The October Prime Day deals parents are actually waiting for

Our team at Business Insider covers Prime Day deals each year in the summer and fall by tracking discounts on tested products from our buying guides and reviews. But beyond our own product recommendations, we also ask colleagues, friends, and family what they plan to buy. Consider it our version of consumer research.

Who better to ask than parents, who are experienced at managing household budgets and making practical purchases?

After chatting with several people, the biggest trend I saw was parents investing in items that would reduce screen time, encourage creative play, or lead to more outdoor activities. One standout is the Yoto Mini, a clever audio player with no screen that two moms have on their list for car time entertainment. Some said they were waiting to check deals on the basics (like snacks), but most seem keen on finding ways to keep their kids away from the iPad.

While we don't know which of these items will actually be on sale, these are the products parents are waiting for October Prime Day to buy.

A knee-saving bath mat

The PandaEar Non-Slip Kneeling Mat (current price: $18.95)

"As an expecting parent, my cart is full of postpartum essentials I'm waiting to buy on sale during Prime Day (that is, if I get lucky with deal prices). One of the things I'm hoping goes on sale is this kneeling mat for bath time. Even though it's not expensive, when you have a hundred things to buy at a time, it adds up. We have sliding glass doors on our tub instead of a shower curtain, so we're also looking for a clever elbow rest solution — but in the meantime, if we can make kneeling on the floor any more comfortable, we'll take it!" — Sally Kaplan, executive editor, BI

Yoto Player for screen-free entertainment

The Yoto Player (current price: $109) and the Yoto Player Mini (Current price: $79.99)

"My three kids, all under the age of 9, don't have iPads and don't even know how to unlock my phone. We are very much a no-screen family, unless we are watching a movie together. We also love taking road trips and have relied on kids' podcasts and Peppa Pig stories to help keep our kids entertained while on the road.

That said, they are all growing and having different interests, and agreeing on what to listen to is becoming harder and harder.

That's why I want to get all three their own Yoto Player. That way, we can still travel without screens, but everyone has the independence to choose a story, song, or podcast to listen to. I'm also throwing in headphones for each so our car doesn't turn into a cacophony of competing stories.

I really like that the Yoto cards don't have any ads, which is the one complaint I have about listening to kids' podcasts. I always try to skip ahead, but then get whining when I accidentally skip five seconds from the story they are listening to.

Yoto has over 1,000 cards to choose from, and they are small enough that we can bring the player plus several cards on not only road trips, but also planes." —Conz Preti, deputy editor, BI.

Freelance writer Hawys Boobier also has a Yoto on her Prime Day wish list.

"My 5-year-old is a real bookworm and goes to sleep every night listening to her Yoto Player. I really want to get her the mini version so that we can stop lugging the big box around when we travel.

She also gets very car sick, so non-screen-based entertainment for long journeys is always a winner." — Hawys Boobier, freelance writer.

Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen for sensitive skin

Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen (current price: $14.94)

"I'm restocking my go-to baby SPF: Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen. Not only is it sensitive-skin-friendly with a clean formula that's safe for little ones, but it's reef-conscious, too. Hello, scrapbook-worthy summer memories with my little family, snacks and sun protection included." — Olivia Rose Rushing, freelance style and beauty writer.

Kodak PIXPRO FZ55 for encouraging photography without phones

Kodak PIX PRO FZ55 (current price: $129.99)

"I'm on the hunt for an inexpensive digital camera to hand over to my kids this summer. At 6 and 8, they've outgrown the bulky, plastic-encased shooter I bought when my oldest was 4, and I don't love handing over my iPhone every time they want to film a video or stage a photo shoot.

Friends of ours have the Camp Snap and love it, but the elder millennial in me craves the gratification of seeing an image right after it's taken, and I seem to have passed that need along to my offspring.

I've narrowed down my search to the budget-friendly Kodak PIXPRO FZ55. It's not flashy, but it has a nice screen, the user interface seems easy enough for my kids to navigate, and it should be compact enough for them to carry around without complaining. The camera has more than 7,500 reviews on Amazon, and 80% of them are 5 stars as of the time this story was written.

I'm hoping that being able to play around a bit with the zoom and lighting functions will help my kids elevate their budding photography skills and give them new ways to beat summertime boredom." — Jennifer Beck Goldblatt, senior editor, Health + Parenting

The Chicco FastLock Go for portable seating

Chicco FastLock Go (current price: $79.99)

I'm waiting for Prime Day to buy this Chicco hook-on high chair seat for my best friend's almost-14-month-old, who is at our house for meals at least once or twice a week. Another of our good friends is a nanny, and she recommended it wholeheartedly — especially for traveling and restaurants. She keeps one in her car in case there are no high-chairs available. She showed us how it works, and assuaged our collective concern about whether it would be secure enough, especially on a counter-height kitchen island.

