31 Things That Look Like Toys But Are Actually Useful Gadgets

We all want our lives to be easier. Between jobs and maintaining our homes and trying to have social lives, it all gets to be too much sometimes. We deserve a break from the crazy! Amazon is pretty much packed with products designed to remove stress from your life. And I am here to show you those products. I know, I’m pretty much like, your savior right now.

The products in this list will help you get stuff done all while looking super cute. They are basically the product versions of you. These are all functional products that just so happen to look like you could play with them. And why would you want anything else? There's a tape measure that looks like a pug, a multitool that looks like a crab, and something that will suck all the bad odor out of your fridge that resembles a screaming woman. What more could you want? Whether you’re cooking up dinner or trying to remember whose wine glass is whose, you should be able to do those with products that look super cool.

We hope you find these products as awesome as we do. Just an FYI: We are a participant in the Amazon affiliate program, and may receive a share of sales from links on this page. Prices on Amazon fluctuate so anything mentioned below might change as soon we publish it!
We hope you find these handy products as awesome as we do. Just an FYI: We participate in affiliate programs and may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

These Lobster Claw Pot Pinchers

via: Amazon

Let's be honest with each other. You have always wanted to know what it would be like to have lobster claws. I knew it! You are not alone. And now is your chance. These silicone lobster claws are not simply a super fun way to cosplay as a crustacean, however. They are also pot holders. They will protect your hands when you pick up hot pots and pans while cooking.

This Lotus Cotton Swab Holder

via: Amazon

This little cotton swab holder looks like an adorable lotus blossom. File this under Things You Don’t Actually Super Need But Really Want Anyway Because Loooook It’s So Cute! There are a surprising number of items filed under that title. It comes in a few colors, so there has got to be at least one that will fit right in with the decor in your bathroom.

These Beachy Wine Charms

via: Amazon

Speaking of lobsters... When you are having a small get-together, perhaps a ladies' night where wine is being poured and Cheryl is just going in on the gossip about the whole town, you need to have a method for telling whose wine glasses are whose. These magnetic wine charms make your glass distinguishable from the others, and they also give your party a fun, beachy vibe!

This Pug Tape Measure

via: Amazon

It's a tape measure! But it looks like a pug! You can measure the wall when you are about to hang a picture frame, and then you pet its widdle, adowable head! Pugs are pretty much the cutest dogs in the world. They have taken the Internet by storm with their smushed in faces and their little curly piggy tales. And now, not only are they cute, they are functional.

This Crab Multitool

via: Amazon

Is this a tiny cute crab? Or is it a useful multitool? NEWSFLASH: IT IS BOTH. It is super cute, but it is also a six-in-one tool. It comes with mini scissors, a bottle opener, a flat head screwdriver, a can opener, and a rope saw. Bring it with you at all times to entertain small children or, you know, to cut the rope with which you've been tied up and held hostage. Whatever you're up to, this crab tool can help you!

This Dinosaur Phone Stand

via: Amazon

Yes, it is a precious little dinosaur that your toddler would love to play with and maybe also chew on, but it is also a great phone stand for adults who like their accessories prehistoric. This little guy comes in all the colors of the rainbow — 21 of them! So there has got to be a cute little dinosaur that will go with your desk at work or at home.

This Cat Kitchen Timer

via: Amazon

Everyone knows that cats are known for their punctuality. OK, maybe that is not the case, but everyone does really know that cats are really cute. And so you need as many gadgets as possible that look these feisty felines. This kitchen timer lets you know when your food is ready! And there is practically no better function than that. So get yourself this little kitty!

These Woodland Creature Chip Clips

via: Amazon

You never think you need chip clips, and then there you are, trying for the fortieth time in a row to figure out the optimum way to roll the bag of pretzels closed so they don't uncurl and open by themselves in the cabinet. Long story short, you need chip clips. Optimally, you will own these chip clips, which look like adorable woodland creatures. It's just the best way to go. Believe me.

This Nessie Utensil Set

via: Amazon

The Loch Ness Monster is real, and she and her baby are about to arrive on your doorstep to make a home in your kitchen. Mama Nessie is a colander, which is perfect for straining veggies or berries, and Baby Nessie is a ladle, which could not be better for scooping soup and then swimming through it. I happen to like the purple, but these come in a few colors too!

