As a mom, you know that pesky feeling of never being able to get your hands on what you need, exactly when you need it: a fresh wipe when your baby’s hands are covered with sand, a tissue when your toddler has burst into her latest crying fit…How refreshing it is to be able to tuck a Carabean into your bag and feel you can take on the challenges-with-child du jour. These clips will save the day when the sun is in your baby’s eyes (attach a blanket over her stroller, and you’ll got instant shade). Or when her favorite toy always seems to land on the car floor just when the light turns green (affix Teddy Bear to her car seat and voila!). The uses for this clever, why-didn’t-I-think-of-that gadget are so plentiful, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. The latest incarnation of the Carabean is Tent in a Bag, a handy tote that contains 4 clamps and a printed blanket that can become a makeshift fort when you’re at the park or stuck in a hotel room with the kids. Or on a rainy day like today here in the Northeast, this inventive product can be a godsend.

In a Nutshell: Motherhood can be messy. Cut yourself a little slack and stock up on some of these clips for whatever kid crisis comes your way. They make great baby shower gift toppers, or for bigger kids, the perfect anecdote to a dreary day.

Tags: blanket clip, kid tent, rainy day boredom buster, stroller clip