Pack It Up

When Jojo started going to school, it seemed that the thing he was most proud of was his snack bag. He loved being in charge of carrying his own snack. He loved that, at his Montessori school, he was allowed to eat snack WHENEVER HE FELT LIKE IT! Often he would run right in the classroom at 8:30 am and immediately sit down to have his snack. (I always assured the teacher that we fed him at home. Really!)

In the past year, we have learned that PVC and vinyl contain harmful chemicals. Most reusable lunch bags are made from these materials. I knew I needed to get Jojo a new pvc-free lunch bag so that those yucky chemicals wouldn’t be off-gassing into his food!

I found the perfect solution from one of my favorite online stores, Oompa.com. Our new eco-friendly, PVC-free lunch bag by Mimi the Sardine is cute, safe, and practical!

We have the Hybrid Cars design, but there are two other design options to choose from. I love our Mimi the Sardine lunch bag because it is machine washable, made from environmentally friendly fabrics, free of harmful dyes and chemicals, and has a durable zipper closure!

We use our Mimi the Sardine lunch bag for trips about town, too. I like to always have healthy drinks and snacks on hand. This keeps us from making poor food choices in a moment of weakness (hunger!).

I also wanted Jojo to have a functional backpack of his very own. Many backpacks marketed for children are too small to contain all of the necessities for school or travel.

Oompa.com has an exclusive series of great, durable bags by Allerhand.

Jojo has an Allerhand Cool Backpack (really, that is the name!) with quite an impressive list of features.

First of all, the Allerhand Cool Backpack is aesthetically pleasing with its subdued but child-friendly color scheme:

AllerJonas

Two large pockets that are big enough to hold a 3-ring-binder! (Most kiddie back packs are NOT this roomy!)

AllerBinder

One of the large pockets includes an insulated drink holder. Also inside of the backpack is a fun fishy design!

AllerDrink

The front pocket has a special shape so that you can store your bicycle helmet inside!

AllerHelmet

Also included with the Allerhand Cool Backpack is a “splash bag” for wet stuff. It has both a velcro and drawstring closure.

AllerSpalsh

One of the shoulder straps has a small cellphone pocket:

AllerPhone

The Allerhand Cool Backpack is recommended for children aged 3 and older. The size and style of the backpack make it possible for even me to use it without a problem!

Other cool features on the Allerhand Cool Backpack include:

* Five zippered pockets
* Lots of pouches for pencils, books, cell phones, mp3/cd players (with headphone port), or even a snack
* Lightly padded back and straps for comfortable use
* Reinforced handle for easy locker hanging
* Two straps for heavy duty backpacking

This is a great bag that will be useful for years to come! Check out the coordinating pencil cases and lunchbags also available from Allerhand at the Oompa online store!

Oompa would like to give one Mom Most Traveled reader a Mimi the Sardine Eco-Friendly Lunch Bag in your choice of design!

To enter, visit Oompa and comment here with another product you would love to have (they have a LOT of great stuff)!

Contest closed! *Congrats Kari Follett!*

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Comments

130 Responses, Leave a Reply
  1. 1 veronica
    15 October 2008, 3:10 pm

    Any of the tea sets. My daughter loves to play restaurant so this would come in handy. While she has plenty of toys at home, I do think a tea set is in her future.

    veronicas last blog post..Happy Love Your Body Day!

  2. 2 Jill L
    15 October 2008, 5:49 pm

    I love the Sakrada Building Blocks from Haba. Blocks are so big at my house and these are so pretty.

  3. 3 Jenn S.
    15 October 2008, 6:33 pm

    My son would love to keep his pencils in the Corsario Soft Pencil Case from Haba . Too cute!

  4. 4 Melissa B.
    15 October 2008, 6:34 pm

    I like the Schnuggi Lamb Doudou from Sigikid. It looks very soft and cuddly.