I ultimately chose this model because the seat itself is machine washable, and it comes with a tray for easier cleanup. There's a slightly less expensive version that comes without the tray, but that opens us up to the risk of flying plates, so tray it is! It also holds kids up to 37 lbs, so we should be able to use it for a long time (I'm also 19 weeks pregnant, so I know it will come in handy for us in the future). — Sally Kaplan, executive editor, BI

Huggies Natural Care Baby Wipes and Honest Company Diapers

Huggies Natural Care Baby Wipes (current price: $42.97)and Honest Company Diapers (current price: $49.49)

"We go through wipes at an alarming rate between diaper changes, post-meal cleanups, and the miscellaneous messes of a 13-month-old. I like buying wipes in bulk so that I'm rarely surprised when we're running low, and Huggies Natural Care Baby Wipes seem to be the most cost-effective without sacrificing quality, size, or feel. We also love Honest Company Diapers. They're a little on the pricier side, but we like them for their fit, effectiveness, and, honestly, the leopard print is so cute. They keep my son dry, they don't leak, and since they aren't overly padded, he can move freely."— Elle Hoffman-Shayowitz, customer success team manager.

JLab Go Sport+ Earbuds for sports and everyday listening

JLab Go Sport+ Earbuds (current price: $31.99)

"What I am excited about buying for my moody, music-loving teen is a pair of JLab Go Sport+ earbuds. They're inexpensive, which is key for an ADHD kid who loses everything that's not glued to him. I also love that the charging cord is built into the case, giving us one less thing to lose in the chaos pit of his bedroom.

He already has a different model from JLab, but complains that they fall out of his ears all the time, so I think the ear hooks will solve this problem, too. And now, even if he changes his mind about his favorite artist five times before the summer is over, I won't regret my purchase." — Sabrina Rojas Weiss, freelance writer.

JOYIN Recycling Truck Toy for truck-obsessed toddlers

JOYIN Recycling Truck Toy (current price: $36.99)

"We were at a friend's place recently, and my transport-loving 1-year-old was glued to this recycling truck toy, so I'll be keeping an eye out for a Prime Day discount. It comes complete with trash cans, it beeps and lights up, and it can even move on its own.

Hopefully, in due course, it will even teach him about the environment, so it's kind of educational, too. Anything that buys hours of fun for him and relative peace for me is welcome in our house." — Hawys Boobier, freelance writer.

Little Spoon Kale Apple Meltable Baby Puffs for snacks on the go

Little Spoon Kale Apple Meltable Baby Puffs (current price: $19.96, 4-pack)

"Summertime with a toddler means getting out of the house and going on adventures as much as possible — and every parent knows that packing snacks is a total must. This Prime Day, I plan on stocking up on some easy-to-grab Little Spoon essentials, like the Kale Apple Meltable Baby Puffs. They're not only yummy and fun for little ones, but made with whole ingredients." — Olivia Rose Rushing, freelance style and beauty writer.

Podoru MagSafe Battery Pack for keeping devices charged while traveling

Podoru MagSafe Battery Pack (current price: $29.99)

"We're taking our son on a family trip to Italy soon, and I want to make sure we keep all of our devices charged while traveling. We don't normally allow him much screen time, but an eight-hour flight is an all-bets-are-off situation. I like that this charger has MagSafe functionality for mine and my husband's phones, plus built-in USB-C cables that we can use for my son's tablet and headphones. Not having to worry about misplacing charging cables is a huge plus."— Elle Hoffman-Shayowitz, customer success team manager.

DoubleFill Wicker Insulated Picnic Basket for family outings

DoubleFill Wicker Insulated Picnic Basket (current price: $52.99)

"Last Prime Day, I added an insulated, retro wicker picnic basket to my cart. It fits everything and keeps my daughter's treats cool for hours on end. It's also something so many moms have complimented me on when we're out and about, making it a tried-and-tested must in my eyes." — Olivia Rose Rushing, freelance style and beauty writer.

Eufy Robot Vacuum and Mop for easy cleanup

Eufy Robot Vacuum and Mop (current price: $499.98)

"I've been desperate for a robot vacuum for a while, and this one from Eufy, which is also a mop, gets rave reviews. As a mom of two young kids, I feel like I spend my whole time cleaning, so the prospect of coming down to a sparkling floor in the morning with minimal effort is just too tempting." — Hawys Boobier, freelance writer.

Graco EasyTurn 360 2-in-1 Rotating Convertible Car Seat for less back pain

Graco EasyTurn 360 2-in-1 Rotating Convertible Car Seat (current price: 349.99)

"Our 13-month-old is a bit small for his age, so we've been able to get some extra time out of his infant car seat. Now, it's about time to transition to a toddler seat. We're eyeing the Graco EasyTurn 360 2-in-1 Rotating Convertible Car Seat. The rotating seat will make it easier to get our son in and out of the car, and the slim design is also great because we drive a Jetta and space is at a premium." — Elle Hoffman-Shayowitz, customer success team manager.

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