I'm A Mom Of Two Preschoolers And Here's Whats In My Prime Day Cart

Let your child pop in a special audio card and this little device will play songs, sounds, stories and even special messages from loved ones! It has a built-in, customizable clock and nightlight, a 14-hour battery life, comes with a starter pack of seven cards and can be used with headphones for those tight travel situations.

(While you may have heard that older models of the Yoto Mini has been recalled due to overheating, that does not apply to this on-sale 2024 edition.)

Why you need it: This is probably one of the most crowd-pleasing toys on the market right now, and it also has a pretty long shelf life – one reviewer claimed that each of her four children has their own player, and their ages range from 3 to 10 – so you’re going to be getting mileage out of this purchase for years to come. Parents love that it’s autonomous and can keep kids deeply occupied while being totally screen-free. This is one of the few times of year that this device goes on sale, so it’s best to grab it now.

The brand is also running a ton of deals right now, with bundles for little kids and big kids available for 20% off.

There are a few instances in which my kids are allowed unlimited screen time, and flights are one of them. Right now we travel with two sets of adorable-but-inconveniently bulky "Gabby's Dollhouse" headphones that we manually plug into the seat console, and I really like the idea of getting them more streamlined and cord-free Bluetooth enabled ones – but a purchase like that will necessitate a headphone adaptor, so I have my eye on this top-rated one from AirFly.

This small and nifty device upgrades any basic headphone jack with a seamless Bluetooth connection, and while it seems like most users rely on it for flying, it can be a lifesaver in any situation where you're dealing with older, wired tech. The sleek device has external volume controls and an indicator that shows the amount of battery remaining – and on that note, the device promises to offer up to 20 hours of battery life on a single charge.

While we're firmly out of the diaper stage, we're still hitting the road with quite a bit of stuff – it's just that changing pads and bottles have been replaced by snacks, pajamas, toys and books to stave off boredom, and the like. I am definitely always on the hunt for a roomy, organized bag – especially one that's smartly designed for travel, like this one.

We've used Colugo's bags in the past and have been happy with the quality and design. This tote is designed with all the functionality of a diaper bag but the aesthetic of a luxury bag. In a addition to wide, roomy shape, it has six interior pockets and a detachable water bottle sleeve. You can get it in five different colors, including leopard print, which is my personal kryptonite when it comes to prints.

This abundant Lego set is perfect for beginners, with its freewheeling open-ended design potential that includes a small assortment of pint-sized builds that little kids can experiment with (or not). The multicolored set comes with an abundant 80-pieces and (crucially) an attractive storage box.

If you’re looking for a set that’s going to result in something you (or your child) can put on display, check out some of the other good Lego deals we found, most of which are suitable for slightly older kids and will all be 30% off:

• A roughly 250-piece monster truck setup with “working suspension” designed for kids ages 6 and up
• This 8+ Friends camp-slash-obstacle-course build with five characters and over 1,000 pieces
• A 3-in-1 Creator set for middle-grade kids that can be fashion into one of three forest animals

I'm a longtime devotee of Bona’s floorcare products and was excited to spot this convenient mop system on sale for Prime Day. It comes with a 34-ounce cartridge of Bona’s water-based, biodegradable and pH-neutral cleaning formula that’s designed to be gentle on hardwood floors and a machine-washable microfiber pad that's attached with Velcro strips for easy removal. The fluid dispenses via spray, enabling you to soak the floor as you move the mop around, and it’s safe for unwaxed and polyurethane-finished floors alike.

If you're a regular reader of her recurring Prime Day parenting story, you may already know that Ruane's daughters are obsessed with anatomy and the human body. "Because we already have a variety of books and puzzles on the topic, I have my eye on this three-dimensional figure that contains a whole bunch of parts that kids can manipulate," she shared.

