Beth Shea

Family travel can be a tall order when you add kids and their sky high list of accoutrements to the itinerary. But equipping children with the best kids luggage can improve the process with thoughtful compartments, lighter construction—and solid wheels. Carrying or wheeling a bag also fosters a bit of independence and pride by allowing them to take the helm on toting their own gear.

Getting kids to brush their teeth twice a day, every single day—properly—is often a huge hurdle for parents. But it’s easier than ever for youth to take the task into their own hands (without as much parental pleading) thanks to an ever-growing array of electric toothbrushes designed for kids. The best electric toothbrushes for kids encourage good dental hygiene habits and help achieve optimal healthy teeth and gums—all while making brushing, dare we say, fun.

My 12-year-old son isn’t a fan of small talk. We both prefer silence over chatter, and diving into weighty world topics over general musings about our respective days. Couple these facts with him being a tween (who, by their very nature, don’t like superfluous chitchat), and it can be difficult getting him to open up about what’s going on in his life.

There’s no age-limit on celebrating holidays—and many teens don’t want to miss out on receiving an Easter basket just because they’re getting older.

Finding screen-free toys and games that captivate my kids is no easy feat. That’s why when I find those elusive unicorns — unplugged toys that engage my child’s imagination and manage to keep their attention — they top my list.

When remote learning hit, suddenly every parent I knew was searching for a set of the best headphones for kids. You know, the ones that wouldn’t pinch, wouldn’t fizz out mid-lesson and ultimately that kids would wear without complaint. The right headphones need to fit your kid comfortably but also deliver quality sound at a safe decibel level.

Learning how to ride a bike is a treasured childhood rite of passage. Nothing compares to the joy a young rider experiences once they start rolling solo on two wheels, not to mention the newfound sense of freedom and independence on the horizon (or at the end of the driveway). The best balance bikes can set young kids up for cycling success, by developing their skills and encouraging a love of bike riding.

Let’s be honest, a great dog is worth its weight in gold. Just look at those eyes light up with excitement every time their family comes home. Priceless. Some scientists also say that owning a dog improves emotional well-being and can boost physical health. Just ask your favorite dog owner and they’ll likely confirm all of the above. That’s why the best gifts for dog lovers put their prized pup in the spotlight and strengthen that unbreakable bond between a hound and its human.

The best toys for 8-year-olds highlight individuality, encourage their hobbies and support budding dreams. “Eight-year-olds are in the transition between being a ‘little’ kid and a ‘big’ kid, and it is an exciting time,” says Krupa Playforth, MD, board-certified pediatrician and founder of The Pediatrician Mom. They have more developed personalities, thoughtful opinions and perspectives and are becoming unique little people with their own interests.”

The best family board games offer a respite from everyone’s busy schedules and the chance to connect away from screens and obligations. Besides, one of the greatest perks of being a parent is getting to play the board games you loved as a child all over again with your own kids. Opening a favorite board game can seem like hitting the pause button on the outside world to enjoy your family’s company.

We’ve all been there. It’s a hectic school morning, and your kids have no idea you barely slept because your partner snored all night. Your coffee hasn’t done its job, you aren’t prepared for your company meeting in an hour, and you have about as much patience as Bruce Banner right before he morphs into the Hulk.

The best dollhouses inspire endless possibilities for make believe play. These diminutive dwellings are big on fun, and they encourage kids to use their imaginations while learning valuable social skills.

Swings are synonymous with the carefree bliss and glee of childhood. I’ve used swings to lull my kids to peaceful slumber as infants, and to thrill them on the playground when they were toddlers. They’d always run straight for the swings at our local park, where I’d push them high into the sky, filling their stomach with butterflies, resulting in a cascade of pure giggles and delightful “whee!” sounds. Swings always transported my kids to a parallel universe where life on the ground was temporarily suspended, making way for moments of sheer joy in mid-air.

Does it seem like just yesterday you were your kid’s hero and could do no wrong in their eyes, but now it feels as if you've become either the villain or the annoying sidekick in your teen's life story? The kid who once ran to you with open arms and stars in their eyes and gave you an enthusiastic hug now slithers past you to their room, hoping to go undetected.

During potty training, I knew my kids were physically capable of making it to the potty in the middle of the night, but I needed a solution to flush away their fears about what they considered to be a harrowing quest to the bathroom. Asking them to agree to the Herculean feat of getting out of bed in the dark while everyone else in the house is fast asleep, walking across their bedroom and down the hallway to use the toilet in the dead of night was met with shaking heads and wide-eyes that screamed, “No way!”