In this blog post, I’ll share some of my favorite mom hacks to help you tackle everything from meal planning to beach trips and more for your little ones.
Get ready to make your life easier and get the ship running smoothly!
Key Takeaways
- Important time-saving hacks start with using printables, trying crockpot meals, and checking out meal delivery for easy family dinners.
- Get car storage stuff to have all the “oops” backups you could need as a mom.
- See how helpful mesh bags and plastic bags make mom hacks possible for babies, the beach, and even art!
- Make screen time more educational or active by checking out ABCmouse to have kids learn science and math, or check out yoga videos to get those booties moving!
- Want even more help on your path through motherhood? If you’re a first-time mom, check out my mom tips to help you care for your kiddo and yourself.
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Mom Hacks For Meal Time
1. Get Printable Meal Plans
No more last-minute dinner stress! Printable meal plans are your new best friend to make your life easier and get meals on the table.
Not only do they help you save time by having a week’s worth of meals planned out, but these make grocery shopping a breeze by streamlining exactly what you need.
Plus, by planning ahead and utilizing leftovers, you can cut down on food waste and make sure your family enjoys delicious and nutritious meals every day.
2. Check Out Easy Crockpot Meals
As a busy mom, I can tell you a slow cooker is a must-have secret weapon for stress-free cooking and one of the best mom hacks of all time!
Easy crockpot meals are perfect as they require minimal effort, and the slow cooker does the cooking for you.
Simply prep and toss in your ingredients in the morning (or the night before!), plug it in, set the timer, and come home to a delicious meal ready to be served.
3. Try Meal Delivery Services
If you need a mom hack for meals that take less time and effort, you should try meal delivery services.
These meal kits have pre-portioned ingredients for you with easy recipes right to your doorstep. You don’t have to shop or plan meals!
They also introduce you and your family to new and delicious dishes, with the added convenience of having groceries delivered.
4. Instacart
With Instacart, you can select grocery items available at most grocery stores, including fresh produce and pantry staples, all delivered straight to your door in as little as an hour.
Plus, you can save money by seeing what items are on weekly deals, their extra coupons, and exclusive promotions.
Kids’ Closet Tips
5. Use Shoe Storage For Daily Outfits
To make life easier for busy moms trying to get their kids ready in the morning, try using shoe organizers to organize clothes and store daily outfits.
You can also use them for kids’ shoes, toys, toiletries, and other things you want to organize, but the bottom rows are perfect for getting our girls set up for the week.
Fabric shoe hangers are great for setting aside clothes each day or use for general storage and organizing.
6. Space Storage Bags For Hand Me Downs
Space storage bags are a huge mom hack for many situations around your house and car. You’d be surprised how much a plastic bag can shrink down and save space!
I use storage bags to make more fit into our suitcases on trips and store extra clothes in the car, but you can also use them to save space with hand-me-downs.
I can store a bunch of these bags in clear plastic bins on my basement shelves or even under the girls’ beds- so you have more flexibility with space!
7. Stickers On Kids’ Shoes
Help young kids learn the difference between left and right shoes with this simple hack. Cut a big sticker in half, and place one half in each shoe so they line up correctly.
This cute visual cue helps your child to identify which shoe goes on which foot and help them develop their independence and motor skills.
It’s a fun and creative way to make getting dressed just a little bit easier for your little one.
Best Mom Hacks For Family Travels
8. Get A Practice Potty
There’s nothing worse than being on a road trip with a potty-training toddler and having nowhere to stop for a bathroom break.
Portable potties can be kept in the car for emergencies, making bathroom breaks a breeze, even in the most remote locations.
My big secret for this mom hack? Use disposable diapers or dog pee pads to line the toilet and soak everything up. Just don’t forget a bag to throw out, gloves, wipes, and even hand sanitizer!
9. Pack Extra Clothes & A Towel
Whether it’s a wet slide at the playground or dropping food on themselves, accidents are bound to happen when you’re traveling with kids.
That’s why it’s always a good idea to pack some extras in the car. Here are some essentials I pack in the car:
- Shirts & pants
- Underwear & socks
- Towels
- Wet wipes
10. Slip On Organizers
Slip-on organizers for the back of your seat are the best mom hacks to keep your essentials easily accessible during long road trips.
Our girls can’t reach the cup holders or don’t want to hold their books the whole trip, so these organizers give them a chance to store things they want -or don’t- within reach.
Slip-on organizers are perfect for storing extra clothes, water bottles, baggies, snacks, wet wipes, hair ties, and more. Anything you may need on the go can fit in these organizers!
Baby Hacks
11. Rubber Band Or Hair Tie For Babyproofing
When it comes to babyproofing, sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective parenting hacks.