  5. 5 Sandy
    15 October 2008, 6:49 pm

    I love the teas set too. I am getting so sick of everytime I turn around something else is not safe- and this summer we found more plastic to toss when we took out the picnic items- omg when is it gonna stop

  6. 6 Margaret Smith
    15 October 2008, 6:56 pm

    I really love this lunch bag and I also love the Sakrada Building Blocks from Haba. Thank you for offering this giveaway.

  7. 7 Matthew Meisenhelder
    15 October 2008, 6:59 pm

    i love the fairy & unicorn puzzle, my little niece LOVES fairies

  8. 8 Sweetpeas
    15 October 2008, 8:00 pm

    We LOVE Oompa toys here!!! One that caught my eye that I haven’t seen before is the Haba diogenes drum. What a great way to store toys!

  9. 9 Lindsay
    15 October 2008, 8:56 pm

    I love the Airport toy from Plan toys and the ABC Beetle Pencil Case from Haba

  10. 10 jffryclough
    15 October 2008, 9:04 pm

    sakrada building blocks or i’ll make my own

  11. 11 Lisa L.
    15 October 2008, 9:36 pm

    Chalet Dollhouse with Furniture looks good to me.

  12. 12 Baba
    15 October 2008, 9:37 pm

    The Paletti Wooden Arranging Game looks very nice. Great for teaching patterns and art appreciation to kids.

    Babas last blog post..Shenandoah Costume GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

  13. 13 rebecca snodgrass
    15 October 2008, 10:12 pm

    I love the Frog Bath Bucket from Elegant Baby.

  14. 14 Rebecca C
    15 October 2008, 10:40 pm

    I got their catalog and there is so much that I would love to have! The Balancing Cactus from Plan Toys is the first thing that comes to mind though!

  15. 15 Stephanie V
    15 October 2008, 11:06 pm

    Discovery Puzzle: Safari from Chelona looks fantastic

  16. 16 susan varney
    15 October 2008, 11:35 pm

    love the Colorful Stacking Cubes

  17. 17 Amanda
    16 October 2008, 12:41 am

    I like the Chalet Dollhouse with Furniture.

  18. 18 Linda
    16 October 2008, 1:25 am

    The airport toy caught my attention.

  19. 19 Stacy
    16 October 2008, 2:08 am

    Love the frog bucket.

  20. 20 Vicky Boackle
    16 October 2008, 2:34 am

    i like the airport toy.

  21. 21 Shannon
    16 October 2008, 2:41 am

    The surfin kids easel.

  22. 22 Vicki Wurgler
    16 October 2008, 3:14 am

    I like the Chalet dollhouse

  23. 23 sarah
    16 October 2008, 3:36 am

    i love the Sakrada building blocks!

  24. 24 Noreen
    16 October 2008, 5:02 am

    thanks for voting for my girls, you can vote once a day :)

    I love the Tea Time Set from Djeco

  25. 25 Sharon Jones
    16 October 2008, 10:23 am

    Sakrada Building Blocks for sure…I nanny and the kids would LOVE this…thanks :)

  26. 26 Lynn H
    16 October 2008, 10:29 am

    I like the Wooden Toys!

    Edited by CanCan to say: You need to be more specific than this for your entry to count.

  27. 27 Vickie Couturier
    16 October 2008, 11:33 am

    Surfin’ Kids Easel - Cocoa Brown my little grandson would love that, an the lunch bag too,thanks

  28. 28 Kim @ What's That Smell?
    16 October 2008, 12:36 pm

    I would love the Farmyard Cuddle Toys Puzzle from Djeco for my daughter. She would love it and it is so cute!
    Thanks!

  29. 29 Vergie
    16 October 2008, 1:19 pm

    Schnuggi Lamb Doudou from Sigikid great

  30. 30 Heather
    16 October 2008, 1:32 pm

    I love the look of the Zookies car lap pad (love the blue dot design) - what a cool product.
    Thank you for hosting a giveaway! :-)

  31. 31 Joy F
    16 October 2008, 1:40 pm

    Ooo, very great site! I had lots of fun browsing. A few favs are the U Roll from 10 Grain, the funky harmonicas from Tatiri for my little musician, and the Vachemenbien Puzzle from Djeco.