This 10-inch anatomically correct model of the human body is equipped with tons of interactive bells and whistles – including a dropper to circulate red liquid through vein-like tubes, inflatable lungs and a digestive tract that acts like a maze, complete with a marble. The included assembly instructions include illuminating facts about the organs and systems that power our bodies.

I have to admit I'm not a heavy Cricut user, but I know that many of you out there are superfans – so I wanted to mention that several of the brand’s models are marked down for Prime Day, including the Explore 4. This machine can manipulate over 100 materials and can make completely original designs come to life – or offer a starting point with the help of Cricut’s vast content library. The brand also claims this Goldilocks model will be at its lowest price of the year.

You can also get 21% off the small-space-friendly Joy and the EasyPress Mini, which is also 21% off its typical price according to our Amazon tracker. (If you're a Cricut newbie like I am, the brand has a handy guide to all of its models on the website.)

While my girls are currently devoted to the training wheel life, they have plenty of friends who are riding support-free pedal bikes at ages three, four and five thanks to their families' early adoption of balance bikes like this one from Strider.

With a sturdy stainless steel frame, padded seat, super grippy handles and even a footrest for kids to practice keeping their feet off the ground, this is a great early bike for preschoolers that are just starting to get a feel for riding. If you're trying to encourage your kid into riding at an early age, this is one good way to get them started.

Few things are as simple (and as gentle) as this face wash from Cetaphil. It keeps your face feeling clean and the push-top bottle makes it simple to dispense. At 20 fluid ounces, you're getting a substantial amount of product, making it an even better deal. A bottle will last you a long while (it does for HuffPost shopping writer Griff Wynne, who uses it daily) and, because it's so easy on the skin, you can share it with your kids or partner.

While this game skews a little older, I'm curious to try this out with my bigger kid, who's a pretty proficient draftsperson and burgeoning lover of games. Pictionary has been going strong for roughly 40 years, and this set has everything you need for gameplay – there are even three different clue levels, including ones that is tailored for younger players.

Time and time again, dermatologists have told us that retinoids are an essential ingredient for promoting cellular turnover and stimulating collagen production. A313 is a French pharmacy (and HuffPost) favorite cream containing three different types of retinol, each of them at an effective concentration without being overly irritating. It also features a distinctive texture that's closer to a hydrating balm. My colleagues have been recommending this stuff to me for years now, and now I'm recommending it for any moms out there whose skin might need a little pick-me-up.

Ruane has this exact assortment at home and gets a surprising amount of mileage out of it. "If your kids are fans of the newer "Spidey and His Amazing Friends" series — which my kids definitely are, despite not being heavily into superhero content — this figurine set is a true crowdpleaser that will make a great stocking stuffer," she said. Each of the 4-inch dolls comes with a little accessory and has articulated arms and legs.

I personally love using this soothing barrier-repair cream on days when I’m perceiving any excess redness in my skin, but it’s gentle enough to use on my kids as well, and can help skin irritated from burns or bug bites. It’s formulated with a zinc, copper and Avène's signature thermal water. The Cicalfate+ balm also relieved senior shopping writer Tessa Flores’ skin during a recent eczema flare-up.

Fans of a low-effort makeup routine may enjoy this Milk Makeup two-in-one stick with a buildable, creamy formula that can go on both your cheeks and lips (not to mention it's non-comedogenic and can hydrate and nourish the skin, too). Available in 10 shades, some shimmery and some not, all you have to do is swipe the product on and blend it in. It’s an easy peasy way to perk up your face on busy mornings.

If you're a believer in the Bissell name (and who isn't at this point), then you may want to try your luck with the brand's affordable Steam Shot Omni handheld steam cleaner. This compact appliance delivers high-pressure steam at over 215 degrees for up to 10 minutes at a time to power through messes on tile, grout, stovetops, upholstery and more. It's corded so you'll never have to worry about recharging, and it comes with seven multi-surface attachments.

Standing over three feet tall, this cardboard playhouse provides an (almost) blank canvas for your child’s imagination — and it's perfectly on theme for the upcoming holiday. This will be a major upgrade from the recycled cardboard boxes that constitute Ruane's usual fort-building fodder.

