Smart Parenting Awards 2024: 17 Products We Love For Every Growing Child
Parenting is an ongoing adventure, and one thing parents of growing kids quickly learn is that it’s also a never-ending quest to find products that meet their children’s ever-changing needs. From school essentials to health, hygiene, and entertainment, the task can feel overwhelming. As a parent of a preschooler and a tween, I’ve found that co-parents’ recommendations are often the most helpful.
That’s where this curated guide comes in. Featuring trusted, parent-approved items, it’s designed to make shopping decisions easier for every parent.
The Smart Parenting Awards 2024 highlights 17 products and services for kids, chosen for their quality, innovation, and value. These items cater to a variety of needs, ensuring parents and kids are ready for every stage of growing up.
Here’s the list of products and experiences parents will love and kids will enjoy!
School Shoes: Dr. Kong
Dr. Kong, P2,380 to P4,800
School kids go through shoes like there’s no tomorrow. Considering they wear them all day, every day—rain or shine—sturdiness and comfort are essential. Dr. Kong steps up to the plate, providing a perfect balance of style and orthopedic comfort. Their school shoes feature durable materials and ergonomic soles that keep kids comfortable throughout the day.
“Matibay, comfy, and worth it,” says Kathrine, a mom of three. Anne Buenavista, Smart Parenting Village member and mom of two says she accidentally discovered Dr. Kong because her sons were attracted to its colors. They asked her to buy a pair and she's observed its high quality, "considering na used siya every day for school. The soles don't easily wear out."
Rubber Shoes: Skechers
Skechers, P2,461 to P4,995
Aside from black shoes, another must-have for school-aged kids is a good pair of sneakers—one that they can freely play and be active in. Skechers sneakers are perfect for active kids—offering flexibility, durability, and style. With options that include memory foam insoles, these sneaker ensure kids stay comfortable during play, outings, or even travel.
Both my kids love their Skechers sneakers. My preschooler wears her pair everyday for school and even weekend outings—they’re great for running, walking and long trips without causing blisters.
Editor-in-Chief Ronna Capili Bonifacio has also been buying Skechers for her three kids. "It's my go-to brand for their everyday sneakers. I like that it's lightweight, comfortable, and secure. While the kids love its designs. The kids also use them for travel which often includes lots of walking."
Buy from Shopee and in-stores.
Insect Repellant: Off! Mosquito/Insect Repellent
Off! Mosquito/Insect Repellant, P205
Dengue season may technically run during the wet season, or from June to February, but for most parents, the threat feels year-round. Off! Mosquito/Insect Repellent offers skin-friendly, long-lasting formula that provides reliable protection from mosquitoes and other insects, perfect for school day or outdoor play.
Smart Parenting contributing writer and mom of two, April Llana, shares, “Off! is a brand trusted by most moms when it comes to protecting their kids from mosquito bites. It has been in the market even when I was still a kid. Off! Insect Repellant brings its trusted name to the forefront with its capacity to protect us outdoors from Dengue-carrying mosquitoes.”
Ronna has been using Off! on her kids and she says "I like that it does not feel sticky, which my kids also appreciate about it. Plus, it's accessible. If I forget to apply and we're going outdoors, I'm sure I can always buy from a store nearby."
Body Wash: Tender Care Jasmine Cotton Baby Wash
Tender Care Jasmine Cotton Baby Wash, P395
To keep their kids feeling and smelling clean and fresh, parents use the Tender Care Jasmine Cotton Baby Wash. Hypoallergenic, dermatologically tested and free from parabens and silicones, the Tender Care Jasmine Cotton Baby Wash gently washes away all the dirt and grime from a long day of activity.
Smart Parenting Village member Nhez Gonzales shared that she has used Tender Care Baby Wash for her child way into preschool years, saying, “My daughter is turning 6 years old this December and I’m still using it on her, kasi kahit small amount lang ilagay sa wash cloth, mabula and mabango siya at amoy fresh pa din si daughter kahit na pawisin na siya. Medyo pricey but luckily it’s available in sachets so I sometimes buy that to refill the bottle.”
