Back-To-School Picks That Will Make The Grade (As Seen On CBS Austin)

The kiddos are headed back to school so, to make sure you get an A+ in preparation, I stopped by CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin” with everything from hair styling saviors to stylish kicks and glasses, educational tools for at-home learning, and wholesome snacks for those lunchboxes. Check out the segment on CBSAustin.com by clicking here and read on for my master class on BTS must-haves!

LĀ Sol Clear Zinc Sunscreen SPF 30

Here in Austin, the fall semester kicks off in August, which is not only the hottest month of the summer but also the period when the UV index is at its highest. To keep your kids’ skin protected while they wait for the bus, run around on the playground, and practice their after-school sports, reach for the LĀ SOL CLEAR Zinc Sunscreen SPF 30 ($24.99 for 3.5 oz. tube and $32.99 for 5.5 oz. tube; available at LASolCollective.com, Amazon and Beautyologie.com).

Powered by 15.7% zinc oxide, this water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen can be applied to the face and body, feels lightweight and breathable, and leaves no white cast behind. It’s the kind of sunscreen your kids will actually be happy to wear!

The dermatologist-approved formula is infused with nourishing ingredients like aloe vera and shea and cocoa butters, plus it’s vegan, reef-friendly, cruelty-free, fragrance-free, and paraben-free.

Niles + Chaz Haircare Collection

Niles + Chaz is a new haircare line for kids with mixed-textured hair founded by actor Mike Colter (best known for his star role in Netlfix’s Luke Cage series) and his wife Iva. The couple spent years struggling to find clean, effective and sustainable products for their two daughters’ mixed-texture hair, which ultimately compelled them to create Niles + Chaz.

All Niles + Chaz products are clean, vegan, cruelty-free and nut-free. The vitamin-infused formulas contain nutrient-rich fruits and veggies like watermelon, okra, banana and marshmallow root extracts. The products contain over 90% naturally derived ingredient, plus they’re bottled in sustainable packaging.

The product line consists of four hair styling saviors: the Scalp Enchanter Pre-Shampoo Treatment ($16 on NilesandChaz.com), which contains detoxifying charcoal, hydrating mango and mururumu butter, and hair-strengthening pumpkin extract; the Tangles Schmangles Curl Detangler & Enhancer ($28 on NilesandChaz.com), a hydrating and conditioning mist with 98% naturally derived ingredients including okra, watermelon, and banana extracts; the Curl Raiser Revival Spray ($16 on NilesandChaz.com), a moisturizing and shine-boosting spray that helps to give curls a pick-me-up; and the What the Frizz! Styling Gel Cream (on NilesandChaz.com), a nourishing gel that helps to give curls definition and hold while preventing frizz.

PAIGELAUREN Eco-Hacci Tie Dye Pullover Set

Our children’s skin is incredibly thin and delicate, so why would we subject them to wearing stiff, scratchy, or heavy fabrics? Instead, we can choose apparel that marries style and comfort with a little help from PAIGELAUREN, a woman- and mom-owned brand based in Los Angeles that specializes in elevated everyday essentials for babies, toddlers and kids. PAIGELAUREN uses luxuriously soft, eco-friendly fabrics that are comfortable enough for all-day wear.

One of my favorite sets is the Eco-Hacci Tie Dye Pullover and Pant, which comes in a jaunty multi-colored marbled print with hints of pink, blue, yellow and lime green. The pullover and pant can be worn as a set or separately to yield more outfit options. It’s $78 on PaigeLauren.com, Nordstrom.com and Bloomingdales.com

Enya Mond Luna Bag

Tired of frumpy-looking diaper bags that, while functional, totally make you feel like a fashion fail? Well, fear not: Enya Mond has come to the rescue! The woman- and mom-owned brand offers high-quality, stylish, practical and sustainable bags for modern moms. Crafted from top-grade, premium vegan leather in a rich pebble finish, the Enya Mond Luna Bag ($220 on EnyaMond.com) beautifully marries functionality and sophistication.

Aesthetically, the bag stands out from the fray with its elegant and sleek design, and yet it doesn’t skimp on the practical components. For starters, the bag features a water-resistant lining, which comes in handy for any bottle spills and other inevitable messes. It also comes with an extra-large changing mat and dual insulated pockets to keep beverages at the proper temperature. The spacious interior, meanwhile, allows moms to store any baby and toddler supplies along with their own personal items. It even has a secure sleeve for your laptop!

And that’s not all! The bag comes with a set of stroller straps and a shoulder strap for multiple carrying options, and the back pocket can be quickly converted into a trolley sleeve!

Not only is it a stylish and practical bag, but it’s sure to make morning school and daycare drop-offs go a bit smoother!

Yoto Player

As parents, we want kids to think of learning as a fun activity — not some dreadful chore! And that’s what makes the Yoto Player such a delight: it allows kids the freedom to explore the subjects that most interest them in a safe manner. Designed for kids ages 3-12, this screen-free, offline audio player lets kids explore a catalogue of over 1,000 audio titles —from engaging podcasts for kids to music, adventure and bedtime stories, and other educational content (lessons on math, Spanish, dinosaurs, and more!).  Because Yoto is screen-, camera-, and microphone-free, parents can feel confident about their kids’ privacy being protected and know that their littles aren’t being inadvertently subjected to any inappropriate content. Moreover, Yoto helps to curb the excessive screen time that can negatively impact kids’ focus and sleep routines.

