Back to School Essentials for Kids

It is officially Back to School season, and our three daughters are headed back to the classroom this week. They all had growth spurts over the summer, and we needed to stock up on new school uniforms and weekend clothes for the fall. We also checked shoe sizes, backpacks, lunch boxes, and water bottles, as well as put name labels on all of the new items. Here’s our top picks for Back to School essentials for kids!

Back to School clothes

Back to School Essentials: clothes

Back to School clothes: Our older daughters attend a school where they wear uniforms during the week, so shopping for school clothes is very straightforward. Primary recently expanded their kids clothing line into uniforms, and they carry the polo shirts and navy pants we needed. The quality is great, and I highly recommend checking out the Primary Uniform line if your kids wear uniforms! Our girls also love their leggings and tees, so they each picked a few new outfits for the fall. If your school does not require uniforms, the Primary Basics line could be a great option for school clothes. If you’ve never ordered from Primary before, you can use code TIDYDAD20 for 20% off your first order + FREE shipping!

Waterproof Sneakers

Back to School Essentials: shoes

Waterproof Sneakers: We walk 2 miles each way to and from school, in all kinds of weather, so it’s important that our girls have quality walking shoes. Their school uniform requires solid black shoes, so they each wear a solid black pair of Vessi waterproof sneakers to school each day. These shoes are lightweight, durable, breathable, and ensure your kids don’t have wet socks at school. They are also available in a few other color options for kids, and lots of styles for adults too!

Classic Sneakers

Back to School Essentials: shoes

Classic Sneakers: When I think about Back to School essentials, I think about new shoes. Our youngest daughter has been wearing Ten Little sneakers since she learned how to walk. They are great shoes for new walkers! They have recently expanded into youth sizes, and our older girls are eager to try out the purple lace sneakers on the weekends. Check out the full line here!

Chore Charts

chore charts

Chore Charts: We ordered a pack of chore charts to use as a morning checklist for each girl. We are already including tasks like put away pajamas, get dressed, make bed, brush hair, and brush teeth. We will gradually expand the list over the next few weeks to include tasks like check backpack, pack water bottle, and pack snack. This visual checklist will let all of us see what tasks have been completed, and what still needs to be finished. It will also let our girls increase their independence with being prepared for the school day, without (hopefully!) as many verbal reminders.

Backpack

Back to School Essentials: backpack

Backpack: There are so many different backpack styles out there! Our girls are fans of this Bentgo backpack with a separate section at the bottom to store their lunchbox. It helps them know exactly where to locate their snacks, and makes sure their lunchbox stays flat while being transported.

Lunchbox

Back to School Essentials: lunchbox

Lunchbox: Our girls have used these Bentgo lunchboxes since they were in preschool. They are very durable, have a leak-proof seal, and easy-open latches. They have 5 compartments with space to pack a variety of combinations of their favorite snacks. They also have a Chill version if you need to pack cold items!

Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Back to School Essentials: water bottle

Stainless Steel Water Bottle: Our girls love this water bottle with the little handle on top, and it also opens easily. It is insulated and keeps their water cold all throughout the day when they are at school.

Stainless Steel Food Jar

Back to School Essentials: food jar

Stainless Steel Food Jar: This insulated food container is a great option if you need to keep food cold (yogurt, etc) or warm (pasta, leftovers, etc). The wide mouth is easy to fill, the lid is leak resistant and there is a foldable spoon included that stores within the top of the lid. It comes in lots of fun colors!

Kids Toiletries Set

Back to School Essentials: toiletries

Kids Toiletries Set: Our girls have used Tubby Todd bath products for years, and they also have a toiletries set for kids! It includes five easy-to-use products with gentle ingredients to help kids get ready for their day. It includes face wash, deodorant stick, toothpaste, a suds stick, and SPF serum. It’s a great way to introduce kids to skin care and self care. It also helps make getting ready independently easy and fun! (shop through my Tubby Todd link to save an extra 10% off at checkout, no code needed!)

Name Labels

Back to School Essentials: name labels

Name Labels: It’s important to label the items that your kids take to school. Labels are an easy way to make sure that items that are misplaced eventually come back home to you. Mabel’s Labels has several great varieties of school labels, so that you can quickly label items. They’re easy to put on, and come in lots of fun designs. Let your kids choose their favorite, and it’s a mix of both fun and practical!

I hope this list inspires your own Back to School essentials season shopping! Make sure you check shoe sizes, backpacks, lunch boxes, and water bottles, and don’t forget to put name labels on all of the new items. Here’s to a great school year!

Thanks for pinning: Back to School Essentials for Kids

Back to School Essentials for Kids

This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission for purchases made through these links. We hope you enjoy some of our Back to School essentials for kids!

____________________________________________________________________________

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Hi, I'm Tyler!

I'm a NYC teacher, writer, and dad of 3 girls. My wife and I live with our daughters in a
750-square-foot apartment in New York City. I'm on a journey to tidy up my life. I share practical, routine-driven approaches to tidying, because I believe the process of tidying can make space for what matters.

