toddlers

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly like and recommend. For more information about affiliates and your privacy, view our Terms & Conditions page here.

There’s something so sweet about classic children’s clothes. I grew up in the 80s and 90s in the South (Houston, Memphis and Asheville, to be exact — my family moved a lot!), and if my mother didn’t sew the clothes herself, she always made sure my two older brothers and I were dressed in classic children’s clothing, especially for special occasions!

Now, you might be asking…

What is classic children’s clothing, anyway, and why should I dress my kids this way?

Classic children’s clothing embodies the innocence of childhood while featuring a soft color palette, clean lines, high-quality fabric and simple designs. These timeless pieces can include smocked dresses, oxford shirts, sweaters, and elevated design elements like monograms, appliqués and embroidery.

When I started having children 5 years ago, my mom would mail me products, along with texting me photos and links to adorable classic children’s clothing. But, to be honest, I wasn’t quite sold yet. I thought the style looked “old-fashioned” and like an 80s grandma was dressing my children! But, then, when it came to dressing my children for special occasions, like their first Christmas, Easter or Baptism, I started thinking about those moments in my childhood and maintaining tradition felt important to me. I thought of the photos of those special moments that we’d look back on year after year, and it became clear to me why so many parents love classic children’s clothing. It never goes out of style and always looks cute and appropriate for their age and the occasion! On top of that, the quality of classic children’s clothing is typically very nice, so the items can be passed down to siblings or kept as heirlooms. Classic children’s clothing is more sustainable than fast fashion. Now, as my kids are getting older and not growing as fast, I love that they can wear some of the same pieces year after year without going out of style. Not only that, but I love that dressing my children in classic children’s clothes helps preserve this short-lived sweet time of their lives. They only have a few short years of childhood to wear these sweet clothes, and they have the rest of their lives to dress like adults.

What are the best classic children’s play clothes for summer?

This summer, we have some fun family vacations, events and activities coming up where I’m excited to dress my children in sweet outfits from Mud Pie, a female-founded and family-operated company that specializes in everyday classic children’s clothing, along with clothing for women, home decor and gifts. Mud Pie has so many cute classic children’s clothes options for baby through toddler for everything from playdates to special occasions.

My babies in their red, white and blue from Mud Pie

Best classic children’s clothes for July 4th holiday:

Nothing is more quintessential summer than Americana themed clothing, and I adore these toddler pieces from Mud Pie, below, featuring an American flag, USA colors and sailboats, along with smocked embroidery, applique details and comfy jersey fabric. These casual classic children’s clothing pieces make me want to take the family on a sailing excursion followed by a New England style clambake! These outfits are going to be perfect for our Memorial Day celebrations, annual July 4th pool party, and all the fun summer moments in between!

I’m the type of person who loves to wear Americana themed clothing all summer long, not just on holidays! Below are some more of my favorite USA themed outfits from Mud Pie for your kids to wear while having fun in the sun!

I’m in love with the bow straps on this sailboat dress!

Nothing is more American than denim!

The details of this red and blue seersucker swimsuit are perfection!

How cute would a little baby girl be in this classic seersucker swimsuit with ruffles?!

Best classic children’s play clothes to wear to camps and country clubs:

Our kids are just now getting old enough to participate in summer camps, and I’m so excited that they’ve taken interest in hobbies at our country club (just like their parents!), where they’ll be doing their first golf and tennis camps! Mud Pie’s tennis and golf prints are perfect for your little sports enthusiasts’ upcoming camps or any playtime this summer.

Ready to play in her Toddler Tennis Dress

I’m a big tennis fan, and my daughter adores being like mommy, so we’re both loving this adorable tennis print that comes in a dress for toddlers, as well as a baby longall, sunsuit and sleeper. Check out all the cute tennis outfits from Mud Pie, below!

Lucy is wearing a size 4-5T, which is a smidge large for her at the moment, but I’m excited for her to wear it for multiple summers!

Your kiddo can dream of tennis in these adorable pajamas!

How cute is this sunsuit?! Makes me want to have another baby girl!!

Seersucker is so classic and perfect for summer!

A cute tennis themed romper for the boys!

My 5-year-old son is doing his first golf camp this summer and he’s so excited to be on the course like his golf-loving dad. Whether your child is on the greens or not, the whole family will love Mud Pie’s precious golf themed outfits for kids – everything from a short set, t-shirt set, t-shirt jersey dress, bodysuit, sleeper set and swimsuit. Below are some of my personal favorite Mud Pie outfits for your kids to wear around the pro shop this summer!

This golf cart crochet detail is to die for! Wish my son was still little enough to wear this!

Shoes can be just for fun!

