10 Back To School Essentials

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(Last Updated On: June 25, 2019)

Disclosure: Food Wine Sunshine received one or more of the products listed below for review. All opinions and tips are my own!

10 Back To School Essentials

10 Back To School Essentials

Making a list, checking it twice…No it’s not the holidays…yet. It’s Back To School time. How many times have you double-checked your Back To School Supply list? Do you have all your Back To School essentials? There are bound some things that your child will need that won’t be on the list that you get from the school. And there are some things that YOU will want your child to have that won’t be on that list either, so I wanted to share a list of Back To School Essentials that will help you this Back To School season.

Back to School Essentials:

Backpack

The oh-so-important backpack. Yes, when they are in preschool and 1st grade, my kids liked to pick out fun characters for theirs, now as they enter 3rd and 5th grade, they just want simple, “cool” colors, no designs. No matter what your child’s backpack looks like, make sure it is sturdy and can handle being thrown, dropped, pulled on, stepped on, etc. I learned quickly that I would rather spend a few extra dollars up front than have to replace it one of two times before the year is up.

Back to School Essentials

Lunch Box

The lunch box is almost as important as the backpack! Make sure you bring the kids along with you to check out the latest styles and colors. It is something that they will be using daily and opening and closing in front of their friends.

Back To School Essentials

Reusable Containers

I am a HUGE fan of reusable containers for snacks, sandwiches, you name it. There is no need to waste several plastic snack bags a DAY. It’s a waste of money and it’s horrible for our environment.  Plus, you can then use those containers for everywhere you go – day trips, travel, etc. You can even put your snacks in them 😉

Back to School Essentials

Thermos

If your child will appreciate a warm or extra cool lunch or snack on day, a thermos is a must-have in your back to school supply cart. I like the ones that are stainless steel and have double-walled insulation, they tend to keep your food warm/cool longer.

Freezer Packs

I recommend having at least two. One for today and one for tomorrow when you realize that you forgot to refreeze the other from the day before 😉

Back to School Essentials

Water Bottle

Look for one that is BPA free and is at least 12 oz.  One with a fun design or character on it will help your child pick it out in a crowd 🙂

Hand Sanitizer

I like for my kids to have one either attached to their backpack or that they can put in one of the pockets of their backpack. You never know when they may need it.

Back to School Essentials

Labels

Personal labels for belongings that you actually want have come back home. I know I’m not the only parent out there that has been through multiple water bottles because they just “disappear.”  It is important to me that the labels don’t come off easily too, I love Mabel’s Labels because they are dishwasher safe, laundry safe…well basically kid proof!  The Back To School Combo has just about everything you need to make sure your kids’ belongings actually stay your kids” belongings!

Back to School Essentials

Allergy Labels

If you have a child with allergies, these are a must. You can write notes, tell the teacher, tell the lunch room staff, and tell your little one to tell everyone that they have a food allergy…but no one is perfect. An allergy label will not only give you piece of mind, but it will be there to tell people that there is an allergy when you can’t.  Again, be sure that the labels are dishwasher safe…microwave safe is a plus too.  OneStepAhead has customizable labels to be sure you have the right one for your child’s needs.

Essentails for Back to School

School List Supply Items

This one is obvious, but be sure to get the required items for your classroom! Consider a “wish list” item or two as well. Teachers aren’t supplied with basic supplies for our children, anything and everything that you can do to help is appreciated!

*Extra Clothes

This is number 11, I know.  But I wanted to add in that preschool age usually need an extra outfit to keep at school in case they need a quick change.

Back to school essentials on Food Wine Sunshine

What are some of the items on your Back To School Essentials Check List?

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Sunshine

Comment section

30 thoughts on “10 Back To School Essentials

  1. I totally agree with these essentials. The hand sanitizer is important to keep your kids from getting sick!

  2. You are spot on with this list! The stickers is the only thing that is different from mine…but a great idea! Thanks for encouraging me!

  3. Thanks so much for the Fantastic Review on 10 Back To School Essentials! I totally agree with you when it comes to the backpack! The kids throw them, drop them, and they get kicked around and stepped on so they have to be sturdy to last the entire school year! I have insulated lunch bags for the kids and we’ve had them for a couple years now! I’m so glad that they are easy clean up and extremely sturdy! The kids and I went to Walmart a week or so ago and picked up most of the things they need. You know, the usual, pens, pencils, markers, notebooks, scissors, paste, tissues, etc. etc. So, They go back at the end of this month and they are pretty well ready. I haven’t been able to afford new shoes or clothes because of our financial situation! They know what we are going through and already have an outfit picked out and put aside. Thanks so much for sharing your fantastic review, all the pictures, and your personal and professional opinions on 10 Back To School Essentials with all of us! I truly do appreciate it! Thanks again! Michele 🙂

  4. a good nights sleep before hand… especially for mama who is going to be running around grabbing last minute things!!

  5. I like to pick up a few extras when I can. One or 2 items a week doesn’t bust my bank and then when kids come to school with no supplies or something gets ruined, there’s a supply there. The teachers really appreciate this!

  6. We all need to find away to save money , Any good idea , any helpful hints to help you do just that is a good thing.

  7. Great article! My son is starting High School and my daughter is in first grade this year. I can’t believe all the supplies the high school requires. It really is extremely expensive. I love all the essentials on your list. Hand Sanitizer is big in our house. Packing lunches are a great way to save.

  8. We have a lunch box and book bag so we just need the basics like pencils, pens, paper notebooks and folders.

  9. Thanks for the list! It reminded me that I need to get personalized labels for my granddaughter. She loses so many things at school and needs Mabel’s Labels.

  10. Thanks for the tips, I feel so unprepared for school to start this year and need to get a little more organized.

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