These Mickey and Minnie Salt and Pepper Shakers

via: Amazon

If you know Disney fans, they are very serious about their Disney obsessions. And Mickey and Minnie Mouse are pretty much the king and queen of the Disney universe. Any Disney fan would love to have these classic portrayals of the world's greatest mouse couple on their salt and pepper shakers. This isn't modern Mickey and Minnie, but it isn't the creepy version from the early Disney days either.

These Fun Sandwich Cutters

via: Amazon

Maybe you have small children running around who can't stand sandwiches with the crust on them. Maybe you are a full-grown adult who thinks it is fun to eat your PB&J in the shape of a butterfly. Whoever you are, these fun sandwich shape cutters are perfect! You could even use them for cookies if you want! I think the puzzle piece cutter would work particularly well for sugar cookies.

These Animal Paw Gloves

via: Amazon

They could be cat paws or maybe bear paws. Whatever they are, they are also fingerless gloves that will keep you warm during those cold winter days. They're great for Halloween costumes but also for everyday life, and they come in eight different colors: gray, black, beige, brown, dark brown, pink, green, and khaki. Your fingers stay free so even if you're dressed up like a bear, you can still use your phone.

These Floppy Disk Coasters

via: Amazon

Ah, remember the good old days when we used floppy disks for purposes other than to prevent our drinks from ruining the table? Yeah, me too. Of course, these are not real floppy disks. They are silicone coasters designed to look like these obsolete objects of technology’s past. I remember back in the day we had a floppy disk full of Fisher Price computer games. There was a bowling one and then another one where I think the point of the game was to drive a bus around and pick people up. It was awesome.

This Lobster Flash Drive

via: Amazon

There are a few lobsters on this list, and you know what? I do not regret it one bit. This is a lobster that is also a flash drive, so you definitely have a use for it. It holds up to two gigs of stuff, but if lobsters look like sea bugs to you and you'd rather not carry one with you, there are so many other animal flash drives you can buy! A bear, a dolphin, a turtle, a chicken, a cow, an elephant, a penguin, and an owl.

This Baby Rattler Dumbbell

via: Amazon

OK, I suppose a baby rattle does actually qualify as a toy, but it is a toy for babies, so it is a really essential item for you, as it might allow you, the parent, a moment of rest. This baby rattle happens to look like a dumbbell, so it is extra appropriate if you are dressing your baby up like a bodybuilder for Halloween, which you should definitely do because that would be hilarious.

These Whale Bookends

via: Amazon

Oh gosh, I totally love these bookends! They are the perfect gift for someone with a rather large book collection and a healthy fascination for sea life, all things nautical, or Moby-Dick (even though that whale is white). The cute, rustic look of these bookends makes them totally trendy and perfect for your impressive bookshelf. Maybe the one on top of your mantle or something!

This Cat Tea Cup and Infuser

via: Amazon

You need more things in your life that looks like animals. (Good thing this list came along, huh?) This teacup comes with a top that looks like a cat and a fish in its belly that will infuse your favorite loose leaf blend for the best cup of tea you have had in a long time. It is heat resistant and will easily hold your hot beverage, and it all comes apart for easy cleaning.

This Star Trek Enterprise Pizza Cutter

via: Amazon

Wow, a pizza cutter shaped like the Star Trek Enterprise is actually a brilliant idea. So many pop culture spaceships have that big, circular center! They should do this for all of them. The Enterprise works particularly well, though, because it is still easy to hold. (The Millennium Falcon would be less so.) This thing’s got a stainless steel blade, so it is made to work. It’s not just a toy. It will really cut your pizza.

This Minnie Mouse Spoon Rest

via: Amazon

We have all cooked with a spatula, had to take a break from stirring the sauce, and set the spatula down right on our counter, which makes both the counter and the spoon completely dirty and disgusting. This is a spoon rest. A place specifically made for your spoon or your spatula to sit when you are not using it. Oh yeah, and it looks like Minnie Mouse.

