Every parent we know is busy and time-poor. Between work, cooking, cleaning and looking after the kids, there’s rarely much time left over. So anything that saves a few minutes — or even buys you a bit of extra “me-time” — is worth trying. Don’t miss these nifty parenting hacks for an easier life!
#1. Easy Shoe Tip
Cut a sticker in half and put one half inside each shoe. Your child matches the halves back together, which means they can put their shoes on the correct foot all by themselves.
#2. Safety Sticker On Your Car
Pop a “safety spot” sticker on your car so an older child knows exactly where to stand and wait while you’re loading or unloading the car.
Idea from Parking Pal Magnet.
#3. Non-Drip Ice Pack
Freeze a saturated sponge in a ziplock bag for an ice pack that won’t drip everywhere as it melts.
Idea from The Kitchn.
#4. Jigsaw Storage
Store smaller jigsaw puzzles in pencil cases instead of their original cardboard boxes, which tend to fall apart with use.
Idea from Signature Moms.
You might also enjoy 10 Hacks for Organising Toys
#5. A Lint Roller Will Pick Up Glitter
Spilled glitter everywhere? A lint roller lifts it off carpets and surfaces in seconds — far quicker than a vacuum or a damp cloth.
Idea from Scholastic.
#6. Lego + Lunchbox = Fun on the Go
Pack a lunchbox with a Lego baseplate and a small selection of bricks for building on the move — perfect for car journeys or waiting rooms.
Idea via If Only They Would Nap.
#7. Use Shoe Storage for Smaller Toys
A shoe organiser hung on the back of a bedroom door is brilliant for holding action figures, small toys and other bits and pieces that usually end up all over the floor.
Idea from Organize Your Stuff Now.
#8. Stop Apples Going Brown
Keep a cut apple looking fresh by wrapping a rubber band around it to hold the slices back together — great for lunchboxes.
Idea from The Kitchn.
You might also enjoy 10 Back to School Hacks
#9. Use WD-40 to Remove Crayon Marks
Little ones love to scribble, and crayon can end up on walls and furniture. A little WD-40 on a cloth can help lift crayon marks — always test on a small hidden area first, work in a well-ventilated room, and wipe the surface clean afterwards.
#10. Use a Timer to Make Tidy-Up Time Quick & Fun
Turning tidy-up time into a race against the clock is a great way to get kids moving. Set a timer and see if they can beat it before it runs out!
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#11. Use Toothpaste to Remove Marker from Furniture
A dab of toothpaste on a soft cloth or toothbrush can help lift marker stains from furniture. Test on a small area first, and see more detailed steps on wikiHow.
#12. Store Pacifiers in Sauce Containers
Hold on to small sauce containers from takeaways and use them as handy, portable storage for your child’s soothers.
#13. Keep Kids from Using Too Much Toilet Paper
Pop a small sticker on the wall at around 3–4 squares’ distance from the roll, as a visual guide to help kids gauge how much they actually need.
#14. Use a Paddling Pool as a Playpen
An empty paddling pool makes a lovely, soft-sided play space for a baby — big enough for toys, safe and easy to keep an eye on.
#15. Use “Anti-Monster Spray” if Your Child Is Scared at Bedtime
For kids who are nervous at bedtime, a spray bottle filled with water and relabelled as “Anti-Monster Spray” can be a comforting bedtime ritual.
#16. Use a Rubber Band to Keep Doors Unlocked
A rubber band looped around a doorknob and its latch can stop a door from locking accidentally — handy for bathroom doors with young kids around.
#17. Make a Sparkler Shield Out of a Plastic Cup
A plastic cup pushed onto the end of a sparkler, with a small hole for the sparkler to poke through, can help protect little hands and reassure nervous children. As always, sparklers should only be used with close adult supervision.
#18. Label Drawers to Help Sort Clothes
Labelling your child’s drawers helps them learn where their clothes belong and makes putting laundry away part of their own routine.
#19. Cover a Playpen with a Sheet for Shelter Outdoors
Bringing the playpen out into the garden? Drape a fitted crib sheet over the top for shade and to help keep bugs off while you get on with the gardening.
#20. Use an Egg Carton for Card Games
Little hands can find it tricky to hold a full hand of cards. An upside-down egg carton works brilliantly as a simple card holder for younger players.
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Over to you now — what’s your best tip for saving time as a parent? Share it with us in the comments below.
Related Articles
- 10 Hacks for Organising Toys
- 10 Back to School Hacks
- Make Chores for Kids Fun with These 8 Easy Tips
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