  32. 32 Diana G
    16 October 2008, 3:27 pm

    I love the tea set. Perfect for little lady play time.

  33. 33 Jenna
    16 October 2008, 4:14 pm

    I love Oompa Toys! They are one of the first sites I visit when Christmas shopping. I really love the Dancing Alligator from Plan Toys. So adorable!

  34. 34 Christy Hickman
    16 October 2008, 5:26 pm

    I love the Chakempil et sa Souris Wooden Stacking Toy from Djeco. They have some really great toys. Thanks for the chance to win.

  35. 35 Kristan
    16 October 2008, 5:31 pm

    I like the Bert sitting sack. Cute!

  36. 36 Karen Gonyea
    16 October 2008, 6:37 pm

    Love all of the Oompa Toys, please don’t make me pick just one :)

  37. 37 Naomi
    16 October 2008, 6:52 pm

    I love the Haba furniture. The beds are outrageous!

  38. 38 Bebemiqui
    16 October 2008, 7:25 pm

    I like the airport toy from plan toys!
    bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com

  39. 39 Kathleen
    16 October 2008, 7:50 pm

    He looks thrilled to be carrying that lunchbag and the backpack. I’ll bet he’s the envy of all his classmates.

    I love Oompa toys! They have so many great Haba things, including the Pirate Travel Bag, which I’d love to buy someday. I’m hoping SoJo grows up to be a pirate (at least a hacker one)

    Kathleens last blog post..Thrifty Green Thursday: Eco-Friendly Toothbrushes

  40. 40 charline s
    16 October 2008, 8:50 pm

    Dancing Eggs from Haba would be fun

  41. 41 Lori Walker
    16 October 2008, 9:09 pm

    Wooden Forest Animal Set from Cheekeyes

  42. 42 Hil'Lesha
    17 October 2008, 2:08 am

    I love the B-Day Party Princess Tea Set from Djeco. :)
    Hil’Leshas last blog post..Review: The Gift Closet’s Soy Whipped Body Butter in Chanel’s Chance

  43. 43 Beverley Justice
    17 October 2008, 2:27 am

    I like the Sakrada Building Blocks from Haba.

  44. 44 Maja
    17 October 2008, 3:12 am

    Schnuggi Lamb Doudou from Sigikid

  45. 45 Genevieve Larson
    17 October 2008, 6:51 am

    I like the Organic Grabbing Gnome Pink
    jen

  46. 46 Terra Heck
    17 October 2008, 10:04 am

    This lunch bag would be great for my son. The Daisy’s Market from Djeco is pretty awesome.

  47. 47 Erin H.
    17 October 2008, 4:10 pm

    I’ve always wanted to try the Stockmar’s Beeswax Block Crayons. Thanks for the giveaway!

  48. 48 evelyn
    17 October 2008, 5:24 pm

    the little reader chair in blue is adorable

  49. 49 Tamara Bennington
    17 October 2008, 8:31 pm

    I like the Eco-Friendly Tea Set and the Biofino Petit Fours (Set of 9) from Haba. I love having tea time with my daughter.
    tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com

  50. 50 kristi blackstone
    18 October 2008, 12:02 am

    Bilibo Mini - Blue/Green from Kido … I’d love to win for my son!

  51. 51 Layla
    18 October 2008, 2:23 am

    I love both the Tea Time Set and the B-Day Party Princess Tea Set- from Djeco. My little girl would love either one. So cute.
    laylarenee[at]cfl.rr.com

  52. 52 Anne
    18 October 2008, 5:22 am

    I really love the “Your Body Girl Puzzle” from Beleduc ! What a great way to introduce “bodies” to kids!

    Thanks

  53. 53 tiff
    18 October 2008, 11:26 am

    love the tea time set!

  54. 54 alison
    18 October 2008, 2:21 pm

    We’d love the lunchbag! Thanks for the giveaway!

  55. 55 Denyse
    18 October 2008, 6:17 pm

    The Corsario Soft Pencil Case is my son’s pick.

