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Clever Parenting Hacks That Cost Next To Nothing

Clever Parenting Hacks That Cost Next To Nothing

Tegan Holmes  | 4 months ago
Parenting has its highs and its lows. Changing diapers isn't exactly a high point, but the moment your child starts toddling around and speaking is something no parent ever forgets. For the parents that need a little bit of a helping hand when it comes to raising their kids, you have come to the right place at the right time. The following list of parenting hacks utilizes everyday household items to make looking after kids just a little bit easier. Who knew these things could be so simple?

Cardboard Dividers

Siblings, no matter their age, always get into little spats with one another. It might start with someone stealing a toy or a piece of food, which can quickly escalate into a full-blown fight. We've all been there!
Cardboard Dividers
Jake White
To avoid any fighting while on the road, simply grab a clean piece of thick cardboard from the recycling bin, and slide it in between the car seats. This gives each child their own space.

Drink Up

Does anybody really like taking medicine? If there is one thing that makes most kids squirm, it is having to take a tablet or a gross-tasting medicine. 
Drink Up
bsurfn2day
While we would never advise tricking children, this is a great hack for getting your kids to take their medicine. Simply place a can of their favorite soft drink in front of them, and a straw in the medicine bottle. This way they get their medicine and don't realize it's not soda.

All Ages Concert

Young children are still growing and developing, which means they should not be exposed to loud noises like heavy metal music without proper ear protection. For the parents that enjoy going to concerts, and want their kids to share this joy, then grab this handy item.
All Ages Concert
Decestor
Ear protectors that are used when mowing the lawn, or using other noisy power tools can be used to cover children's ears at concerts. They can still hear the music but without any fear of damaging their eardrums.

Time To Paint

If there is one thing that children love to do, it is to take their favorite markers or paint and create fantastical drawings on whatever surface they can find, and that includes the living room wall.
Time To Paint
macshona
Many different painting and drawing tools have been created with children in mind, but the best is simply a bucket of water, a wooden fence outside, and a paintbrush. A child can paint the fence to their heart's content, and their parents never have to worry about a mess or an unwanted mural.

Go Sand-Free

Beach days are the highlight of the summer for many families. The kids get to build sandcastles and wade in the water, and parents get to lounge around with friends.
Go Sand-Free
Team Johnson
The only downside is the sand that gets into and onto everything. To avoid any sandy situations, bring a fitted sheet to the beach, and curl the edges up around heavy bags and coolers. This keeps sand out.

The Crib Desk

After a year or two, most babies grow out of their cribs and require toddler beds. Instead of listing the crib on Facebook Marketplace, consider holding on to it for a craft project.
The Crib Desk
alittlelearningfortwo.blogspot.lt
Most cribs have a removable side, and with the removal of the side and mattress, a great desk can be created for the growing child. 

Keep Candies Close

While some kids don't like eating sweets, most have a real love of the sugary stuff. All parents know that kids and a lot of sugar do not mix very well, but that shouldn't stop the older generation from enjoyed a treat here and there.
Keep Candies Close
To keep children away from sweets, simply hide them in plain sight. A frozen bag of vegetables can be used to hide candy and chocolate bars, and no one will be the wiser.

A Helping Hand

Some children don't like falling asleep without the loving embrace of a parent. However, most parents don't have hours to spend with their kids waiting for them to fall asleep. Believe it or not, there's an easy trick for that too.
A Helping Hand
FreddyJackson69
For the kids that need a heavy hand on their back to help them sleep, then the glove trick is a must. Fill a glove with sand, seal it so the sand will stay in place, and place it on the almost asleep toddler. This will make them think their parent is right there.

Keep Heads Safe

Babies take a while to learn exactly how their body parts work. Arms need to stop falls, and rolling around on the floor next to furniture can lead to painful headbanging.
Keep Heads Safe
amazon
To keep a baby from rolling onto their backs, and potentially hurting their delicate heads, a baby backpack head protector is a nice little solution. Plus, they are absolutely adorable, and you can make one yourself with a sturdy pillow and some straps.

The Box Of Creativity

Kids always need an outlet for their creativity, and cardboard boxes might just be the perfect place for this. Not only are they fun to hide in, but they also make great canvases for young artists.
The Box Of Creativity
berrysweetbaby
Next time you get a child-sized box, hold on to it. Your toddler can be placed inside with a variety of markers and crayons, and create a masterpiece, away from any furniture and walls.

