droolicious : backpacks

Sale Alert: Pottery Barn Kids Free Shipping

AmandaHill — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

I'm a huge Pottery Barn Kids fan. Right now, PB Kids is having a great sale. Some items are over 75% off, and they are offering FREE SHIPPING on over 100 items. The beautiful Girls' backpacks from the Mackenzie collection are just one example of the beautiful items that qualify for FREE SHIPPING.

Click on over to PB Kids to check it out.

Hop Along With A Bunny Bag

Lisa Estall — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 12:51:00 GMT

Dante Beatrix backpacks have been featured at Droolicious before, however I wanted to showcase this bunny backpack as I think it would make a great gift for Easter.

This bunny bag is named Esther and is sized for children ages 2-5. Perhaps stuff it with jelly beans, chocolate eggs and a stuffed animal if you are giving it as a present?

Price is $38. Visit Dante Beatrix.

Send Your Eco Scout Out With the Right Gear

Heather Kuldell — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 02:23:00 GMT

Going green is more than buying reusable materials or the latest eco-chic water bottle. The Idbids Scout Eco-Friendly Set ($39.99) comes with a little knowledge. Scout, a stuffed white cloud, comes with an organic cinch-top back pack and a story book that includes 10 steps kids can take to help protect the environment. They may be baby steps to a more environmentally friendly life, but you gotta start somewhere.

Take It Away in a Timbuk2 Hidden Backpack

Heather Kuldell — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:01:00 GMT

BYOB used to mean bring your own beer, but theses days it’s bring your own bag. Yay for the earth, but woe for the person who forgets. And even if you remember, you probably don’t have an extra hand to carry between the diaper bag and kids. (Just hope the cell doesn’t ring, too.)

Plenty of BYOB options exist, but the Timbuk2 Hidden Backpack offers something unique: a foldable, packable backpack. Toss it in your diaper bag and pull it out for extra hauling power. Timbuk2, a longtime bike messenger bag manufacturer, knows about sturdy. The hidden backpack is made of a rip stop, 90% recycled PET (as in plastic) fabric that can be washed in the machine if it gets nasty. When you’re done, it zips into its bottom and looks like a wallet.

Available in kelly, black, khaki and starlet at Timbuk2 for $28.

Carry Valentines in this Piggy Backpack

Lisa Estall — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:45:00 GMT

Will this little piggy go to the market? This Pig Bag has enough room to store toys, snacks, and lunch money but not a standard size folder, according to the description.The inks and paints are non-toxic so safe for kids. It's also...

made of lightweight nylon so easy to carry. With its felt purple ears and smiley face with hearts, how could you leave this indoors?

Priced at $19.95 and sold at Oompa.

End of Year Sale: Koo Koo Bear Kids

Cathy Hale — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 02:00:00 GMT

From chic lunch totes, to comfy bedding, to leftover holiday items, you can find lots of cute goodies on sale at Koo Koo Bear Kids. Popular items include hand knit jester Christmas stockings, lunch totes, backpacks, pillows shams and a red ballerina tutu (for good measure). These items are only available while supplies last and sale items are non-returnable. Shop Koo Koo Bear Kids before all of the cuteness is gone.

Creature Carryalls

Lisa Mulcahy — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:32:00 GMT

You’ve seen their hand-knitted cuddly creatures, but have you seen the backpacks?
I’ve never been a big fan of having too many stuffed toys. They always seem to be a major source of clutter. That’s why I love these animal backpacks, $39-$42, from Bla Bla. They’re cute, yet useful.

Star Baby: Adam Sander’s Daughter Loves…

SunnyChanel — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 18:14:00 GMT

When wondering what a little girl or a little boy adores, you needn’t look farther than what is depicted on their backpack. So, what does Adam Sandler’s daughter Sadie love?

Princesses! But not just one, but apparently all of them. As any parent of a princess lover knows, sometimes it’s hard for them to pick a favorite. This carryall is an equal opportunity princess pack with Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Belle and Ariel all depicted. Although we couldn’t find this exact backpack (do you know how many Disney princess backpacks there are out there, the selection is mind blowing), we did find this Princess pack with all the above mentioned princesses as well as the added bonus of Jasmine. You can get yours here ($21.99).

(photos via Just Jared)

DwellStudio For Free!

editors — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:45:00 GMT

We’ve all coveted DwellStudio nursery, kid and adult home goods. Ahhh, feels good to admit that. How about getting those mod crib sets for free?

Babble knows what you like and we want to give you the chance to win $1,000 worth of DwellStudio merch just for joining us on The Babble Playground. If you’re already a member, invite a friend and you’re both entered to win. Not a member? Join in November and you’re automatically entered to win. The more friends, the more entries. Click here for the deets. And click here to check out backpacks, bedding and all things baby. - April Peveteaux

Get the Dots Chocolate crib set from DwellStudio for $384.

