Sturdy, Stylish Shoes
Go back to school in style with fashionable, functional shoes from San Francisco-based Plae. The shoes have flexible traction soles that follow the contour of a child’s foot and washable shock-absorbing insoles. Kids can change their look with interchangeable tabs available for $4.95 a pair. Plae offers a “growth-spurt guarantee” allowing you to buy the same shoe in the next size for half off if your child outgrows a shoe in 30 days. Pictured: Emme: $49.95. Kaiden high-top: $74.95. www.goplae.com.
Extracurricular Education
Would your child like to study physics by skydiving in a wind tunnel? Or learn history from an actress playing Eleanor Roosevelt? Then check out Outschool. The San Francisco start-up, created by the son of two teachers, allows independent instructors to offer classes – both one-time and series – in a wide range of topics from anatomy to robotics. Classes are offered throughout Northern California and online. Prices vary. outschool.com.
Back to School in a Box
Take the hassle out of back-to-school shopping with KidBox. Fill out an online style profile for your child and KidBox will send you six to seven seasonal items, at discounted prices, five times a year. Keep it all or return what you don’t like with free shipping. It’s like StitchFix for kids but more reasonable, and with a twist. If you keep the whole box for $98, KidBox will donate a new clothing item to a child in need. www.kidbox.com.
News You Can Use
San Francisco moms Joann Suen and Sapna Satagopan want to raise their young children to become citizens of the world but had a hard time finding news sources that were kid-friendly and appropriate. So they created xyza: News for Kids. The digital subscription service delivers current events, science, sports and more for elementary and middle school students. Kids can even help provide the news by joining their Junior Reporter program. $1.99 per month for a printer-friendly digital edition. www.xyzanews.com.
 Things We Like celebrates the best products, people and places that make parenting fun. Got a suggestion? Email [email protected] or submit your idea here.