Etsy’s having a sale! 10 great handmade items any mama needs

Plus a few favorite picks for your kids!

Perusing Etsy is one of my favorite things to do and the site is one of the best places to buy gifts. Because it's curated by nearly two million sellers, shoppers can find unique and fun items that can't be found elsewhere. But sometimes that comes with a price tag a little higher than we'd like it to be.

Until now.

The World of Etsy sales event will last until March 29 and is practically a mama's dream. It's categorized by adventure destinations, like 'Charming Gardens,' 'Wildlife Kingdom,' and 'Personalized Place.' Swoon.

If you have a baby shower coming up or want to update your little one's nursery, this sale is perfect. Markdowns vary by seller, but there are tons of products up to 25% off.

Here's what's in our shopping cart.

Macrame Woven Wall Tapestry

This woven tapestry would look perfect in just about any room in the house. We love the wood detail and the minimalist feel.

Etsy, WallKnot

$21.14, regularly $26.43 (20% off)

BUY

Animal Wall Art

The hues of gray would blend well in both a girl and boy's nursery. Or, these would be fun to hang in a playroom. How adorable are the bunny, fox and bear?

Etsy, violetandalfie

$29.36, regularly $36.71 (20% off)

BUY

Floral Peony Swaddle

Swaddles are so versatile, and they make a great gift for a baby shower. This one is customized with baby's name, making it ideal for a photo backdrop or newborn photos.

Etsy, AGreatBaby

$14.35, regularly $15.95 (10% off)

BUY

Wooden Play Gym and Mat

This baby gym encourages hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, all while looking beautiful in baby's room. It also folds flat for storage and you can choose which gym toys you want included. Bonus: it comes with a reversible play mat.

Etsy, AZyDeco

$83.04, reguarly $97.69 (15% off)

BUY

Woven Plant Hanger

This handcrafted woven plant hanger would brighten up any room. Simply nestle your favorite potted plant into the hanger and make your living space a greenery sanctuary.

Etsy, freefille

$25.34, regularly $28.15 (10% off)

BUY

'You've Got This' Jewelry Dish

Every mama needs a home for her delicate jewelry and this gold-rimmed dish is beautiful. Plus, it reminds you each day that you've got this.

Etsy, OldEnglishCo

$13.73, regularly $16.15 (15% off)

BUY

Seagrass Basket

Whether you need a new home for your plants or want extra storage for your little one's toys, this seagrass is ideal. They also offer a buy two, get one free deal so you can grab a couple to use for various rooms.

Etsy, JasmineSupply

$16.53, regularly $19.45 (15% off)

BUY

Welcome Mat

If you want to show off your humor before guests even walk through the door, this customizable doormat is too cute. We love the 'hope you like animals + kids because it's a zoo inside' because #momlife.

Etsy, foxandcloverboutique

$36.00, regularly $40.00 (10% off)

BUY

Giraffe Plush Toy

How precious is this crochet giraffe? It would make a great baby shower gift or be a fun addition to your kid's toys. We love that it's super soft so it's safe for even the littlest ones.

Etsy, CozyHouseShop

$25.25, regularly $26.95 (10% off)

BUY

Montessori Toy Set

This set works from 2-3 months old and upwards, helping your little one develop fine motor skills. With six pieces, there's plenty of options for play.

Etsy, HeirLoomKidsUSA

$44.99, regularly $44.99 (10% off)

BUY

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Motherly is your daily #momlife manual; we are here to help you easily find the best, most beautiful products for your life that actually work. We share what we love—and we may receive a commission if you choose to buy. You've got this.

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These are the best bath time products you can get for under $20

These budget-friendly products really make a splash.

With babies and toddlers, bath time is about so much more than washing off: It's an opportunity for fun, sensory play and sweet bonding moments—with the added benefit of a cuddly, clean baby afterward.

Because bathing your baby is part business, part playtime, you're going to want products that can help with both of those activities. After countless bath times, here are the products that our editors think really make a splash. (Better yet, each item is less than $20!)

Comforts Bath Wash & Shampoo

Made with oat extract, this bath wash and shampoo combo is designed to leave delicate skin cleansed and nourished. You and your baby will both appreciate the tear-free formula—so you can really focus on the bath time fun.

Munckin Soft Spot Bath Mat

When your little one is splish-splashing in the bath, help keep them from also sliding around with a soft, anti-slip bath mat. With strong suction cups to keep it in place and extra cushion to make bath time even more comfortable for your little one, this is an essential in our books.

Comforts Baby Lotion

For most of us, the bath time ritual continues when your baby is out of the tub when you want to moisturize their freshly cleaned skin. We look for lotions that are hypoallergenic, nourishing and designed to protect their skin.

The First Years Stack Up Cups

When it comes to bath toys, nothing beats the classic set of stackable cups: Sort them by size, practice pouring water, pile them high—your little one will have fun with these every single bath time.

Comforts Baby Oil

For dry skin that needs a little extra TLC, our team loves Comforts' fast-absorbing baby oil aloe vera and vitamin E. Pro tip: When applied right after drying off your baby, the absorption is even more effective.

KidCo Bath Toy Organizer

Between bathing supplies, wash rags, toys and more, the tub sure can get crowded in a hurry. We like that this organizer gives your little one space to play and bathe while still keeping everything you need within reach.