  56. 56 judy brittle
    18 October 2008, 8:32 pm

    I really love the Wooden Deli Set 1 from Erzi. I wish I could get the grandkids all of the play food sets. So much fun! The lunch bag is fantastic! Thank you so much!

  57. 57 Michele P.
    18 October 2008, 8:55 pm

    I like the colored sand art set from Djeco and the Tatiri pencil cases, very colorful-for my little budding artist!

  58. 58 Gaye McGill
    19 October 2008, 1:50 am

    I think every baby should have a mobile, but I couldn’t decide between the Multicolored Abstracts Mobile from Djeco and the Twitterling Mobile from Haba.

  59. 59 Jessica
    19 October 2008, 1:40 pm

    My daughter would love the Running Bunny Benny from Haba toy.

  60. 60 Melody
    19 October 2008, 8:46 pm

    Peeko Sock Doll from Sok-O is such a cutie! Im sure any kid will want to hug it!!! :) Great stuff… Thanks for the giveaway!

  61. 61 Hui Shan
    19 October 2008, 8:50 pm

    Barnyard 123 Lunch Box from Crocodile Creek is such a delightfully adorable bag. Plus it’s so functional! A must have!!

  62. 62 Stacy
    20 October 2008, 3:38 am

    I would love the Little Amsterdam from Haba.

  63. 63 K. Cleaver
    20 October 2008, 4:26 pm

    They do have a lot of great stuff. My favorite item would be the paints. We do a lot of crafts and it seems like I’m always running out.

  64. 64 JONI CHADWELL
    20 October 2008, 5:21 pm

    Barnyard 123 Lunch Box…How cute!

  65. 65 Darcy
    20 October 2008, 5:29 pm

    Love the wooden teethers, too!

  66. 66 Kasey Proctor
    20 October 2008, 7:06 pm

    I really like the Frog Bath Bucket.

  67. 67 Kari Follett
    20 October 2008, 11:00 pm

    Personally, I love the Paletti Wooden Arranging Game. I think it would be a wonderful addition to any home with young children!

  68. 68 Kari Follett
    20 October 2008, 11:00 pm

    Im also a subscriber!

  69. 69 MaryBeth Isaac
    21 October 2008, 3:44 am

    these are so cute - Letter Dwarves from Haba!

  70. 70 Nadia
    21 October 2008, 5:11 am

    I really really like their Biofino: Bon Appetit Pizza from Haba!! My kiddos love to play with pretend food and this pizza set looks sooo well-made! Durable, realistic and everything!

  71. 71 Jeni
    21 October 2008, 12:56 pm

    Organic Cat from Lana Organic

  72. 72 Jodi
    21 October 2008, 6:00 pm

    I just love the Flutterflies Mobile, wish I had found this when my daughter was a little younger.

  73. 73 Christine W
    21 October 2008, 8:14 pm

    I LOVE all of the little kid backpacks from Dante Beatrix. I have had my eye on them for a while. I’m not sure which is my favorite but I really like the lion, the dino and the monkey!!! Thanks for the chance!

  74. 74 Justyn
    21 October 2008, 8:46 pm

    I like their wooden toys. The wooden animals with moving parts, the wooden fences, and especially the wooden polar bear (this is what kiddo wants for Christmas).

  75. 75 Candie L
    21 October 2008, 11:43 pm

    I like the Terra Kids Camping LIght

  76. 76 Sheila B.
    22 October 2008, 12:07 am

    The airport toy looks like a lot of fun for the kids.

  77. 77 lisa
    22 October 2008, 3:52 pm

    I liked the Urban Aller-Roo Pouch from Allerhand. iIt looked very nice for when you have to carry something, but need both of your hands.

  78. 78 Katie L.
    22 October 2008, 8:08 pm

    I’d love to have the Wardrobe and Bench Knight’s Castle!

    Katie L.s last blog post..Walgreens Wednesday! (10/26)

  79. 79 Lisa
    22 October 2008, 8:12 pm

    I really like the Dolphin Bath Bucket. It’s adorable and useful. Nice giveaway!