Wipes and Alcohol: Tiny Buds Waterfill Wipes and Hand Sanitizer
Tiny Buds Waterfill Wipes, P260, and Hand Sanitizer, P95
It’s common for schools these days to require kids to have their own health kits that include a pack of wet wipes and alcohol—for their personal use. And mothers’ top choice for the kits: Tiny Buds Waterfill Wipes and Baby Natural Hand Sanitizer. The Tiny Buds Waterfill Wet Wipes stays true to its name, it’s made of 99.5% drinking water and gentle ingredients that’s still an effective way to clean little hands and surfaces. The Tiny Buds Baby Natural Hand Sanitizer is a food safe sanitizer made of fruit alcohol, so it’s not harsh or drying on the skin even as it effectively sanitizes.
Personally, I always have a ready supply of both items for my kids who are in grade 6 and kinder levels, ready for their school kits. Both kids use the wipes and alcohol to sanitize their hands before and after every meal time, and they also use them on bathroom breaks. Another thing I like about the wipes is that they’re also available in the "tiny-est" packs, so it’s easy to put in their health kits, bags, and even uniform pockets.
Shampoo: Eskulin Shampoo for Kids
Eskulin Shampoo for Kids, P207
To keep their big kids’ hair asim-free throughout the day, Eskulin Shampoo for Kids gets rave reviews at the Smart Parenting Village. Enriched with aloe vera extract to keep preschooler’s hair beautiful and healthy, parents also appreciate its tear-free formula. Plus, kids can take their pick among their favorite Disney characters.
Jeca Escalon Lizano recommends Eskulin in one post asking for shampoo recommendations on Smart Parenting Village saying, “Malambot sa hair and sobrang bango. Gabi na amoy na amoy ko pa din yung bango sa hair ng mga anak ko kahit na matutulog na kami.”
Toothpaste: Hapee Kiddie Toothpaste
Hapee Kiddie Toothpaste, P33.25
Parents prefer to use the Hapee Kiddie Toothpaste to keep their kids’ pearly whites clean and cavity-free. The Hapee Kiddie Toothpaste contains the right amount of fluoride at 1,000 ppm, as recommended by the Philippine Dental Association for kids age 2 to 5 year old, and comes in several flavors, including Strawberry Bloom, Orange Squeeze, Tutti Frutti Twist, Juicy Grapes, and Bubblegum Pop.
Smart Parenting Village mom Celyn Alfonso shared that Hapee Kiddie Toothpaste is recommended by their pediatric dentist, and “Hindi minty for my kids, they love the flavor pa nga.” Moreover, mommy Jesume Pelicano said, “Hapee Kiddie Toothpaste is a great choice for my son to use. Combined with regular flossing, it helped keep his teeth healthy and strong. The mild flavor makes it perfect for young children. I highly recommend it to parents looking for a kid-friendly toothpaste.”
Vitamins/Supplements: Scott’s Pastilles
Scott’s Pastilles, P216.46
Getting kids to take their medicines—including vitamins, can be challenging, especially since most medicines’ taste and texture are not exactly palatable, which is why parents consider vitamin gummies, such as Scott’s Pastilles a godsend. Available in two flavors: Pastilles Orange and Mixed Berries, Scott’s Pastilles stays true to its name and comes in a chewy pastille format. It fulfills 100% of the daily Vitamin C requirement of kids aged 3 to 6 years, providing a fun ang tasty way for parents to support and boost their children’s immunity.
Both my kids had regular bouts of coughs and colds during the school season, so having them take vitamins daily gives me peace of mind that they have an added layer of protection and immunity. What I like about Scott’s is that it’s considerably yummy and easy to ingest, compared to other vitamins, they can take it on their own even without me asking them to do it.
Apparel: H&M
H&M Kids’ Clothes, P599+
"Whenever we need to buy clothes—whether as part of a school requirement, speciall occassion, or just to refresh their daily wardrobe, H&M Kids is one of our stops," says Ronna. "My kids love that the fabric is lightweight and breathable, and they are able to move around easily. The designs are attuned to kids' interests. As a mom of multiples, I don't have to go to different stores when I'm buying for all three—from toddlers to pre-teens."
H&M Kids clothes are generally considered a good option for budget-friendly, trendy children’s apparel. From Disney and popular character-inspired shirts and outerwear, to jeans and dresses, and even lounge and sleepwear, the high street fashion label definitely has something for every stylish child.
