✨ Be prepared for every stage

Know exactly what to buy at every stage, from newborn to big kid.

Checklists and honest picks for ages 0 to 12. Buy what you need, skip what you don’t, and stay on budget.

Shop by age

Pick your child’s stage to see what you’ll need and the picks we recommend.

Baby & Infant

0–12 months

Toddler

1–3 years

Preschool

3–5 years

Big Kid

6–12 years

Guides & checklists

Essentials checklists by age and gift ideas by occasion, with a short reason for each pick.

Baby & infant essentials checklist

0–12 months

Toddler essentials checklist

1–3 years

Christmas gift ideas

Toddlers to age 12

Birthday gift ideas

Ages 1 to 12

Planning on a budget?

See the essentials worth buying first for each stage, and what can wait.

See the budget checklist

Editor's top picks

Dr. Brown’s Options+ narrow bottles, 4 oz, 4-pack
Best for newborn feeding

Feeding · Bottles

Dr. Brown’s Options+ narrow bottles, 4 oz, 4-pack

Newborn

The same vented anti-colic bottle in the smaller 4 oz size, good for newborns and small feeds. Has more parts to wash than a basic bottle.

Rated 4.6 out of 5 from 49,743 reviews

$29.97 Price as of Nov 2, 2026, 12:25 a.m. MST

Check price on Amazon.ca
Bearmoss muslin drool bibs
Budget pick

Feeding · Bibs

Bearmoss muslin drool bibs

Baby

Soft muslin drool bibs in a bandana shape, a practical pick for drooling and teething. Easy to wash and swap.

Rated 4.6 out of 5 from 1,065 reviews

$18.94 Price as of Nov 1, 2026, 6:12 p.m. MST

Check price on Amazon.ca
Skip Hop Moby 3-stage bath tub
Grows with baby

Bath & care · Tubs

Skip Hop Moby 3-stage bath tub

Newborn to toddler

A bath tub that grows with the baby in stages, with a sling for newborns.

Safety Never leave a baby alone in the bath, even for a moment.

Rated 4.6 out of 5 from 12,780 reviews

$61.00 Price as of Nov 1, 2026, 6:56 p.m. MST

Check price on Amazon.ca
Fisher-Price Glow and Grow Kick & Play piano gym
Best for floor play

Play & learning · Activity gyms

Fisher-Price Glow and Grow Kick & Play piano gym

Newborn

A play gym with a kick-and-play piano, lights and music, for baby's early floor play.

Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 17,354 reviews

$74.99 Price as of Nov 1, 2026, 9:55 p.m. MST

Check price on Amazon.ca

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How Nimble Savings works

Organized by age
A reason written for each pick
Supported by affiliate links