Another great tip? Shopping the Comforts line on Comfortsforbaby.com to find premium baby products for a fraction of competitors' prices—and follow along on social media to see product releases and news at @comfortsforbaby.

This article was sponsored by The Kroger Co. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Motherly and mamas.

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14 outdoor toys your kids will want to play with beyond summer

They transition seamlessly for indoor play.

Plan Toys

With Labor day weekend in the rearview and back-to-school in full swing, most parents are fresh out of boxes to check on their "Fun Concierge" hit list. It's also the point of diminishing returns on investing in summer-only toys. So with that in mind, we've rounded up some of our favorite toys that are not only built to last but will easily make the transition from outdoor to indoor play. Even better, they're Montessori-friendly and largely open-ended so your kids can get a ton of use out of them.

From sunny backyard afternoons to rainy mornings stuck inside, these toys are sure to keep little ones engaged and entertained.

Meadow ring toss game

Besides offering a fantastic opportunity to hone focus, coordination, determination and taking turns, lawn games are just plain fun. Set them up close together for the littles and spread them out when Mom and Dad get in on the action. With their low profile and rope rings, they're great for indoors as well.

$30

Buy Now

Balance board

Balance boards are a fabulous way to get the wiggles out. This one comes with a rope attachment, making it suitable for even the youngest wigglers. From practicing their balance and building core strength to working on skills that translate to skateboarding and snowboarding, it's a year-round physical activity that's easy to bring inside and use between Zoom classes, too!

$75

Buy Now

Detective set

Detective Set

This set has everything your little detective needs to solve whatever mystery they might encounter: an eye glasses, walkie-talkie, camera, a red lens, a periscope and a bag. Neighborhood watch? Watch out.

$40

Buy Now

Wooden doll stroller

Wooden Doll Stroller

Take their charges on a stroll around the block with this classic doll stroller. With the same versatility they're used to in their own ride, this heirloom quality carriage allows their doll or stuffy to face them or face the world.

$120

Buy Now

Sand play set

Whether you're hitting the beach or the backyard sandbox, this adorable wooden sand set is ready for action. Each scoop has an embossed pattern that's perfect for sand stamping. They're also totally suitable for water play in the wild or the bathtub.

$30

Buy Now

Water play set

Filled with sand or water, this tabletop sized activity set keeps little ones busy, quiet and happy. (A mama's ideal trifecta 😉). It's big enough to satisfy their play needs but not so big it's going to flood your floors if you bring the fun inside on a rainy day.

$100

Buy Now

Mini golf set

Fore! This mini golf set is lawn and living room ready. Set up a backyard competition or incorporate into homeschooling brain breaks that shift focus and build concentration.

$40

Buy Now

Vintage scooter balance bike

Pedals are so 2010. Balance bikes are the way to go for learning to ride a bike while skipping the training wheels stage altogether. This impossibly cool retro scooter-style is built to cruise the neighborhood or open indoor space as they're learning.

$121

Buy Now

Wooden rocking pegasus

Your little will be ready to take flight on this fun pegasus. It gently rocks back and forth, but doesn't skimp on safety—its winged saddle, footrests and backrest ensure kids won't fall off whether they're rocking inside or outside.

$100

Buy Now

Croquet set

The cutest croquet set we've ever seen! With adorable animal face wooden balls and a canvas bag for easy clean up, it's also crafted to stick around awhile. Round after round, it's great for teaching kiddos math and problem-solving skills as well.

$45

Buy Now

Wooden digital camera

Kids get the chance to assemble the camera on their own then can adventure anywhere to capture the best moments. With two detachable magnetic lenses, four built-in filters and video recorder, your little photographer can tap into their creativity from summertime to the holidays.

$179

Buy Now

Wooden bulldozer toy

Whether they're digging up sand in the backyad or picking up toys inside, kids can get as creative as they want picking up and moving things around. Even better? Its wooden structure means it's not an eye sore to look at wherever your digger drops it.

$100

Buy Now

Pull-along hippo

There's just something so fun about a classic pull-along toy and we love that they seamlessly transition between indoor and outdoor play. Crafted from solid cherry and beechwood, it's tough enough to endure outdoor spaces your toddler takes it on.

$33

Buy Now

Baby forest fox ride-on

Toddlers will love zooming around on this fox ride-on, and it's a great transition toy into traditional balance bikes. If you take it for a driveway adventure, simply use a damp cloth to wipe down the wheels before bringing back inside.

$88

Buy Now

We independently select and share the products we love—and may receive a commission if you choose to buy. You've got this.

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It's science: Why your baby stops crying when you stand up

A fascinating study explains why.

Tayler Golden

When your baby is crying, it feels nearly instinctual to stand up to rock, sway and soothe them. That's because standing up to calm babies is instinctual—driven by centuries of positive feedback from calmed babies, researchers have found.

"Infants under 6 months of age carried by a walking mother immediately stopped voluntary movement and crying and exhibited a rapid heart rate decrease, compared with holding by a sitting mother," say authors of a 2013 study published in Current Biology.

Even more striking: This coordinated set of actions—the mother standing and the baby calming—is observed in other mammal species, too. Using pharmacologic and genetic interventions with mice, the authors say, "We identified strikingly similar responses in mouse pups as defined by immobility and diminished ultrasonic vocalizations and heart rate."

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