It’s about that time of year again, the time that many students I know dread and almost every parent loves. Yes … it’s back to school time! It is about this time of year that many retailers start offering “back to school” sales. I usually see some of these sales in mid-June but they seem to start in full-force around the last week of July and first week in August. (I have friends and family who live in different parts of the country and they have already started school, so July back to school shopping is the norm to them). And of course there are the colleges, which generally start mid to late August and many students who are traveling to school shop early. While school shopping for our boys we discovered some innovative products that I decided to share.
The first product is especially useful for those who have pre-school aged children that tend to lose their lunch boxes or for those who want to limit how much stuff their child carries to school. The product is an all-in-one backpack that includes a cooler and insulated front pocket that can double as a lunchbox. The backpack has a side drink pouch and enough space inside for a child to carry books and other items. The company that makes the backpack is called Obersee and their products can be found on their website.
Some other food storage items that are helpful to those who bring food and drinks to school include an insulated Neoprene lunch tote that is PVC and BPA free. These totes are made by Built NY and can be found at their website . Another item that keeps food secure and easily accessible for students of all ages are leakproof bento lunch box containers made by Yumbox. (Bento is an individual Japanese meal that is portioned and served in a decorated box with several compartments to hold the different foods. The American version of Bento focuses on the boxes, which are designed to hold many varieties of foods). Yumbox makes a full line of BPA and Phthalates-free bento boxes, which can be found on their website. Of course in addition to food we need drink – and many of us would also like a bottle that securely keeps liquid in. (A bottle that keeps the drink at its proper temperature would also be a great feature). Contigo is a company that makes bottles that are able to provide all this and more. Their product line includes vacuum insulated stainless steel bottles with autospout lids that open with the press of a button. Contigo also makes thermal mugs and BPA free plastic water bottles as well as other products. All of Contigo’s products can be found on their website.
There are also some innovative products for students living on campus or off-campus with several roommates. Space can get tight in both dorm rooms and high-occupancy apartments, and these products may be the solution you’re looking for.
The first product is the cardboard Paperpedic bed made by Karton, which is a company that specializes in cardboard furniture. The “bed,” (which is actually a bed base), is 100 percent recyclable, is expandable, and has room for Paperpedic bed drawers. It is said that the product comfortably sleeps up to 10 people, although I don’t know if this has been proven. The Paperpedic along with other cardboard furniture can be found at Karton’s website. If you’re looking for a mattress to go on top of the Paperpedic, the Casper mattress, which I have previously written about, may be a good option. This single-style mattress is made using layers of springy latex, high-density memory, and supportive polyurethane foams. The Casper mattress is available in six sizes but is delivered in a box small enough to fit in the trunk of a car. The mattress can be placed on any flat surface. The customer simply cuts the mattress from its specially-designed “sleeve” and watches as it unfolds. Casper mattresses, along with their sheets and pillows, can be found at their website.
If you’re looking to have a garden but are lacking space, Woolly Pockets may be the solution. Wooly Pockets are modular, green, breathable vertical garden planters that are available in various styles and designs. Woolly Pockets two main components, the breathable felt and the built-in moisture barrier, are made using recycled plastic bottles. The entire line of Woolly Pockets planters can be found at their website.
The final product that I found is a doc sofa that converts to a bunk bed. This piece of convertible furniture could be a great solution for those with limited space, who sleep in a living room, or just want an extra bed for guests. The transition from sofa to bed is just a few steps and can be done by one person. This convertible piece is made by Bonbon Trading and is available on their website.
Thanks to these and many more innovative products, going back to school as well as living in small spaces has become easier, more efficient – and more fun – than ever.
Born in Nashua, Brian Chicoine spent his early years in Raymond before moving to Manchester at the age of 9. A few years after graduating from West High School, Brian moved to Providence to complete his undergraduate degree at Rhode Island College. After college Brian got married then he and his new wife Jackie spent a little more than five years in New Hampshire, where their two boys were born. The Chicoine family then returned to Jackie’s home state of Rhode Island and have been living there since. Brian has merged his passion for entrepreneurship and innovation with his love of new and bold ideas to bring fresh perspectives on the way things are done. Brian, Jackie, and their two boys currently live in Rhode Island, but their hearts are in New Hampshire.
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