This Baking Soda Fridge Odor Eater

via: Amazon

This ice queen might look like she is in distress, but it is really just because she is working so hard at keeping the odors out of your fridge! Simply fill Chilly-Mama with baking soda and stick her in your fridge and let her go to work. She will keep your fridge smelling fresh for months and she will get rid of gross odors, like the one coming from the rotten greens in the veggie drawer (we all have a bag of rotten greens in the fridge).

This Monkey Veggie Peeler

via: Amazon

This monkey peeler is described as "whimsical" in its product description, and I could not agree more. The blade is made of stainless steel, and it swivels to follow the curved surfaces of the fruits or veggies that you are peeling. It's as ergonomically shaped as a monkey can be, and it is bright orange and fun, so you can totally trick your kids into thinking it's a toy while they help you with dinner.

This Sheep Pushpin Holder

via: Amazon

Add a little funk (and a little farm) to your workspace with this little sheep that doubles as a pushpin holder! If you have a bulletin board at work, you need some pushpins! It's called "Stuck on Ewe," which is pretty clever and punny if you ask me. It includes 75 pushpins that all fit all over this heroic sheep and make it look like a wooly mess.

These Hedgehog Dryer Balls

via: Amazon

You deserve mighty soft laundry. You also deserve to have mighty soft laundry without putting in a lot of effort. You also deserve to have mighty soft laundry without using unnatural and chemical-filled dryer sheets. That means dryer balls are your best bet. And you deserve dryer balls that are adorable and look like hedgehogs. That is why you should buy these hedgehog dryer balls.

These Cat Butt Magnets

via: Amazon

Have fun with the magnets on your refrigerator! Having fun was why magnets were invented*. These fridge magnets look just like a variety of cat butts, which is super fun and funny! Why use a normal magnet when you can stick a cat behind on your grocery list? You can choose a black cat, a Siamese, a tabby...whichever goes with the feeling of your electric bill, you know? *Don’t quote me on that.

This Piggy USB Hub

via: Amazon

There are never enough USB ports when you need them. You have to charge your phone, your iPad, your portable fan, and countless other objects at the same time, but if they all use USB, you can never charge all of them at once. This little USB hub has three ports, and it looks like a mama pig with three little piglets (which are actually port covers). It even has a non-stick pad on the bottom so mama pig won't go anywhere.

This Cat Wine Stopper

via: Amazon

I do not want to generalize, but I would venture to say that most people who like wine are also fans of cats. Not saying anything more than that! I have just noticed a trend. And let me say that as the owner of a fun wine stopper, you (or a friend you are buying a gift for!) totally need one. It comes in handy more than you would think! This one looks like a cat who's stuck its head in the bottle, which is just like cats if I'm being honest.

This R2D2 Measuring Cup Set

via: Amazon

This is the droid you are looking for! Especially if you have a friend or family who loves to cook and is also a huge Star Wars fan! This is a set of measuring cups that stack up to look just like a mini R2-D2, and I think that is pretty cute. The arms are detachable nesting measuring spoons, too! This is pretty much a perfect product.

This Inflatable Drink Holder

via: Amazon

Party time! When you throw a pool party, you obviously want to make drinks available for people all over the party, including in the pool. That is where this inflatable rainbow cloud cooler comes in. Of course, where there are rainbows and clouds, there are drinks! This floating cooler will make all your pool party guests' dream come true. It may not be summer right now, but it's never too early to start dreaming.

These Flower Tea Infusers

via: Amazon

Maybe you are quite serious about your tea addiction, and you are into loose leaf teas. If that’s the case, you will need a mesh infuser to properly brew your perfect cups of tea. And this is a four-pack, so you can share tea time with your friends! Each one comes with a cute little tray that you can set the infuser on once your tea is done brewing.

These Car Air Fresheners

via: Amazon

These cute little air fresheners look way cooler than those pine trees that you hang from the rearview mirror, and they’re probably better for you too. Each comes with 5 refill air freshener pads, which last for around a month per. Once they’re exhausted, you can either replace them or just add a drop or two of your favorite essential oil to the pad for longer (and cheaper) air-freshened life.

These Sprout Bookmarks

via: Amazon

I love reading books, and having the right bookmark is more important than you realize. These little silicone sprout bookmarks are adorable and they are maybe the most useful bookmarks out there. You can fit them on the top of your book as pictured above, or you can put them right in the middle of the book, flanking the exact line you left off at.