Everything you could possibly need to start the school year. Use our comprehensive list to discover what's available and why you might need it, then create your own checklist or download ours.
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Understanding Your Starting School Supplies
You don’t have to buy everything on this list. We’ve spent 16 years researching back to school products and put together this list of absolutely everything you might find useful, along with reasons why.
Now it’s your turn to choose what will work for you.
An art smock is a protective garment worn over clothes to keep them clean during messy art projects. This is essential for protecting your child’s clothes from paint, glue, and other materials.
A toddler backpack small backpack designed specifically for the needs of a child starting school. Perfect for carrying lunch boxes, water bottles, and other essentials. Look for one with adjustable straps and a comfortable fit.
Bag tags are personalised labels attached to backpacks or lunchboxes to help identify your child’s belongings. This can prevent them from getting lost or mixed up with other children’s belongings.
A bento box is a compartmentalised lunchbox that helps you pack a healthy and visually appealing lunch for your child. This can make lunchtime more fun and encourage them to eat a variety of foods.
A chair bag is a storage solution that slips over the back of a chair, providing convenient and organised access to school supplies.
A reusable drink bottle is leak-proof and easy for your child to hold and open. This is essential for keeping your child hydrated throughout the day.
A fabric name stamp is a small, self-inking stamp specifically designed for marking fabric with a personalised name. You can use this to stamp their name on clothes, towels, backpacks, and other items.
Hand sanitiser is a portable germ-fighter essential for keeping your child’s hands clean throughout the day. Choose a child-friendly sanitiser that is gentle on their skin.
An insulated food jar keeps hot food hot and cold food cold, ensuring that your child’s lunch stays fresh and delicious until lunchtime.
An insulated lunch bag pairs perfectly with an insulated food jar to keep your child’s lunch at the ideal temperature all day long.
A library bag is a sturdy bag designed to carry books back and forth from the library. It helps protect the books from damage and makes it easy for your child to transport them.
Name labels are another way to personalise your child’s belongings and prevent them from getting lost. You can use these on clothes, lunchboxes, water bottles, and other items.
A nap mat is a padded mat that provides your child with a comfortable place to sleep during nap time at school or daycare. Choose a mat that is easy to clean and roll up for storage.
A pencil case is a container used to store pencils, crayons, markers, and other writing utensils. This helps keep your child’s supplies organised and prevents them from getting lost or damaged.
A sandwich cutter is a fun way to make your child’s lunch more appealing. You can use this to cut sandwiches into different shapes, such as hearts, stars, or animals.
Comfortable and supportive school shoes are essential for your child’s growing feet. Choose shoes that are made from durable materials and provide good arch support.
Snack containers are a great way to pack healthy and convenient snacks for your child. Choose containers that are leak-proof and have easy-to-open lids.
Spare underwear is a good idea to pack for your child in case of accidents. This will help them stay comfortable and avoid embarrassment.
A sun hat is a wide-brimmed hat that protects your child’s face, neck, and ears from the harmful rays of the sun. It’s essential for all outdoor activities, especially during the summer months.
Sunscreen is a topical lotion or spray that absorbs or reflects ultraviolet (UV) and protects your child’s skin from sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer.
A swim bag is a waterproof bag designed to carry wet swimsuits, towels, and other pool or beach essentials. It helps keep your child’s belongings organised and prevents them from getting lost or damaged.
A wet bag is a waterproof bag specifically designed to store wet items, such as dirty clothes. It helps keep your child’s belongings dry and prevents them from getting mouldy or mildewy.
FAQs about buying school supplies
When choosing a size, think about your child's age, how big they are, and how much stuff they need to carry. If the backpack is too big, it could be uncomfortable and even hurt their back. If it's too small, all their stuff won't fit.
Another thing to think about is the bottle pocket. Make sure it fits your child's water bottle or drink container snugly. Not all pockets are the same size, and a good fit makes the backpack more useful and easier to use.
We've put together our list of favourite backpacks - 13 Best Toddler Backpacks Mum's Recommend.
Choosing the perfect lunchbox for your kid is like finding Goldilocks' bowl - just the right size for their food and backpack. An insulated lunchbox keeps things fresh, while easy-to-clean materials and compartments make lunchtime a breeze.
Consider safe materials like BPA-free plastic or stainless steel. Let your kid choose a design they love, and make sure they can open and close it easily. Built-in utensil compartments or water bottle holders are nice extras, but not essential.
Ultimately, pick a lunchbox that fits their needs and personality, making lunchtime practical and enjoyable!
We've put together our list of favourite lunch boxes - 12 Best Bento Boxes Mum's Recommend.
Choosing to personalise your child's school supplies comes with both benefits and drawbacks. On the positive side, personalised items are easier to find and less likely to be lost, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility in your child.
However, personalised items can be more expensive than regular ones, and they may not be allowed by some schools.
One important safety consideration is the potential risk associated with having a child's name displayed on their backpack. This could make them more easily identifiable to strangers. So be sure to discuss safety precautions with your child so they understand how to stay safe is essential.