The Budget Bambino

What: For many of us, fall means that raindrops will be fallin’ on our heads soon enough.

What we say: Rather than have your kids bring the old black umbrella with them to school when the rain starts pouring down, try a more cheerful design to beat the gray-day blues. Besides, rainboots only keep kids’ feet dry and these styles are sure to brighten any storm.

Lands’ End has five colorful umbrellas ($12.50) that match their kids’ rain slickers, if you are looking for a coordinating look. You can choose a flower-patterned umbrella in green or purple or solid-colored ones decorated with fun shapes (strawberries, whales, or submarines).

The Dolphin Umbrella, from Tootsies Kidorable Rain Gear ($12), features a smiley dolphin, complete with 3-D fins, catching a wave. Tootsies also features umbrellas that look like ladybugs, cows, fairies--you name it!—for the same price.

We also love the Kid’s Sky Umbrella at MOMA ($16) for a fluffy-white-cloud contrast to a dark horizon.