top 13 Back to school essentials

NUMBER 1
Bentgo Bento Box
Currently ON DEAL

My favorite lunch box for Eliza with leak-proof silicone seals around each compartment, we have several of these. You only need one, but two is better (in case one gets left behind/is dirty). You can see the full post I just created on 25 bento box lunch ideas for kids, using this specific lunchbox HERE.

NUMBER 2
AirTags
Currently ON DEAL

Not only do we toss these in all the bags when traveling, but I keep one with Eliza, too! If you aren’t already utilizing these for backpacks, sports bags, or even sneakers, grab a pack on sale for the school year! THESE silicone holders are my favorite and is an easy way to keep them color coded in your phone!

NUMBER 3
Fairy Tales Rosemary Repel Hair Care

One of my biggest fears is Eliza coming home with lice. Mainly because of all you have to do to make sure it’s all taken care of after the fact and I wouldn’t know where to start. I’m not afraid to do all I can to try to deter that from happening so she’s been using this lice repellant shampoo set since she was in preschool. With rosemary, tea tree, citronella, etc., knock on wood, despite getting notes home from other cases in her classes, she hasn’t contracted any. It smells great and is a fantastic hair care system for kids.

NUMBER 4
PackIt Freezable Snack Bag

It folds flat so you can store it in the freezer and keeps snacks cold all day! I love that I can send this to school with Eliza for snack time and it broadens the possibilities of snacks so much since she can take fruit, dairy, etc. Also great for adults!

NUMBER 5
16oz Insulated Kids FreeSip Owala Water Bottle

I think the world is onto the Owala but if you haven’t converted just yet, this spill-free, two-sip option (interior straw or standard gulp) is our favorite for all of us. I love the manageable 16oz kids size and once you experience the quality and ease of these, you’ll discard all others.

NUMBER 6
20-Pack 6″ Handmade Grosgrain Bows

As someone who has spent most of Eliza’s childhood using cloth hand tied bows, I was hesitant about these. But, Eliza started gravitating towards bigger bows and I thought I’d give these under-$13-for-a-20-pack a try. Wow. I can’t believe the value. I literally used to spend more on ONE bow than I spent on the entire pack of 20! She wears these more than any other bows she has now. Tons of great colors in the pack and low stakes if they get lost/left at school. The alligator clip is also really sturdy.

NUMBER 7
Visual Timer
Currently ON DEAL

Eliza was infatuated with my visual timer I use in my office during work, so for Christmas, I got her this cute rainbow version to use in her room. It’s perfect for her (or me) to set timers for different parts of her morning or nighttime routine, from 2-minute teeth brushing, to just setting it and letting her know when it’s finished, she should be ready. Fantastic for both the bedroom and bathroom!

NUMBER 8
Slip On Sneakers
Currently ON DEAL

Slip on sneaker styles are our fave for school and both of these new additions have already been big hits during the first few weeks of school. I snagged them this summer during the Nordstrom sale, but they’re still available from the retailer sites. By the way, Eliza wears mostly New Balance and I score most of them on sale on Amazon HERE. Click on listings and play around with color and size combos and I bet you’ll find some phenomenal deals!

NUMBER 9
Stain Remover
Currently ON DEAL

Guaranteed to come home with lunch and dirt on her mouth — and her clothes — this stuff has been the BEST quick spray stain treatment before tossing her dirties into the wash. It’s especially incredible for those pesky berry juice stains!

NUMBER 10
Bluetooth Label Maker
Currently ON DEAL

I use this label maker nonstop in my kitchen — for leftovers, expirations, baggies, etc. But, most often, I’m using it to constantly label Eliza’s school items. Think lunch, water bottles, snack bags, folders, jackets, etc. etc. etc. I print things out one at a time, or her name out in bulk so I can quickly grab pre-printed names in the morning, as needed. This inexpensive label maker connects to an app on your phone and you can keep it basic or personalize it as much as you want. THIS is the case for it.

NUMBER 11
Fresh Produce Containers

I’m a HUGE fan of produce bins that I can use for grab and go in the fridge and these have been especially helpful for lunch prep and after school snack access. I have and have used a lot of different styles, but these are my latest fave styles. They allow water to drain to the bottom, are stackable, and have been the perfect size for all our berries and cut veggies.

NUMBER 12
TABLETOPICS
Currently ON DEAL

I think a common struggle is keeping conversation going with your kid after school. One word answers about their day, can’t remember what they ate, etc. Eliza LOVES this pack of family table topics at dinner (she takes them out for us often) and it’s a great way to easily have conversations with her, stay up to date, learn about her, etc. (without her even realizing it). She’s also way more willing to elaborate when we ask follow-up questions via this format.

NUMBER 13
Color Coded Bible Verses
Currently ON DEAL

We actually don’t yet have these, but as Eliza grows into a more comfortable reader, I will definitely be getting a set of these bible verses for her! I love this simple reminder and resource for her days — both on the best and the toughest of days.