If I could change the world on my own, here are a few things I’d want to see. An end to poverty and severe inequalities in how our fellow humans live. Great schools for every child. A culture where children of every race, physical ability, and family type know they belong. A healthy planet that can sustain generations of kids to come.

Today’s post highlights 11 children’s companies that, in one way or another, are working to change the world. Some of them you’ve probably heard of. Others are really small businesses that deserve to be known by more folks.

 Disclosure: For your convenience this post contains affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. You can read my full disclosure policy here. 

11 Companies for Kids That Will Change the World

1. Roma Boots

If your kids enjoy splashing in the rain as much as mine does, they need rain boots. Actually, that’s why I need rain boots. To stay dry when he goes on a puddle jumping mission.

Roma Boots is working to change the world by “giving poverty the boot.” When you buy a pair of their cheerful rainboots, they give a pair to a child in need. On top of that, they donate 10% of their sales the Roma Foundation, which builds schools and learning centers for kids. They sell rain boots for both kids and women.

2. Barefoot Books

I know I’m biased since I’m a Barefoot Books Ambassador, but I really do believe this small but mighty children’s book publisher is changing the world! Their playful, thoughtful books give children a window into other cultures. Their careful attention to diversity and inclusivity means that kids of every background, physical ability, and family type can find themselves in their stories.

They also have frequent charitable partnerships that allow shoppers to give back. My favorite is One Book, One Tree, a partnership taking place in July 2017 with the nonprofit Trees for the Future. For every book you purchase, a tree will be planted across the globe as part of the nonprofit’s poverty fighting, planet healing strategy.

3. Tegu 

Tegu’s magnetic wooden blocks are addictive for kids (and moms too. My 5 year old has to sometimes remind me that they’re his blocks.)

Tegu aims to change the world both through its environmentally sound practices and offering a different model of employment. The wood for the blocks is sustainably harvested by cooperatives in Honduras. The blocks are also made there in Tegu’s independent factory. Workers are paid a living wage, and provided with a career path rather than just simple task based jobs.

4. Truth and Gold

As someone who’s all about introducing kids to social justice, I was delighted to find Truth and Gold while hanging out on Instagram. This husband and wife led small business makes tee-shirts that celebrate Black heritage, mixed families, and that seek justice for all.

From cranes of peace to slogans like “100% Mixed” and “Black and Loved,” their products help you change the world by changing our culture.

5. Senda Athletics

All of Senda Athetletics‘ soccer and rugby equipment are fair trade certified. This means that the an independent body has verified that workers who produced their products in Pakistan were compensated fairly and labor under safe conditions. Workers also have a cooperative fund that they’ve used to set up a fair trade shop. In the shop, they can purchase commonly used items at reduced cost.

Senda also donates one percent of your purchase to their nonprofit soccer partners in the U.S. and around the world. These organizations use soccer to lower dropout rates, promote gender equality, and more.

Read more about what fair trade is and my recommendations of other fair trade certified products here. 

6. Tom’s 

Tom’s offers quality, comfortable shoes for the whole family. You may already know that Tom’s provides a new pair of shoes to a child every time you purchase a pair. What you might not know? Tom’s also works to change the world through their charitable giving to fight blindness, increase access to safe drinking water, help moms and babies have safe births, and prevent bullying.

7. My Family Builders

Not long ago, Ez Karpf, the founder of My Family Builders, was looking for a toy to give a friend’s children. He thought it would be easy to find a doll set that would remind the kids of their multiracial family. He was wrong. Ez also started to think about the lack of toys for families with two dads or two moms, single parents, and blended families.

He and a group of friends came up with the concept for My Family Builders, a set of wooden magnets that can be used to build any type of family. I snatched up a set during their first Kickstarter campaign, and the quality is impressive! They’ve been a great tool for making sure our son has a broad understanding of what family looks like.

Find books that show loving families in many different forms in this post. 

8. Yoobi

I discovered Yoobi just in time for back to school shopping. When you buy any of their colorful, fun school or art supplies, they donate a Yoobi item to a classroom in need. I’m the daughter of a teacher who spent her whole career in low-income classrooms. I’ve seen firsthand how much of teachers’ limited paychecks they pour into supplies just so their students can have basic learning tools.

So far, Yoobi’s donations to elementary classrooms have reached over 2 million children in need.

9. Natural Girls United

You’ve probably picked up on my “representation matters” theme by now. An important part of fighting discrimination is making sure that all kids can find toys and books where the children look like them. Natural Girls United fills the bill with their collection of ethnic dolls who have customized, natural hairstyles.

On her website, creator Karen Byrd talks about research that shows many African-American children are more likely to categorize a black doll as “bad” and a white doll as “good.” She’s made it her mission to expand children’s ideas of beauty through these striking dolls.

10. Little Lotus

Back in 2008, a group of graduate students at Stanford University set out to design an infant incubator that would cost just 1% of traditional incubators. The Embrace Incubator they created has now helped over 200,000 babies in 22 countries.

Thinking about the impact that the perfect temperature has on a baby’s sleep, the team created Little Lotus swaddlers and sleeping bags. They’re made from material originally designed for NASA. Your purchase of a Little Lotus swaddler or sleeping bag funds the donation of Embrace Incubators around the world.

11. Patagonia

Patagonia always tops the various lists of socially responsible companies. This outer and athletic wear company donates 1 percent of their annual sales to environmental charities and grassroots organization. They have a certified fair trade line of clothing, including baby and kids’ items, made in monitored factories in India, Sri Lanka, and California. Patagonia also works with its supply chain to reduce their environmental impact.

What are your favorite companies with kids’ products that are working to change the world? Tell us in the comments!