Teaching Time Management

Learning how to tell time on an analog clock takes some serious work. First kids need to understand what the big and little hands mean, and that can be tricky.
Teaching Time Management
Bored Panda
Then, they need to learn how they work together. For kids that need a bit of help in understanding what time activities take place, consider color-coding a clock to the corresponding activity.

Right And Left

You would think that it would be intuitive, which shoe goes on the right foot and which shoe goes on the left. But nothing is intuitive when it comes to learning important life skills.
Right And Left
onecreativehousewife
For some kids, putting shoes on can be a bit like trying to cram the wrong puzzle pieces together. Adding a sticker to show which shoe goes on which foot, can be a gamechanger.

Game Of Chores

For children, life is all about having fun, and doing chores does not fall under the fun category, or does it? Well, you're in for a surprise.
Game Of Chores
Parents that need help with chores like sweeping, can easily turn it into a fun game with the help of some tape and some simple rules. Kids can play sweep the garbage into the square.

Hanging Out

We have all heard of blanket forts, but have you ever heard of the blanket hammock? One truly innovative parent realized that a sheet can also make the perfect hammock.
Hanging Out
joyfulabode.com
All it takes is a large flat sheet wrapped around a dining room table, and voila, the toddler hammock is ready for lounging.

The Drippy Popsicle Catcher

Hot summer days call for cool popsicles, especially ones made from natural juices which aren't full of refined sugars. To avoid any sticky fingers, the plastic lid of a coffee cup can be used to keep popsicle juice from dripping on hands. How's that for a clever trick?
The Drippy Popsicle Catcher
Bored Panda
All you need to do is slide the popsicle stick through the slot used for drinking, and there will be no more sticky fingers.

Barbie dolls Need TLC Too

Children's toys are expensive, especially Barbie dolls. After being played with for a while, the hair on Barbies tends to get a bit straggly looking and full of knots.
Barbie dolls Need TLC Too
Tricia
Instead of throwing the Barbie out and buying a new one, just give her hair a wash with a mixture of dish soap, water, and conditioner, and it will look salon-perfect.

The Drawing Wall

For many children, it can be hard to fight the urge to draw on a pristine white wall in their bedroom or living room. But what can you do to allow them to express their creativity?
The Drawing Wall
agnstdgrainReport
To avoid a wall covered in marker swirls, consider hanging a picture frame, with a roll of butcher paper above it. This paper can be fed behind the frame, and a new 'canvas' will always be ready for drawing.

Video Game Family Time

Video games are for adults too, but sometimes little children don't understand why their mom or dad may not want to hand over a controller. 
Video Game Family Time
somecallmemike
To enjoy adult video game time, and make your kids think they are playing, just provide them with a controller that is not connected to the gaming system. Genius!

The DIY Parking Garage

Crafty parents know that everyday household items can easily be repurposed into toys and storage containers for kids. Here's a trick so simple, you won't believe how you didn't come up with it yourself.
The DIY Parking Garage
Sarah
A wooden crate and some empty toilet paper rolls can be used to create the perfect toy car garage. Genius!

Infant Photoshoot

New parents love to get professional photoshoots done with their newborns in adorable costumes, but keeping newborns still can be tough. A secret hack that baby photographers use is a parent as a hidden prop.
Infant Photoshoot
Dad or mom can be placed underneath the infant to keep them calm and picture-perfect. All that is needed is a blanket to disguise the parent in the photo. 

Monster Spray

Sometimes things do go bump in the night, especially in older houses. The sounds of a house settling can be pretty scary for young children.
Monster Spray
happygoluckyblog.com
Kids that believe in monsters just need a special monster spray to keep them away. An empty spray bottle and some stickers can get the job done.

Growing Up Through The Years

Some parents like to track their kids' growth spurts by measuring their height in a door frame each year. Others, like to be more creative.
Growing Up Through The Years
A large t-shirt with the year the child will graduate is a great way to showcase how a child has grown and changed. A photo of them in it each year will track their growth.

Mosquitoes Be Gone

On hot days, it's nice to put a baby or toddler's packable crib outside in the yard. Parents can get some yard work done, and watch the baby at the same time. It also provides a nice escape from the house.
Mosquitoes Be Gone
littlebabywatson
Some places have a ton of mosquitoes and other bugs that come out in the hotter months, To avoid having a child covered in bug bites, just place a fitted sheet over the top of the crib. The bugs will stay away, and the baby will stay safe.

A Practical Treasure Map

Kids are excellent at finding things, so when a pair of keys or glasses go missing, it is time to put them to work.
A Practical Treasure Map
ruby1508
A carefully drawn list of the missing items will help kids know what to look for, and they will have the added bonus of thinking they are on a treasure hunt.

