Silly parent, these things are for kids! Equip your children with the best headphones, the cuddliest nightlight and more with these items we like, just for kids.
The Monster Next to the Bed
Calm your child’s fear of the dark by letting a monster light the way—Mike or Sulley from Disney/Pixar’s Monsters, Inc., that is. Philips Disney SoftPals are soft, cuddly, portable light figures available in Mike, Sulley, and Mickey and Minnie Mouse characters. The figures charge on a base and remain lit when removed if your child needs to get out of bed at night. The Philips LED system keeps the figures cool to the touch and the squishy silicone is safe (even if your kid, um, chews on it), while the friendly faces of the Disney characters light up the night. ($29.99; available June 15 at disney.comand Toys ‘R’ Us stores)
Smooth Swimming
Whether your little swimmers prefer the beach, the pool, or the bathtub, they probably don’t like getting water in their eyes while exploring under the surface. One father decided to put an end to hair-pulling, painful, ineffective swim goggles by creating Frogglez Goggles($24.95). Designed for use by non-competitive swimmers and available in multiple colors and sizes, Frogglez were a big hit with our young testers. Want to join your kids underwater? Adult Frogglez will be available soon (c’mon, you don’t want your kid looking goofy all alone, do you?!).
Rest Easy Listening
What your children are listening to is enough to consider without worrying about how they’re listening to it. ETY•Kids Safe-Listening Earphones by Etymotic ($39)restrict volume level, eliminating concern that your kids will damage their hearing. Even at full volume, the earphones don’t exceed safe listening levels, keeping your children’s hearing protected. Due to a seal that blocks background noise, high-definition sound quality isn’t sacrificed, so kids can still enjoy their favorite tunes or video games—without bursting an eardrum.
Spring in Your Step
With warmer weather comes more outdoor play, and there are
shoes made for just such fun: Made 2 Play by Stride Rite ($40-$48) are created for comfort and durability, to withstand everything from muddy park outings to sandy shore excursions. Available in baby, toddler, and kid sizes in a variety of colors and styles, your kids will love the shoes’ bright colors while you’ll fall for their functionality: They’re machine-washable and have a reinforced toe, quick-dry mesh, and “anti-stink” lining.