Rabbit Backpack for Lunch Munchers

Erin Behan — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:59:00 GMT

A backpack that turns into a placemat: What will they think of next? This dual unit from Munchler lunch bags ($19.50) is nontoxic and designed by children's book illustrator Stephen Savage. The insulated backpack is lead-free, food-safe and can hold up to 10 pounds.

ABC Expo 2008: Little Life Animal Pack Backpacks

Chris Ford — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:32:00 GMT

OK. So my picture isn't the greatest, but the Animal Pack backpacks from Little Life are seriously cool. Well, more like seriously cute and useful, which together I suppose adds up to cool. A small daypack for your little hiker, a rain hood for fun and a tether for mom and dad? Never mind, it's seriously cool.

The Animal Pack comes in four animals (ladybug, cow, bee and turtle) and the hood of each is designed for each animal. So the bee has antennae, the ladybug has eyes etc. It's also designed for those parents who want a tether for their child and a have a child doesn't want to be tethered. "See Billy, I'm not putting you on a leash, it's just a fun backpack that daddy can hold on to at the same time!" (The tether is not for me, but I can see how it would be useful hiking).

It's been available in the UK for a while now, but it's coming to the USA on November 15th and will cost $40 to $42. It will be distributed by Rock Gear Distribution, but you can check out the product pages at LittleLife.co.uk.

New from DwellStudio: Expect to be Wowed

elizabeth leach — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:25:00 GMT

Copycat designer baby decor is popping up on all the shelves these days. And while I love getting a good deal at the big baby stores, the design is never as good as the real thing. DwellStudio is a pioneer of forward thinking, contemporary design for babies and kids (Adults, too!) Creating sophisticated color combinations and patterns, while appealing to a child's sense of playfullness, DwellStudio never panders. DwellStudio did the brown and pink thing before anyone.

DwellStudio’s new collection of bedding and accessories are as fresh as ever with many new products to wow us. Expect to see mod bookends and piggy banks, colorful backpacks, stylish storage baskets, fashionable shower curtains, and beautiful wool rugs. But, the new collection is not just about quantity. Every season I fall in love with DwellStudio's textiles, which find the perfect balance of modern and just enough sweet. With DwellStudio, there’s always a beautiful surprise.

DwellStudio's new collection will be available this October. Shop DwellStudio.

The Droolicious Shopping Guide: Kelty Backpacks

Chloe20022 — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:27:00 GMT

Even a preschooler has to haul some gear from home to school and back again. To this end, Kelty’s revamped their line of junior packs to service these mini Sherpas. As back-to-school shopping peaks, we’ve put Kelty’s latest models to the test. The Urchin (brand new for 2008), aims to walk the fine line between form and function. The Urchin, targets the elementary school set with its cool graphics. As you’d expect from a company that’s been making packs for more than fifty years, the Urchin won’t succumb to the mistreatment of a feisty 8-year-old. ($37)

Pros: Sturdy with plenty of organizational pockets. Subtle, tone-on-tone prints include skaters, bikers and butterflies. Plus when you buy this model (or any of the other 2008 models) your kid gets three free issues of Ranger Rick.

Cons: A bit long (17”) for a preschooler—better suited for kids 8 and up.

Best For: Kids who don’t go in for flashy logos or labels and parents looking for high quality.

Kelty Itty: The other new Kelty Jr. model for 2008; designed specifically for girls. ($32)

Pros: While marketed just for girls, the Itty remains blessedly free of Disney princesses and Hannah Montana logos.

Cons: The 15” pack holds 600 cubic inches compared to the Urchin’s 1000. Which leads us to wonder…do girls get less homework?

Best For: Girls aged 8 to 12 who love flowers and butterflies.

Kelty Starfish: Pack plus 1.5-liter hydration system. ($47)

Pros: No complaints from the peanut gallery about thirst.

Cons: Comes with a whistle that is attached to the sternum strap—could get annoying on the car ride to school.

Best for: A day on the trail.

Kelty Grommet: Traditional model worn by myriads of school kids. ($32)

Pros: A good value, this pack can go the distance--from Labor Day to Memorial Day and then some.

Cons: Not much in the way of fashion. The patterns, such as the zebra, aren’t likely to appease style snobs.

Best for: The 15” long pack is ideal for smaller kids (works for ages 5 and up).

Kelty Minnow: A pack for neophytes to stash their treasures as they journey to camp or preschool for the first time. ($27)

Pros: Juice boxes, crayons, maybe even a stuffed bear day fit nicely inside this well-proportioned bag. Just right for kids 4 to 6.

