Founded by Mel Brown in 1984, Crocodile Creek was launched with the goal of inspiring children with products that are fun and functional. With four fundamental cornerstones — play, eat, learn, and go — the North Carolina-based company pairs eye-catching illustrations with striking color palettes in a range of products, from drinking bottles, backpacks, and lunchboxes to play balls and puzzles. They’re kid-friendly, and eco-friendly, too: All Crocodile Creek products are PVC, phthalate, and vinyl-free.