My Girl is Two! Peep What I’m Currently Loving as a Minimal & Mindful Toddler Mama

Pour the champagne…and toddler-proof the outlets…my Lolo girl is TWO and holy smokes did life just become wayyyyyyyyy more fun. The talking is non-stop, the moving is non-stop, the learning is non-stop – basically ~life~ is non-stop these days, but I wouldn’t trade the fingerprint-covered windows, Blues Clues snuggle seshes, or dinosaur-filled bubble baths for anything (except maybe a nap here and there).

As time flies by (some days slower than others, but ultimately in the blink of an eye), I’m finding kids really do accumulate a lot of stuff. Clothes that only fit for a week, never-ending toys from Grandparents, the thing(s) your favorite influencer talked you into purchasing…your closets & drawers & cabinets & baskets might also be filled to the “why won’t this close!?” brim too. And it drives me crazy.

I’m a minimalist to my core and try to be mindful about the quality and quantity of what we bring into our home. The fact that Sloan inevitably plays with the boxes more than what came in them proves time and time again that less is almost always more with little ones, and I’ve learned to be selective (and shamelessly picky) when choosing what to buy for our girl. I want things that are beautiful, lasting, toxin-free, and support small business when possible. And if you like those things too, then you’re gonna loooooooove this list.

So let’s get to it, shall we?? Here are the mindful and minimalist toddler items we’re using and loving these days, broken down by category because…well…us mamas don’t have any time to waste, #amiright!? This post is by no means meant to promote impulsive purchases, but rather my way of passing on worthwhile recommendations that took me hours (and hours) of Google searching and reading reviews to find…so you simply don’t have to. Cool? Cool.

Toys & Play

Full disclosure – we’re not super big into toys at our house. All of Sloan’s toys fit in one small-ish basket because we spend most of our time playing with balloons, making cardboard houses, or shouting “hey Google!” when we want to know what a giraffe or snake or gorilla sound like. Exciting…I know.

So when Sloan ~does~ get toys, we think long and hard about how much they’ll actually be used, the likelihood of losing pieces (which is usually quite high) and if they serve an educational purpose [insert nerd with glasses emoji here]. I honestly don’t find most toys to be worth sharing, but these are the few that I do –

Magnetic Wooden Food – Remember the plastic toy food you could cut in half with a knife? This set is like that, but better. It’s wooden and magnetic and the little painted details of each fruit, vegetable, and steak (it’s the meat that sold us) are absolutely perfect. I’m not exaggerating when I say Sloan’s played with this every day since she got it. If you’re looking for a food set you won’t mind pretending to eat 579823092104 times a day, this is it.

Water Doodle Mat – Instagram talked me into this one, but I have #noregrets. This reusable water mat takes seconds to set up and keeps Sloan occupied ~~for hours~~ long enough for me to make dinner. She gets to be creative and play independently, and I don’t have to waste paper or check in every five seconds to prevent crayon on my carpet. This will be perfect outside when the weather warms up and I fully plan on packing it for vacations (yeah…it’s that good).

Activity Table + Chairs – Functional & minimal & extra storage & sturdy…yes please! We paired this play table with these bins and matching chairs, and it’s very likely you’ll find Sloan and I coloring or “cooking” here most nights of the week. We left the wood as is for now, but I love how you could easily paint or stain the play table to match your decor. I can already tell a lot of memories will be made here.

Bathroom

We started potty training a few months ago, so needless to say we’ve been spending ~a lot~ of time in the bathroom lately. But here’s the thing about kid’s bathrooms – most items are full of hidden, harmful chemicals, so it takes extra time and energy to find all-natural staples (that are also toddler approved). Whether we’re brushing teeth, giggling through bath time, or running to the toilet yet again, the following pass my toxin-free test, look good in the process, and we’ve been purchasing them on repeat since.

Toothbrush + Toothpaste – Anyone else strive to be a “cool mom” while still secretly doing what’s best for their kid’s health?…me too! I found these colorful BPA-free toothbrushes, which Sloan absolutely loves, and settled on this RiseWell mineral toothpaste that tastes like cake batter but is safe and effective for the tiniest of teeth. I refuse to let Sloan miss out on those fun kid moments (I still remember my favorite childhood toothpaste tube) and with a little effort, I get to be confident in her dental health too.

