Beyond the High Chair — 10 Creative Ways to Use Your Baby Smock
Introduction: The Most Underrated Baby Item You’ll Use Every Day
When most parents buy a baby smock, they’re thinking about one thing—mealtime mess. But a high-quality, waterproof baby smock is so much more than a bib. It’s a multi-use tool that helps keep your baby clean, dry, and free to explore their world without restriction.
In this article, we’ll explore 10 creative, real-life ways parents are using the Sommerfugl Kids long sleeve baby smock beyond the high chair. From sensory play to gardening, the humble smock just might be the hardest-working item in your baby’s wardrobe.
1. Baby Art Smock for Creative Play
Finger painting, watercolours, and stamps are a toddler’s dream—but a parent’s laundry nightmare. Instead of changing outfits (or worse, giving up on painting altogether), throw on a baby art smock.
- Protects sleeves, shoulders, and clothing
- Elastic cuffs keep paint from sneaking up arms
- Wipes clean or goes in the wash after each art session
Many parents keep a dedicated smock in their art supply cupboard for spontaneous craft moments.
2. Baking Time with Baby or Toddler
Toddlers love to help in the kitchen—mixing, pouring, sprinkling (and usually spilling). Our long sleeve baby smocks double as mini aprons for baking adventures.
- Keeps flour and icing sugar off clothes
- Easy to rinse sticky hands directly on the smock
- Fabric stays breathable, even in a warm kitchen
Pair with a toddler-safe spoon and mixing bowl, and you’ve got a morning activity that’s fun, educational, and delicious.
3. Sensory Bins and Messy Play
Slime, sand —whatever the sensory bin activity, it’s going to get messy. That’s the point. The solution? A waterproof baby smock.
- Keeps arms, chest, and lap dry during play
- Fabric shakes off dry materials like rice or lentils
- Lets kids fully engage with the texture and feel of the activity without parents stressing about clothes
- Perfect for playgroups, daycare, or home activity trays.
4. Gardening with Your Toddler
Letting your child water plants, dig in soil, or harvest veggies is a wonderful way to connect with nature. But most baby clothes aren’t made for mud.
A baby smock is a lightweight, washable solution for mini gardeners.
Protects against dirt and grass stains
Flexible fit allows bending, squatting, and digging
Simply hose off after outdoor play
Plus, kids feel more involved when they have their own “work outfit”—even if it’s covered in strawberries or dinosaurs.
5. Daycare and Kinder Drop-Offs
Some daycare centres ask parents to provide a smock for messy play or painting sessions. A Sommerfugl Kids baby smock is the ideal choice:
- Rolls up small in a daycare bag
- Durable enough for daily use
- Machine washable and quick drying
- Available in a range of neutral and playful prints to suit every little personality
Choose a smock with your child’s name on the tag and you’ve got a go-to daycare essential.
6. Travel and On-the-Go Snacking
Ever tried feeding your baby yoghurt in a car seat? It doesn’t end well.
A compact baby smock is your best friend for:
- Plane or train snacks
- Road trip lunches
- Restaurant meals
- Park picnics
It keeps mess contained when you don’t have a change of clothes nearby. Parents often keep a spare smock in the nappy bag for exactly these occasions.
7. Water Play and Backyard Splash Time
During warmer months, many babies spend time playing with buckets of water, hose sprays, or paddling pools. While swimsuits are great for full immersion, a baby smock is ideal for:
- Drip-free water painting
- Water table play
- Backyard tea parties or car washes
Our waterproof smocks dry quickly, don’t weigh babies down, and are easier to get on and off than full bathers or rashies.
8. Eating On-the-Go (Prams and High Chairs)
If your baby eats in different places—grandparents’ houses, parks, shopping centres, cafes—your smock needs to travel too.
- Snap buttons or Velcro mean easy on/off
- Protects outfits under coats or jackets
- Lightweight and easy to stash in a nappy bag or under the pram
- Great for minimising outfit changes when you're not near home
Instead of taking multiple outfits on outings, bring one smock. Easy.
9. Craft Days and DIY Projects
Older toddlers and preschoolers love to help with real “grown-up” projects—whether it’s painting furniture, making Christmas decorations, or gluing cardboard boxes into spaceships.
- A smock for toddler craft activities:
- Allows full movement for cutting, sticking, or kneeling
- Prevents glue, paint, and scissors from damaging clothes
- Makes clean-up less daunting, so you’re more likely to say “yes” to these bonding activities
Having a dedicated “work smock” helps signal it’s time to get creative.
10. First Birthday Cake Smash Photoshoots
Planning a cake smash? A baby smock might not be part of the outfit, but it should be part of the behind-the-scenes kit.
Use it before or after the shoot for snacks or cleanup
Pop it on during setup to keep the main outfit clean
Wipe away icing and frosting mess after photos are done
Many parents also use smocks to cover their own clothes while handling a frosting-covered baby.
Why Sommerfugl Kids Smocks Work for All of This
Every smock in our collection is:
- Waterproof
- Lightweight and breathable
- Quick-drying
- Machine washable
- Elastic-cuffed for full arm protection
- Beautifully designed with playful, gender-neutral prints
Plus, they’re made to grow with your child, from 6 months to 2+ years, so you’ll get months (and often years) of use.
Top Picks by Use Case
Most versatile for all-day use:
-
Cream Aussie Tails
- Bubble Blue
- Buffalo Bounce
- Petal Paradise
- Woodland Cubs
- Spot the Koala
- Whale Watcher
- Teacup Tales
- Motor Mischief
-
Jurassic Blue
For outdoor fun and gardening:
Parent Tips: How to Get the Most from Your Smock
- Keep one in the kitchen and one in the nappy bag
- Wipe down immediately after use to avoid set-in stains
- Hang dry on a chair or hook for quick reuse
- Choose a few prints so your baby can help pick their favourite. Kids who help choose their own gear are more likely to wear it without fuss.
Conclusion: One Smock, Endless Possibilities
A baby smock is one of those parenting essentials you don’t fully appreciate—until you start using it daily. While it begins with mealtime, the Sommerfugl Kids long sleeve baby smock quickly becomes a part of your everyday routine.
Whether you're cooking together, painting a masterpiece, or wrangling your toddler in a café, this is the gear that saves clothes, time, and stress.
Explore our full collection here and discover the smock that fits your lifestyle.