No More Slipping

Some socks are designed with rubber lines or patterns on the bottom of them to keep kids and adults from slipping on hardwood or linoleum floors.
No More Slipping
iammommahearmeroar
There is no need to shell out the big bucks on these though. Some carefully applied slick paint on normal socks has the exact same effect.

Chart Out The Medicine

Everybody gets sick, that is just a fact of life. For kids that need to take different medications, it can be hard to remember when they last had a dose. Drawing a chart of the days of the week, and adding 'morning' and 'evening' with boxes for 'x's' makes remembering easy.
Chart Out The Medicine
Bored Panda
The parent administering the medicine will have to remember to mark the container each time to avoid double dosing, however.

Hold On To Your Lollipops

Lollipops are designed to be licked until they are finished, but some kids find it difficult to finish an entire one all in one go. It is also a good idea to limit the sugar intake from an entire lollipop, which means it will last longer, and the child won't experience a crazy sugar rush.
Hold On To Your Lollipops
lifehackerin
Luckily, plastic eggs or toy containers from Kinder Surprises can be used to preserve a lollipop. This keeps them fresh for longer.

An Inflatable Fort

Building a blanket fort can take quite a bit of time. Chairs need to be carefully placed, pillows need to be added, and blankets need to be draped over all of it. 
An Inflatable Fort
For the parent that wants a fort fast, simply take a duvet cover, add a fan at the open end, and it should inflate like a balloon. Kids can hang out in the cool space until they are ready for bed.

Pool Noodles And Trampolines

Trampolines are a lot of fun, but all parents know that there are a few dangers associated with them. For this reason, it is important to have safety measures in place.
Pool Noodles And Trampolines
BobbyDOL
Pool noodles can be cut down to size, and fitted over the metal parts that attach the trampoline to the frame. This protects children that may fall against them.

Homemade Ice Packs

We all fall down, and for kids, that can lead to a few boo-boos that parents need to take care of.
Homemade Ice Packs
kidsactivitiesblog.com
Sometimes ice packs aren't readily available, but some damp marshmallows placed in a ziplock bag and frozen can do the job.

A Very Special Coloring Case

DVDs have quickly become a thing of the past, but that doesn't mean you should start recycling the plastic containers they came in.
A Very Special Coloring Case
Stacy Vaughn
Those plastic containers are the perfect size for some sheets of paper and some colored pencils for the ultimate portable coloring case.

Welcome To The Bathtub Rave

Bathtubs don't need to be quiet affairs with rubber duckies and toy boats floating around, instead, they can be bathtub raves.
Welcome To The Bathtub Rave
happyhomefairy
Crack a few glow sticks, scatter them in a full bathtub, put on some kid-friendly tunes, and have a mini-rave with your kids.

The Vanity Step

Most kids aren't tall enough to reach the sink to brush their teeth until they are about 7 years or older. A step stool can help with this, but so can something else.
The Vanity Step
Ana White
The bottom drawer in a vanity can be turned into a built-in step stool for kids, which makes it both practical and easy to hide away.

No Locked Doors

If there is one thing kids love to do, it is lock bedroom and bathroom doors to keep siblings and parents out. 
No Locked Doors
This is a fun game, but locked doors are not a good thing when kids are young. Say goodbye to locked doors, by placing rubber bands over the door handles, to keep them from locking.

A Mix Of Toys

Gone are the days of gender-specific toys. Boys can play with dolls, girls can play with cars, and anything else they feel like playing with.
A Mix Of Toys
ju2tin
By providing a mix of toys for children, and allowing them to choose what they play with, parents can show that it is okay to play with whatever you want.

Informational Tattoos

When going to a big event with children, it can sometimes be hard to keep a close eye on them and accidents happen where they wander away.
Informational Tattoos
Parents who worry about losing their children should consider getting temporary tattoos made with their contact information on them. 

Baby Shower Caps

Babies need to be bathed on a regular basis. This keeps them clean, and parents can also bathe with them for some skin-on-skin time.
Baby Shower Caps
amazon.com
Some babies enjoy going in the shower, but getting water and soap in their eyes must be avoided. A little shower cap, with a visor over their eyes, helps keep any water and soap out.

Float On

Most parents don't think about how annoying it can be for a child to have their favorite bath toy float away. 
Float On
ThirdFloorNorth
To avoid any toys from getting away, place a plastic laundry basket inside of a full bathtub, and the child inside of it. Now the child and the toys are contained.