Potty – Ok…the pelvic rehab therapist in me is coming out for a sec, m’kay? Positioning on the toilet is so important for bowel, bladder, and pelvic floor health, and this applies to toddlers too! I spent more time than I will ever admit looking for a potty that fit my standards – (1) low enough to provide a squatty potty-like position with knees above hips, (2) wider to promote knees apart for a relaxed pelvic floor, and (3) no back rest to encourage a more forward posture. This potty is all of the above (plus easy to clean, light for travel, and comes in cute colors) and what this mama aaaaaand pelvic rehab therapist recommends.

Body Cloths – Call me crazy, but we’ve never washed Sloan’s body with soap. I find even the most gentle soap ingredients to be too much for baby’s skin, so we use Norwex body cloths instead. They’re made out of microfiber that’s 1/200^th the thickness of a human hair, which cleans mechanically rather than chemically. These cloths are also woven with silver ions to inhibit mold, fungus, and bacteria growth, so they self-clean as they dry and can be used multiple times before washing. This was one of my secrets to 100% avoiding diaper rash and would make the perfect gift for other toxin-free mamas in your life.

Bubble Bath – Sooooooo we might not wash Sloan’s body with soap, but every once in a while she does get a bubble bath (again…I’m going for that whole “cool mom” thing and she’s only a kid once), and this bubble bath is our favorite. The ingredients are about as good as they can be, it smells lovely without being overpowering, and Sloan’s skin seems to tolerate it well. If you look hard enough, you don’t have to compromise safe for fun, and this is one of those examples.

Bedroom

Little ones sleep a lot (or at least we hope they do), and I learned early on that the better Sloan sleeps, the happier she is and the easier our days go. So when it came to upgrading her room and bedtime routine to be more “toddler-appropriate”, these items are what we settled on. Now…you’ll see a few of these finds on a similar post I shared when Sloan turned one because they’ve lasted the test of time and are worth repeating. If Sloan sleeps, I sleep, so rest assured I wouldn’t steer you wrong here.

Online Sleep Training Course – Some people aren’t into sleep training, and if that’s you, then scroll right by, friend! I personally need quality shut-eye, and the Taking Cara Babies course gave us tools to help Sloan sleep through the night by three months old and continues to guide us through teething, regressions, and now potty training. There are different courses depending on your little one’s age (we just purchased the new toddler course), and Cara’s flexible, research based, and emotionally connected approach leaves me feeling confident we’re doing what’s best for Sloan and us.

Sleep Sack – We’re on our third Kyte Baby sleep sack with #noshame because they’re a bedtime staple in our home and Sloan grew out of her first two. This time around we transitioned Lolo to the sleep walker and she loves being able to move around in it. I personally appreciate the color selection and TOG rating options as our home runs cold. I truly believe this is one of the reasons Sloan sleeps so well and you can consider us team sleep sack for life…or at least until she grows out of them.

Pillow – Once Sloan was old enough to use a pillow, I started searching for one that checked all my boxes – the right size, made out of healthy, clean material, washable, and won’t break the bank. Add this pillow to the list of things I’ll be purchasing on repeat as Sloan grows up, because safe, affordable pillows are harder to find than you’d think. Cover it in an organic cotton pillowcase and you’re good to go!

Padded Leather Mat – I’m obsessed with our Gathre leather mats (yes…we now have two…eeeeeeek!) and as soon as you see them, I have a feeling you will be too. Once upon a time these were our go-to for tummy-time, but now we use them in Sloan’s reading nook for pre-bedtime snuggles, as tumbling mats, fort walls, wrestling pads, etc. After two-plus years of daily wear and tear, our mats look and feel just as good as the day we purchased them. These were a bit of a splurge, but worth it IMO!

Clothing & Accessories

I ~definitely~ wouldn’t consider myself a fashionista, so it’s no surprise Sloan’s closet mimics my casual and minimalist style. Overall my top priorities are quality and function when dressing my girl, and of course I want her to look and feel cute, comfortable, and confident too. The following are a mama’s humble attempt at balancing all of the above, and if you can relate…keep reading.

