As a parent, I get excited when the kids go back to school. They’ve been lounging around the house for way too long by now. The kids, however, may not see it the same way. That’s why my wife and I get them excited by going back to school shopping. They get new clothes and a few gadgets and accessories. Then, we hit Amazon for all the supplies because we know their deals are the best of the best.
We have one kid just starting school and one much older. Our back-to-school list runs the gamut. At one end we need notebooks for an avid writer along with color pencils for her free time. At the other, we’re buying pencil sharpeners, dot markers, and arts & crafts sets to keep their imaginations running throughout the day. There’s something for everyone on this list to jump-start your back-to-school shopping.
You will love our editor’s curated product picks! FYI: We are an Amazon affiliate partner and may get a share of the sale of your purchase (at no cost to you).
Surround Your Kids with Knowledge
Kids can forget a lot during those summer weeks without school. Going back to school means embracing learning and these posters are a great way to remind them. Put them up on their wall so they can learn something new each morning they wake up and get ready for school.
These Chalk Markers
Whether it’s for the chalkboard in class or you just want to give kids a space on the wall where they can create freely, these chalk markers are a great way to brighten up a chalkboard and spark creativity.
Turn Any Surface Into a Chalkboard
We’ve all had to tell our kids at some point not to color on the walls. There’s just something about a wall makes them think it’s a canvas. But what if we could give our kids a place where they could color on the walls? Use this wallpaper to turn almost any surface in your home into a chalkboard.
These Dot Markers
These dot markers bring color to any blank sheet of construction paper. Preschoolers love the action of stamping the markers and you’ll be surprised by what kids do with paint, paper, and a wild imagination.
Give Them Music at Homework Time
Listening to calming music while doing homework allows our kids to concentrate and get through their assignments a lot faster and with fewer mistakes. Try it on your own kids but leave the head-banging music for when they’re not doing homework.
Organize All School Events and Deadlines
If your kids are older, this organizer works well for them but to be honest, in my house, this book is the only thing that keeps things running smoothly. There’s always so much to do in addition to having jobs and taking care of the things at home. We need something to keep it all together for us.
Remind Them They Can Do Anything
A little motivation goes a long way and sometimes, all of us need some positive words to push us. Your kids are no different. These posters can give them the motivation to start their day but don’t forget to give them your own positive words when you drop them off at school.
Let Them Express Themselves
These pins are a great way for kids to make their backpacks as unique as they are. Self-expression is a big deal; kids should feel special, and having their own spin on a backpack that could look like many others is their own way of feeling a little special.
Make Lunches a Fun Event
Who says a grilled cheese or turkey sandwich can’t be fun? These sandwich cutters give kids a new shape to enjoy at lunchtime. They can eat a sandwich shaped like butterflies or dinosaurs and on test day, you can shape their sandwich like a star.
All School and No Play is No Fun at All
There’s a reason schools have recess. Playtime is just as important as study time and these balls are perfect for playtime. Whether it’s dodgeball, kickball, or handball, kids will have a ball during recess.
End the Day with a Book
Staring at a screen into the night is simply not healthy. When bedtime approaches, give your kids a book instead. This book light will let them read peacefully so they can doze off relaxed and feel revitalized the next morning.
Help Them Remember the Capitals
Remember when we had to learn all the states and their capitals? Those days still haunt me. Make it an easy and fun time for your kids by teaching them with these flashcards. They’ll learn about states, capitals, and presidents so they’re ready for class.
Keep Notes Organized
Note-taking can get messy and if you don’t help your kids get organized with their notes, the problem will only grow when they get to college. Help them early with this notepad folder. They can start their notes on the cover and keep the subjects organized all semester.
A Nutritious Lunch Makes All the Difference
Don’t just shove a sandwich in a clear zip bag and shove it in their backpack. Give them plenty of snacks and a meaningful lunch that will energize them and get them through the second half of the day. After all, we all know how those afternoon crashes can get us.
Keep Hands Germ Free
Kids will play and their hands will get dirty. That’s a fact of life. But there’s no reason for them to walk around with filthy hands all day long. Drop some of these sanitizer wipes in your kids’ backpacks and help them stay clean and germ-free.
Teach Them the Power of Journaling
A notebook is one of the most convenient tools available as we get older. I use one to write, draw, jot down inspirational quotes, and even notes from meetings. It all started when I was in school and my parents gave me an extra notebook to use for whatever I wanted.
