1.Bogs Kids Classic High Tuscany, 2.Kamik Kids Rocket 2, 3.Sperry Kids Pelican, 4.Crocs Kids Crocband Jaunt, 5.GUESS Kids Iselan, 6.Western Chief Kids Batman Rainboot, 7.Hunter Kids Young Hunter Original, 8.Columbia Kids Bugaboot™ Plus, 9.Sorel Kids Tivoli

There sure has been a ton of rain since the school year started for most kids across the country. As your little ones tread puddles to get to the bus stop, make sure they’re prepared with the best rain boots around to protect their feet.

It’s a good thing Zappos carries a ton of thoroughly cool rain boots for kids. With boots this cool, they won’t mind getting caught in the rain! Don’t forget the umbrellas!

1.Patagonia Kids Simple Synchilla© Jacket in Prussian Blue, 2.The North Face Kids Denali Jacket in Graphic Grey/Spectra Yellow, 3. Columbia Kids Steen Mountain in Electric Avenue, 4.Patagonia Kids Simple Synchilla© Jacket in Bougainvillea, 5.Columbia Benton Spring Fleece in Mulberry, 6.The North Face Girls' Denali Jacket in Graphite Grey/Fusion Pink

It’s officially back to the classroom for a lot of kids around the country, and fall weather is not too far in the horizon. Stock up on cozy fleece jackets from some of your favorite brands to get your little ones bundled up for the chilly weather ahead.

We love comfy fleece not only for its cozy warmth; it’s also super easy to clean… just wash and wear! For busy parents with active kids, that’s definitely a must.

Like Father, like son. Left to right: Quiksilver Sleeper Tank Top, Quiksilver Kids Sleeper Tee, Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Slip, Quiksilver Kamikaze Classic Tee, Quiksilver Kids All Hands Tee, Converse Kids Chuck Taylor All Star Slip, Quiksilver Hi Five Tank Top, Quiksilver Kids Nines Tank

Your little guy inherited his dad’s hair, his walk, and his love of the beach, but it’s also inevitable that he inherits dad’s cool, laid-back style! With Father’s Day just around the corner, we thought we’d feature a couple of awesome matching outfits for dad and his little mini-me.

With these matching ensembles, those father-and-son outings will be even more memorable! Besides, our kids are a natural extension of our own personal style….at least until they become teenagers!

One of the most important and memorable milestones in one’s life is graduation day. It’s a wonderful and pivotal crossroad where a new chapter of life begins. Cheer on the grad in your life during this monumental time with thoughtful gifts. Whether you go for a useful gift or a sentimental one, the perfect gifts will help show how proud you are of this great accomplishment.

Here are just a couple of great graduation gift ideas we love:

Dogeared Jewels Graduation Necklace:  Commemorate their achievements with this darling necklace featuring a soaring butterfly full of boundless potential.

Dogeared Jewels Accomplish Magnificent Things Necklace: The name says it all! Inspire her with this lovely necklace and its even lovelier message.

Fossil ES2681 Women’s Watch: This sparkly and classic watch will be her favorite for years.

Jack Spade Dipped York Briefcase: Classic good looks never go out of style!  This versatile and utilitarian-cool briefcase is a great for the budding professional.

GUESS Sporty Men's Watch: This cool and sporty watch will be a welcome companion in all his post-school adventures.

Cuisinart Grind & Brew 12-Cup Coffeemaker: If your grad is heading off to college, this high-quality coffee maker will be their dorm room best friend.

Left-Right: Volcom Kids Boys Stone Thrashguard, Patagonia Kids Baby Baggies boardshorts, Little Marc Jacobs Scuba Miss Marc one piece, le top Kids Monokini, Hurley Kids Puerto Rico tankini and boyshort set

Thinking of a beach getaway for the family? Pack up the kids, some beach towels, beach toys,  swimsuits, and plenty of sunscreen and get ready for some memorable times on the shore this summer.

There are plenty of kid-friendly beaches across the country to explore! These beaches get an A+ for having amenities like restrooms and showers, good sand quality, kid-friendly waves*, and overall picturesque beauty. Here are just a few family-friendly beaches worth checking out this summer:

Coronado Beach, Coronado Island, California: With the historic Hotel Del Coronado as its backdrop, this wide stretch of beach makes it perfect for a family beach picnic. The little kids will enjoy building sandcastles while the older kids can play beach volleyball or rollerblade on the 15-mile pathway. There’s lots of free parking, restrooms, year-round lifeguards and showers. You can also enjoy a nice lunch in the hotel.

Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii: Just west of Poipu Beach is a little protected cove aptly named “Baby Beach”. This is perfect place for young kids and babies to get their first taste of the ocean while being protected from the currents. There’s also a grassy park by the parking lot which is perfect for picnics.

Santa Cruz Beach, Santa Cruz, California: The kids will have a blast on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk which features lots of rides, games and entertainment. The older kids can even learn to surf on Cowell’s Beach which usually has great conditions for beginners.

Siesta Beach, Siesta Key, Florida: The powdery white sand makes this beach one of the most beautiful beaches you’ll ever see. There’s a shaded picnic area and a playground for the kids, not to mention lots of family-friendly restaurants to choose from.

