Here in Texas, my kids go back to school in 5.5 weeks! Wild I know! I have one going into 1st grade and one going into Pre-K. This is my 6th year to have a kiddo in school so I feel like I know what things everyone needs for back to school- especially at these ages.
5 Things Everyone Needs For Back To School
A good routine: I think most people let things get a little off the rails in terms of routine during the summer. If so my suggestion is to start 3 weeks before school starts. Start waking up at the time you’d need to for school, going to sleep early, and maybe even making lunches in their lunch boxes. I feel like anything you can do to start getting into the school routine helps!
Labels for everything: I am a big fan of labeling all the things. Preschool and camp require it and with Liam in elementary school, I just go ahead and do it. Comes in handy when we are digging through a lost and found for a water bottle to have our kids’ have labels on them. For both kids, I get these Inchbug orbit labels for water bottles and they fit on pretty much any water bottle we have used. For everything else, we do Name Bubbles labels.
Water bottles: Speaking of water bottles kids need good water bottles. Here in Texas, it’s still hot until basically Thanksgiving so my kids are guzzling water all day. Charlotte uses a Yeti kids water bottle and Liam uses these Simple Modern water bottles.
Durable backpack and Lunch box: For backpacks, I always do the Pottery Barn Kids backpacks. Charlotte has a tote for school that she has to use but she had a PBK backpack for camp and Liam used one last year and will use the same one this year. These Wildkins lunch boxes are my absolute favorite lunch boxes because they fit Bento lunch boxes.
A tradition: Having a back-to-school tradition is so much fun for kids and it’s a great memory for YOU! I have picture traditions I do with the kids and we always get ice cream after school on the first day as well. They look forward to it and you will too!
What are your must-have items for back to school?
A good routine is a must! I am definitely going to have to adjust to going back to school. My kids are in HS but all of these things apply.
My oldest starts school at the end of the month! So crazy. We will be doing our back to school shopping soon, it is always a hectic but fun thing to do. Great tips!
Labels are definitely helpful, they make everything look pretty but they help you stay organised as well. All the other items are really important as well, thanks for sharing the tips for water bottles, that’s very helpful.
labels for everything is non-negotiable to me. My kids lose a lot of his stuff so I need them most.
I need those cute back-to-school supplies to stuff inside. I was actually blanking on what exactly we’d need for the school but thanks to your post.
Oohhh…it is a large water bottle and pocket money, for me! Without those two, my days will be so much harder!
I agree with your suggestion to start getting into the school routine a few weeks before school starts. It can be tough to get back into the swing of things after a summer of fun! And I love your idea of labelling everything – it’s so helpful when you’re trying to keep track of all the things your kids need for school. Good water bottles are a must, especially in hot climates like Texas. And a durable backpack and lunch box are essential too. I love the idea of a back-to-school tradition, it’s a great way to make the first day of school special for your kids. Thanks for sharing your must-have items for back-to-school!
Labels are SO important! The lost and found table at school is always piled with unclaimed items.