25+Parenting Hacks That Will Simplify Your Life
You can’t stop the daily meltdowns, your home’s walls are full of toddler originals, and there’s enough loose glitter floating around that you’re pretty sure you’re coughing it out. Sound familiar? We get it. No one said that parenting would be easy, but there are certainly ways to make it less complicated. Despite what many so-called experts may lead you to believe, you don’t need to follow the latest parenting trends or drop dimes on expensive toys. All you need is your ingenuity. From ideas focused on keeping your kids occupied to a foolproof strategy for getting your precious naps in, we’ve compiled our favorite parenting hacks that are designed to make your life just a bit easier.
Use Color for Fewer Bad Days
Your child’s meltdowns and bad moods can often be easily understood: they’re hungry, they’re tired, or you didn’t let them wear the same outfit for the fourth day in a row. When you don’t understand what’s causing their bad day, it’s a stressful task as a parent to help them calm down.
In situations like these, you don’t always need to get to the heart of the problem. Sometimes, you just need to shift their attention elsewhere. Ask your child what color they’re wearing, and they’ll be distracted mid-meltdown. This trick is actually an example of an anxiety-reducing technique called grounding, which means that you focus on what’s around you to minimize bad thoughts.
Get the Full Nap That You Deserve
In a perfect world, kids would wake up excited every morning to clean the house, wash the dishes, and pick up the toys they left around the house the day before. But if you’re reading this article, we doubt that it’s all sunshine and rainbows for you. You spend hours after your kids are asleep cleaning up their messes, only to sacrifice your own good night’s sleep.
We can’t get your kids to stop leaving legos everywhere, but we do know how you can get some shut-eye. Next time you’re trying to take a nap, tell your kids that you’re going to work on chores together after you wake up. We guarantee they’ll let you sleep as long as you want.
Catch Lies in the Act
It’s inevitable: one day, your kids turn from innocent to sneaky. With their newfound mischievous nature, they’ll see just how far they can push your buttons. Luckily, you have a few more years of life experience that you can use to your advantage. If you’ve noticed your child has taken up the habit of lying, beat them at their own game with this tip.
Tell your child that their ears will always turn red when they lie. Each time they try to fool you, they’ll cover their ears faster than you can say “Gotcha!” Always remember: while your kids may try to outsmart you, they’re still gullible enough to believe that a fairy will pay them good money for their teeth.
Make Sick Days Better with a Juice Box
Here are some of the most ominous words a child can hear: time-out, no, because I said so, and… medicine. As adults, we can understand. Those “flavors” taste nothing like the fruits they’re supposed to represent. Why would kids want to drink cherry juice that burns their throats? Make the process less scary for kids by cutting open the flap of a juice box and pouring the medicine inside.
Mixing the flavor will make it less unpleasant. If your child needs their medicine ASAP, you can cut out one side of an empty juice box and place the medicine cup inside. Ask them to drink from the straw, and they’ll never suspect that they’re drinking anything more than juice… until a second later, when you’ll need something to wash down the taste.
Create a Portable Beach Playspace
Spending a day at the beach with your toddler can be fun for everyone. The same can’t be said about getting there, though. Packing everything you need, from your umbrella and your snacks to your stroller and diaper bag can quickly turn into a nightmare. And once you get to the beach, how can you let your child play safely without them getting covered in sand?
The answer is not only simple, but it’s also free! Grab a fitted sheet from your house to serve as the base for your portable play space. Then use your larger items to secure the corners, and watch how your little one will wear a smile all day. The best part? It won’t add any bulk or weight to what you’re already carrying!
Tolerate Loud Toy Speakers with Tape
Let’s set the scene for a second: It’s a Saturday morning, and you’re doing your best to sleep in before the kids wake up. Suddenly, you hear a little one come down the stairs. They stop in front of your door and then keep moving to play in the living room. Perfect. Until you hear their toy police car blaring so loudly that you wouldn’t be surprised if the cops were inside your home.
You can’t turn the speaker off, or you’ll risk sending your child into a total meltdown. But if you have to keep hearing the same toy sound effects day in and day out, you’re worried you’ll lose all of your brain cells. Keep everyone in your house happy by putting some tape over the toy’s speaker to lessen the sound.
Child-Proof Your House with Stray Hair Ties
We swear that a child on a mission to explore is more destructive than the Hulk. Say goodbye to your organized cabinets and stack of arranged magazines. While baby-proofing your home with the latest products is certainly effective, it’s not practical if you’re on the go or visiting a new space.
