants. It was easy to rip and remove. Small enough roll to travel with but lasted a long time after our trip. It left no residue when removing from different surfaces but provided enough stickiness to not roll up on the edges. The color was black and did not wear off after several cars rolled over it. Our son got to explore different paths by reusing and repositioning the tape. He had so much fun. It was so easy to use." —Ryan H.

Get it from Amazon for $11.97+ (available in four patterns, a variety pack, and multipacks).

Promising review: "I’ve owned this for a year now and it has been so worth it. Bought it to take on a solo trip with my large 1-year-old, and I’m so glad I went with this one. It’s so light and folds down so small and so easily. I could definitely do it one-handed and carry it no problem. The basket underneath seems small, but it held the diaper bag and purchases, no problem. It rides way more smoothly than some big-brand strollers I’ve owned and is so easy to push. I took it through gravel, over cobblestones and uneven sidewalks, over tracks and steps. It was amazing. I still pick it over our other stroller for daily walks. My son is almost 2 now and still loves getting in it. His feet hang over the end, but he doesn’t seem to mind. The only small issue is the lack of a cup holder. But I could buy one to attach if I really wanted, so I don’t mind that much." —Becca Loftus

Get it from Amazon for $199.99 (available in six colors and options with an organizer and cushion).

Promising review: "I honestly did not think this would help my toddler, who throws up every car ride. Since we bought these, she has not gotten car sick once. Even in the mountains! Totally worth it!" —Miranda

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in four colors and multipacks).

Promising review: "We’ve been using sound machines at night, and the Dreamegg White Noise Machine has been an absolute game-changer—especially for travel! We recently took it on an international flight, and its compact size made it super easy to pack. Despite being small, the sound quality is fantastic, with a variety of white noise and nature sounds to choose from. The battery life is impressive, and the USB charging option is super convenient. It helped drown out airplane noise and unfamiliar hotel sounds, ensuring we all got a good night’s sleep. Highly recommend for travel!" —Kristin

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

Promising review: "We love these headphones! Great quality, good sound control, comfortable, and easy to pack up for a flight or other travel. My 5-year-old uses them on the plane and on long car rides. While the headphones themselves have parental volume control, I did find that there are some settings on the iPad that you also need to adjust to make them louder in certain situations, like on the plane — if it seems like the headphones aren't loud enough, investigate the settings on the device itself." —Ashley

Get it from Amazon for $11.48+ (available in nine colors).

Promising review: "We LOVE these. I grew up with them, so it felt nostalgic to buy. But such a fun way to engage my son and really test and learn a variety of types of thinking. We can run through them many times. It is a win-win as he liked doing these "quizzes" with me, and I love to see how his mind works, and he can process the questions." —Rebecca S

Promising review: "This made traveling with a baby so easy! My daughter would throw her sippy cup, and the tether did its job! Very good quality and almost impossible for anything to slip out of it. I am buying a second one!" —Mrs. All Sunday

Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in five colors and two-packs).

Promising review: "This mirror is amazing. It allows both the driver and passenger to see rear-facing children with ease. I bought one a few years ago for a child I was nannying, and now that I’ve had my own child, I bought another one so both my husband and I can have one in our cars. I totally consider this essential for anyone who has a rear-facing infant and wants to see how they are doing." —Amazon Customer

Promising review: "This has revolutionized diaper changes for us. Its thoughtful design and practical features make it an absolute essential for any parent on the go. The built-in pillow is a game-changer, providing extra comfort and support for our baby during diaper changes. Whether we're at home, out in a park, or on a road trip, this changing pad transforms any flat surface into a safe and comfortable diaper-changing station. The reversible wipe holder is a genius addition, allowing quick and easy access to wipes without the need to fumble through a bag. The Velcro straps for stroller attachment are a convenient touch, ensuring that we always have this changing pad within reach. Overall, this has exceeded our expectations. It's practical, well-designed, and incredibly convenient. This pad has become a constant companion in our parenting journey, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to every parent. It's a 5-star product all the way!" —Jonathan V.

Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in four patterns and three sizes/styles).

Promising review: "These are a lifesaver. We have the toddler blow-up mattress, which is great, but these have been amazing for travel/hotels and for going to visit family. Very compact, easy to use. Buying a second set to leave at my parents." —Amazon Customer

Promising review: "Got this for a holiday weekend trip. We got lots of smiles for this suitcase at the airport. It held five days of clothes and pajamas for a toddler on one side, and a blanket and large stuffy on the other. The toddler loves it, and it holds up to use (abuse) by a little one. The build quality is great and this thing will definitely outlast the time the kid will need it. The shark tooth zipper pulls and shark tooth material on the on the interior are cute. 100% recommend, it's adorable." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $54 (available in four designs).

Promising review: "I'm a mom of a toddler, and these wipes live in my diaper bag, my car and honestly my coat pocket. They're super gentle and don't have a strong alcohol smell, which I love. I travel a lot with my son, and these were a lifesaver at the airport. They don't irritate his skin at all, even with constant use.

If you're a mom who's always on the go, these are just one of those things you end up relying on without realizing it. Definitely a staple for us!" —Teddy

Get 150 wipes from Amazon for $14.97 (also available in two smaller quantities).

Promising review: "The absolute best product for kids who hate putting on sunscreen. We never travel without one. The perfect amount comes out of the roller ball, my hands aren't sticky, and it goes on evenly." —Heidi

Get it from Amazon for $12.78 (available in 13 colors).

Promising review: "This car seat travel bag is a lifesaver! I don’t have anything bad to say. I looked at so many different options and I’m so happy we went with this one. It’s incredibly durable and has plenty of padding to protect the car seat during flights or road trips. The shoulder straps make it easy to carry, freeing up my hands for luggage or holding my little one. I love that it’s roomy enough to fit our large convertible car seat with space left for a few extra items. Plus, it folds down compactly when not in use. Definitely a must-have for stress-free travel with kids! We have a Nuna Revv convertible car seat and it fit perfectly." —Heather Reyes

Get it from Amazon for $54.99 (available in two styles).

Promising review: "I gave these to my kids for playing with on the plane. Totally threw me back to when a favorite restaurant I attended growing up would hand out a small pack of Wikki Stix for us to play with while we waited for our food. My 5-year-old daughter liked sticking them on the backseat and the window on the plane. Too fun!" —Kayla Sturtevant

* If You Want To Encourage Your Kids' Independence, You’ll Want These 30 Products

* I’m Sorry It Took Me So Long To Tell You About These 27 Parenting Products

* Just 30 Essential Products For Road Trips With Kids

* These 27 Products Will Help Turn Your Yard Into Your Kid’s Favorite Place

* Things For Parents Who Want To Get Their Kids Excited For Back-To-School

Plus, kids' rugs and chairs, and finds from Uncommon Goods, Target, and Walmart.

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Reviews for this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.