Two major toy franchises — Lite Brite and Disney — coalesce in this crowd-pleasing interactive toy that features 900 mini-pegs and four different light modes to bring designs to life. 12 Disney-themed templates will help kids customize their designs.

Loved by a whole pack of HuffPost staffers, the Elemis Pro-Collagen cleansing balm can remove makeup, clean your face, and keep your skin soft and supple. "I’ve found it’s one of the only products that can effectively cleanse my skin AND nourish it without making me break out," said HuffPost editorial director Kristen Aiken. "I have perpetually dry skin no matter how much water I drink, and this saves me from drying out (especially in the winter months)." As the weather turns, you'll be happy to have this nourishing balm — especially when it's on sale.

I don't know how my children got so into a toy that arguably peaked in popularity when they were newborns, but these doe-eyed L.O.L. Suprise! dolls are in very high demand right now, so I'll be taking advantage of this Prime Day sale to stock up on an early Christmas present or two. This 10-inch toy comes with a slew of pint-sized accessories, including a tiny beret and stylish sunglasses.

Come for the adorable packaging but stay for the actually-effective stain-fighting power of this magical spray. The water-based formula promises to eradicate some of the greatest offenders — including grease and coffee — and is free of phosphates, sulfates, perfumes and dyes.

You, like me, may have coveted the Clark's Wallabees, a cozy suede loafer that costs as much as $150 a pair. I usually try to find gently used options on eBay in order to afford them, but these nearly identical lookalikes cost a fraction of the cost, and even less now that they’re on sale for Prime Day. Made with genuine and water-resistant leather, the Project Cloud chukka boots feature a memory foam insole, a non-skid outersole come in a variety of colors and women's sizes 5.5-11.

While we often sing the praises of shiny new building toys like Magna-Tiles and Clixo pieces (which are 20% off right now), let's not forget an even lower-fi forebear: the humble Lincoln Log, invented in 1916 by John Lloyd Wright (Frank’s son). This set includes 111 stained maple wood pieces that come packaged in a throwback tin.

Know what's truly priceless? Mental tranquility as you travel, especially when you're navigating planes, trains and automobiles with kids. Where are your earbuds? Where is that charging cord? Well, they're both in this organized tech pouch. With a roomy compartment for a portable charger or power bank, as well as mesh sections for all little do-dads, it's the answer to all your carry-on stresses. Grab it for 20% off.

This Hatch Rest+ for babies is part sound machine, part alarm clock and part sleep trainer. Yet, shopping editor and mom of two Emily Ruane said this bedside light will come in handy no matter how old your little one may be. According to Ruane, her family has been using their Hatch for over five years as both a nightlight and a sound machine. "No one in our house can really sleep without it at this point," she wrote.

"I really cannot recommend the Hatch Rest enough," Senior Shopping Writer Lourdes Avila Uribe agreed. "It's an all-in-one sleep device that can help with sleep habits thanks to dreamy lights, soothing music and customizable routines."

Bottom line: This thing is so good, the parents on our team would buy this at full price, so getting it on sale is really a no-brainer.

My kids play with this classic game a lot, but I'll admit that they mostly like to hoard and stack the chips and listen to the satisfying clinking sound they make when you move them around. Either way, they might start actually playing the game when they’re older, making this a great longterm investment in our toy collection.

Connect 4 is a classic, easygoing two-player game that involves a tic-tac-toe-like strategy.

Sunscreen is an essential part of my otherwise low-maintenance beauty routine and EltaMD's formula is once of the most frequently-recommended, reader-adored SPFs on the market right now. It can help shield skin from visible UV rays in overhead lighting that could potentially contribute to common skin conditions like melasma.

A great and clinical option for those who have acne or rosacea, the zinc oxide- and octinoxate-based formula features SPF 40 along with hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate and nourish skin.