The Biz

Today’s kids are practically born attached to an electronic product. As they grow, there are several electronic devices in use as tots watch movies on tablets, listen to music on their MP3 players, and do homework on a computer. To make these activities work, the key ingredient is earbuds which, like socks in the wash, are always MIA. Thanks to Education Outdoors, there is a solution. It’s Pet Pods: cute little stuffed animals that arrive with a set of earbuds tucked into the back of each animal and secured with a Velcro closure. Pet Pods come in woodland animal designs, including a bald eagle, black bear, beaver, buck, fawn and moose.

Not every little darling has a grandmother or aunt who is a whiz with knitting needles. Satisfy the urge to give a tot a hand-made knit item with hand-made sweaters, hats, booties and more from Toto Knits, made to order from organic cotton in Kenya. Options are huge and include the drapey blanket cardigan in charcoal or cream that makes a perfect layer for any day. A large wooden button closes at the neck. Other sweater choices include a varsity sweater with a large letter on the front, and a pink, blue or natural cardigan with a perky daisy, giraffe or elephant.

“I want something cute” is the mantra of customers who are shopping for the little girls in their lives. Sugar and spice is very nice, especially when it comes in the form of comfortable clothes with appeal to make them fresh for the seasons ahead. Smart retailers seek fine detailing and easy-to-wear fabrics for summer, along with sweet style and original looks. Little ones are cute from the get-go, so what they wear should enhance their appeal as do the collections from Lali, Zara Terez, Posh and PAZ Rodriguez. Much of this merch has an international flavor, proving that “cute” when applied to tots is universal.

In general, kids’ accessories are the same basic items as those for adults. While they may take different shapes, styles and colors when marketed to kids, they are still hats, scarves, gloves, socks, etc. Now, there’s a new trendy fashion accessory meant just for babies and kids: knee pads. While knee pads have long been worn in sports like skateboarding, rollerblading, and soccer, they have not evolved into a fashionable version until fairly recently. Crazy Zebra is a brand that brings customers a selection of cool, stylish knee pads.