Charmspring Curated: Fall Favorites for Thoughtful Routines

With a new season ahead, it can feel overwhelming to figure out what to buy, what to skip, and what will actually make a difference in your family's day-to-day. As child development experts and moms to five kids under seven, we pulled together our favorite finds to support the rhythm of your family’s routine—no endless scrolling, no sponsored noise, just thoughtful picks we genuinely use and love.

For the Littlest Littles

Even if your baby isn’t heading off to school, fall can still bring new beginnings like first classes, shifting routines, and big developmental leaps. One of our favorite anchors for a baby’s daily rhythm is the diaper change.

These may seem like quick, forgettable moments, but diaper changes are rich with opportunities for connection, regulation, and early language development.

Our favorite diaper pick: Coterie

Coterie is our go-to diaper for its exceptional softness, performance, and ability to turn an everyday moment into one that feels thoughtful and connected.

3 simple routines to build around diaper changes:

• Make eye contact and narrate what you're doing to help your baby feel safe and engaged

• Let your baby hold a familiar object or toy to engage their senses while you change them

• Practice simple signs like “diaper” or “all done” to support early communication

For Quiet Time

As the school year begins, children are adjusting to so much newness. Routines, environments, expectations, and emotions can all feel big. Amid all the activity, quiet time becomes essential. It gives kids space to regulate, rest, and process everything they are learning and experiencing.

One of our favorite tools for quiet time: Toniebox

This screen-free storyteller encourages independent play and imagination while offering a calming break in the day. The Toniebox makes quiet time something children look forward to.

3 simple routines to support quiet time:

• Set a consistent start cue like dimming the lights, choosing a favorite Tonie, or playing soft music

• Offer a quiet time basket with calming materials like books, stuffed animals, or sensory toys

• Reconnect with a gentle check-in after to ask how your child feels or what they listened to

For Playtime Moments

Play is how children learn, explore, and process the world around them. During the back-to-school season, playtime becomes an essential way children make sense of new experiences.

Our favorite playtime pick: Lovevery

Their thoughtfully designed play kits deliver exactly what your child needs at each stage. They support development while keeping play purposeful and fun.

3 simple routines to support playtime:

• Start with a "yes space" where your child has safe, open access to a few well-chosen toys

• Place toys at your child’s height so they can choose materials independently and build confidence

• Narrate your child’s play to support early language development and strengthen connection

For Packing the Backpack

Getting everything into and out of the backpack can be one of the trickiest parts of the morning and afternoon routine. But it's also a moment that builds independence and organizational skills. 

Our favorite backpack pick: STATE

Beautifully designed and perfectly sized for little ones, STATE backpacks are a favorite for both form and function. They also give back with every purchase, making them a meaningful choice for families.

3 simple routines to build around packing (and unpacking) the backpack:

• Use packing as a daily connection point by chatting about what’s in their backpack and what they’re looking forward to

• Encourage a “last check” moment at the door to build habits around remembering important items like water bottles or folders

• Practice zipping and unzipping together so younger kids build confidence with fine motor skills

For Mealtime

In the midst of back-to-school chaos, mealtime can quickly become another source of stress. But it is also one of the best chances to slow down, connect, and nourish your child’s body and mind.

Our favorite mealtime pick: Little Spoon

From smoothies to meals to snacks, Little Spoon delivers nutritious, ready-to-serve options that take one thing off your plate. It is food you can feel good about, especially on the busiest days.

3 simple routines to support mealtime:

• Involve your child in one small part of mealtime, like choosing a spoon or setting a napkin, to build independence

• Keep a consistent mealtime rhythm, like eating in the same spot at the same time each day, to create predictability

• Share a family ritual, like a moment of gratitude or a silly question, to build connection while you eat

For Putting on PJs (and ending the day with ease!)

Ending the day peacefully can set the tone for the day ahead. A smooth, connected bedtime routine helps children wind down, feel safe, and sleep more soundly.

Our favorite pajama pick: Petite Plume

Soft, timeless, and beautifully made, Petite Plume pajamas turn bedtime into something to look forward to. They bring a little extra comfort and calm to one of the most important transitions of the day.

3 simple routines to support bedtime:

• Let your child choose between two pairs of pajamas to offer a sense of control and comfort

• End the day with a gentle moment of connection, like naming something you each enjoyed that day

• Do a short body scan together by inviting your child to gently wiggle their toes, legs, arms, and fingers to release energy and settle into stillness before sleep.