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You know I’m last-minute ordering ALLLLL the back to school essentials before my kids head back to school next week… so here’s a list of 30 of our favorite products to help make the transition back to the classroom a little easier!
Back-to-School Essentials
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1 // Stackable Bentgo
My oldest loves this stackable Bentgo – lots of ‘grown up’ colors & patterns with built in included utensils.
2 // Stasher Reusable Lunch Bags
These are simply the best reusable storage bags – thick & sturdy & food safe, great for older kids who you can actually trust to bring them back home š or just use for your own fridge.
3 // “Lunchables” Lunch Box
These are reusable, inexpensive and great for kids to make their own DIY lunchables with separate compartments for everything.
4 // Paper Lunch Bags
We use these instead of plastic ziplocks for sandwiches or snacks when reusable isn’t an option. Great quality & from a small biz.
5 // Small Stainless Steel Water Bottles
These are my fave for littler kids who don’t need a huge water bottle – stainless steel, super sturdy, and lots of cute colors & prints.
6 // Reusable Fabric Bags
These are fab for little snack bags of dry snacks like pretzels, cereal, etc. Washable & tons of colors, several sizes.
7 // Thermos for Hot Food
If your child likes hot lunch from home, these have amazing reviews & come in a ton of colors.
8 // Large Stainless Steel Water Bottles
My favorite for me + the big kids – the 24 oz fits in a cup holder (or backpack side pouch), comes in a ton of colors AND has a straw/spout that closes and locks so no leaks.
9 // Salad Dressing Containers
Great for condiments in lunches – easy to wash (hi, dishwasher!) and also great for travel toiletries (lotions, pills, etc).
10 // Bengto Elementary Kids Lunchbox
These are fabulous for younger elementary kids – everything stays separate, they’re easy to pack and wash. Lots of colors.
11 // Personal Safety Alarm
If you have an older child who walks to school or commutes in any way – it wouldn’t hurt to have one of these personal safety alarms for their backpacks. Lots of colors & great reviews.
12 // Kids Echo Dot
Alexa will be your BFF to get the kids out the door in the AM – she can help with all kids of routines & reminders + makes things a little more fun for the kids.
14 // Apple AirTag
Great for kids who are too young for a smart phone or watch – you can see where they are via your iPhone. We have one for my 1st grader who rides the bus.
15 // Thoughtfulls Cards for Kids
If writing a little love note via post-it isn’t your jam, these little cards have a sweet little pop up message for your child + lines to write your own sentiment on the back. They’re cute & tiny & would make any kid’s day!
16 // Lice Prevention Spray
If you’ve ever had lice in your house, you KNOW how terrible it is. A spray or two of this on your kids’ heads each AM will help keep them away. A MUST for preschool but also for the bigger kids. Clean ingredients & from a small biz!
17 // Mini Hairbrush
Packing one of these mini wet brushes in each kid’s backpack this year for those mornings where we aren’t quite 100% ready walking out the door or someone needs a refresh during the school day.
18 // Shoe Protector Spray
Love this stuff for protecting shoes,, backpacks, anything made of leather, canvas or nylon. Non-aerosol.
19 // Fine Mist Water Bottle
A fine mist waterbottle makes it 46% easier to brush a kids’ hair in the AM š this one is fab & inexpensive.
20 // Kids Art Frames
These are FAB for the playroom or kids’ room – the frame opens up so you can add art to it versus always changing it out. Awesome for all the masterpieces coming your way this year… get one for each kid and at the end of the year empty it out :).
21 // Art Storage Bags
Store ALL THE SCHOOL TREASURES in one of these art bags. Each of my kids has one with plenty of room for more art, notebooks, etc. We don’t get a new one each year, they’re just for cumulative storage š
22 // Hair Ties
These are our family favorite – I’ll leave one wrapped around the handle of the mini brush for each of the girls, just in case!
23 // Umbrella
Packing an umbrella away in their backpacks is never a bad idea – this one is inexpensive with great reviews and comes in lots of colors.
25 // Miss Messy Wipes
Toss one of these in each kids’ backpack for those inevitable ‘oops’ moments at school.
26 // Mini Mirror
Because my kids don’t have phones yet š just in case they want to take a peek at their teeth and/or hair on-the-go.
27 // Chapped Lip Healer
For the inevitable chapped lips coming your kids’ way this winter, this stuff is the BEST for healing them basically overnight. Dermatologist recommended & a fave of the LLL community for years š
28 // Throat Spray
Natural immune support… yes please! I have one of these bottles for each of the kids. Also soothes a scratchy throat.
29 // Elastic Bungee Laces for Kids
Ditch the regular laces for these fun reflective toggle bungee laces – lots of colors to choose from + helps kids get their shoes on a lil easier.
30 // Zipper Mesh Pouches
BlI’ll use one of these for each kids’ backpack to hold the ‘just in case’ essentials like a hairbrush, stain remover wipe, mini mirror, etc.urb
Pin These Back-to-School Essentials
Did I forget anything? See my 2023 roundup of backpacks here.
Supraja Lakshmi N says
Thank you for this helpful guide on back-to-school essentials. You have covered everything from clothing, shoes, accessories, school supplies, and more. I appreciate how you categorized the items by age group and provided some examples of what you bought for your kids. You have a great sense of style and taste.