Parents Need a Back-to-School Treat Too
Some days I’m the one who doesn’t want to get up and asks for five more minutes. Getting the kids to school on time is its own challenge and we deserve a treat. Pour yourself some coffee and froth up your milk for a morning pick-me-up.
Wind Down After You Help with Homework
Getting the kids to school is one thing, but having to remember how math works in order to help with homework can be stressful. When school work is finally finished, I reach for this tea in order to relax and recharge.
Use Blocks to Teach Shapes
Kids understand colors and love to play with blocks. These blocks help kids understand shapes and how to use blocks to create those shapes. They may even learn to recognize patterns associating colors with shapes in preparation for school.
Keep Track of Homework and Chores
Between school and chores at home, kids can get overwhelmed by everything we expect of them on a daily basis. These chore charts will help them make sense of their responsibilities and help you turn them into a game rather than a chore.
Protect Their Eyes from Screens
Kids can learn a lot from their devices these days. Many schools even provide them with tablets to use at school and at home. Protect their eyes from the intensity of screens with these blue light glasses.
Keep Lunches Cool
Remember that by the time lunch rolls around, your kids’ lunches have been in their bags for hours. Sandwiches can get warm, along with fruit and milk. Prevent tummy aches by keeping everything cool throughout the day with these ice packs.
Take Their Love of Coloring Further
Our daughter can spend hours coloring, only getting up to show us her masterpiece. This color pencil set can do the same for your kids regardless of their age. Use them to nurture their creativity, it will help them throughout their school years.
Stop Forgetting School Events
School barbecues, teacher meet-ups, soccer practice, and so much more. There are always things to do and it’s hard to keep it straight. Grab this dry-erase calendar and write it down so you have a reminder each time you go to the fridge.
Arts and Crafts Every Day
Creativity is vital to our kids’ learning experience. We tend to focus on STEM subjects but the truth is, developing their creativity and imagination will help them do better with logical subjects by helping them think outside the box during problem-solving.
Stop the PE Stink
Age doesn’t really matter when it comes to sweaty feet and smelly sneakers. As soon as kids start running around during recess or their physical education classes, their sneakers begin to smell a little bit each day. Spray this shoe deodorizer in their shoes after they come home from school and put an end to that.
Let Them Be Them
These fabric markers are a great way to help your kids display their personalities every day. They can draw on their shoes, pants, or shirts. Their clothes are their own canvas where they can show the world who they are.
Stains Will Happen
The best way to prevent permanent stains on clothing is to treat them immediately, long before you do laundry. Use this stain remover as soon as your kids come home to make sure the uniforms last the year.
Board Games Can Be Educational
Kids love board games but I’m certainly not going to play that humanity card game with them. Get something that is age-appropriate and teaches as well as entertains. This matching game will help your little ones learn their letters and numbers.
Learning Doesn’t Have to Stay at School
As parents, it’s easy to think school is doing the teaching and we’re giving them the rest from school. The truth is, children should constantly be learning. Everything new is a learning opportunity and this explorer set can make every outing a fun, educational time.
Organize Their Flash Cards
Flash cards have been around a long time because they work. No matter how many things go digital, it’s a method that can always help kids memorize material. Keep their flashcards organized by subject or lesson with these tabbed cards.
Keep Pencils Ready for Math
Pencils are always needed and, much like it was long before kids had computers, they always seem to break at the worst time. Get this electric sharpener so your kids don’t have to get up and disturb the whole class over a broken pencil tip.
Be Ready to Make Science Fun
Science shouldn’t be all books and memorization. This science kit will have your kids experimenting like professional scientists. Show them science can be fun so they can enjoy their learning experience a lot more and thrive in school.
Headphones to Concentrate on the Lesson
In these days of digital learning, kids are watching much more digital material and in order to get everything out of it, they have to be able to listen and concentrate. Get these headphones to help them focus on the material.
Learn Colors, Shapes, and Numbers
Toddlers are sponges and pick things up quickly. This is one of the best times for you to teach them and prepare them for preschool and beyond. These flashcards will help your little ones learn their letters, numbers, shapes, and colors so they are ready for school.
Even Lunch Time Is Learning Time
Who says you can’t eat spaghetti and learn about the solar system at the same time? These placemats each focus on a different topic of science and geography. Now you can feed their brain while the kids feed their stomachs.
Blow Up Their Math Knowledge
Blow their little minds by showing them just how fun math can be. This memory game will have parents and kids alike enjoying the time together and teaching the children all about the basic math lessons of early childhood.