Skip Hop

To me, Summer is all about being in the backyard, walking around barefoot. Unfortunately, my daughter hasn't yet learned the joys of feeling the grass under her feet, so a picnic blanket or outdoor mat is still a must-have now that I'm a yard-owning suburbanite as it was when I spent Summer afternoons at the park when I was a city dweller. If you're in the same boat, consider investing in one of the five outdoor blankets pictured above. Most are waterproof, and all fold up nicely to fit over your shoulder or in your picnic basket. Skip Hop's version even comes with its own cooler bag! Believe us, your grass-averse kids will thank you.

Clockwise from top left: JJ Cole Essentials Blanket in gray and red ($23); Land of Nod Shore Thing Beach Blankets ($49); Pottery Barn Kids Fairfax Beach Blanket, available in pink and navy ($60–$65); Tuffo Water-Resistant Outdoor Blanket With Carrying Case ($32); Skip Hop Central Park Blanket and Cooler Bag ($45).

It took me almost a year, but I'd like to think I now have dining out with my 11-month-old down to an art form. High chair, Puffs, and a clean surface are immediate necessities, but there are a handful of items that I now consider my restaurant lifesavers. If you dine out as often as my hubby and I do (usually with a very hungry baby whose desire to eat never ceases to amaze me), consider stocking your diaper bag with the following five items, and believe me, your dining experience will go much more smoothly!

Clockwise from top left
1. Pampers Disposable Bibsters ($2–$8): Your place mat is eco-friendly, so go for ease with these bibs. Available in three sizes, they have their own fold-in pockets that catch spills and solid foods and a leak-proof liner.
2. Phil & Teds MeToo High Chair ($50): You don't get more portable and easy than this high chair, which weighs only two pounds but can hold a child of up to 33 pounds! It folds flat to fit into your diaper bag and is supersafe thank to vice clamps, an aluminum frame, and a five-point safety harness.
3. Itzy Ritzy Snack Happened Mini ($13): Not only is this snack bag supercute, it's also washable, making it the perfect, space-conscious way to tote snacks, including fruit.
4. Skip Hop Bento Mealtime Kit ($24): While a bit more expensive than many snack carriers, this is a diaper bag must have. The 14-piece kit comes with containers that can be used separately or clicked together and are the perfect size for toting baby food and finger foods. The insulated cooler bag and reusable freezer pack make packing up quick and easy.
5. Tiny Diner From Summer Infant ($9): Though disposable place mats are nice, this is a more eco-friendly option that has some awesome extras. It rolls up for easy storage, five suction cups hold it securely to the table, and it also has an outer scoop that keeps food off the floor.

Putting newborns on their stomachs for tummy time can rank as high as washing out the diaper pail on a mama's list of activities because lil ones fuss. Creating a stimulating environment for tots to work their neck and shoulder muscles is a nice distraction. We've rounded up a handful of fun ones.

Clockwise from top left: Skip Hop Treetop Friends Activity Gym ($75, available mid-October), Mamas and Papas Lotty Ladybird Deluxe Playmat & Gym ($100), Infantino Surfboard Tummy Time Mat ($20), Giggle Organic Jungle Play Mat ($80), Infantino Twist and Fold Activity Gym ($40).

Time for a picnic that doesn't involve much lugging! Mom only has two arms so Skip Hop made a combo outdoor blanket and cooler contraption in its Central Park bag ($45) that allows a parent to slip the product on their arm and tend to their tots while searching for the perfect spot to serve lunch. The company recently sent us one to try out.
Who is this product designed for? The bag is ideal for families or anyone who is outdoorsy.
Is it practical? Yes. The blanket is good size — big enough for a family of four to sit on — and the insulated bag is compact, but has space to hold sandwiches, boxed drinks, and small snacks. Wrapping the mat back up takes about a minute.
What sets it apart? It's a nice alternative to carting a cooler and bulky blanket to the park. The mat comes in handy when you need to throw something on the ground for your baby to crawl on, and the product's strap secures right to the handlebar of most strollers.
What could be better? It's a pretty straightforward product and is priced reasonably and well made so I don't think there's much to improve upon.
Would you buy it? Yes and I'd keep it in my trunk for impromptu picnics, trips to the beach, and sporting events.
Would you give it as a gift? Yes. It's a practical baby shower present and comes in two fun prints —uptown stripe and wave dot.