They say babies come with a lot of stuff. With two eight month olds under our roof, I can’t argue with that statement – we have acquired quite a bit of stuff in a relatively short amount of time. And, as my girls gain new abilities each day, I find that “needs” tend to pop up frequently. Needless to say, it takes some intentionality to filter through the barrage of baby stuff on the market. At our home, we aim to maintain a minimalist approach to the baby stuff that comes in. That doesn’t mean stark, cold, boring or ultra-modern. It means having clarity, purpose, and intentionality in each piece we obtain. Only the bare essentials in terms of gear, and carefully selecting fewer, better made play materials (not exactly the same as toys – more on that later) that will offer versatility and longevity in the ever-changing needs of infant & toddler-hood.
From time to time, I get asked about sources (hint: Rarely do I peruse the baby aisles at big box stores. I mean, like, even before this pandemic when we were actually going to the stores, if I was in the baby aisle, it was most likely for diapers). And, since personal opinions and experiences are always more helpful than paid advertising, I thought it might be worthwhile to create a resource/collection of the stuff we use hard every single day. 
NOTE: This is not a list of must-haves. Just a little inspiration from the things we truly love.
Quick Links:
1.Stacking Cups::Amazon | 2.Wipe-able Play Mat(s)::Gathre | 3.Activity Chair::Crate Kids | 4.Ball Pit Balls::Amazon | 5.HOME Book::Amazon | 6. Jesus Storybook Bible: Amazon | 7.Wooden Blocks::Crate Kids | 8.Rope Basket::Target
1. Stacking Cups :: Mushie (Amazon)
This set is even better in person than it looks in pictures! The cups are thick and sturdy. The muted earth tones paired with rainbow, swirl, and star cut outs make this set both visually attractive and interesting! My girls have already gotten hours of enjoyment out of these stacking cups. They are fascinated with knocking over the tower, practicing their gripping skills while waving a cup through the air, and holding them up to look at the light peeking through. I anticipate this set will be used for bath-time (or even kiddie pool) play very soon.
2. Wipe-able Play Mats :: Gathre
Play mats, table coverings, changing table covers, (some folks even use them under their dog bowls)… These versatile mats are both pretty and practical (messes just wipe right up). With a variety of sizes available, we have accumulated a small collection of Gathre mats over the past year, ranging from a bitty mat for our changing table (micro+), all the way up to a jumbo mat (maxi) that we can spread out on for outdoor adventures (think trips to the beach, picnics, and playtime on our deck). They feel good to the touch (which is important because we spend a good majority of our days on these), they are durable, and I’m certain they will continue to be a staple in our family for many, many years.
I wish this were an affiliate link, but it’s not. I’m just really passionate about this product. Just a heads up – the range of options can be overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Feel free to reach out with any questions!
3. Activity Seat :: Crate Kids
A great alternative to the plastic standing/jumping activity centers. This activity seat does have a steep price tag for such a temporary item, but I found a gently used one on Facebook Marketplace, and continue to come across them on there frequently for less than 1/2 of retail. We brought this into our main play space when the girls were around 6 mos old, and it has been gaining favor ever since. At 8+ mos, it is currently one of our most heavily used baby items. The activity tray detaches, so we use that both on and off the seat. We also get a dual purpose out of the seat by using it as a mini ball pit (see #4). In addition to how much my girls enjoy it, I love that this activity seat is soft, rattles and squeaks without being obnoxious, and fits in with the aesthetic of our home. (I don’t love that the cover is not removable to wash, but we’ve somehow managed to keep it fairly clean.)
4. Ball Pit Balls :: Amazon
A great addition to our playtime lineup. I just wanted to change things up and offer a different experience throughout the day since we are home so much right now. I honestly didn’t realize how much my girls would love picking up the balls with one hand, transferring them back and forth between hands, or flapping their hands around throughout the pit. The best part, of course, is having the option to create a ball pit that is as neutral or colorful as you’d like.
5. Home :: Amazon
I picked this book up for obvious reasons. I like the thought of a library that also serves as a bank of memories, and what more fitting title could there be to represent these many months spent at home?! A fun read with interesting illustrations, this book highlights that home can look different for everyone. I also imagine it will be a good conversation starter as reading time becomes more sophisticated.
6. Jesus Storybook Bible :: Amazon
This is the first storybook Bible we’ve read with our girls, and I think I’ll have a hard time loving another as much. Our family time spent reading through a chapter each night has been a definitive highlight in these uncertain times.
7. Wooden Blocks :: Crate Kids
This beautiful etched block set has letters, numbers, pictures to represent the letter it starts with, and a variety of fun patterns. They are slightly larger than our other block sets, but that doesn’t bother me. Another great source for neutral, heirloom quality blocks is Bannor Toys. We don’t own any of their blocks, but what we do have from them is great quality! If we were in the market for blocks, I’d consider getting their ASL set.
8. Rope Basket :: Target
A basket doesn’t need much of a description – it’s decorative storage that keeps lots of miscellaneous items contained. What I love about the rope basket for babies, is that it soft and sturdy enough to double as a little treasure box that they can pull odds and ends out of. We received a couple of these as gifts, and they get pulled off of the shelf often these days.
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