Smart & stylish
What kid doesn't want to kick off a new school year decked out in rad clothes? And these days, companies like Rockets of Awesome (rocketsof awesome.com) make that super easy, by sending you a personalized box full of super cute looks each season.
But wherever I can, I also like to take it a step further, and buy my tykes stuff for school that also benefits other kids, too. It shows them what a win-win giving back can be — they still get to look great in clothes they love and help out kids who could use a hand. Here's a bunch of companies that do it right.
I've been a fan of Pilot Pen's anti-bullying campaign, in partnership with the Stomp Out Bullying program — which helps build awareness and funds educational programs designed to reduce and prevent bullying in schools across the country. When you buy one of its Frixion Clicker Pens (the cool design uses thermosensitive gel ink that kids can easily erase) from them, the company contributes to the cause, to culminate in a $200,000 donation. (powertothepen.com/erasebullying)
It's no secret how adorable the funky prints and bright hues of Tea Collection are — plenty of moms covet the stuff year-round for their kids. So the great work it does with the Global Fund for Children makes it even easier to want to shop with them. The Global Fund invests in multiple grassroots organizations around the world to help kids reach their potential. Every purchase you make from Tea Collection goes toward helping them, and since 2003, it has contributed upward of $500,000 to the organization. (teacollection.com)
Just like it sounds, the One World Play Project is all about promoting childhood joy and play — and in the simplest way imaginable. Buy one of their durable balls, and they donate another one to a child in a community devastated by war, disaster, disease and poverty. (oneworldplayproject.com)
The one-for-one concept continues over at Roma Boots, but this time with shoes. For every pair of (irresistible) rain boots you buy from them, they give a pair to a child in poverty. Their “Giving Poverty the Boot!” donates boots in 26 countries across six continents. (romaboots.com)
And what would any school year be without books, right? So check out Out of Print, which sells cheeky, literary-inspired clothes, tees and bags, and donates a book to a community in need or gives to a local literacy program with every purchase you make. (outofprintclothing.com)