Editor’s Picks: August 2025

We blinked and summer is almost over — how the h*ll did that happen?! It seems like just yesterday it was May and the weather was getting warmer and we were making plans for summer vacation. Now kids are back from summer camp, the sun is starting to set a little earlier, and back-to-school season is upon us.

Whether your kids start school in August or September (or already started in July!), it’s essential to be prepared for the academic year. Of course, that doesn’t just mean buying folders and glue sticks. There are a lot of other essentials we have to buy as we head into the fall — that’s where our Editor’s Picks come in!

If you’re looking for back-to-school must-haves, we’ve got you covered, but here are some great extras for moms, dads, toddlers, and babies.

Hanna Andersson Amber Wood Mommy & Me Pajamas

matching pajamas
Hanna Andersson
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Just because school is starting, that doesn’t mean the weather is cooling off just yet. If you want to look cute and still feel comfortable for school drop-off in the morning, these lightweight muslin pajamas are a fantastic option. There are matching options for little ones, too!

Little Spoon Meals and Snacks

little spoon meals
Little Spoon
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We all know how hectic things can be during the school year — with pickups, drop-offs, after-school activities, sports, playdates, and birthday parties, it can be hard to find time for the basics, like cooking fresh meals. If you want to make sure your baby, toddler, or big kid is getting nutritious meals and snacks (without the hassle of making it all yourself), check out Little Spoon. They have tasty baby food, microwaveable toddler and big kid plates, and a variety of snacks. And I can say from experience, as a mom with a toddler who won’t finish any full meal, I’ve tasted Little Spoon meals myself, and they’re really yummy!

Reef Water Vista Sandals

reef water vista sandals
Reef
single icon $65 from Reef
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Just because summer is coming to a close, it doesn’t mean that the weather is getting colder just yet. Sandals are still our go-to footwear choice this month, and these water-friendly sandals are perfect for busy school days. These sandals are incredibly comfortable, easy to clean, cute enough for brunch, and they even have matching options for little ones.

Backbone Pro

backbone pro
Backbone
single icon $169.99 from Backbone
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Have a kiddo (or partner) who loves playing games on their phone or tablet? Backbone Pro enhances their gameplay experience, with full-sized ALPS joysticks and rear buttons for more precision and freedom. Backbone Pro connects to a phone, tablet, PC, or smart TV for seamless transition between devices. Simply connect the Backbone Pro to your device and play games like Fortnite and Roblox like never before.

Amara Smoothie Melts

amara smoothie melts
Amara Organic Foods
starting icon Starting at $39.99 from Amara Organic Foods
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Back-to-school season means we’re always on-the-go, so it’s important to have easy prepackaged snacks on hand for toddlers and kids. Amara’s Smoothie Melts are a favorite among little ones because they taste great (and parents love them because they have no added sugar, no artificial colors, and no artificial flavors). The Sweet Strawberry Organic Fruit Bites look like strawberries and are made with just a few ingredients: organic apple, organic coconut milk, organic strawberry, organic black carrot juice, and organic lemon juice.

Ms. Rachel Spin Along Learning Wheel

ms. rachel spin along learning wheel
Ms. Rachel

If you have a little one who loves Ms. Rachel, but you want them to get to enjoy her content without screen time, her toys are an amazing alternative. The Spin Along Learning Wheel has three learning modes: animal sounds, colors, and Ms. Rachel’s favorite songs. Toddlers can spin the wheel to reveal the different learning modes, and they can learn and engage with their favorite headband-wearing music teacher.

Playhouse MD Baby Basic Bundle

baby basic bundle
Playhouse MD

Nasal bulbs, nasal aspirators, and medicine syringes are essential when you have a baby or toddler, but it’s safe to say that kids don’t exactly enjoy using these devices… Until now. Playhouse MD combines the necessity of baby healthcare products and the fun of toys to turn tough care moments into playful experiences. This bundle comes with a Narwhal Light-Up Nasal Bulb, an Elephant Light-Up Nasal Aspirator (with 10 disposable filters) and a Rocket Medicine Dispenser (with a removable pacifier attachment and two syringe sizes). Designed by doctors, these products are effective and hygienic, and they provide a fun solution for sick/stuffy little ones.

Yoto Player

Yoto player
Yoto
single icon $99.99 from Yoto
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Looking for a screen-free audio player for your kids? The Yoyo Player gives kids a screen-free, camera-free, microphone-free, ad-free experience with stories, music, and more. It’s perfect for kids’ rooms with a light, clock, room thermometer, and bluetooth connection. With hundreds of cards — from Frozen, to Winnie the Pooh, to Raffi, to the Spice Girls — kids can go on fun screen-free adventures whenever they want.

b.box snackbox

snackbox
b.box
single icon $16.95 from b.box
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Take snacks with you everywhere using the b.box snackbox. There are two sealed leakproof compartments, one of which has a flexi whole fruit holder. It’s easy to toss the entire snackbox into your bag or stroller to make sure you always have a tasty treat for your kids.

Quince 100% Organic Cotton One Piece Pajama

100% Organic Cotton One Piece Pajama
Quince
single icon $19.90 from Quince
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Baby clothes are often shockingly expensive, considering how small babies are… and the prices quickly add up! When you’re choosing baby clothes, you want to make sure they’re made with high quality materials, but you don’t want to break the bank. Quince is here to provide top notch products at a reasonable price. These pajamas are made with 100% organic cotton, so they’re comfortable and durable — plus they come in a variety of adorable patterns.

Munchkin Simple Clean™ Straw Cup

Simple Clean™ Straw Cup
Munchkin
single icon $11.99 from Munchkin
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Straw cups are a great option for toddlers who are transitioning away from bottles — but one challenge with straws is making sure they get really clean. Munchkin has come up with a great solution: the inner straw opens up for easy cleaning. This cup also has a spill-proof lid, making it perfect for rambunctious toddlers.

Janie and Jack The Tailored Tweed Dress

The Tailored Tweed Dress
Janie and Jack

Just because toddlers aren’t going back to school doesn’t mean they can’t dress like they are. When it comes to classic fall looks, preppy outfits are an adorable option, and Janie and Jack has the cutest offerings. This tailored tweed dress comes in sizes for infants to tweens (6-12M to 12 years), so kids of any age can wear this posh dress.

Lalo Bento Box

bento box
Lalo
single icon $37.99 from Lalo
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Bento Boxes are all the rage for packed lunches now, and it’s easy to see why. They’re the perfect way to bring snacks and meals wherever you go, whether that’s school, work, or even just at home. This eco-friendly stainless steel bento box keeps foods separate so you can organize your kids’ meals thoughtfully. It’s dishwasher safe, so it’s easy to clean, and it’s made with durable materials.

Solar Buddies

solar buddies
Solar Buddies
single icon $15.98 from Amazon
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The sun may not feel as hot anymore, but the UV rays are still strong, so it’s important to wear sunscreen (and make sure your kids are wearing sunscreen). If you don’t love the feeling of sunscreen all over your hands, try the Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator. The innovative product is a refillable roll-on sponge applicator. Just fill it with your favorite lotion sunscreen, then roll it onto your skin. Applying sunscreen has never been so mess-free.

*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, Mom.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.