Cons: Not many pockets to keep pack’s contents neat.

Best for: Preschoolers.

Fleurville Kid’s Messenger Takes Packs Off Backs

Heather Kuldell — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:25:00 GMT

I dunno if messenger bags for kids are a parental preference or a rite of passage to show you’re old hat at the whole school thing. Fleurville Kid’s Messenger Bags are smaller than most adult bags (10 inches by 12 inches by 4 inches) for comfy carrying by the elementary-school set (ages 5-10).

Each bag features two exterior water-bottle pockets, organizational pockets, and comes with a reusable lunch bag. In case homework gets too heavy, the bag also has stowable backpack straps for a more agronomic haul. As with most Fleurville products, the materials are lead-free, PVC-free and Teflon-free.

Available in black with camo skulls, pink with “ogo” print, and brown with “ogo” print from Fleurville for $50.

Back-to-School Giveaway: Land's End Backpack

Erin Behan — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:06:00 GMT

My parents bought me a Land's End backpack for school when I was just a wee tot, and lo and behold, that baby was still going when I was in high school! Of course, I demanded a new one because carrying the same backpack in elementary school while in high school is decidedly not "cool." Nonetheless, you can be guaranteed a Land's End pack won't be worse for the wear at the end of the school year. The company's Multi-Task backpack has some helpful features I'm pretty sure my bag didn't some ... well, a long time ago, including a "stash panel" for a larger item like a jacket or bike helmet, a bottom chamber for dirty stuff like shoes, mesh side pockets and a spot for your MP3 player. Right now, the Multi-Task backpack is on sale for $34.50.

One random, lucky winner who sends an email to babbledesign@gmail.com with the subject header "Land's End backpack" plus their name and shipping info will win a backpack. Contest closes at end of day today.

Win a New Mountain Hardwear Backpack Every Day Till Aug. 31

Aaron Burgess — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:04:00 GMT

Well, OK, that may be stretching things a little, but if you're in need of a rugged new carrier for back-to-school or baby gear, make sure you have Mountain Hardwear's site bookmarked between tomorrow and Aug. 31. You can enter the "Pack-a-Day" giveaway for a chance to score one of five different rugged, high-end backpacks from the company's Urban Reality series (shown here, L-R: the $120 Guardian and $120 Sentinel), including the as-yet-unreleased Natural 22, which isn't due to hit stores until spring of 2009.

Link to the game is here, and good luck!

Celebrate Shark Week with a Dante Beatrix Shark Backpack

Heather Kuldell — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 14:58:00 GMT

Discovery Channel’s Shark Week kicks off tonight! It wasn’t a big deal to me when I was able to leave my house at night, but these days it’s something to be excited about. While I won’t be watching the shark attacks with kids, the wee Jacques Cousteaus can share in my love of the predators with a Shark Backpack by Dante Beatrix. The nylon bag is smaller size of 9 inches by 11 1/2 by 5 1/2, which is more comfortable for kids to wear, but it won’t necessarily hold folders and binders. It will, however, nicely hold crayons and smaller doodle pads for sketching any species they may see in person ... at a nice, safe aquarium.

Available at Oompa Toys for $35.99.

Hand-knit Backpacks from Blabla Kids

Chris Ford — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:01:00 GMT

I must be on a backpack kick, because other than my totally awesome find of a pigeon backpack, I also found these great hand-knit backpacks from Blabla Kids. The only thing I'm wondering is, how does a hand-knit backpack only cost $42?

Every backpack is lined inside and is 12"x10". There are twelve different animal choices - everything from a lion to a butterfly to a panda (shown). They're not the biggest bags, but they seem perfect for all of your kid's little treasures. And getting them to want to carry their own stuff is 80% of the battle. Or maybe 100%.

Backpacks from BlablaKids.com, $42

7 Days of Must-Haves: A Backpack, Any Backpack

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:15:00 GMT

OK, that's not necessarily true -- in all three of my kids' cases, that backpack was an Evenflo Trailtech (not the recalled Gerry Trailtech that Evenflo handled), shown here getting some of its last good use with baby #3. But seeing as how eBay or Craigslist is among the only places you can score one of those anymore, Chicco's $90 Smart Support Backpack looks to be a reasonable alernative to this must-have for anyone who needs to be mobile and baby-bound at once. And if you're chained to a desk during the days like I am, the fact that you get a workout in the process isn't bad, either.

The lightweight Smart Support pack features a height-adjustable seat that accommodates rugrats up to 33 pounds, and the lumbar support and padded straps help to keep you from pulling out your back when you're hauling around that much baby weight.

