So yeah, I fret about the planet. But kids still need gear, and I must say that I’ve derived much pleasure from seeking out products that are well-crafted, thoughtful and appealing to me and my child.
So first up, my kid’s backpack. From Moroccan design firm zid zid kids, it’s simply a silver backpack fashioned in the shape of an airplane. But that is the bag’s charm – no extra pockets, no characters who have ever danced on TV. It’s a small bag, just right for my small son’s back. It holds race cars and a sippy cup. The wipes, tissues and all that? That’s still in Mommy’s bag. At $48, it’s no bargain. But there’s not much space between the $15 Disney-licensed and flimsy choices at Target and the next step up. It’s substantially constructed, and despite several months of steady use, still looks brand new.
Next up, those sippy cups. I’m a huge fan of my Sigg, and so my kiddo sports his own collection. At the moment, we’re toting the Alphabet version and Capt’n Sharky, both in the 0.4L size.
With all the worry about BPA, it’s a relief to hand over these durable aluminum jobbies to the 3 y.o. And somehow, they’re bright enough that I’ve yet to leave one behind at a resto. Or maybe it’s because, at nearly $20 a pop, I’m rather vigilant about bringing them home with us.
Capt’n Sharky is a recent addition to our household, along with the next item: Plan Toys Balancing Monkey game. Kyd loves monkeys, and this game is supposed to help with mathematical and reasoning skills – two things of which I am in short supply and ill equipped to foster. Plus, he won’t sit still for card games but mercifully, he’ll hang out and dangle monkeys from this cleverly-disguised scale.
All three items exemplify the best in children’s gear – well-designed, and with the potential for years of use or easy second lives as hand-me-downs to younger sibs and cousins. Plan Toys, in particular, is a stand out for environmental and social responsibility, too.
So there’s a quick peek into my indulgences.
