Art supplies, retro toys, and other "kid purchases" that parents admit were actually for themselves

Being a parent comes with a lot of expenses...which can also provide a convenient cover story for buying things you've always wanted. In a hilarious thread in r/toddlers, redditors come clean about the purchases they made "for the baby" that were definitely just for themselves. Perhaps having a kid is the ultimate excuse to embrace your inner child.

1. Giant stuffed animals

Turns out, oversized plushies are a major weakness for many parents. The fact that their child might barely be able to lift it doesn't stop adults from securing the largest toy in the store.

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Lmao not me reading this while literally laying on the gigantic Snorlax squishmallow I got "for our son". Our toddler who has never seen Pokemon.

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I have the same one!

Edit: I mean my son has the same one…

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A giant lion stuffed animal. I only realized after purchasing it that I wasn’t actually sure if my son would like it, but that if he didn’t, I could just use him, and would that be so bad??!! I think I always wanted a giant stuffie as a kid and never got one.

He does love his lion, and sometimes holds his paw through the crib. But I’m pretty sure i might love him just as much. He’s like having a silent, stoic second dog who doesn’t mind when we lay on him.

I was also really into Narnia as a kid. My husband was surprised we didn’t name our lion “Aslan”, but I didn’t want to give kiddo pre-conceived notions about the character before we read the books together.

2. Building blocks, train sets, and magnet tiles

A starter set of magnetic tiles or wooden train tracks is a great gift for a growing mind. But expanding that first box into a sprawling empire requires parental financing and a lot of additional accessory packs.

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More magnet tiles. There are plenty for the kids. There aren't enough for my city plans though.

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Same. Also, yes I need more wooden train tracks to connect the mangatile city to another city or two.

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I feel so seen. Haven’t made the purchase yet. I felt the same with mega blocks.

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More wood train track. The set from my husband's childhood didn't have all the pieces "the toddler" needed to make cool tracks.

3. A suspiciously extensive art supply stash

Toddlers are happy to scribble with a broken crayon on a piece of scrap paper. However, parents have realized that having a tiny artist in the house is a nice excuse for stocking up on premium craft supplies without feeling guilty.

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Oh all of these art supplies? They aren't age appropriate? My baddd

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Hahahah yes!! I have drawers and drawers full of craft supplies now and an excuse to buy more- it’s dangerous.

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Professional grade colour pencils.. haha!

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A roll of butcher paper because why not.

4. Vintage toys and retro entertainment

Having a child provides an opportunity to search the internet for beloved items from your own childhood. Many parents are introducing their families to outdated technology just to relive their glory days.

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VCR and an ever growing collection of classic Disney VHS 😇

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The vintage Fisher Price A-frame cabin and farm that I played with as a kid second hand!

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The number of Thomas the tank engine toys she has and events we’ve been to…she likes Thomas too! But it’s def more for her 90s baby parents 😂

5. Toddler-sized household cleaning tools

Buying miniature brooms and other "play" cleaning tools is not just about fostering independence, it's also about recruiting an enthusiastic, tiny assistant.

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A toddler sweeping set 😛

She actually always wants to help me sweep and use the dust pan which is great. But the adult ones are way too big and heavy for her, so I bought her a toddler sized set.

I’m not upset that she wants to help there 😀🤭

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We got ours a swiffer and just took the middle link of the pole out so it’s her height. I put a sweep or mop pad on it and let her loose.

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I go a hand-held vacuum for post-toddler detritus. The twins bonded with it immediately. You bet your ass I got a second one. They now make a game of hunting down the dirt.

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They also have a toddler sized wet mop and vacuum! Use the wet mop at your own risk though haha.

Stepping back into the joy of play is a perk of parenthood, and if you fulfill a long-dormant wish for your inner child when you buy toys for a kid, that's just a win-win.

What childhood toy do you wish you could justify buying? Read the full thread in r/toddlers, and find more relatable parenting conversations in r/daddit, r/Mommit, and r/Parenting.