Trendy Gear for Tots
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From fun in the sun to getting organized for school, today’s tots need stuff…lots and lots of stuff. Here’s a list of cool tools that’ll ensure your kid is covered on multiple fronts. Staying organized, stylish, fed and fit is child’s play with this assortment perfect for the little ones in your life.
15-Drawer Mobile Organizer (www.Wayfair.com) – $115.99
Keeping kids organized is easy with this mobile organizing unit that consists of 15 drawers in 5 various primary colors. It’s a great way to keep homework and text books organized as well as school supplies and anything else that would benefit from quick and easy access. The large drawers on the left are perfect for storing books and other reading materials, while the corresponding two smaller drawers are perfect for storing “to do” work and graded work for reference. Children typically have 5 subjects, so each color can correspond with each specific one! The entire unit is on wheels so it can be transported from a favorite homework spot into a closet for summer storage! The flat surface on top can even be used as a standing to do homework or artwork on.
PLAE Kids Shoes (www.GoPlae.com) – Starting at $49.95 (Tabs sold separately $4.95/pair)
PLAE is an innovative, award-winning kids shoe brand unlike any other. With advanced engineering, each pair of PLAE shoes is designed using the biometric science generally reserved for elite athletes and boasts many features. For one, each pair of shoes have a special anatomically shaped sole that follows the contours of a child’s foot, allowing for natural growth and development. Other features maximize traction and ensure comfort, breathability and durability. Also stylish, PLAE shoes also have one-of-a-kind interchangeable straps with various cute designs like smiley faces, soccer balls and such that allow kids to express themselves by creating endless looks and personalizing their style. The straps even come in 4 different sizes to accommodate the best fit. The brand is eco-friendly and actually offers vegan styles! All PLAE shoes are washable and, all features and benefits combined, industry experts are taking notice. PLAE’s “Roan” shoe won a prestigious Red Dot Award for its unique kid-centered approach to design. It no wonder these shoes are so stellar, as the company founder, Ryan Ringholz, designed previously at Puma, Diesel and UGG.
LunchSkins Reusable Sandwich/Snack Bags (www.LunchSkins.com) – $6.99 – $8.99
The brainchild of 3GreenMoms, LunchSkins are award-winning reusable sandwich and snack bags that are an eco-friendly alternative to disposable plastic baggies. Dishwasher-safe and easy to use, LunchSkins are on a mission to replace everyday plastic with smart, sustainable solutions that are accessible to everyone. To date, LunchSkins have made countless households greener, and have reportedly replaced 1 billion plastic bags! That’s a hefty reprieve for our landfills. LunchSkins are a great for many things because they offer the same convenience as a familiar plastic baggie, but are easily washable and durable for a range of practical and creative uses even beyond lunch, like cosmetics, dog treats, pacifiers, baby toiletries, travel items, ear buds, electronic cords, game pieces and any other loose messy items. Customers love the dishwasher-friendly fabric and fun modern patterns. Both benefits make LunchSkins practical and stylish as an everyday solution to plastic. LunchSkins bags give back to schools and environmental causes supporting healthy oceans (like CA-based 5Gyres Institute).
Thermos FUNtainer Products (www.ShopThermos.com) – Starting at $8.99
Genuine Thermos brand been around for more than 110 years and is one of the most trusted vacuum insulated container manufacturers in the world. What’s so great is that the characters your kids know and love are emblazoned on products that you can trust to keep contents fresh and safe. I particularly like the Star Wars Darth Vader EVA Helmet Novelty Lunch Kit, which is 100% PVC free with PEVA linings, and its superior quality closed cell polyethylene foam insulation keeps food fresh. Also adorable is the Hello Kitty 12 oz FUNtainer Bottle, which is made of durable stainless steel and uses Thermos vacuum insulation technology for maximum temperature retention. The 10oz Frozen (movie) FUNtainer Food Jar will keep kids’ lunches fresh and hot or cold for hours. Its extra wide mouth is easy to fill, eat from and clean. These are just some of the FUN-tastic items from Thermos brand.
Mabel’s Labels (www.MabelsLabels.com) – $42
It’s never too early to be organized and there’s plenty of time to be late once an item is lost. Be uber organized this school year with Mabel’s Labels, which are customizable labels with a name and choice of adorable icon to match your child’s unique personality and interests. Best part? All of the labels are dishwasher, microwave and laundry safe so you can put them on pretty much anything. The company’s Ultimate Back to School Combo includes all the personalized labels needed to keep your child’s belongings out of the lost and found. Perfect for backpacks, lunch containers, clothes, pencil cases and so much more, these labels are a must-have on your back-to-school shopping list but also keep them around for camp, extracurricular activities, daycare and more!
Flip2BFit Fitness Games (www.Flip2BFit.com) – Starting at $24.95
Keep your tot fit and healthy this year with Flip2BFit—a company said to offer the only fitness-oriented children’s board games on the market today. Both of their games—the Fitness in a Box Board Game and the Bakari Fitness Memory Game—will get everyone up, moving, laughing and having fun with fitness. Through Yoga, Cardio, Stretching and Strength activities combined with a little strategy, luck and skill, kids can take the first steps to living a healthy life and all while truly having FUN! Bring family and friends together for family game night or allow kids to use on their, Flip2BFits games are a wonderful way to instill the importance of living healthfully—and show them ways to do so. With the Fitness in a Box board game, you can play as individuals or groups, and there’s no equipment or experience needed. Just spin a wheel, pick a card, and complete an exercise individually or as teams to strategically make your way to the finish line. The Memory Card game challenges your mind to match two physical activity cards and then earn points by challenging your body to successfully complete the movement. Also philanthropic, twenty-five percent of all profits go to Fitness for Africa bringing healthy lifestyles to the people of Uganda and beyond.
Tricksters Helmets from CJ Products/Pillow Pets (www.MyPillowPets.com) – $29.99
Cuteness alert! Tricksters are endearing character inspired bicycle helmets that are flashy and fun! More importantly, the helmets provide safety first and style second! Each Trickster, which features a molded 3D helmet design with a 100% plush chenille outer lining, is CPSC certified and complies with CPSC and ASTMf1492 safety standards. A shock-absorbing EPS inner shell protects the head while aerodynamic cooling vents ensures your child’s head won’t overheat. Nylon straps adjust for a great fit around the chin and an adjustable fitting dial makes Trickster helmets fit every head perfectly. Tricksters are available in an array of adorable designs: Panda, Puppy, Lulu Leopard, Flower Power Cat and Rainbow Bear.
Sundicators UV Wristbands (www.Sundicators.com) – $5.99 for a pack of 7
Created by a melanoma survivor, Sundicators UV Monitoring Wristbands are easy-to-use UVA and UVB gauges that remind you when to re-apply sunscreen or when to seek shade. Sundicators’ skin wellness technology actually represents recent advancements in sunburn, sun damage and anti-aging innovation. They are fashion-friendly, child friendly, unisex and easily fit into even the most active outdoor lifestyle! Once wrapped around the wearer’s wrist and before heading outside into the sun, the user (or their caregiver) then applies sunscreen to the body AND to their Sundicators Wristband. As time goes by, Sundicators will change color to let the wearer know when it’s time to re-apply sunscreen–or to get out of the sun all-together. Kids can enjoy fun-in-the-sun and parents can eliminate worry about when to re-apply sunblock. All proceeds support PrettyPale.org, a non-profit skin cancer and melanoma awareness organization.
***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided at no cost and/or arranged to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way as per the disclosure policy on our “Legal” page***