Buy from their website.
Indoor Playground: Kidzoona
Kidzoona, P240 to P400+
Play places are every kids’ happy place, and the most recommended one by parents is Kidzoona. With more than 65 outlets in the country, Kidzoona is the place where children can jump and run their hearts out in a safe and fun environment.
Mothers from the Smart Parenting Village are Kidzoona fans, including Abby Singzon and Ria Ebuenga. Abby, who regularly visits the newly renovated Kidzoona branch in Festival Mall shared, “It’s so much bigger and better now. The old favorites are still there, but ang daming new stations. The best feature for us is the sandpit. The toy masters station is also so cool! Kaya lang, the toys they sell are quite expensive, kaya sulitin nalang ang time to play there. An underrated station is the Art Pon area (coloring area), where you can scan your work to appear on the screen. Another great addition is the several waiting couches for parents and guardians to rest while the kids are having fun, they’re clean and comfortable. We usually avail of three hours playtime pero sulit, pero in truth, kulang pa din.”
Ria and her family, on the other hand, go to the Kidzoona branch in EDSA Shangri-La, she shared, “It’s just like other branches—spacious, has a variety of activities and well-maintained. What I like about this branch is it doesn’t get too crowded.”
Visit any of their branches here.
Cinemas: Opus Mall Family Cinema
Opus Mall Family Cinema, P600 per head
Parents might feel the challenge of watching a movie as a family because the kids might get too rowdy or noisy inside the cinema. So having a specific cinema that’s designed and caters to families—such as the Opus Mall Family Cinema, is a relief for most parents. The Opus Mall Family Cinema features child-friendly amenities—including huge, comfortable, and colorful couches, to ensure that everyone has a great time.
Jullie Fernandez won tickets for her family to enjoy the movie, The Wild Robot in the Opus Mall Family Cinema and praised the overall experience, saying, “As much as we love the film, the comfort of the Opus Mall Family Cinema further elevated the whole experience. We loved that our kids had a great time, and we were genuinely shocked by how spacious and comfortable the seats are.”
Opus Family Cinema is located at the top floor of Opus Mall, Quezon City
Pasyalan: Ayala Malls Manila Bay
More families are loving the Ayala Malls Manila Bay along Asean Avenue in Parañaque. Considered as the largest Ayala mall and the fifth largest mall in the country, it features two buildings and five floors. Aside from the regular mall fare of diverse restaurants, stores, and cinemas, Ayala Malls Manila Bay features a number of entertainment options that are perfect for kids and teens, including the Lakbay Museo, Fun City, Dream Lab, Craft Academy, Cheeky Monkeys, and Science Expedition among others.
Thea Masakayan Deputy Editorial Director of Summit Media and mom of one says, "Ayala Malls Manila Bay has become our go-to spot because it perfectly balances convenience and family-friendly fun. It’s easy to access from the South, has relatively ample parking, and never feels too crowded or overstimulating, which is ideal for my six-year-old. Above all, the abundance of kiddie activities keeps our visits exciting. My child particularly enjoys Science Xpedition and Craft Academy."
Ayala Malls Manila Bay is located at Parañaque.
Tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 + WiFi Kids Edition
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 + WiFi Kids Edition, P14,990
These days, it’s quite common for big kids to use tablets or laptops for school, and parents’ top choice is the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 + WiFi Kids Edition. It features an 11’” screen that lets kids stream and learn, a fast-charging and long-lasting battery, 128GB of storage memory with microSD support, with a colorful puffy cover for protection and Crayo-Pen stylus.
Summit Publishing publisher and mother of one Iza Santos shares, “It has built-in kiddie apps that my preschooler really loves, plus parental controls that let me manage his screen time as well as the content he can watch. The cute crayon touch pen, blue tablet stand and stickers also sealed the deal for my son.”
Buy from Shopee.
Tracking Device: Xiaomi Smart Kids Watch
Xiaomi Smart Kids Watch, P4,399
Here’s another one tech-savvy families love. The Xiaomi Smart Kids Watch promises peace of mind for parents in a small watch, thanks to its real-time location tracking, real-time high-quality video calling, easy voice and text messaging, and exercise or school/do not disturb modes.
