Stuff We Like: Owls and Dragons and Zebras, Oh My!

My Little Monster

What kid doesn’t love stuff with her name emblazoned on it? The creative folks at Name Art offer up a full menu of alphabet options, including the dragon design shown here(other animal styles include cuddly teddy bears and friendly monsters). I love that there are multiple choices for each letter—so if your child has two Ts in his name, for example, each will be its own character. And the creation process could not be easier! Personalized placemats, books, stickers, pillows, and wall art are available, beginning at just $11. This wooden name bar comes with an easel for display on a shelf or desk ($26.75).   [gallery columns="2" ids="5339,5338"]

Summer Hoodies

So you haven’t seen trendy tweens walking around your neighborhood with funky animal hood scarves from SpiritHoods? Just where have you been, I might ask? If your kid missed out over the colder months, now’s a great time to surprise him or her with the brand’s latest terry cloth Surf Rat hoods (available in Surf Rat Blue, left; and Surf Rat Pink, right) perfect for pool or beach outings. The whimsical accessories are inspired by the animal world and empower kids to make a difference; with every purchase, SpiritHoods donates 10 percent of the profits to a nonprofit dedicated to the protection of that particular animal. (Ages 4-12; one size fits all; $49)