Hair Accessories – Sloan has fine (and long and wild) hair, so I spent at least an hour researching hair accessory options that would stay in and actually work. We settled on these hair ties and clips and are so happy with them. The hair ties can be used multiple times, don’t pull on the hair, and come in a wide variety of colors. We’re over a year into using these and will likely continue for years more.

Undies – Your favorite pelvic rehab therapist comin’ in hot (again)…because underwear sits on our kid’s genitals all day and can affect their bowel, bladder, and reproductive health over time. After more Googling, I found these white, 100% organic cotton undies (that come in the cutest prints) and they fit Sloan great. They’re soft and thick and hold up well against the occasional accident. Sloan loves picking out her print for the day and I get to mindfully support her vulva health.

Organic Cotton Clothing Subscription – Upchoose is the organic cotton children’s clothing rental service we’ve used since the day Sloan was born, and I’m still raving about how cost effective, environmentally friendly, and high quality this alternative is. We pay a low monthly fee, Upchoose ships a clothing set, and Sloan wears it until we’re ready for the next size…and repeat! Wanna join me in this crazy cool option and *swoon* over the idea of our babies potentially wearing the same outfits?!? Use code MANDM21 for $21 off your first month’s subscription.

Mealtime

Toddlers + food isn’t always the best combo…at least in our house. While getting Sloan to eat anything other than fruit is a struggle, we’ve found functional and lasting mealtime items that take a bittttttt of the stress away. Bob and I might play “nose goes” at dinnertime more often than not, but both of us are so happy with the following that I had to share.

Silicone Bibs – I originally chose these bibs for their modern colors, but they’re also easy to clean, durable, effortless to put on and take off, and successfully catch a majority of spills. If I were to create a basket full of my favorites for a new mom, these would be included. We originally bought three of these bibs when Sloan started eating solids…and that’s all we’ve ever needed! If you’re in the market for bibs, get these and don’t think twice.

Smoothie Cups – When Sloan stopped breastfeeding almost a month ago, I wanted something to replace her morning feed, and we settled on a smoothie. I put her smoothie in these cups, which are BPA free, dishwasher safe, and…you guessed it…come in fun colors. Toddler cups & sippys & water bottles are so hit or miss, so when a mama finds one she actually likes, I’m personally all ears.

Booster Seat – We’ve been through a few different booster chairs, but Sloan’s Grandma got this one and it was a no-brainer to buy one of our own. It fits on every chair we’ve ever tried, has a non-slip base, is easy to clean, and light enough to take on the go. The transition from highchair to booster is one of those “how is my baby growing so fast!?!” moments, and this one will help you be as prepared as you possible can.

Instagram Follows

I have a love/hate relationship with social media, but my experience is always better when I’m intentional about who I follow and interact with. As a toddler mama, I want quickly digestible, easy to follow content that helps me in all aspects of parenting, and if you also like DIY kid-friendly activities, holistic health tips, and bedtime advice, these gals are a ~must~ follow.

@busytoddler – Susie is a former kindergartner teacher with three littles of her own, and her feed is full of toy recommendations, play ideas, and child development info that our family has found quite valuable. My favorite things she shares are the importance of getting a “proof of mom” photo (and no…a selife doesn’t count!) and the benefits of independent play (permission to “sittervise” granted!) and I think every mama would appreciate her knowledge.

@drmollyhayes – If you like “give it to me straight” kinda info from someone who’s obviously a specialist in her field, go check out Dr. Molly, a functional dentist who takes a holistic approach to pediatric dentistry. I always knew oral hygiene was important, but whew!…her content is eye-opening and helpful as I learn more and more about childhood teeth, gum, jaw, and nasal health and ultimately strive to set Sloan up for success in all of the above. Does anyone else ever question how they’re even alive knowing our parents didn’t have access to [this] kinda information???

@dr.michelle_young – My fellow crunchy gals who try to keep life as toxin-free as possible…open IG immediately and find Dr. Michelle. She’s a pediatric naturopath who shares research-backed remedies for everything from eczema to constipation to ear infections to the flu, while also fully promoting and supporting the most powerful thing of all – a mama’s intuition *sigh*. My medicine cabinet is stocked (and our family is healthier) because of her.

@jerricasannes – As a homeschool mom with a master’s in early childhood education, Jerrica is intentional but realistic about screen time, gives permission to “do less” as a parent, and shares my love for quality (not quantity) toys. Her feed is beautiful, her information is uplifting and supportive, and she kinda makes me feel like we’re doing this whole “motherhood” thing together.

