Kiddin’ around

Everything the younger set is craving now

~ By Stephanie Simons.

Not surprisingly, there’s a lot of super-sweet kids’ stuff going on in the Bay Area, including gear and goods for all ages – from Mimi the Sardine in Corte Madera to TruKid in the East Bay to LunchBots on the Peninsula. On our list:

Sneakerdoodles

Piperlime — the SF fashion website opening its first women’s apparel store in NYC this season — aces back-to-school cool with an edited selection of itty bitty Vans (pictured here), in addition to styles by Adidas, Minnetonka, Hunter, Sperry Topsider and more. $35, Piperlime.com

Mad A Bot You

Palo Alto-based LunchBots’ healthy and environment-friendly food containers (sans chemicals from plastic) promise to make food more appetizing and come home from school empty. Handy dividers, high quality stainless steel and punch-bright colors make average lunch pails truly pale by comparison. $19.99, LunchBots.com

Wee want more…

When it comes to all-natural body care, TruKid is not to be missed. The homegrown collection, headquartered in Oakland, includes jumbo-size bubbly body wash ($32), silly shampoo ($32), plus family-size SPF 30 sunscreen that’s totally safe for baby’s sensitive skin ($75). TruKid.com

Eco Apparel

The Green Creation has carved a niche for itself as the local supplier of non-toxic, 100-percent certified organic clothing (think one-of-a-kind onesies, bibs, dresses and hooded robes). In addition, the Fremont-based company sells buttery-soft towels and reversible blankets for infants and toddlers. $4.99-$29.99, thegreencreation.com

On your Mark, get set!

Kids 10 and up are hotly awaiting the release of “The Mark of Athena,” which hits stores Oct. 2. The book completes best-selling author Rick Riordan’s “Heroes of Olympus” trifecta (OK, we’re counting Riordan as a local because he used to teach in the Bay Area). Spoiler alert: Annabeth and Percy are together at last, as are the seven demigods of the prophecy. $11, RickRiordan.com

“I want my Mimi!”

Mimi the Sardine locally manufactured, Swedish-designed products are built for lil’ spills. Every cute-as-pie backpack, bib and apron is machine-washable and eco-coated without harmful chemicals. $14.95-$38.95, mimithesardine.com

Notorious B.A.G.

Dress up their bedrooms with ultra-modern (and dare we say best-looking-ever) beanbags. A smaller spin-off of the Fatboy Original for grownups, the Fatboy Junior makes the perfect lounger or mattress for sleeping. $159, at the SF-based online retailer DesignPublic.com

Zoo Cute!

We’re wild about these cutie-patootie creatures from Japonesque Baby, based in San Ramon. Among the highlights? Hippo hairbrushes, alligator combs, penguin nail clippers and monkey safety scissors. $5.50-$16.50, japonesque.com