Gadget Galore!
We all love gadgets! At least, those of us who like our lives made easier, safer or just more fun love gadgets. Here are a few that everyone in the family can appreciate, plus one for your cat. Because if they could talk, they'd tell you that they love gadgets, too.
Bite-Sized Sandwich Cutter
I cried when I saw this, not because I was overcome with its genius but because I thought of all those hundreds of hours I wasted cutting up sandwiches into small pieces when my kids were little. Bonus: After the kids are asleep, this would work perfectly for cutting up brownies into small pieces to mix into ice cream.
To buy: Fun Bites , $13
GPS Tracker Watch
These watches, for kids ages 3 and up, are perfect for keeping track of your little ones. Designed to work with an app that multiple family members can use, it also has a panic alert and "safe zone" setting. The design wouldn't appeal to older kids, but that's OK — there are apps you can use that keep track of them via their smartphones. Not that I know anyone who does that.
To buy: hereO, $180
Hot Dog Toaster
I think they should just change the name of this to "Best Invention in the History of the World." Because what else would you call something that cooks two hot dogs with the ease of making toast? I would say more about this item, but I'll be too busy over here eating two, perfectly cooked hot dogs. For breakfast.
To buy: Amazon, $27
Desk Vacuum
I know child labor is illegal, but if you could get your little one to clean up your desk while he's having a good time, is there anything wrong with that? This thing is so darn cute, it would be tempting to vacuum up the whole house with it. (But don't do that, because that would take forever.)
To buy: Oddity Mall, $13
Dip Clips
While the invention of dipping sauce should be noted in the history of children's cuisine, the dilemma of how to keep those sauces from ending up on the floor has vexed mankind for centuries. Until now! Clip one of these on to the side of a plate, and your little one can dip and eat to her heart's content. Would work equally well for chips and salsa, sushi and soy sauce, or Nutella and pretzels, if that's your thing.
To buy: Amazon, $8
Quick Popsicle Maker
This amazing gadget makes popsicles in as little as seven minutes! The best part is, you only freeze the base and the popsicle-making takes place on your countertop (without electricity) so you'll never have a river of grape juice running out of your freezer again. The only drawback is it only makes three pops at a time, so get ready to dole out lots of lessons in patience.
To buy: Amazon, $47
Children's Showerhead
Much like that glorious moment when your child can buckle himself into his car seat, his first solo shower is a cause for celebration. This attachment can adjust to your child's height to make it much easier. Plus, the water comes out of a fish's head!
To buy: Amazon, $15
Location Tags
If you're fine keeping track of your kids but not their favorite toy, this gadget's for you. Stick the beacons on your frequently misplaced possessions — that irreplaceable teddy bear, your keys, the TV remote — and instantly locate them via an app on your cell phone. If you lose your cell phone, find it via your iPad. If you've lost both your phone and iPad, you can locate them via your computer. This gadget is really just an enabler.
To buy: Stick 'n' Find, $50
Colored Car Chargers
If you've ever experienced the horror of being on a road trip and your kid's iPad dies and they can't see the ending of "Frozen" for the 80th time, you'll appreciate this multi-port, rapid car charger. Plus, they come in a variety of colors so everyone can have their own charger to power up all of their devices. They'll never have to look out of the window at the scenery ever again!
To buy: Amazon, $7