Protect Little Fingers

A slamming door can be a serious hazard for any fingers that might be in the door frame. This is another thing that can be avoided with a pool noodle. 
Protect Little Fingers
Once more, a cut-to-size pool noodle can be slipped over a door and used to keep it from closing. That saves any fingers from getting caught and smushed when it closes.

Animal Toothpaste Time

Mundane tasks like brushing teeth can be turned into exciting events with the help of certain accessories. 
Animal Toothpaste Time
amazon.com
Placing a cute animal head over the opening in a tube of toothpaste can make brushing teeth an adventure with toothpaste squirting out of the animal's mouth.

No Bath No Problem

Some apartments and homes only come with a shower, which can make having bath time with little ones difficult.
No Bath No Problem
fjordlilie via Reddit
Showers can be turned into makeshift bathtubs with the addition of a blowup pool. Just make sure to blow up the pool inside the shower, otherwise, it might not fit.

The Times Table Stairs

When it comes time to learn times tables, it can be a bit tricky. Kids need tricks to be able to remember the sequences of numbers.
The Times Table Stairs
Twinkleresources via Pinterest
One parent developed this innovative method, in which each their stairs showcase the timetables. This makes remembering them much easier.

The Sand Tent

Most of us are familiar with sandboxes, but have you heard of sand tents? Instead of buying or building a box, think about repurposing an old camping tent.
The Sand Tent
Chelstie Smith via Pinterest
The tent can be filled with sand and toys, and when children aren't playing in it, zipped up to keep out any pesky critters, like cats.

Touch The Magnet

All parents know how tricky it can be to keep kids entertained, especially when they are outside of the car and the parent is busy doing something.
Touch The Magnet
@raleighmomscare via Instagram
Consider adding a colorful magnet to the outside of a car door, as it gives a young child something to fixate on for a few seconds.

DIY Racing Track

Toy cars need roads to follow, and other cars to race. Buying an expensive racing car mat isn't necessary if you have a roll of tape.
DIY Racing Track
@tmccrum_mua via Instagram
The tape can be placed on a rug or linoleum floor to form a race track and give a child a place to play with their cars.

The Show Is Starting

At first glance, a running washing machine may not sound like something interesting to watch, but for babies it is mesmerizing. 
The Show Is Starting
@smartytots via Instagram
Babies love new experiences, and basically, everything they are introduced to is one, such as watching the washing machine run through its cycle. 

Time To Sort

Kids are very tactile, and learning about colors, shapes, and matching is an important part of childhood development. 
Time To Sort
@smartytots via Instagram
For parents who need buttons sorted, or other odds and ends, turn it into a game. Give your child a muffin tin, and explain that each circle belongs to a certain color or shape. Then, they can get sorting.

Color Coded Family

For families with a lot of children, it can sometimes be hard to know where each one is in a park or other public place. 
Color Coded Family
brandi.marie.e via Instagram
Keep track of each one, by making sure that the entire family is wearing the same color. A vibrant red always stands out, so it is a good idea to buy matching shirts in this color. Then, each family member can wear one of these shirts, which makes them easy to spot.

Keep Ankles Safe

When a baby starts to learn to walk, they are sometimes placed in a walker, or a chair that has wheels on the bottom. 
Keep Ankles Safe
roswellc via Reddit
This allows them to carefully wander around their homes, and parents don't have to worry about them falling over. However, these chairs always manage to hit ankles, and a pool noodle can cushion the blow when placed on the bottom. Just be sure to cut them down to size to fit along the edges.

Start Drawing

Going to the doctor can be a bit of a scary experience. It usually means a vaccine might be involved, or something else a child doesn't necessarily like.
Start Drawing
anastasiabeverhousen via Reddit
Keeping crayons at the ready, can help distract a child from what is happening, as they can draw on the paper covering on the examination table. Make sure not to use markers though, as they can bleed through and mark the table.

The Potty Training Hack You Need

Potty training can be super frustrating for parents and kids alike- but this simple and cheap hack can make things a little more bearable. Those accidents are going to happen occasionally, and when they do, you can be prepared. Keep some puppy pads handy and line your little one's car seat with them. Now, when they have an accident, just clean them up and change out the pad. Too easy! 
The Potty Training Hack You Need
Facebook/ Ashley Grey
Now that expensive car seat doesn't have to pay the price when accidents happen. You can thank us later! 

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✍ WRITTEN BY

Tegan Holmes

Tegan is a world traveler with an insatiable wanderlust. Always on the go, she utilizes her travels as inspiration for her articles. A lover of pop culture, Tegan can write about anything and everything.

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