Luckily, that hair tie that never seems to leave your wrist is the only tool you need to baby-proof the cabinet that your little one has in their sight. Loop it around one handle, then twist it and loop it around the other cabinet. The end result is an infinity shape that will provide infinite protection.
Conveniently Arrange Baby Bottles with a Shower Caddy
If nothing sounds more appealing than getting all of those random baby bottles pieces in order, this hack is right up your alley. Storing baby bottles and their caps in the dark shadows of a cabinet is only a recipe for chaos. You need everything where you can see and easily reach it.
Use an old shower caddy or hit up your local department store to pick out a caddy of choice. Then hang it in your kitchen and arrange your bottles as you see fit. Organizing by color and size will instantly add appeal. Bonus points if your caddy has hooks on the bottom for hanging lids and caps.
End the Popsicle Mess Before It Happens
If there’s anything we love about kids, it’s how cute they are when they eat. They can make a face full of peas and mashed potatoes look cute like no one else can. But while we appreciate a cutie with a little leftover pizza sauce on their cheek, some foods are much more of a hassle to clean up than others.
We’re talking about popsicles, the treat that kids love to eat and their shirts love to wear. Save yourself from cleaning up a sticky mess by pushing the bottom of the popsicle stick through the center of a cupcake liner. The shape of the liner will catch all of the melting popsicle and shield even the messiest of eaters.
Stop the Slam with a Pool Noodle
One thing we love about kids is that they don’t care about what other people think. They’ll sing as loud as they want, wear outfits that only they could’ve invented, and leave a mess wherever they see fit. They also love a good entrance (and exit!) with a tasteful door slamming. Whether they’re happy, sad, mad, or surprised, a door slam always seems appropriate.
As their parent, you may not agree with this philosophy. We’re not here to judge, but we are here to help. First, cut up a pool noodle lengthwise so you have about a foot of it left. Then slice it down the middle and place it around the upper part of your door. You now have a door that can never be slammed!
Keep Bath Toys Fresh Forever
Kids are notorious for being unpredictable with toys. Sometimes they’ll love a toy for two seconds and then never want to see it again. Others will have a regular role in their playtime lineup. And then there’s the favorite bath toy which is a necessity every time you bring out the shampoo.
Unfortunately, the little rubber ducky has a little hole inside which traps water and turns to mold. It’s not just gross, mold can cause unpleasant allergy-like symptoms for your kiddo. Use a hot glue gun to seal up the toy before it hits the water. With safety taken care of, all you’ll have to think about is how you can convince them that flossing is fun.
Use Cardboard to Create Fighting Blockades
Driving is stressful enough without fighting children in the backseat. When you consider the bickering, kicking, and screaming that takes place, it’s a wonder that you make it anywhere safely. We only have your serious driving skills to thank. If you’re worried that your ears can’t take it any longer, we have a solution that will transform the experience of driving with kids.
Use a piece of cardboard and place it in between your kids’ car seats. This partition will keep them all clearly in your view, but they won’t even be able to see each other let alone claw each other’s eyes out.
Use Water as Kid-Friendly Paint
Most kids want to be just like their parents when they grow up. When they see their role model painting the house, it’s natural that they’ll want to give it a try themselves. While kids don’t have access to your paint brushes, there’s one thing they’re never short on: creativity. Kids will use whatever they can get their hands on to contribute to your house projects, from stickers to their crayon collection.
Let your child feel like they’re contributing without making life more difficult for yourself in the process. Hand them a bucket full of water, and a paintbrush, and let them run for the fences – literally. It’s a great way to spend some time outside and keep your walls drawing-free.
Repurpose an Old Cot for a Kid-Sized Desk
Little kids need little beds. But just because they outgrow them doesn’t mean that you can’t keep that crib or cot around for a few more years. These furniture items are sturdy and high-quality, so it’s worth it to find other ways to repurpose them before giving them away. Remove one side of the crib, and you’ll have the perfect structure for a kid-friendly craft space.
The sides of the crib are the perfect spot to install little hooks that can hold art supplies, and the bottom of the crib is high enough from the ground that you’ll have no problem fitting chairs under.
Hide Candy Where They’ll Never Look
From Halloween to Valentine’s Day, the year is full of holidays designed to spread cheer with sweet treats. But kids’ natural tendency to eat all of these yummy goodies at once is sure to leave them feeling sick. It’s up to you to hide the candy and ration pieces out so no tummies are hurt in the process.