Rubber bands or hair ties can secure cabinets, drawers, and other items that may pose a danger to curious little ones.
These affordable and easy-to-use items can be found in most homes, making them a convenient and accessible babyproofing option.
I like hair ties more because a rubber band can wear out and dry out, but whichever you use, you can check on them to make sure they’re tight enough and still working
12. Pool Noodle
You’d be surprised by the millions of uses I’ve found for a pool noodle!
For fun, I’ve cut a pool noodle up for our girls to use as painting sponges, play swords, ring toss games, and more.
For practical uses, you can cut a pool noodle and tuck it under furniture to block access underneath or put pieces on the corners of tables for head bonking.
13. Homemade Food Pouches
Store-bought baby food pouches can be pricey, but making your own is a healthy and cost-effective alternative.
Homemade food pouches allow you to provide your baby with fresh, nutritious meals made from your preferred ingredients.
They can be easily stored in your fridge or freezer for later use, ensuring your little one always has a tasty and wholesome snack on hand.
14. Plastic Bags For Dirty Clothes
Plastic bags have helped me with some of my best mom life hacks, and keeping gross stuff contained is a biggie on the go.
It’s inevitable that you’ll encounter some messy situations with your baby, wherever you may end up.
Keep a few plastic bags on hand for storing dirty clothes, bibs, or even diapers during outings.
A plastic bag easily stores in your diaper or car organizers, ensuring you’re always prepared for any messes that come your way.
Bathroom Tips
15. Sink Faucet Extender
Little ones often struggle to reach the water when washing their hands or brushing their teeth, even if we hold them up or use a stool.
A sink faucet extender is a simple and affordable solution that makes it easier for kids to reach the water.
It attaches to your faucet in seconds and makes washing hands so easy! But if you want something cheaper, an easy DIY would be to cut a pool noodle and stick it on the end.
16. Toilet Cheerios For The Boys
Potty training can be trying, especially for little boys. Make it a little more fun and engaging by using Cheerios as targets in the toilet.
Not only does this make the process more enjoyable, but it also helps improve their accuracy and reduces messes in the bathroom. Just remember to flush when they’re done!
17. Shower Caps- No Soapy Eyes!
Bath time can be a tearful affair when soap and shampoo get into your child’s eyes. To avoid this, simply have them wear a shower cap during their bath.
The cap will keep their hair dry and prevent soapy water from running into their eyes. Just make sure the cap fits snugly and securely!
18. Mesh Hanging Bag
Cleaning and organizing mom hacks are my favorite. Bathrooms are usually pretty chaotic with many family members, so we needed some help.
Mesh hanging bags are some of the best Dollar Tree supplies and are a fantastic solution for tidying your bathroom and drying things out.
Plus, the mesh material allows easy drainage and quick drying, preventing mold and mildew buildup on those tubby toys!
19. Laundry Basket Bathtime
Bathing a baby who is too big for a baby bath but too small for a regular tub can be challenging. Enter the laundry basket bathtime hack!
A laundry basket provides a safe and secure space for your baby to sit up, making bath time a breeze for both you and your little one.
Plus, it keeps your bath toys contained and prevents babies from reaching for any tempting bottles
Health & Wellness Ideas
20. Marshmallow Cold Pack
Bumps and bruises are all part of growing up and adventuring, but soothing injuries can be hard if your kids don’t like how cold an ice pack is.
Instead of using a typical gel ice pack or putting ice cubes in a bag (that’s too cold!), try a homemade marshmallow or frozen grapes cold pack.
These DIY cold packs are made by simply getting large or small marshmallows, placing them in a freezer bag, and zipping them tightly.
And depending on how they feel after, maybe they’ll have a little snack for their ice pack haha!
21. Wash Plastic Toys In The Dishwasher
I’m always on the hunt for the best mom hacks that keep toys clean! When so much goes into their mouths, you want to clean up things quickly to avoid mold and grossosity.
A simple and effective way to clean some plastic toys is by washing them in the dishwasher. Place the toys on the top rack and run a normal cycle to remove dirt, grime, and bacteria.
Just make sure not to use the heat dry setting for plastic toys, as it may cause them to warp or become damaged.
22. Glue Toy Holes Closed
Toys with small holes, such as bath toys and squeaky toys, can harbor mold and bacteria if water gets inside and sticks around too long.
To prevent gross problems, simply glue the holes closed using hot glue or epoxy. This will keep the toys clean and safe for your child to play with.
Be sure to clean the toy’s surface and the area around the hole before applying the glue, and let it dry all the way before giving the toy back to your child.
23. Have First Aid Kits All Over
Accidents happen everywhere, and I’m not talking about on the go- I mean, in your own home!