  80. 80 Terry C
    22 October 2008, 10:14 pm

    Shake, Rattle, & Drum from Sounds Like Fun sounds like it would be fun! Thanks for the giveaway!

    braaisjo at gmail dot com

  81. 81 Pat
    22 October 2008, 10:26 pm

    I like the Jax Organic Toy Cubes. That would be great for organizing the playroom or bedroom.

  82. 82 Chrysa
    23 October 2008, 1:50 am

    I like the Tea Time Set.

  83. 83 tanya
    23 October 2008, 1:51 am

    I also like the “Green Frog Bookend from Streamline”

  84. 84 Cheryl Free
    23 October 2008, 3:00 am

    My favorite product is the Garden Chalet Desk :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!

  85. 85 Ashley
    23 October 2008, 3:48 am

    I love the Haba brand toys and think the mirror track looks really cool.

  86. 86 Kimmie in Fort Worth
    23 October 2008, 4:49 am

    Oh, the Sheep Nanny Carpet is adorable and would be so cute in my baby’s room. Too bad it’s $150…little out of my price range…but I can enjoy looking at it, at least!

  87. 87 Erma
    23 October 2008, 12:55 pm

    love the Frog Bath Bucket from Elegant Baby.

  88. 88 Jodene Gildea
    23 October 2008, 2:15 pm

    I love the tea time set.

  89. 89 C Gibbs
    23 October 2008, 2:16 pm

    My kids would love the Quadrilla sets!

  90. 90 Jennifer M
    23 October 2008, 4:24 pm

    I like the modern style and pretty color of the Jax Organic Hamper: Green from Nest.

  91. 91 Jennifer hedden
    23 October 2008, 4:38 pm

    Christmas Spirals and the Joy holiday cards

  92. 92 Erin Daly
    23 October 2008, 4:43 pm

    Wow, so many great products! My toddler would love the Shake, Rattle, & Drum set. She is so into making music right now!

  93. 93 Charissa
    23 October 2008, 5:06 pm

    I love the shapes in the Discovery Blocks from Haba

  94. 94 Ginny
    23 October 2008, 6:43 pm

    I love the Lucy II Catch All Bag from Lucy & Michael under the Made in USA 2008 category!

    Ginnys last blog post..Review ~ The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Vegan Cooking

  95. 95 Elizabeth M.
    23 October 2008, 8:02 pm

    I think the Bikokabrac from Djeco is the coolest stacking game I’ve ever seen and it’s so original!

  96. 96 Teresa Crosswhite
    23 October 2008, 8:50 pm

    the holiday cards I like.

  97. 97 Carolsue
    24 October 2008, 1:44 am

    I like the Large Bashful Beige Bunny
    from Jellycat

  98. 98 Hesper F
    24 October 2008, 1:56 am

    The Jungle Cuddle Toys Puzzle from Djeco would be great for my daughter!

  99. 99 Jenna
    24 October 2008, 4:19 am

    I love the tie up shoe! Great for those fine motor skills and harbouring independance!
    Thanks
    mountaingoats at hotmail dot com

  100. 100 Veronica Garrett
    24 October 2008, 6:57 am

    I woild like to have Junglie Lion from Jellycat.

  101. 101 Gina
    24 October 2008, 8:04 am

    I shop at Oompa all the time. I am currently lusting after all the HABA furniture. So fabulous.

  102. 102 J.Hodgkiss
    24 October 2008, 10:49 am

    The Blue Xylophone from Tatiri looks like so much fun! I bet my little one could make some beautiful music with it!!

    J.Hodgkisss last blog post..October update!

  103. 103 Brooke
    24 October 2008, 12:42 pm

    Modern Furniture Set from Plan Toys!

  104. 104 Nanette Olson
    24 October 2008, 2:22 pm

    I like the Organic Grabbing Gnome Pink.