@takingcarababies – I already shared my adoration for the Taking Cara Babies sleep training course, but even if you’re not into sleep training or don’t have the time/energy/means to purchase the course, following Cara, a pediatric nurse and mom of four, will ensure your feed is full of helpful sleep tips no matter your philosophy on the subject. I personally live by her “wake window” guidance and hang on her every word when it comes to sleep regressions. When tired mamas come into my office, I almost always recommend they look up this profile.

My Personal Faves

You know when you come across the perfect pair of leggings or a hairdresser who nails it every time and you can’t stop raving about them to your friends?? That’s how I feel about the following things. Again…picky (but cool) mom here tellin’ ya that while I might only be two years into this whole parenting gig, I’m already stumbling across and falling in love with items I now refuse to go without. Everything I’ve shared so far is amazing & helpful & intentional & beautiful, but life without [these]? No thanks!

Childhood Journal – I don’t have the creativity to make fancy scrapbooks, nor do I possess the bandwidth to write regular and detailed journal entries on Sloan’s life. I do, however, want to remember as many little and important moments as I can, and the Promptly Journal has been the perfect, easy-to-keep-up-with compromise. The first twelve months and then each year following have a few pages filled with questions about milestones and memories as well as a single page for pictures (totally doable…right?!). I write in it as the year goes on and know it will be the most meaningful keepsake to pass on to my girl someday.

Mini Polaroid Camera– Every toddler mom has a photo app on her phone with thousands of pictures and videos, but ~actual~ physical photos with this mini polaroid camera (oh…and don’t forget the film!) just feel extra extra special. There’s something so fun about identifying a moment worth capturing, pulling the polaroid out, and freezing that second in time. I’ve told Bob on more than one occasion that in the event of a fire, he better believe I’m grabbing our stack of polaroid photos on my way out the door.

Mesh Storage Bags – Yes…I’m “excited about storage bags” years old, but that won’t stop me from telling you in great detail about said storage bags and what a game changer they are. These are mesh but water proof, open and close with a toddler-friendly zipper, and come in multiple (and all realistically usable) sizes. We now take toys out of the box and keep them in these bags instead, and both cleanup and storage have become farrrrrrrrr easier.

Montessori Kitchen Tower – Last but most definitely not least (in fact, this is probably our most used and loved item on the list and the link I get asked for most on social), Sloan’s “helper stool” has been used every day since we got it. From playing at the sink to helping with chores to participating with baking and enjoying snacks at the counter, this stool brings Sloan up to our level and allows us to include her in nearly all kitchen activities. The height is adjustable, it’s effortless to assemble, easy to wipe down, and my favorite…looks beautiful on display in the kitchen 24/7.

Mom and daughter’s favorite minimalist toddler items

Everyone talks about the “terrible two’s”, and while this stage is proving to have its own set of changes and challenges, we’re ultimately soaking up all the fun this season has to offer. I’m a big believer in the power of mindset, and parenting a toddler seems to go so much smoother when I stop to appreciate the positives, sit in gratitude, aaaaaand power through hard moments with patience (and a glass of wine).

As I shared earlier, nothing on this list of minimalist toddler items are “essentials” or “musts”, but they’ve all made parenting a two-year-old easier, more fun, and fulfill this Libra’s personal desire for an aesthetically pleasing life. Whether you’re grabbing a few things for your own family or shopping for a toddler mama on your heart, I can vouch that everything on this list will be a hands down hit.

Now a favor (please & thank you)…my goal is for this to be a one-stop-shop resource for other mindful mamas, so if you have any “can’t live without it” items we need to know about, share them in the comments! We’re all in this together, and ~~two~~ twenty-two minds are better than one. Oh! And if you end up purchasing any of the above, I’d love to hear about it!

See you again around this same time next year!

– Amanda

Disclaimer: The content provided here does not constitute medical advice, nor is it a substitute for personalized healthcare. I’m a doctor, but I’m not your doctor. If you have concerns about a medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment, you should consult with a licensed healthcare professional.

Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. No pressure, but I have a feeling you’re gonna like what I’ve taken the time to put my recommendation behind.