PLUS: Unheard-of headphone prices, steals on vacuums, and a superfun retro watch under $300.
Some parenting chores you gotta hold your nose for—literally, like emptying a Munchkin diaper pail. But other dad jobs™ unlock what feels like an uncharted dimension of joy. Bedtime Song is the latter. It is the best moment of my day. When my 17-month-old sees the guitar come out and hears the opening lines to his favorite songs, he lights up. I’ve been known to soothe him out of an overtired tantrum by launching into “Wheels on the Bus.” And when the song is over, he claps! For me! He’s the best audience I’ve ever had, and I used to be a cover band drummer.
Bedtime Song changes daily, but usually it’s a lot of John Prine, Lucinda Williams, “Teenage Dirtbag,” and “I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon” by Ernie from Sesame Street. Before Everett was born, I diligently learned the chords to dozens of indie rock and country classics that could become de facto lullabies. Certainly, it’d help the kid absorb good taste and ensure his parents never have to hear “Baby Shark”—that’s how it works, right? The jury’s out on that, but I’m proud to report he now wants to strum with me and twist all the tuning pegs until the guitar falls apart. So I’ve been browsing early Black Friday sales for kids’ instruments ahead of the holiday season.
The WIRED team loves the Loog line of three-string guitars and amps (up to 40% off this month). “It’s an actually nice instrument for the price, and very easy to play—easier than a cheap guitar no matter what size your hands are,” says Michael Calore, our tech director by day and musician by night. And where else could you find a Gibson SG this tiny?
The Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube has also been a hit for most of my kid’s life. As Everett’s brain develops, he’s found new ways to play with it: arranging a flute-and-violin duet, for instance, or hurling the whole thing at our dog.
Other early sales that make parenting chores feel like, well, less of a chore:
- Caraway Cookware Set, 34% off. A ceramic nonstick fry pan makes morning eggs a breeze. I’ve had the same ceramic pans for five years and they work like new, as long as I keep the burner on low.
- Weird smells, unknown source? Blueair, my favorite all-around air purifier brand, is up to 35% off. Get these for small rooms; get this one for large rooms.
- If you don’t have a dog to pick up crumbs, you could probably use a dependable robot vacuum. We gladly endorse Roborock, which has solid sales going on (try this and this).
- And for your car, try the Black & Decker Dustbuster Flex, which is $40 off.
- Kyte Baby (face it, you probably need more sleep sacks and joggers) offers $30 off any order of $60+.
- A smart bird feeder can make for great family bonding.
- Baggu’s reusable bags are undefeated, says fellow toddler dad Harry Rabinowitz.
- You deserve a little comfort too. Brooklinen makes some of our favorite sheet sets, and these are 40% off.
- Have a coffee on us. Consider an espresso machine our reviewer called a “steampunk gasworks of a thing” (15% off), save $15 on a simple semiautomatic we like, or splurge on our top pick: the best-looking, best-designed, best-all-around Diletta Mio, which is not on sale but looks freaking beautiful. Also, the tried-and-true Breville Barista Express is $29 off.
- Or just fill this beaut with booze.
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COOPER FLEISHMAN
Commerce Director
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All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. Learn more.
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