  105. 105 Amy T.
    24 October 2008, 3:12 pm

    There are so many great things to choose from, but I think because my kids are puzzle freaks, I would pick one of those as my favorite item. Although, I am dying over the play food….the wooden eggs are too cute!! :)

  106. 106 joanna smith
    24 October 2008, 3:28 pm

    The Terrace Dollhouse from Oompa is adorable. I would love to have this for my daughter! There is so much imagination that can be nurtured with a product like this! Thank you for this great giveaway!

  107. 107 Lyudmila
    24 October 2008, 5:03 pm

    I very like the Nina and Kitty Activity Strapper!

  108. 108 kathy pease
    24 October 2008, 5:43 pm

    i love the Yoko Boogaloo from Blabla

  109. 109 beth shepherd
    24 October 2008, 6:33 pm

    Thank you for having this! I really like the Doll Pram Hearts for my daughters. Thank you!
    tatertot374@sbcglobal.net

  110. 110 amira
    24 October 2008, 6:57 pm

    I like the Yellow Wooden Roadster Race Car from Vilac and i would get the monkey bookmark for myself!

  111. 111 Andria
    24 October 2008, 7:01 pm

    I like all of the Biofino food by Haba!

  112. 112 Crystal F
    24 October 2008, 7:07 pm

    I love the Pampolina Necklace from Haba. It would be adorable on my daughter. Thank you!

  113. 113 Sito
    24 October 2008, 8:32 pm

    The xylophone from tatiri. The kids would love this, and they will probably get it for christmas.

  114. 114 Frances Watson
    24 October 2008, 8:45 pm

    I like the Organic Grabbing Gnome Pink

  115. 115 Chrystal Blue
    24 October 2008, 10:22 pm

    My daughter would love Petite Coco from Blabla.

  116. 116 Ilissa H.
    24 October 2008, 10:42 pm

    I really like the Sorting Box from Brio.

  117. 117 Donna K
    25 October 2008, 12:03 am

    I like the Pig Rattle from Blabla

  118. 118 Brianne
    25 October 2008, 1:11 am

    Love their Art easels.

  119. 119 Sherry
    25 October 2008, 1:16 am

    I love the butterfly crayon box

  120. 120 Sand
    25 October 2008, 1:24 am

    I’d love the Rembrandt Aquarell pencil set of 36 from Lyra.

  121. 121 Brenda
    25 October 2008, 1:46 am

    I would love the Klick Children’s Desk Red.

  122. 122 Michelle H.
    25 October 2008, 2:19 am

    It is hard to choose one item because I have both boys and girls, but I really like the “Large Counting Truck - Yellow from Bajo”. My baby boy would love this.

  123. 123 Samantha Pruitt
    25 October 2008, 2:38 am

    the Schnuggi Lamb Doudou from Sigikid looks great!

  124. 124 Catherine KingChuparkoff
    25 October 2008, 2:41 am

    I loved the natural building blocks from Brio…just like the ones I remember from grade school.

  125. 125 oona
    25 October 2008, 3:08 am

    The Tea Time set from Djeco is so sweet! My daughter could entertain herself for hours with this!
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    foxsquirrelrabbit(at)yahoo(dot)com

  126. 126 Suanne Giddings
    25 October 2008, 4:16 am

    My favorite is the Hiya Dresser (Bamboo) from Spot on Square. Who couldn’t use that? Thank you for the opportunity to win!

  127. 127 Charlene Kuser
    25 October 2008, 4:45 am

    My favorite is the Sakrada Building Blocks from Haba
    Thanks for the giveaway

  128. 128 Kathleen
    25 October 2008, 4:48 am

    I would love to have the Cito Bulldozer from Guidecraft . It looks like a sturdy toy and trucks get a lot of use in my house.

  129. 129 Lily Kwan
    25 October 2008, 4:56 am

    I love the Slavkajack Bunny!

  130. [...] If you’re new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!Where: Mom Most TraveledWhat: PVC-Free Lunchbag by Mimi the Sardine!How To Enter: Leave a comment on the giveaway/contest [...]

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