Back-to-School Essentials

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The start of a new school year always feels like a fresh chapter. For us, a new city, a new state, and a new school! There’s so much excitement in the air walking into a brand-new classroom, organizing fresh supplies, meeting teachers for the first time, and even settling back into the rhythm of school mornings. After our summer move to Tennessee, I wanted to make sure the kids felt prepared, confident, and maybe even a little extra excited to begin this new season. I can’t believe we now have a Kindergartener, third grader, and sixth grade middle schooler!

Grade T-Shirts to Kick Off the Year

One of our favorite back-to-school traditions is picking out grade-level t-shirts for each child. It’s a simple but meaningful way to celebrate their milestone and capture the moment in first-day photos we’ll treasure forever. Each time they put them on, it’s a reminder of how much they’ve grown. This year, we even color-coordinated their shirts with their backpack/lunchbox so they can wear them throughout the year which is a fun twist that keeps the tradition going beyond the first day.

Each of my kids has their own color-coded backpack and lunchbox — pink, green, and blue which makes it easy to keep track of everything.

Lunch Prep Staples

I found great little cutlery sets at Aldi. I removed the extra pieces like the knife, metal straw, straw brush, and chopsticks, then labeled them with their names. Now they stay in each of their lunchboxes every day, so I never have to worry about forgetting utensils for a meal. Every afternoon or evening, I wash their water bottles, sandwich containers from Amazon, reusable sandwich bags (I got from TJ Maxx, but they have them on Amazon), and utensils, so everything is clean, dry, and ready to go when I pack lunches in the morning. The color system keeps things organized and makes our mornings so much smoother since there’s no confusion about whose belongs to who.

Water Bottles and Custom Stickers

Hydration is essential during the school day, and new water bottles are always top of our list. I ordered a couple for each child to rotate through the week and added waterproof customized name stickers from Amazon. It’s such an easy way to avoid mix-ups at school, and the kids love seeing their names and designs that match their style.

Ice Packs and Bento Boxes

Keeping lunches fresh is always a challenge, especially in warm weather, so we stocked up on new ice packs from Kroger and ice packs from Target . Combined with their bentgo boxes and bentgo chill boxes with a removable ice pack. from Amazon, it makes packing lunches easier. The variety of compartments give us flexibility to pack an assortment of foods.

Kicks for the Classroom

New school shoes are like the finishing touch on their first-day outfit. Each kid gets to pick out a pair or two that fit their style which are practical for recess but also “cool enough” for the classroom. The boys often match and have the same pairs. My girl lives in sneakers so she has quite a few pairs. She’s not a croc, flip flip, or sandal kinda girl usually.

Final Thoughts

Back-to-school prep doesn’t have to be overwhelming. For us, it’s about finding a balance between practical essentials and those fun extras that make the kids feel confident and excited. From grade t-shirts to matching backpacks and customized water bottles, these little touches help turn the start of the school year into something special.

It’s not just about supplies, it’s about building excitement, boosting confidence, and creating traditions that the kids will remember long after the school year is over.

The remainder of the school year we continue to buy what they need (new socks, underwear, shoes(again), hair products, seasonal wear, etc.), and we also thrift what we can too. We love a good thrift find and we never know what we’ll find!

FAQ: Back-to-School Essentials

What are back-to-school essentials every kid needs?
Back-to-school essentials include a sturdy backpack, lunchbox, water bottle, comfortable shoes, and a few fun extras like grade t-shirts or personalized labels to keep things organized.

Why are customized water bottles helpful for kids?
Customized water bottles with name stickers help kids avoid losing or mixing up their bottles at school, while also giving them something fun that matches their personality.

Are bento boxes worth it for school lunches?
Yes! Bento boxes keep foods separated, fresh, and organized, making lunch more appealing for kids and easier to pack for parents.

What’s a fun tradition to start for the first day of school?
Grade-level t-shirts are a great tradition! They make first-day photos more memorable and give kids a way to celebrate their new milestone.