Jessica Mendoza, Smart Parenting Village member, says it helps add another layer to her peace of mind because she is able to see if her child has arrived home or school even when they are apart. "I like that you can video call with your child and use voice messaging if they are too young to type. I don't need to give my child a mobile phone just to be able to reach her. Plus: I can set the watch to do not disturb when necessary."
Here's an important bonus: Xiaomi Smart Kids Watch does not grant system permissions to unauthorized third parties.
Printer: Brother Printers
Brother Printers, P8,680 to P13,270
I bought our Brother printer during the days of pandemic lockdown and online schooling. We used it to print worksheets for both kids, scan and print copies of important documents, and basically have not stopped using it since. What I like most about is its WiFi printing capability, allowing me to easily print anything from my mobile phone from anywhere at home. It’s also easy-to-use for even my middle-schooler.
Most models of Brother’s Ink Tank Printers that are recommended for home use feature scanning and WiFi capabilities, with some models having touchscreen controls. Ink is also economical and easily refillable.
Portable Handheld Fan: Goojodoq
Goojodoq, P448.20
If parents with school-aged kids are not worrying over mosquitoes, then they’re worrying about the extreme heat during the summer. The heat has become so relentless that a portable handheld fan is a must-have for kids and adults alike. Goojodoq’s lightweight, rechargeable fan is perfect for cooling on the go. Choose models with secure rotor blades for added safety.
Smart Parenting associate publisher, Bettina Santos swears by her Goojodoq fan, sharing, “As a natural pawisin person and a commuter, Goojoodoq really saves my life and prevents me from looking haggard and the battery life really does last!”
Ronna says her kids became fans—no pun intended—when they used their Goojodoq portable handheld fan to a trip to Singapore. "It kept Vera cool despite Singapore's notorious humidity. She used it so much during that trip, I hardly got to use it. We agree with the battery life, too! No need to charge every day if your use is just the average daily use."
Digital Content/YouTube Channel: Ms. Rachel
Dubbed as the “Beyonce for toddlers,” Ms. Rachel also gets the nod from Smart Parenting parents. With more than a billion views and 10+ million followers, Ms. Rachel has taught numerous kids animal sounds, nursery rhymes, and kid songs, earning the delight and gratitude of parents everywhere.
On Smart Parenting Village, parents can’t stop singing praises for the mom of one, whose real name is Rachel Griffin Accurso. “Yes yes to Teacher Rachel. Yung baby ko 1 year old ginagaya niya actions ni Teacher Rachel. She can say, ‘please,’ ‘Mommy Dede,’ Dada, Papa, Mama, Tata and labas. She can understand very well din po pag kinakausap ko," says one parent. “Yes to Miss Rachel!" says another mom. "My son learned how to clap and say Dada and Mama at an early age. We limit his screen time to just 30 mins max per day.”
How We Determined Smart Parenting's Products We Love For Kids Winners
To determine the winners of our Products We Love For Kids awards, we followed a thorough and collaborative process. We began by collecting nominations from trusted sources, including our editors, writers, contributors, and the Smart Parenting Village community. Each product was then assessed based on the following key factors: quality, value for money, innovation, and parent recommendations. Every product was then evaluated to have excelled in each category via votes from the Smart Parenting Village members, reviews and discussions by our editorial team, along with special consideration from relevant experts.
See last year’s winners here.
Discover the winners of the Smart Parenting Awards 2024 across various categories: Products We Love for Moms, Dads, Babies, Parents, Family, and Home.
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Produced by Em Cruz
Photographs by Paola Aseron-Dacanay
Styling by Reezy Ayson
Editor-in-Chief: Ronna Capili Bonifacio
Shoot assisted by Christina Peñaranda
Video producer: Cherrie Julian
Videographers: Jino Del Mundo, Rolando Pingco Jr.
Editor: Rolando Pingco Jr.
Art Director: Stephanie Ocampo
Social Media by Zen Arganda
Marketing Specialist: Marie Bilgera
Associate Publisher: Bettina Santos
Shot on location at the Le Pont Residences Showroom
Special thanks to Robinsons Land Corporation