September 1, 2023

Back to School Essentials

Back to School Essentials for Kids

It is officially Back to School season, and our three daughters are headed back to the classroom this week. They all had growth spurts over the summer, and we needed to stock up on new school uniforms and weekend clothes for the fall. We also checked shoe sizes, backpacks, lunch boxes, and water bottles, as well as put name labels on all of the new items. Here’s our top picks for Back to School essentials for kids!

Back to School clothes

Back to School Essentials: clothes

Back to School clothes: Our older daughters attend a school where they wear uniforms during the week, so shopping for school clothes is very straightforward. Primary recently expanded their kids clothing line into uniforms, and they carry the polo shirts and navy pants we needed. The quality is great, and I highly recommend checking out the Primary Uniform line if your kids wear uniforms! Our girls also love their leggings and tees, so they each picked a few new outfits for the fall. If your school does not require uniforms, the Primary Basics line could be a great option for school clothes. If you’ve never ordered from Primary before, you can use code TIDYDAD20 for 20% off your first order + FREE shipping!

Waterproof Sneakers

Back to School Essentials: shoes

Waterproof Sneakers: We walk 2 miles each way to and from school, in all kinds of weather, so it’s important that our girls have quality walking shoes. Their school uniform requires solid black shoes, so they each wear a solid black pair of Vessi waterproof sneakers to school each day. These shoes are lightweight, durable, breathable, and ensure your kids don’t have wet socks at school. They are also available in a few other color options for kids, and lots of styles for adults too!

Classic Sneakers

Back to School Essentials: shoes

Classic Sneakers: When I think about Back to School essentials, I think about new shoes. Our youngest daughter has been wearing Ten Little sneakers since she learned how to walk. They are great shoes for new walkers! They have recently expanded into youth sizes, and our older girls are eager to try out the purple lace sneakers on the weekends. Check out the full line here!

Chore Charts

chore charts

Chore Charts: We ordered a pack of chore charts to use as a morning checklist for each girl. We are already including tasks like put away pajamas, get dressed, make bed, brush hair, and brush teeth. We will gradually expand the list over the next few weeks to include tasks like check backpack, pack water bottle, and pack snack. This visual checklist will let all of us see what tasks have been completed, and what still needs to be finished. It will also let our girls increase their independence with being prepared for the school day, without (hopefully!) as many verbal reminders.

Backpack

Back to School Essentials: backpack

Backpack: There are so many different backpack styles out there! Our girls are fans of this Bentgo backpack with a separate section at the bottom to store their lunchbox. It helps them know exactly where to locate their snacks, and makes sure their lunchbox stays flat while being transported.

Lunchbox

Back to School Essentials: lunchbox

Lunchbox: Our girls have used these Bentgo lunchboxes since they were in preschool. They are very durable, have a leak-proof seal, and easy-open latches. They have 5 compartments with space to pack a variety of combinations of their favorite snacks. They also have a Chill version if you need to pack cold items!

Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Back to School Essentials: water bottle

Stainless Steel Water Bottle: Our girls love this water bottle with the little handle on top, and it also opens easily. It is insulated and keeps their water cold all throughout the day when they are at school.

Stainless Steel Food Jar

Back to School Essentials: food jar

Stainless Steel Food Jar: This insulated food container is a great option if you need to keep food cold (yogurt, etc) or warm (pasta, leftovers, etc). The wide mouth is easy to fill, the lid is leak resistant and there is a foldable spoon included that stores within the top of the lid. It comes in lots of fun colors!

Kids Toiletries Set

Back to School Essentials: toiletries

Kids Toiletries Set: Our girls have used Tubby Todd bath products for years, and they also have a toiletries set for kids! It includes five easy-to-use products with gentle ingredients to help kids get ready for their day. It includes face wash, deodorant stick, toothpaste, a suds stick, and SPF serum. It’s a great way to introduce kids to skin care and self care. It also helps make getting ready independently easy and fun! (shop through my Tubby Todd link to save an extra 10% off at checkout, no code needed!)

Name Labels

Back to School Essentials: name labels

Name Labels: It’s important to label the items that your kids take to school. Labels are an easy way to make sure that items that are misplaced eventually come back home to you. Mabel’s Labels has several great varieties of school labels, so that you can quickly label items. They’re easy to put on, and come in lots of fun designs. Let your kids choose their favorite, and it’s a mix of both fun and practical!

I hope this list inspires your own Back to School essentials season shopping! Make sure you check shoe sizes, backpacks, lunch boxes, and water bottles, and don’t forget to put name labels on all of the new items. Here’s to a great school year!

Thanks for pinning: Back to School Essentials for Kids

Back to School Essentials for Kids

This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission for purchases made through these links. We hope you enjoy some of our Back to School essentials for kids!

____________________________________________________________________________

You may also like:

September 1, 2023

Back to School Essentials

About me

Hi, my name is Tyler Moore. My wife and I live with our three young daughters in a 700- square-foot apartment in New York City. I began my tidying journey when an early-30’s crisis invited me to reflect upon, challenge, and change my patterns of daily living. I quit my job as a school administrator, returned to teaching, and started Tidy Dad to help others tidy, simplify, and find joy in their lives. I firmly believe the tidying process can transform your life. I’d love for you to join me in exploring ways that tidying can make room for what’s important in life. 


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