Ko’olina Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii: Nestled in the west side of Oahu, this resort beach is home to the upscale Marriott Ihilani Resort and more recently, the Aulani Disney Resort. There is, however, a public-access section, so you don’t need to shell out big bucks to stay at the hotel or its many villas to enjoy the beach. There are three kid-friendly man-made lagoons that make up the beach area, each one protected by rock barriers. There are also several grassy and shaded picnic areas, lifeguards, restrooms and showers, making it convenient for parents and kids alike.

*constant adult supervision is a must at any beach.

Whether you have a budding pro golfer in your midst or you just enjoy taking your kids for a round of golf, make sure they’re dressed in the best golf gear from Zappos Golf.

Here are some of our picks of must-haves for your little golfer:

Nike Kids Remix Jr golf shoes: The custom-colored inserts lets them match their Nike Swoosh to their golf outfit or school colors. How fun is that?

Nike Kids Morph Polo Shirt: This gives him a pro-golfer look with ventilation properties to stay dry on the course.

Nike Kids Plaid Short: These cool shorts are stylish both on and off the golf course!

adidas Kids Climalite® Sleeveless White Base Polo Shirt: Sweet stripes keep your little golf girl classic and stylish.

adidas Kids Climacool® Knit Skort: Performance meets girly style with this adorable skort.

Given the nice weather during summer, it would be an excellent idea to combine a birthday party with a car wash fundraiser! This is a particularly good idea if your teen is interested in having fun with his or her friends, as well as giving back to a favorite charity. Who knows, this act of generosity may catch on with your teen’s friends, making a real difference within the community.

Here are some top tips for organizing your own Car Wash Party:

• Have your teen decide what charity the donations will go to.
• Call and ask the charity about your plan and what they need. For example, if it is a favorite local library, do they need more books? If it is the humane society, do they need pet care items? Of course, they could always request monetary donations as well.
• In your invitation, explain the aim of the car wash. Ask the guests to bring an adult with a car to the party for washing. Instead of bringing a gift, have the parents pay for their car wash with items that the charity needs or a donation in whatever amount they would like to give.
• Also, ask everyone to dress appropriately for the car wash. They are going to get soapy and a bit wet, so bathing suits, board shorts and flip flops are a good idea!
• Set up in the driveway of your home and place “car wash” signs all over the front yard.
• Have everyone work together to wash the cars thoroughly and in quick time.
• Have a special place for the payments, such as a bucket for cash donations or a large box for items being donated. Decorate this container with the logo of the charity.
• If you want the adults to know a bit more about where their donations are going, provide a flyer with this information as the receipt for the car wash.
• After the car wash is complete, the kids can even hold a water balloon fight!

Hopefully, this idea will catch on since everyone wins: The birthday teen has a fantastic charity in mind to support; everyone gets to work together and have fun washing cars, listening to music and playing water games afterwards, the adults feel good about their donations going to a worthy cause, and, ultimately, the organization benefits from the party. Everyone wins with this party theme, and it is really budget-friendly as well.

*Lisa Kothari is a kids' party planner and expert. Check out her site Peppers and Pollywogs for more fun party ideas!

These days, many people are becoming more eco-savvy. Parents are certainly no exception, and just as they are reusing, reducing, and recycling more than ever, they are also more interested in teaching their kids ways to embrace these principals. Kids’ parties are a wonderful place to start.

If you are into the Three Rs and are looking to make your kids’ parties more environmentally friendly, there are many ways you can help the Earth and throw a great party at the same time. Eco-friendly party planning is also a great way to introduce your kids to reducing, reusing, and recycling!

• Look around your home, and take an inventory of what you have on hand to make invitations, decorations, and party fun. For example, do you have any old paper supplies that you could create your invitations with? It is Earth smart (and pocketbook friendly!) to reuse what you already have.
• You may find things around your home to wrap gifts with. You could also turn the search for gift-wrapping materials into a fun outdoor activity. If you are looking to add a gift tag or decorative piece to your party package, take a hike and pick up a pinecone or acorn to decorate with.
• The easiest thing to serve your party menu and cake on are paper goods that match your theme. When you pick up these items, try to purchase only what you need. If you have leftovers, you may be able to reuse them at a party for another child in your family, or you could find a friend’s family who is having a birthday party with the same theme. Another trend these days is selling/swapping your stuff online. At Parents’ Connect Marketplace, you can make a little money by selling your leftover party goods and also help others who may need just two or three plates or cups to round out their party table.
• After your party, make sure to recycle any soda cans, plastic juice bottles, or other recyclable items that you served or used.
• As far as eco-friendly presents go, there are many options out there. You can purchase stuffed animals for small children that are made of organic material. If you are giving a child a gift that requires batteries, make sure to buy rechargeable ones. Tweens may appreciate a certificate stating that a tree has been planted in their name.
• Visit ECHOage, a website chock-full of fabulous ways to have an eco-friendly party.
• Use eco-friendly fabric bags for your goody bags.
• Check out Happy Green Earth, which was set up specifically to provide eco-friendly alternatives for children’s party bags, gifts, and tableware. They provide good-quality, affordable, and unusual items that are made from eco-friendly materials that are kinder to our planet.

 Reduce, reuse, and recycle!! The mantra is here to stay … at parties and beyond!