At the beginning of this post, I shared about an important characteristic of classic children’s clothing is that it’s timeless, so it can be passed down for generations without going out of style. One way for your children to easily express themselves or have fun wearing something trendy is with shoes and accessories! My kids are obsessed with Mud Pie’s Light Up Toddler Sandals!

I know we’re going to have so much fun wearing them this summer! Can’t wait for them to make memories watching fireworks while their sandals light up the night!

Toddler Light Up Sandals in Navy American Flag (Also comes in Blue Shark!)

Toddler Light Up Sandals, Teal Mermaid (Also Comes in Pink Turtle!)

Let me know which of these Mud Pie summer outfits you’d like to see your little one wearing! What other children’s clothing brands do you like? Let me know in the comments below, and be sure to follow me on Instagram and TikTok for more fun family-friendly products and ideas!

XO Maggie

If you have a little one starting preschool soon, you may be nervous about how they’ll handle the transition. To help prepare your toddler for their first day of preschool, I recommend reading children’s books with them that give a fun and comforting look into what their time at school will be like.

Personally, I was a worried wreck about my firstborn starting school when he was 2 years old. He was pandemic toddler who had been stuck at home with mommy for several months prior to his first day of school. I was nervous that he’d miss me, not like his teacher, or have a hard time getting along with other toddlers. I was pregnant and without childcare or family nearby, and I knew that I’d need help caring for and stimulating our toddler when the baby was born. Preschool was the best option for us at that time, but it didn’t stop my motherly worries.

A couple months before his first day of school, I starting reading these children’s books, listed below, to my son about going to preschool hoping it would make the transition easier. After reading together, we’d chat about what he thought preschool would be like. To my satisfaction, he started getting really excited for preschool! I involved him in the process of picking out his lunchbox and backpack. We would drive by the school and talk about what we thought the kids and teachers were doing. We circled the first day of school on the family calendar on our fridge and talked about it every day… “Four more days until the first day of school!”

I’m delighted to report that my son’s first day of preschool was a success! There were no tears, and he actually waved goodbye to me like he was glad I was leaving! The second week of preschool was when we started having some struggles saying goodbye. I think he realized that preschool was his new normal and maybe was concerned about how often he’d be away from mom. But, he only whimpered a little bit, never sobbed, and his teacher told me that once he got inside and started playing with his friends that he never asked about mommy again. I was so proud of us for making this transition together, but it also felt bittersweet. My baby was growing and didn’t need mommy all the time!

Help your little one prepare for preschool with our favorite picture books, below.

A few of our favorite picture books about starting preschool

4 Best Books to Prepare Your Child For Preschool:

Preschool Day Hooray!, by Linda Leopold Strauss

Of all the books listed here, Preschool Day Hooray! was my son’s favorite book when we were preparing for preschool. The story positively shares a typical day in preschool from drop-off to pick-up with fun, upbeat rhymes. The children in the book do story time, dance, make arts & crafts, play outside, and even see what it’s like when someone gets an ouchie. Our favorite part was the end of the book when mommy comes back!

2. The 12 Days of Preschool, by Jenna Lettice

The 12 Days of Preschool is a fun book to read (or sing!) because it goes along to the same tune as “The 12 Days of Christmas” song. The book counts all the fun experiences children get to do at preschool in their classroom and outside, like sharing toy trains, riding tricycles, story time, and nap time. The colorful and busy pictures are fun for children to browse, and our book even came with stickers!

3. Our Class is a Family, by Shannon Olsen

I wanted our son to know that he would be safe and loved at school just like he is at home, and Our Class is a Family is a great book for sharing this concept. The book explains that school is kids’ home away from home where they are respected and accepted just the way they are. The book encourages children to build a community and strengthen friendships at their school. I loved this book for preschool prep, because it helped our toddler not feel intimidated by the new teachers and students he’d be spending his days with.

4. The Kissing Hand, by Audrey Penn

This book, The Kissing Hand, is wonderful for families dealing with separation anxiety. The story follows a child raccoon, Chester, who is nervous about his first day of school. His mother raccoon shares a sweet family secret that helps calm his fears and gives him the confidence to be away from home. This book is filled with empathy and compassion for little ones worried about being away from mommy and daddy. You can use it for more than preschool – day care, camp, overnights with grandma, etc. !

What favorite picture books have you read with your child to help with the transition to preschool? Please share your recommendations with me in the comments below! I’d also love to connect with you on Instagram and TikTok!

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly love. For more information about affiliates and your privacy, view our Terms & Conditions page here.

Maggie Jackson

TV Host & Content Creator

Best Classic Children’s Play Clothes for Summer

Best Books to Prepare Your Child for Preschool