This school year is a strange one, to say the least. After over a year of lockdowns and at-home schooling, kids are finally heading back to the classroom. With everything going on, preparing your kids for school can be stressful as a parent. To help you get ready for the upcoming school year, we’ve made this list of eight back to school essentials for your kids.
- Backpack
No kid can go to school without a backpack or some kind of bag to keep all of their stuff in. Kids’ backpacks come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, colors, and styles, so your child has plenty of options. You might even pick up a rolling backpack if your child’s school permits them. Just make sure to have your child try on a backpack before you make the purchase, so that you can be sure it fits comfortably.
- Insulated water bottle
We all need to stay hydrated throughout the day. Drinking enough water helps us perform at our peak mental and physical abilities—a hydrated child also tends to have more energy in the classroom and on the playground. While the school may have drinking fountains, these are not as convenient as water bottles. Plus, in the era of COVID-19, children should be limiting their usage of communal drinking fountains.
- New shoes
Your child is going to need a new pair of shoes for the new school year. As you probably already know, children tend to outgrow or wear out their shoes pretty quickly. Give your child a fresh start this school year with a comfortable new pair of girls or boys running shoes.
- Rain jacket
If you live in a wet climate, then a rain jacket is essential. However, most sunny climates experience their rainy days as well, and it’s best if your child is prepared for all weather. Pick up a waterproof rain jacket that will keep your child warm and dry on those gloomy days.
- Hand sanitizer
Sickness spreads through children like wildfire, which is why it’s important to send your child off to school with some hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol can be effective in killing germs and warding off sickness. This is especially important considering the risks of COVID-19.
- School supplies
Most schools send out a required list of school supplies to parents. This list of school supplies often includes items like pencils, notebooks, markers, folders, binders, calculators, and more. If you’re not sure what school supplies your child will need for the upcoming year, contact your school and ask for a list of school supplies essentials.
- Lunchbox
Almost all students look forward to lunch since they can sit with friends and enjoy a tasty packed lunch. When compared with buying lunch at school, packing your child’s lunch allows for greater customization and tends to be more cost-effective. Plus, you can put together meals for your child that are far more nutritious and delicious than the food being dished out in the cafeteria. Purchase a good lunchbox to ensure that your child’s food stays sealed and fresh throughout the day.
- Reusable food containers
Reusable food containers are a great complement to any lunchbox. In addition to using these containers for your child’s lunch, you can also use them to pack snacks. Whether you want to send your child off with some mixed nuts or dried fruit, reusable food containers will keep their snacks fresh and prevent them from getting squished.
While this may be one of the most unusual school years we’ve seen in a while, the back to school essentials are more or less the same. Prepare your child for the upcoming school year by purchasing the essentials on this list.
