20 Kids’ Things That Aren’t Worth the Money (and What to Buy Instead)
Parenting in the city is expensive. Between strollers, sneakers, and school prep, the costs add up fast — and plenty of products marketed to parents end up gathering dust in the corner.
As a mother of two, here’s my guide to the kids’ products that aren’t worth your money (and what to buy instead if you want practical, sustainable value).
👶 Baby & Toddler Gear
1. Wipe Warmers
Sounds comforting, but wipes dry out fast. Babies get used to cool wipes quickly.
✅ Instead: Regular wipes + a travel pack.
2. Bottle Sterilizers
Unless you have specific medical or water concerns, a dishwasher or pot of boiling water works perfectly.
✅ Instead: Use what you already own.
3. Changing Tables
Dedicated changing tables are expensive and short-lived.
✅ Instead: A sturdy dresser with a changing pad gives you storage and function.
4. Expensive Crib Bedding Sets
Bumpers, quilts, and pillows aren’t safe for babies. The fitted sheet is all you need.
✅ Instead: Breathable cotton fitted sheets are the best for babies.
5. Baby Shoes (Pre-Walking)
They’re cute, but babies who aren’t walking don’t need structured shoes.
✅ Instead: Soft booties, socks or simply barefoot until those first steps.
🧸 Toys & Entertainment
6. Huge Activity Centers/Jumpers
Fun for a month, then they take up space.
✅ Instead: Floor play with a play mat and open-ended toys.
7. Character-Themed Toys
Often poorly made and overpriced.
✅ Instead: Blocks, magnetic tiles, or art supplies — toys that grow with your child.
8. Designer Toy Storage Boxes
Pretty, but bins and cubes do the same job.
✅ Instead: Affordable IKEA-style cubes or clear bins.
9. Trendy Subscription Boxes
Exciting at first, but often unused or not personalized.
✅ Instead: Buy a few toys your kid shows real interest in.
10. Oversized Play Kitchens & Plastic Toys
Huge footprint, low play value.
✅ Instead: Cardboard play setups or multipurpose small toys.
👕 Clothing & Accessories
11. Designer Baby Clothes
They outgrow them in weeks.
✅ Instead: Sturdy, comfy basics that can be passed down.
12. Too Many Fancy Outfits
Toddlers live in stretchy everyday clothes.
✅ Instead: Limit to one or two “special occasion” outfits.
13. Overpriced Blankets & Swaddles
A few breathable cotton swaddles are all you need.
✅ Instead: Invest in 3–4 versatile swaddles.
14. Matching Family Outfits
Adorable once for a photo, but rarely used again.
✅ Instead: Pick neutral, mix-and-match staples.
🚲 Big Purchases & Outdoor Gear
15. Specialized Strollers
Unless you’re a jogger, you don’t need three different strollers.
✅ Instead: One versatile stroller with adapters.
16. Ride-On Electric Cars
Huge, pricey, and quickly forgotten.
✅ Instead: Balance bikes or scooters get more use and build real skills.
17. “Kids-Only” Tablets
Often underpowered and overpriced.
✅ Instead: A standard tablet with a durable case and parental controls.
18. Expensive Learning App Subscriptions
Plenty of free or low-cost apps do the same job.
✅ Instead: Library story times, free learning apps, and outdoor play.
🏠 Parenting Extras
19. Baby Food Makers
A blender or food processor works just as well.
✅ Instead: Use what’s in your kitchen.
20. Fancy Diaper Pails with Proprietary Bags
The refills cost more than the diapers.
✅ Instead: A lidded trash can + regular bags.
🌱 Invest in What Is Worth It
Not everything is a waste — some items pay off in daily use, durability, and comfort.
- A sturdy stroller that can handle the sometimes uneven pavement and can adapt as your child grows
- Comfortable and composable* kids’ shoes (👋 like every pair of Little Fierce shoes)
- Open-ended toys like blocks or art kits. They "grow" with your kids
- Experiences — parks, museums, and family holidays.
At Little Fierce, we make sneakers that do more for kids and parents: city-proof, sustainable, and built to last just long enough before kids outgrow them. Because shoes should support your child, not cost them their future 🌎
*Little Fierce shoes use natural, biodegradable and certified bio-neutral materials only. We make sure the shoes can safely return to the earth once kids outgrow them. Curious what bio-neutral means? Read our Sustainability story.