The problem with hiding candy is that a sugar-crazed kid with a mission is shockingly skilled at finding your hiding places. We have one place they’ll never dare to look though: the frozen veggie bags in your freezer. Keep the bag once you’ve finished off some veggies as your long-term candy vault. That old cauliflower never looked so good.
Channel the Healing Power of Marshmallows
Marshmallows are known for their healing abilities. Why do you think a rice krispy or s’more always leaves you feeling at peace? Now we have another use for these gooey fluff balls. When you have extra marshmallows from a recipe (or you’re just curious) fill up a plastic bag with them and put it in your freezer.
The next time your child falls down or has an owie, take out this bag and use the marshmallows as an ice pack. It will have the same effect as a regular ice pack, but your child will appreciate that the marshmallow pack is not as icy-cold and is softer against the skin. Plus, what kid doesn’t want any excuse to be near marshmallows?
Revitalize Dolls with this Hair Trick
We can see why kids are so attracted to new dolls: when they’re in the box with their hair done perfectly, they look inviting and exciting. Fast forward to a few days in your home, and that once glamorous doll now has a ratty old braid for a hairstyle. Give your kid’s favorite doll a refreshing look with the power of freshly washed hair.
Treatment for doll hair is actually similar to how you’d treat your own hair. Put some hair conditioner in a container of water and use it to detangle the wet hair. For especially stubborn dolls, mix in some dish soap, and tangles will come right out.
Use Butcher Paper for an Endless Canvas
Art supplies add up quickly when you have a kid with a passion for imagination. With a few flashes of inspiration, your child will go through an entire blank coloring book in one sitting. They may want an even bigger way to create their masterpiece. Try this inventive parenting hack and give your child an endless canvas to express their creativity.
Start by mounting an empty metal frame to your wall. This will form the boundaries for your “canvas.” Above the frame, install a butcher paper dispenser with some paper. Pull the paper down from the dispenser and through the frame to give the illusion of a framed picture. Then let your child create away! When all’s said and done, pull down the paper and rip to start all over again.
Use Slick Paint Designs for Non-Slip Socks
No matter how many times you say that there’s no running in the house, your kids don’t seem to hear you. There’s just something so tempting about a long hallway of hardwood floors. It’s always fun and games until someone goes a little past their limits and comes crashing down with an injury. It’s wishful thinking to hope that your kids will slow down, but with this hack, they won’t have to.
Use slick paint designs on the bottom of your kids’ socks to give them traction on slippery surfaces. Instead of spending more on expensive non-slip socks that your kids will quickly outgrow, you can buy a few fun colors and add designs to your kids’ favorite pairs. We think a Batman logo would be pretty cool… just saying.
Use a Rubber Band to Prevent Lock-Ins
We all remember the power of a locked door as a teenager. It wasn’t enough to stop the random mood swings, but it felt pretty effective as protection from the danger of our parents’ love. However, for a young kid, a locked door is a cause for panic. Being away from a parent for just one minute is enough to unleash serious distress.
You can prevent accidental lock-ins without having to spend a lot of money on a carpenter or contractor. Just use a rubber band. Wrap it around one side of your door handle, twist it, and then wrap it around the other side. You should see an X over the locking mechanism.
Use a Laundry Basket for Baby Bathtime
As an adult, taking a bath is a way to enjoy a relaxing atmosphere after a long day. We can stretch out our legs and rest our toes on the porcelain. But for your baby, bathtime is nothing short of an adventure. But the giant bathtub can be overwhelming for a little one who likes to keep their toys at arm’s reach.
If you notice that your baby is struggling to enjoy their bath toys to the fullest extent, you may want to try using a laundry basket during bathtime. Place a laundry basket into the tub, and let your child sit in it with all of their favorite toys. It’s the same concept as a regular bath, but mini!
Transform Cardboard Boxes into Creative Outlets
For how little our kids can be, they often have big ideas. Drawing on a few pieces of paper may not be enough to satisfy a child with an artistic vision. And you don’t have to pull out of all of the stops to see if your baby is the next Picasso.
The next time you get a package in a large cardboard box, keep it around. Place your child inside the box and give them plenty of creative tools: markers, stickers, tapes, ink pads, paints – you name it. The mess will all be contained in the box, so you won’t have to watch over your dining room table. The best part is that your child can unleash their wildest design plans.
