Even though we’re deep into winter, the scent of this soap makes us think of spring. The rich, plant-based soap is enriched with shea butter and laced with bright herbal fragrances, like lemon verbena from Provence — just the pick-me-up we need when the mercury is hovering around freezing.

$10 at L’Occitane.

Looking for a portable, non-messy craft? Wikki Stix are fabulous. This low-tech toy is perfect for long car rides, airport downtime, birthday party goodie bags, restaurants, doctor’s office waiting rooms – pretty much any time you want to give your kids a chance to engage in quiet, creative fun. The non-toxic wax-coated yarn can be bent into shapes, pressed together to make crafts, or used to connect the dots or create pictures on a flat surface. They’re easy enough for my 3-year-old to manipulate, and can be used to make more-complicated creations that keep my 5-year-old happy for ages. A package of 24 8-inch stix is just $3.25, but there are some fabulous kits in the $8 range.

Activity Set (84 stix, play board, activity sheets, and a storage bag), $16.95 at Wikkistix.com. 

My newest wow-this-really-works gadget is the BottleTop — it snaps on to the top of a standard-size soda or juice can, effectively turning it into a resealable bottle. And it really does work; I had plenty of opportunities to test it out recently, during a weekend-long family party, and not only did it contain spills, it kept half-consumed cans of soda fizzy for ages. The washable and reusable tops come in different colors, making it easy to keep track of whose drink was whose; to remove, just crush the can a little bit and the top pops right off.

$10 for a set of 12 at Walgreens stores and online at BuyBottleTop.com.

Most standard scoooters are either too clunky or too hard for little kids to balance on or steer. Mirco-Mobility has create two versions that are perfect for kids, with three sturdy wheels and an ultra-responsive lean-and-steer system. They’re perfect for parents, too — the steering shaft simply snaps into place, no screws or tools required. Their Kick Scooters come in two sizes, Mini (for 3- to 5-year-olds, $74.99, with traditional T-bar handles) and Maxi (6- to 10-year-olds, $149.99, with a joystick-like handle) and in a range of bright colors. They’re lightweight but sturdy, and when you’re riding, you feel like you’re gliding on air.  If you’re tired of strapping several bicycles to the back of your car — or if your kids still can’t manage without training wheels, but think they’re too babyish for words – these scooters make an excellent alternative.

$74.99 (Mini) and $149.99 (Maxi) at KickboardUSA.com.

Loose tea tastes better than the powdery stuff that comes in pre-filled bags, but convenience often trumps taste when you’re on the run or at the office. Blomus’ tea stick takes the hassle out of making a proper cuppa. The spring-loaded, stainless-steel gadget is easy to fill and clean, and the many tiny holes make for perfect steeping.

$20.15 at Cooking.com.

Kids get the sniffles all the time, and they almost never have a tissue handy. So what do they use? Their sleeves. And it’s gross. After chasing their toddlers and preschoolers around with tissues, moms Sharon A. Pevsner and J. Kelly Mayes came up with Sniffle Buddies. They’re soft, washable hankies that your kid can wear on his wrist and use to wipe his nose on the go (for proper nose-blowing, he’ll still need a tissue). Made with bamboo and organic cotton, the ultra-soft cloth is naturally anti-bacterial and antifungal, and very absorbent. It keeps germs off of hands and sleeves, making it a perfect, natural line of defense this cold and flu season, too.

$9.99 each (adult sizes, $10.99-$11.99) at SniffleBuddies.com.

The weather is wonderful, so if you’re thinking about squeezing in one more outdoor adventure before the school year really gets under way, now’s the time. The only problem is that all of the bugs in the state seem to have the same idea, and want to share your camp site. Don’t Bite Me offers an all-natural insect repellent in a thin, transdermal patch that promises to protect against biting insects for up to 36 hours. The DEET-free patch is safe for young children; it uses Vitamin B1 and aloe, which are absorbed by the skin and secreted through the body’s pores, to create a barrier against bugs (it even protects parts of the body like the scalp and ears, which are difficult to reach with a regular insect spray). The patch is waterproof and works best if applied two hours before going outside; stick it on the kids while you’re still in the car, and by the time you get to your campsite you’ll be good to go — I mean, stay.

$7.99 for a package of 10 at Don’t Bite Me.

As we get ready for back-to-school this year I am renewing my commitment to producing less waste. So I found these BPA and phthalate-free food storage containers that I am going to use to pack our daughter’s lunch for school. They come in many colors, which is a life-saver, because I was told by none other than our kiddo that everything must be pink.

$18.50 for a set of 4 at PotteryBarnKids.com

Reusable grocery bags are ecologically sound and all, but they fold down to the size of a large three-ring binder, which isn’t all that easy keep in your purse. The Joey Tote takes care of this problem — it stores in it’s own built-in pouch, which is roomy enough to hold another tote or two. The machine-washable, rip-stop nylon bags come in two sizes, and are strong enough to hold about 40 pounds worth of stuff (I shoved two gallons of milk into one of the small totes after my last shopping trip with no problems). The large size is just right for slinging over your shoulder, and the small one is about the same size as a standard plastic grocery bag, and as easy to carry, but much more durable. They’re not just for groceries, either: Keep a three-bag set (one large, two small) in your purse and you’ll always have a way to carry your surplus souvenirs when you travel, or to keep the sandy stuff separate after a family trip to the beach.

$8.50 (large), $7 (small), or $20 (for a set of three) at Joeytotes.com.

With drug-free remedies taking a hit thanks most recently to Zicam, parents should be aware that there are still a few medicine-free cold and allergy treatments out there. Little Allergies Allergen Block is a gel that helps prevent sneezing, runny noses, and nasal congestion by creating a positively charged barrier that stops negatively charged allergens (like ragweed and pollen) before they can cause irritation. Rub the gel around the nostrils and between the nose and upper lip; it’s scent-free and invisible, but provides hours of relief.

$14.99 for a 1-ounce tube (about 150 applications) at drug stores and Drugstore.com.