I’ve got a first aid kit in each bathroom, the kitchen, our garage- anything to help the boo-boos ASAP.
Stock your first aid kits with essentials like:
- Band-Aids
- Antibiotic ointment
- Antiseptic wipes
- Gauze
- Adhesive tape
- Scissors
- Tweezers
Toy Tips
24. Rotate Toys In & Out
Rotating toys in and out is a fantastic way to keep your child’s play area fresh and engaging. By periodically switching out the toys, you can:
- Prevent boredom
- Make older toys feel new again
- Reduce clutter
- Assess which toys are still age-appropriate or for younger kids (donate!)
- Set aside gifts that are better for older kids
To make toy rotation easier, consider using clear plastic bins labeled with age ranges and involve your child to teach them about organization and sharing.
25. Mesh Storage For Legos- & Washing!
Mesh storage bags are perfect for many mom hacks, including storing those obnoxious legos and other small toys.
These bags can be used to store and organize Lego bricks, making it easy to find the pieces your child needs during playtime.
Additionally, mesh storage bags can be used to wash small toys in the washing machine. Simply place the toys in the mesh bag, close it, and toss it in.
Best Mom Hacks For The Beach
26. Beach Bag Must-Haves
Packing the perfect beach bag can make all the difference to have a more successful and enjoyable beach day.
I’ve actually made travel and beach checklists that are laminated and ready at any moment, and I think those are helpful for every family!
Here are a few things to include:
- Waterproof sunscreen (with a sponge applicator)
- Lip balm
- Beach towels
- A beach blanket- or fitted bed sheet!
- Hand fans or electric fans
- A water bottle
- Polarized sunglasses
- Sand toys with mesh bag
- BONUS Cooler Hack: Use frozen grapes as ice cubes for cold drinks and a frozen sponge in a plastic baggie as an ice pack
27. Sunscreen DIY Easy Applicator
Applying sunscreen to your children’s faces can be difficult, especially if they don’t enjoy it. But a sponge can make it easy peasy!
The dampness helps the sunscreen to spread and adhere better, while the softness of the sponge ensures a gentle application.
Plus, it’s an easy way to protect your child’s face from sunburns without worrying about sticky hands!
Simply wet the sponge and dab some sunscreen on it before gently running it over your child’s face. Plus, use it on your arms and legs if you want to keep the lotion off your hands.
Calm Down Techniques
28. Sensory Bottles
Sensory bottles can be used for fun playtime activities or to help your child calm down when they’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious.
To make one, simply fill a water bottle or jar with objects like glitter, beads, or buttons and then add a few drops of food coloring.
Then, fill the bottle with water and close it with the lid and duct tape. You can also super glue it for curious kids who can remove the caps.
Shake the bottle and watch as the objects swirl around, creating mesmerizing shapes in the water.
29. “Breathing Is My Superpower” Book
Books can be the best mom hacks for kids to have fun, stay occupied, learn, and even calm down.
If you need help teaching your kids how to breathe and calm down, I highly recommend this book!
“Breathing Is My Superpower” walks you through the story of a girl who gets upset with her mom and learns breathing techniques to find her calm spot.
Educational & Active Screen Time
30. ABCmouse
ABCmouse is an online learning platform that has thousands of interactive activities to engage kids aged 2-8 while improving their academic skills.
With subscriptions starting at just $12.99 a month, ABCmouse gives kids access to colorful and engaging games, books, puzzles, songs, art projects, and videos.
With ABCmouse, kids can learn letters, counting, shapes, colors, phonics, science concepts, geography skills, cultures of different countries, math skills, and more!
31. YouTube Yoga Videos
Instead of your kids plopping down in front of the TV and just mindlessly watching, they can do yoga and listen to stories!
YouTube is a wonderland for content, and kids can find channels like Cosmic Kids Yoga to keep their electronic time active and fun.
Our girls love doing yoga with me in the mornings, and some channels will tell stories while going through different poses.
Final Thoughts
So, what mom hacks stuck out to you? I think these innovative mom hacks have made my life easier, and I can’t wait to keep growing the list for all of us!
From meal planning and baby hacks to health and wellness tips, these mom hacks will help you tackle the challenges of parenthood with ease.
By incorporating these genius tips and tricks into your family routines, you’ll be able to spend less time stressing and more time enjoying the precious moments with your family.
Give the best mom hacks a try and see the difference they can make in your life, too!
Plan a Week of Dinners in Minutes — Without Overspending or Overthinking It.
Join over 50,000 other savvy moms who’ve simplified dinner time!
These are great mom hacks. We could all use a few good tricks to make things easier! Thanks! I think the rotate toys in and out is great because they appreciate them even more when they are fewer and newer to them!
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