Adorable & Artful

This uber-cuddly line of Zoo Packs from Skip Hop features no fewer than 14 different animals to choose from. Owl? Check. Ladybug? You betcha. Penguin? They've got those too, as well as a kitten, pup, zebra, hippo and more.

BPA- and phthalate-free, the Zoo Pack line includes adjustable straps, an insulated snack pocket and a write-on nametag.

$20

Cute & Cuddly

Made of organic cotton canvas, the Ecozoo backpack from Ecogear is lightweight enough for a pre-schooler to handle.  These machine washable bags are made with nontoxic dyes, recycled plastic components and sustainable wood accents.

Available in the form of a panda, puppy, pig, chick or monkey, 1% of sales go to organizations devoted to environmental preservation and restoration.

$27

Oh So Cool

OK, so maybe your fifth grader's just way too cool for all this "baby stuff." Enter the ultracool -- and intercontinental! -- Kanken Mini from a Swedish company called Fjall Raven, which means "arctic fox." Inspired by the nearly-extinct animal, the brand supports the Swedish-Finnish-Norwegian Arctic Fox Project.

Available in a wide range of colors, this Scandinavian classic's style hasn't changed since 1978. 

$55

Sweet Solar Power