In addition to encouraging learning and mindfulness, Yoto also helps kids establish time-management skills thanks to its routine-supporting features. Kids can brush their teeth using Yoto’s “Toothbrush Timer,” keep up with school assignments with the “Homework Timer,” and establish morning routines with the “Ok-To-Wake” night light and clock feature.

Within the extensive library of audio cards, you’ll find timeless favorites like The Story of Ferdinand, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and The Enormous Crocodile, along with Kidz Bop catalogs and Moana and Encanto soundtrack cards.

The Yoto Player retails for $119.99 on US.YotoPlay.com

Camille Rose Braid Collection

Whether you prefer box braids, cornrows, or Senegalese twists, you know that braided hairstyles are a versatile, cute, and low-maintenance option for kids with textured hair. But to get the most run out of each braiding session, it’s important to use products that will ensure the styles’ longevity, keeping those braids looking nice, neat, and frizz-free. The new Camille Rose Braid Collection features all the products you need to create stunning braided styles. Infused with sea moss and aloe vera, these products are gentle enough for even the most sensitive scalpsand they’re cruelty-free, as well as paraben, sulfate- and phthalate-free.

First, since nourishment begins at the scalp, you want to start with the Mint Condition Braid & Scalp Spray ($12 on CamilleRose.com), which features a blend of essential oils and herbs — among them peppermint oil, tea tree oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, and raspberry leaf extract —that work synergistically to hydrate, soothe, and invigorate the hair and scalp.

Next, you want to reach for the Mint Condition Style & Set Foam ($12 on CamilleRose.com) a mineral-enriched styling product that provides a smooth, sleek, residue-free finish.

You can complete the styling process with the Mint Condition Nourishing Braiding Gel ($17.99 on CamilleRose.com), which provides extreme hold while preventing frizz, reducing breakage, and delivering a glassy shine.

Draper James Kids and Converse Eyewear Glasses and Sunnies

We want our kids to see the whiteboard clearly and read the words on their books with ease, but we also want them to feel confident and cool in their glasses. These frames from Draper James Kids and Converse Eyewear will more than do the trick!

Draper James Kids is the perfect complement to the women’s collection. The kids’ styles feature fun colors, magical features and signature floral prints that match the women’s styles, allowing you to create iconic mommy-and-me moments. Within the collection, you’ll find best-selling and size-appropriate shapes crafted using durable and lightweight materials like crystal acetate and stainless steel. The DJ1020 glasses have a classic shape — and now, this frame features a photochromic UV-reactive acetate on the temples that changes colors when exposed to UV rays, a technology known as Color Magic! Other cool options include the DJ1021 glasses, which have a Mod-flavored, black-and-white striped pattern.

Kids and teens will also love the selection of glasses and sunglasses from Converse Eyewear. Every style incorporates the brand’s logo as well as unique sneaker-inspired details and playful pops of color. The CV5110Y glasses, for instance, feature a whimsical raspberry hue and star accents all along the arms.

You can find Converse sunglasses on Eyeconic.com.

For the perfect optical frames from Draper James and Converse, visit VSP.com to find a doctor of optometry near you. 

Freshy Sneakers

Teens love showing off their new drip when a semester kicks off — and that means sporting the flyest sneakers on campus! Enter Freshy, the footwear company that playfully brands itself as “sneakers with attitude.” Freshy specializes in modern kicks inspired by retro ‘80s design, referencing the colors and shapes of the era that brought us arcade games like Pac-Man, toys like the Rubik’s Cube, Glo Worms, and My Little Pony, and cartoons like Rainbow Brite and Jem.

The Freshy Brites in Cherry Bomb ($179 on freshyworld.com), pictured above at top, are my absolute favorites, featuring a bold red color that instantly reminds me of Rainbow Brite, as well as an embroidered gold panel along the quarters bearing multi-colored stitching, and the logo embroidered on the tongue using playful bubble letters.

The Supafly sneakers ($195 on FreshyWorld.com) are another bold fashion statement, featuring leather and suede uppers in eye-catching magenta and purple hues.

To enjoy 20% off a pair of Freshy sneakers, visit FreshyWorld.com and use the promo code FRESHYSUMMER

Skout Organic Kids Snack Bars & Soft Baked Cookies

No back-to-school round-up would be complete without some great snack options for the kiddos! Austin-based brand Skout Organic offers delicious snack bars and cookies that you’ll want to keep in your kid’s lunchbox and on hand for after-school activities and homework sessions. All Skout Organic products are certified organic, vegan, and gluten-free, plus they contain no soy, dairy, or artificial colors. Instead, they’re made with simple, plant-based ingredients you can actually pronounce like dates, sunflower butter, and almond protein.

The Kids Snack Bars come in delicious flavors like Blueberry Blast, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Apple Pie, Mango Madness, Peanut Butter & Jelly, and French Toast. And the Soft-Baked Cookies are a great dessert option for packed lunches, and they come in flavors like Oatmeal Chocolate Chip and Gingerbread Spice.

You can find Skout Organic at Central Market and on skoutorganic.com and Amazon.

Prices vary but start as low as $7.99 for a box of 6 Kids Snack Bars. Viewers can visit SkoutOrganic.com and use promo code KEEPITLOCAL for 20% off!