Being a parent can be chaotic and challenging, but there are some tricks to help you get through the day with a little less stress. These are real-world parenting hacks that will help you when you’re in the thick of it. Whether it’s keeping your kids entertained or figuring out how to sneak in some extra sleep, I’ve got you covered with 55 ideas that are easy to try.
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Hacks for Keeping Kids Entertained
We all know the feeling. It’s 3 p.m., and the kids are bouncing off the walls. Here are some simple ways to keep them busy.
- DIY coloring sheets: Turn family photos or their favorite cartoon characters into coloring sheets by using free online tools.
- Sticker books: Keep a few sticker books around for moments when you need quick and quiet entertainment.
- Build a fort: Use blankets, chairs, or whatever’s around to build a fort. Kids love the creativity and feel like they have their own space.
- Window markers: Let them draw on windows with washable markers. It’s fun and super easy to clean up.
- Create a scavenger hunt: Hide items around the house and give your kids a list to find them. This can be as simple or as elaborate as you want.
Animal Sticker Book
The Cupkin Animal Sticker Book offers over 500 easy-to-peel stickers and 12 hand-drawn scenes and coloring pages, designed for kids ages 2-8. The lay-flat spiral binding makes it perfect for independent, mess-free play during travel. Ideal for developing motor skills, imagination, and learning.
Meal Prep Hacks for Parents
Feeding your kids can take up a lot of time. These parenting hacks will simplify meal prep and save you some energy.
- Pre-portion snacks: Buy snacks in bulk and divide them into small reusable bags. This way, you always have something ready when the kids are hungry.
- Frozen PB&Js: Make a bunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, freeze them, and pull them out when you need a quick lunch.
- Smoothie bags: Pre-make smoothie bags with fruits and veggies, then just toss them into the blender with some liquid.
- Use a muffin tin for lunch: Fill each muffin cup with different foods like fruits, veggies, cheese, and crackers. Kids love the variety.
- Freezer meals: Make double portions of meals like lasagna or casseroles. Freeze one for those nights you don’t feel like cooking.
Parenting Hacks for Bedtime
Bedtime can be a battle, but it doesn’t have to be. These tricks will help make it easier for everyone.
- Create a bedtime routine chart: Have a chart with pictures that show each step of the bedtime routine. Kids love to follow along.
- Magic sleep spray: Fill a spray bottle with water and a drop of lavender oil. Let your kids spray their room to “chase away bad dreams.”
- Weighted blankets: These can help kids feel calm and cozy at night, making it easier for them to fall asleep.
- Glow-in-the-dark stars: Stick some glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling. They provide a comforting light while they drift off.
- Bedtime box: Keep a small box of special toys or books that only come out at bedtime. It gives them something to look forward to.
Hacks for Keeping Things Clean
Keeping the house clean when you have kids can feel impossible, but these parenting hacks will make it more manageable.
- Sock mops: Put socks on your kids’ feet and let them “skate” across the floor while you mop. It turns cleaning into a game.
- Toy baskets in every room: Keep small baskets in each room to quickly toss toys into when you’re cleaning up.
- Label everything: Use labels to help kids know where things go. This encourages them to help with cleaning up.
- Laundry bins by color: Have separate laundry bins for whites, colors, and darks. It’s easier for everyone, and you’ll spend less time sorting.
- Baby wipes for everything: Keep baby wipes handy—they’re great for quick cleanups of everything from toys to counters.
Parenting Hacks for Morning Routines
Mornings can be rushed and chaotic, especially when trying to get everyone out the door. These hacks will make mornings smoother.
- Lay out clothes the night before: Have your kids choose their clothes before bed, so there’s no last-minute scramble in the morning.
- Breakfast station: Set up a breakfast station with easy-to-grab options like cereal, yogurt, and fruit.
- Use a timer: If your kids tend to dawdle, use a timer to keep them on track. Make it a game by seeing if they can beat the clock.
- Shoe station: Keep a shoe station by the door with the shoes they wear most often. No more searching for lost shoes.
- Pack lunches at night: Packing lunches the night before saves time and stress in the morning.
