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Here at theSkimm, we write a lot about products and services that make adulting easier. But what about delighting your inner child? We dug around the internet and our own personal archives to find 19 inexpensive treasures that will make your life a little more whimsical.
An editor-loved desk lamp…
This duck lamp has been circulating around our team’s group chat for years. It’s dimmable, squishy, and the perfect desk companion for when the 3 pm slump comes around. For cozier vibes, check out this smiling campfire light.
A puzzle so gorgeous, you’ll want to frame it…
This Piecework puzzle is made with high-quality materials that won’t discolor or bend easily. The “Pajama Party” design brings us right back to the Friday night sleepovers from our youth. Pro tip: Invest in a rotating puzzle platform with drawers to keep all your pieces organized.
Stress balls made with memory gel…
Being an adult can be…stressful. To help, we turn to Speks for their stress-relieving products that are also a joy to fiddle with. These memory gel Gump balls can be squeezed, pulled, poked, and prodded to your inner child heart’s content.
A ceramic flower vase that isn’t basic…
This stacked olives vase will take your at-home happy hour up a notch or two. If you’re someone who considers a dirty martini part of your personality, add this to cart immediately.
A lunchbox that’s boardroom-approved…
We’re not sure when carrying a lunchbox as an adult became “cringe,” but we’re here to remind you that bringing food from home (while also saving a few bucks) is both practical and chic. This one from Calpak is both insulated and water-resistant, and looks more like a small tote than a lunchbox.
Literally anything Lisa Frank, including this pillow case…
Some of us were Team Barbie, some, Team Polly Pocket. But it’s safe to say we were all Team Lisa Frank at one point or another. This collab with Kitsch is the stuff of our self-caring millennial dreams. Literally.
A croissant plushie we’d proudly display…
Jellycat is a favorite amongst our shopping editors and the fun food-inspired plushies are at the top of our list. Personally, we recommend this adorable croissant with legs, but if you’re looking for something even more niche, check out this bagel sandwich, this farfalle pasta, or basically anything from their Amuseables line.
A journal that’s meant to be destroyed…
If you’re a perfectionist, you need this book. If you’re a creative looking for inspiration, you need this book. If you’re bored out of your mind and are looking for low-effort activity, you need this book. Its pages are filled with simple prompts that include (but are not limited to) “break this book’s spine,” “use this page as a napkin for dinner,” and “pour, spill, drip, or fling different colored drinks on this page.” The ultimate catharsis.
Sticky notes that make our hearts sing…
The original sticky note was invented in 1974 as a way to bookmark a page in a church hymnal. Nearly 50 years later, sticky notes have become our love notes, grocery lists, filing systems, and our fleeting thoughts. So why not make them colorful, bright, and cheery? This Papier set has 330 sticky notes of varying colors, shapes, and sizes. They also have adhesive on more than one side so they won’t curl upward.
A wine tumbler with personality…
Portable vessels for our silly little beverages can cost over $100, but this $10-ish option is just as good — and the prints are absolutely delightful. It’s double-insulated to keep your drink cold, and comes with a sturdy metal straw.
A pair of slippers you won’t want to take off…
Your home is your safe space, which is why you deserve house shoes that are just as comforting. These knit slippers from Verloop are soft and grippy, so you can clomp around your home with gusto.
A Bluetooth-enabled label maker…
You don’t need to be a student to take yourself back-to-school shopping. We actually encourage it, starting with this label maker. It connects to your phone via an app where you can design with the help of over 750 templates, icons, and borders. You can also print barcodes and QR codes. Plus, it’s under $25.
A set of gel pens with a cult following…
The perfect gel pens is a personal choice, but with over 40,000 five-star ratings, this colorful set is a crowd-pleaser. As a bonus, they’re also eraseable. They’ll last a while, but in case you run out of ink, you can order ink refills at half the price.
An art kit we all know and love…
Nothing gets our creative juices flowing like a brand new set of art supplies. This nostalgic set has 162 pieces and is under $70. Whether you paint, sketch, color, or have yet to explore your artistic side, this portable set is an easy add-to-cart item.
A minis set with our favorite scents from high school…
As if minis weren’t mood-boosting enough, this fragrance set brings back five of our favorite Bath & Body Works scents from our beloved mall days. Standouts include Champagne Toast and Japanese Cherry Blossom.
A shirt that’s pure nostalgia…
If we’re going to celebrate our inner child, we might as well be unapologetic about it. This roomy tee comes in 10 colors and makes a great gift.
A card game for a night in with friends…
Conversation cards are great, but“Incoherent is purely for laughs. To play, you’ll sound out the gibberish printed on each card in the hopes your partner will guess its hidden message. PS: This one is for ages 17+, but they also have a family-friendly version.
Emotional support fries that won’t go bad…
We didn’t know we needed these plush fries until we saw them. Now, they’re all we can think about. And if you think these are cute, you’ll love these emotional support dino nuggies.
Glitter freckles for when you’re feeling festive…
We love Fazit's glitter faux freckles for game days, themed parties, or simply when we’re feeling a little extra. They’re an easy way to elevate any makeup look, not to mention your mood. They last up to 72 hours and come off easily with makeup wipes or micellar water.