On a beautiful July weekend, I took the kids to visit family in Connecticut. You know, what people used to do regularly pre-2020.

It was picture-perfect – we swam, barbecued and caught up on all that’s going on in our lives. And to top it off, we took a day trip to the Mystic Aquarium, located in the seaside Connecticut town of the same name (and yes, also from the Julia Roberts film Mystic Pizza).

While it was unbelievably cool to see the sea lions, beluga whales (the only aquarium in New England to have them), jellyfish and rays, the highlight was of course the gift shop. After all, it’s the duty of any self-respecting promo nerd to peruse the branded goods for sale.

And kudos to whoever’s running the merch shop at Mystic Aquarium. It was full of fun, eye-catching and conservation-minded items that are sure to please kids and adults alike. I saw a number of prominent trends on display, so I want to share with you some of my favorite finds.

Corporations and nonprofits have shrewdly turned the spotlight to artists and makers, putting a face to the product and adding a mission-driven story behind their wares. Bonus: As demonstrated by this adorable beluga illustration, the results are often less corporate and much more fun.

Simple touches can elevate a product from boring to inspired. This standard gray backpack comes to life thanks to its step-and-repeat shark print. Still professional enough for work, or outright fun for the kids. Speaking of fun …

Whoa, color explosion. I love how this plushie really goes for broke thanks to its custom fabric. Even better, its conservation message serves a higher purpose. Definitely got my attention.

As soon as I saw this innovative little product, I had to tell our sustainability czar Theresa Hegel about it. We’re increasingly hearing about microfiber shedding from polyester clothes (and other synthetic fabrics) in the wash. This adorable little contraption, called the Cora Ball, captures over 30% of those shredded fibers and ensures they don’t enter our waterways. This area is ripe for innovation, and I think it’s highly likely we’ll be hearing more about it on Promo for the Planet in the future …

This was my favorite product in the entire store. So visceral and graphic and yet plenty of fun. The wonders a little creativity can do.

There were plenty of whimsical items and decorations in the store, but some more serious products did catch my eye. The plating on this mug is really handsome. It looks high-end and really bumps up the perceived value.

This wildlife rescue kit and also the marine biologist doll I saw were both great – they offered a great bit of role play for kids and something my daughters can aspire to do.

Thanks again Mystic Aquarium for a great time. And from rescuing stranded animals to training specialists to conducting ocean research, the organization is doing many important things – and of course needs support. I encourage you to visit the aquarium if you’re in the area (the shopping village next to it is also wonderful) and please consider donating to support the aquarium’s mission.