Hacks for Traveling with Kids
Whether it’s a road trip or just a quick run to the store, traveling with kids can be tough. These parenting hacks will help make it a little easier.
- Snack necklaces: String dry snacks like Cheerios onto a piece of string. It keeps them entertained and gives them something to nibble on.
- Window clings: Give your kids window clings to play with during a car ride. It’s a mess-free way to keep them busy.
- Toy surprises: Wrap up small toys from the dollar store. Give them one every hour of the trip to keep things exciting.
- Travel potty: Keep a travel potty in the car for those “I have to go NOW” moments.
- Busy bags: Fill small bags with different activities like coloring books, puzzles, or play dough to keep kids entertained during the trip.
Parenting Hacks for Potty Training
Potty training can be frustrating, but these hacks can help ease the process.
- Sticker chart: Create a chart where your child earns a sticker every time they use the potty. Rewards work wonders.
- Potty timer: Set a timer for every 20–30 minutes to remind your child to try the potty.
- Portable potty seat: Keep a portable potty seat in the car or diaper bag for emergencies.
- Big-kid underwear: Let your child pick out fun underwear. They’ll be more motivated to stay dry when wearing their favorite characters.
- Potty song: Make up a silly potty song to sing every time they use the bathroom. It makes the process more fun.
Hacks for Managing Tantrums
Tantrums are a part of parenting, but there are hacks to help manage them without losing your cool.
- Calm-down bottle: Fill a bottle with water, glitter, and glue. When your child is upset, they can shake it and watch the glitter settle to calm down.
- Breathing exercises: Teach your child simple breathing exercises to help them relax when they’re upset.
- Give them choices: Offering choices like, “Do you want to wear the red or blue shirt?” can help avoid power struggles.
- Distraction: Sometimes, all it takes is a quick distraction like a funny face or a new toy to diffuse a tantrum.
- Quiet corner: Create a quiet corner with books and soft toys where your child can go when they need to calm down.
Hacks for Organizing Kids’ Stuff
Keeping track of all your kids’ stuff can feel impossible, but these hacks will help you stay organized.
- Color-code: Assign each child a color for their belongings. It makes it easy to know whose stuff is whose.
- Shoe racks for toys: Hang a shoe rack on the back of a door to store small toys or art supplies.
- School folder: Keep a folder for each child’s school papers, so you don’t lose important forms or homework.
- Backpack station: Set up a spot by the door where your kids can hang their backpacks and put their shoes. It keeps everything in one place.
- Toy rotation: Put half of your kids’ toys in storage, then rotate them every few months. It keeps toys fresh without adding clutter.
Hacks for Encouraging Good Behavior
Every parent loves when their child behaves well. These hacks will help encourage good behavior in a positive way.
- Reward jar: Keep a jar where your child can add a bead or token every time they do something good. Once the jar is full, they get a reward.
- Positive reinforcement: Focus on praising the good behavior instead of always pointing out the bad.
- Visual reminders: Use pictures or charts to remind your child of expected behavior, like “no hitting” or “use kind words.”
- Routine cards: Create cards with pictures of your daily routines, like “brush teeth” or “get dressed.” It helps younger kids know what comes next.
- Good behavior game: Turn good behavior into a game by seeing how many “kindness points” your child can earn in a day.
Hacks for Staying Sane as a Parent
Parenting can feel overwhelming at times, but these hacks will help you take care of yourself, too.
- Parent swap: Trade babysitting with a friend, so you can get some alone time without paying for a sitter.
- Quiet time: Set a time each day when everyone has quiet time. Even if your kids don’t nap, they can read or play quietly while you rest.
- Prep the night before: Get things ready for the next day before you go to bed, so mornings are less rushed.
- Set small goals: Break big tasks into smaller ones. Focus on one or two things a day instead of trying to do it all.
- Celebrate small wins: Parenting is hard, so celebrate the little victories. Made it through a tantrum without losing your cool? That’s a win!
Final Thoughts on Parenting Hacks
Parenting hacks don’t have to be complicated. Often, the simplest ideas make the biggest difference. These 55 tips are practical and easy to try, whether you’re dealing with meal prep, tantrums, or just trying to keep things organized. Hopefully, you’ll find something here that helps make your day a little smoother.
