It's hard being a parent. We need all the help we can get. Luckily, these parents figured out some tips and tricks and decided to share them with the internet. Keep reading to find out how to keep your kids entertained for hours, and how to trick them into falling asleep.
A Barbie Makeover
If your kid's Barbie is having a bad hair day, you can re-soften her hair by soaking it in a solution of water and dish soap. Just brush it out afterward and it should be as good as new.
A Lollipop Guard
If your kids always get sticky when they're eating lollipops, you can use this hack to make life a bit cleaner. A Kinder Surprise pod doubles as a lollipop guard.
A Softer Ice Pack
If your kid gets hurt (as kids tend to do), you can use some frozen marshmallows to take their pain away. Keep marshmallows in the freezer to create a less cold, softer ice pack.
Teach Your Kids To Tell Time
If your kids can't tell time yet, this is a great way to teach them patience. Now they can look at the clock and know what time it is and what they're supposed to be doing.
A Better Blanket Fort
Getting a fan involved when you're building a blanket fort makes the whole structure so much better and roomier. It also keeps kids from getting overheated in there. You might like it so much that you start spending time in the blanket fort, too.
Sneak Away
This dad figured out that a glove filled with beans is roughly the same weight as a human hand. Just place the glove on your kid while they sleep and they'll feel like they're still being held.
Keep Their Heads Safe
There's a company that makes head bumpers for kids so that they don't hit their heads if (when) they fall backwards. These things come in all different colors and patterns.
Turn Chores Into A Game
Turn sweeping into a game by taping a "target" onto your floor. Have your kids "win" by sweeping all of the dirt into the target. If you have more than one kid, give them more than one target.
A Reusable To-Do List
Attach a roll of brown craft paper to your wall so that you always have a place to jot down notes. When you're finished with your to-do list, just tear off the paper and start again.
Monster Spray
If your kids are afraid of monsters coming into their room at night, use this monster spray to keep the spooks away. It's just water in a spray bottle, but your kids don't have to know that.
The Perfect Pose
It turns out, dads make the perfect photo backdrop. This dad figured out a way to help out while getting some much-needed shut-eye. Those early newborn days are tiring!
A Useful Device
This little hat keeps water from getting into your baby's eyes during bath time. This product is available on Amazon in all kinds of different colors. This blue one is kind of snazzy.
An Informative Tattoo
You can make a temporary tattoo like this one and then apply it to your kid's arm the next time you go out to a crowded event. If your kid gets lost, anybody who finds him will know who to call.
Non-Slip Socks
Here's a hack that doubles as a craft that you can do with your kids. Use fabric paint to add a non-slip effect to your kids' socks. Have fun creating cool designs!
A Safer Trampoline
Those metal springs on the side of trampolines can be really dangerous. Cut up some pool noodles and use them to cover up those springs. Kids get hurt on trampoline springs all the time.
Keep Doors From Locking
If you have a door in your house that automatically locks or that locks from the inside, use an elastic band to keep the door from locking. That way your kids won't get locked in.
Keep Track Of Medication
Use a marker to draw a chart on the back of your kid's medicine bottle. Check off each day whenever you give your kid his or her medication. No more double doses!
No More Bugs
If you're worried about mosquitoes getting at your kid while he or she is playing outside, try out this hack. Place a fitted sheet over your playpen. This hack also keeps the harsh sun off of your kid's skin.
The Perfect Scavenger Hunt
If your kids are bored, have them complete a scavenger hunt. What should they look for? How about your phone charger, your headphones, your glasses, and anything else you've misplaced?
To protect your carseat
It doesn't matter if your kid is a messy eater, is prone to accidents in the car, or is feeling ill, attaching a diaper or a pee pad to the bottom of the car-seat is a must for long roadtrips.
Protect your upholstery and keep them comfortable all in one!
How To Play Video Games With Your Kids
Those controllers aren't actually connected to any gaming console. Those kids think that they're playing, but really, Dad is having all the fun. He gets to play his game and the kids are occupied. It's a win-win.
Making Memories
Get your kids a shirt that they can wear when they graduate, and then take a picture of them in it before they've fully grown into it. The photos and the shirt will make for a great graduation present.
A Less Messy Popsicle
An upside-down coffee cup lid doubles as a popsicle guard in a pinch. Just poke the popsicle stick through the hole in the lid to prevent drips from getting everywhere.
Keep Sand Out
Use a fitted sheet to keep sand out of your beach setup while you're enjoying some time by the sea. You don't need your baby getting all sandy. This hack will keep sand out of your food, too.
Which Shoe Is Which?
Cutting a sticker in half and sticking it into your kid's shoes will help them figure out which shoe goes on the left foot and which shoe goes on the right foot.
"Painting" The Fence
Give your kids a bucket of water and some paintbrushes and have them "paint" the fence in your yard. This activity can keep them busy for hours. The water dries pretty quickly in the summer sun, so they might even feel the need to do a second coat.
A Regular Cardboard Box
You can get your kid every fancy toy in the land, but sometimes nothing beats a cardboard box and a couple of markers. It's the little things in life that capture kids' imaginations.
Strapped In
This dad decided to use his dreadlocks to make sure that his kid was "strapped in" while she was sitting on his shoulders during a concert. Not a bad idea...
A Secret Stash
The best place to hide your "adult" chocolate snacks is in a bag that looks like it's full of frozen veggies in your freezer. Your kids won't find it, and you'll have some delicious, cold chocolate all to yourself.
Trick Them Into Taking Medicine
That straw isn't in the Pepsi can. The Pepsi can isn't even open. This kid doesn't know the difference. This is a great hack for kids who love soda and hate antibiotics.
No Fighting
This dad figured out that his kids couldn't fight with each other if they couldn't see each other. That's why he decided to use pieces of cardboard as kid dividers.