Keep Kids Secure in Bed with a Pool Noodle
Some kids sleep like a rock at night while others kick up the sheets during vivid dreams. No matter how a kid sleeps, they will come right back into reality when they roll off the bed. It’s a bit of a shock the first time it happens, but it can become a source of anxiety for you and your child.
Rolling out of the bed during sleep may just be a short phase. Before you go through the expensive process of installing barriers on the side of the bed, start by putting a pool noodle under the sheets. For little ones, this barrier will be enough to keep them in bed and give you peace of mind that they’ll sleep uninterrupted.
Enjoy S’mores Whenever You Want!
S’mores are the classic campfire treat. The oozing marshmallows over a square of chocolate and a graham cracker is a flavor combination that never fails to please. We’re getting hungry just thinking about them… and we bet your kids are, too. Those s’more cravings don’t have to go unanswered, even if you’re nowhere near a campsite.
Recreate the effects of camping in your home with a bit of imagination. Turn off the main lights in your kitchen and plug in a string of star-shaped ones that you can use to brighten the space. Use your stovetop as your “campfire,” and use a chopstick or mini-skewer to roast your marshmallows. Complete the experience with a portable projector that you can use for “stargazing.”
Get Rid of Night Coughs
Kids get sick a lot, and it’s not pleasant for anyone. As a parent, it hurts to see your child in pain, and you’ll look for anything you can do to reduce cold and flu symptoms. One of the worst parts of sickness is a frequent cough that may last even when the rest of the cold goes away. Believe it or not, your child’s feet may be the key to stopping it.
Before they go to sleep, place Vicks VapoRub on your child’s feet and then put socks on them. When they wake up in the morning, the cough should be much better. There’s no science to prove this works, but many people swear by this trick.
Remove All Traces of Sand with Baby Powder
Baby powder is a household staple for a number of reasons. It keeps everyone smelling good, soothes rashes, and even absorbs moisture to keep your baby’s skin feeling comfortable. And there’s another use for baby powder that the whole family will appreciate: it helps remove all of the sand off your skin after a day at the beach.
Ever noticed that sand doesn’t stick to your skin until it gets wet? Without moisture, sand has a harder time sticking to our bodies. Baby powder soaks up the moisture on your skin, making it easy for your and your kids to brush away any stubborn sand particles.
Repurpose an Inflatable Pool as a Playpen
It’s a beautiful day to get some work done in the backyard. The sun is shining, it’s the perfect temperature, and those weeds are just calling out your name. The only problem is you have a little one who you might get into trouble if left unsupervised outdoors. What do you do when you want to give your child some playtime outside but they’re not ready to roam free?
The answer is blue and plastic. Pull out the inflatable pool and set your children loose with all of their favorite toys. No guarantees that your kiddos won’t ask to fill up the pool so they can splash in the water, though.
Thinking Ahead for Crowded Events
Whether it’s Disneyland or your local children’s museum, there will be plenty of times when you and your kids will be entering bustling spaces together. Along with your normal parental responsibilities, you’ll have to be extra cautious that everyone stays together in crowded areas. If you lose focus for even a second, your child may disappear into the crowd.
We hope this never, ever happens to you. Just to prepare you for any situation, here’s an easy tip before entering a busy space. Right as you enter, take a photo of your child. That way, if anything happens, you can show people exactly what they look like and what they’re wearing.
Never Lose Board Game Dice Again
Playing a game with the kids is always a gamble. You’ll open up the game to discover there are a few pieces missing. You now need to replace those pieces and hope that one of the kids doesn’t mind that they’re playing with a quarter as their “character.” Finally, you’ve got the game started, only to have a kid get too excited and lose the die that they’re rolling.
Children’s board games seem to have awfully small pieces considering the target audience. This hack will make those easily misplaced items kid-friendly. Place the game dice into a small clear container. You can then just shake this container to “roll” the dice.”
Catch Loose Glitter Once and For All
Glitter is immortal. Cleaning out your filing cabinet? There are some suspicious gold dots back there that might be from a project your kid made…three years ago. Did you just take a shower after helping Barbie get into her glitter dress? You’re going to need another one. And we swear that freckle didn’t exist before your child had to make that diorama for history class.
Glitter wants to stick around forever, but it doesn’t have to be this way. You likely already have the solution in your house. It’s Play-Doh. This colorful putty doesn’t just keep your child entertained for hours, but it picks up loose glitter more effectively than a person ever could. Team up Play-Doh with your unstoppable parent willpower and glitter will be no match.