What if kids could design their own stuffed animals? They’d probably look a lot like Aminals, a new line of soft toys that gets its design inspiration from kids’ drawings.

Of course, toys this cute need to come with cute names too. Choose from the “Liun,” “Wayul,” “Smal Bayr,” and even “Momey” and “Dady.”

Plus, you can feel good about letting your kids snuggle with their new best friend, since they’re made entirely from certified organic materials and vegetable dyes.

Don’t worry, we know you’re a good person.

In the past few years, you’ve given to charities for New Orleans, Sri Lanka, and Haiti. You would have liked to give more, but hey, times are hard and you’ve got your own growing family to take care of.

Hmm, if only there was a way for you to buy the things you need, while still doing good in the world... Say hello to TOMS Shoes.

Each time you buy a pair of TOMS, they’ll give a brand new pair of shoes to a child in need. Started just over three years ago, TOMS’ One for One business model has already given away a remarkable 400,000 pairs of shoes.

Why shoes, you ask? Well, since most kids in the developing world grow up barefoot, they get cuts and wounds which lead to parasites and all sorts of other nastiness. That’s just one of many reasons why they’re so important.

Now, in addition to their shoes for adults, TOMS has introduced Tiny TOMS, a line of cool, stylish shoes for little ones. At around $30, they’re a whole lot more unique than those Nikes down at the mall.

It’s simple: kid needs shoes, you buy TOMS, kid looks good, you feel good. Repeat as needed.

Kids love to create their own little world whenever they can. Leave any child alone with a sheet and two chairs for five minutes, and they’ll build their own Fortress of Solitude, far far away from the Land of Boring Grown-Ups. We know that kids thrive when given their own space; there was even a little boy named Max who became a king.

Play forts are fun, but when you’re looking for something a little more permanent than a cardboard box, check out Modern Cabana. They create pre-fabricated buildings using sustainable materials like bamboo flooring and recycled denim insulation.

Recently, they’ve begun offering the “Kiddo” model. Housed in a compact frame (48″ x 65″), the modern, sleek structure includes tons of natural light, a multi-paneled door, chalk paint interior walls, a fold down table, and even a paper roll art station.

Available for about the same price as that HDTV you’ve been eyeing, it’ll give your kids years of enjoyment, and it might even let you reclaim a little bit of your own home.

It took a while, but someone finally reinvented the lunchbox.

Yes, while we’ve been mindlessly putting every meal into a series of little plastic bags, a few smart folks in Seattle were busy figuring out how to save the Earth, one lunchbox at a time.

Similar to a Japanese bento box, the Goodbyn (pronounced “good bin”) has five different food compartments that can be sealed using just one lid. Ingeniously designed, each section protects the various items so there’s no need for plastic bags, juice boxes, or anything else that’ll end up in a landfill. Instead, the Goodbyn is BPA-free, dishwasher-safe, and when the schoolyear ends, it’s completely recyclable.

Worried that going green will cost you extra? Actually, Goodbyn estimates that families can save over $190 each year by eliminating plastic bags and drink boxes. Of course, Goodbyn is about more than just being sustainable; they also look awesome. Kids will love the bright, friendly colors (orange, blue, green, pink), plus they come with hundreds of stickers so little Picassos can change its appearance over and over.

It’s not often you get to be so stylish while still saving the planet.

*** WANT TO WIN ONE? Visit our Contests page to get all the details! Contest ends 1/22/10.

“Dad! Make us pancakes!!!!”

If your morning has ever started with a tiny person demanding pancakes, then you’ve probably gone through this debate in your head: Hmm, pancakes would be good, but aren’t the eggs a little old? Plus, the kids’ll just gobble them all up in five minutes while I spend the next 20 minutes doing dishes. “Nope, sorry, not today. Let’s have cereal!” you say to your disappointed audience.

The next day though, you’re at the store and you spot a tiny miracle: Batter Blaster. What’s this? A pancake and waffle mix in a can. Hilarious! Just like Cheez Whiz, right? But then you look a little closer and see that Batter Blaster uses organic ingredients, cage-free eggs, and the entire package is recyclable. Suddenly, these are sounding better than your Aunt What’s-Her-Name mix.

Of course, the big question is how are they? With a light and fluffy feel, they’re pleasantly good. Granted they’re not the best pancakes in the world, but making them is undeniably fun for everyone—kids love to get in on the action and help out. They can use the spray nozzle to make the most artistic pancakes around; crazy shapes and letters are no problem. And afterwards? Even easier. There’s no powdery mix to wipe up, and no measuring cups and mixing bowls to clean and put away.

Sorry, looks like you’re out of excuses. Every day is pancake day now.