Unlike the pack I used, this one also includes a water-resistant canopy with sun visor. In Austin, TX, where my family lives and the mercury's already pushing into the triple digits, that would've been a welcome feature, although I spent just as much time indoors with our pack.

In hindsight, it probably wasn't the smartest idea to cook, clean and navigate stairs with a baby strapped to my torso. (When my wife came home one day to catch me me trimming hedges while our 8-month-old dozed peacefully on my back, I was officially grounded from the backpack for a while.) Sometimes, though, necessity has to trump common sense.

Design with David Netto: KangaKid Backpack

editors — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:00:00 GMT

I really was happy with the Baby Bjorn I carried my first child around in, but there was always a slight dork factor that nagged at me — that, and the fact that after walking around for an hour or so, back pain worthy of an octagenarian water carrier set in. Well, the second time around, we're using the awesome Deuter KangaKid Child Carrier Backpack ($130), and I have to tell you, I really love this thing. The discovery was made by my wife, Liz, who has excellent taste and a kind of rugged instinct for fun. After watching her carry Madelyn around in this sturdy — I might even say cool — child-carrying backpack, I now ask to wear it (and make Liz carry the lighter shopping bags). Our kid loves it, too. She's perched up high and looking in the same direction as me, so when we set off together, there's a sense of shared destination and adventure.

Design with David Netto appears in drool.icio.us every Thursday.

Get Out Your Pitchforks, It's the Regular Diaper Bag!

Aaron Burgess — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:03:00 GMT

Our post from yesterday about a new Dwell diaper bag we're digging found Babble commenter Nolasmom raising an interesting question: We're always telling you about the most awesomest, coolest-looking new diaper bags, but really, aren't all these bags just expensive variations on the same generic tote with garish print? (Sorry, Nolasmom; realize we're paraphrasing.) Anyway, the comment also contained a challenge: "What does this mythical 'regular diaper bag' look like? No seriously, I'd like a photo posted."

[Cue ominous music.]

Below, from Graco (as it seems these things always are), is the archetypal Regular Diaper Bag. It's cheap; it works; but it also looks like a lunchbox with a kiddie print slapped on it. Full disclosure, this is just the bag that got my wife and me through two kids' worth of diapering, and we never had a problem with the thing. But one of the perks of doing this blog is getting to drool over stuff you wished you'd have been smart enough to register for, so here's hoping that whether it's from Dwell, DiaperDude, Skip*Hop or wherever, you've got the good sense to find something better (looking).

While we're on the subject, though, most diaper bags aimed at modern parents seem to follow one of three stylistic variations: the tote, the messenger bag/man-purse, or the modified backpack. Have you ever just used a regular old tote, messenger bag or backpack to carry baby's diapering essentials? I know I have, and it's saved me quite a bit of $$, too.

UPDATE: Seems this post has become a hot topic over at Diaper Bag Junkies -- which, by the way, rules if you're in the market for a bag of your own. Consider me schooled! Oh, and Teri at DBJ, I just might take you up on your offer to help shop for a new bag -- anything to get rid of the monstrosity I'm hauling around.

Big Deal: Animal Backpack and Books at The Paragon

Mir — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 16:05:00 GMT

Right now your choice of these three plush backpacks (sized just right for little people) along with three board books are each on sale for just $6.99 at The Paragon. Even better? Through 11/12/07, get free shipping with coupon code P7W44E1A.

Big Deal: Hanna Anderson Backpack Sale

Karen — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 15:03:00 GMT

Hanna Anderson has two different backpack styles on sale right now.

The BeRight Backpack come in 6 fantastic patterns (Thousand Flowers shown here). Save $10 now and pay only $18.

The other model is the Rugged Rolling Backpack (regularly $48, now $28)

Back to School Drool: Bulletproof Backpacks

Karen — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 13:09:00 GMT

I don't know whether to laugh or cry. These "Ballistic Backpacks" by MJ Safety Solutions come in two styles and retail at $175. The MJ Solutions Web site says that there have been 328 school shootings since 1999 with 229 dead and 422 injured.

Those numbers are sad and frightening, even given the ratio of instances to the actual number of school-aged kids in America, but is paranoia devouring our ability to be practical? Are companies like this capitalizing on our fears?

An aside: One definition of Ballistic is: (Informal) to become overwrought or irrational: went ballistic over the idea of a school shooting.

Ahem.

Up, Up and Away with an Airplane Backpack

Mir — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 11:02:00 GMT

It wouldn't do as a serious book pack, of course (both because of its unusual shape and the $42 price tag at Little Bits), but if you had an indulgent gift-giver on hand and a few goodies to tote, I can't imagine the child who wouldn't be thrilled to take off with this airplane backpack. In fact -- if money is no object -- I'd daresay this would be the perfect first-trip-on-a-plane accessory.