Back to School 2021!

I CANNOT believe the summer is almost over. Really. I think I probably say this every year, but this year I REALLY mean it. I am NOT ready. Partly because we have an unfinished pool in our backyard (it will be complete soooooon!) and partly because I am not ready to go back to the early mornings and the homework and the busy life. But, I must admit, I am ready for these kids to go back to school. I have been home with them everyday and momma needs a break!

I am keeping getting ready for school simple this year, but I do want to share a few of my must-haves for kids to get through the school year. 

Back to School List

• Water bottle – I hope your child’s school allows individual water bottles. I think water fountains should be used ONLY for refilling water bottles, not for drinking. Too much of a risk of spreading germs. Water bottles is one thing I let my kids pick out new ones every year. We have our tried and true Thermoflasks and then we purchased a few new ones!
  • Thermoflasks — these water bottles last forever as long as you don’t lose the ring that seals the top!
  • Pogo Sport Chug — This is a new one my 2nd grader picked out.
  • Ello 2 pk — These are the new ones my Kindergartner picked out.

• Lunchboxes – My kids usually do a mix of packing and buying. Lunchboxes is one thing I try to get away with NOT buying a new one every year. We are going on year 3 of our current ones and they are still in good shape. To keep them nice, I do toss them in the washer on gentle cycle once a week or every other week. Lay out to dry, do not put in the dryer!
  • Inside the lunchbox is the real show stopper! I LOVE LOVE LOVE these containers. It makes packing lunch soooo easy. These are dishwasher safe too.
  • I use these flat ice packs to fit everything in their lunch box.

• White socks – Does anybody else’s children have to wear white socks to school? I buy new ones every year. Between feet growing and dingy old socks, I like a refresh!
  • Boy socks
  • Girl socks

• Backpacks – We have only owned L. L. Bean backpacks and they are GREAT and hold up sooooo well. I have my kids carry them for several years before buying a new one (at least I can get away with that while they are little LOL).
  • Junior backpack — This is the PERFECT backpack for little kids. My kids carry it through preschool and Kindergarten.
  • Kids’ backpack — I switched my son to this bigger size when he entered first grade. It is a standard size and fits all the things, but he can still carry it.

• Clock – Kids can get anxious before school starts. Mine are at the age where they want to know what time it is, what time bedtime is and what time they should wake up. We use this “OK to Wake” clock, you can set the time in the morning when it is OK to wake-up. We do not set the alarm, only the setting for the clock to turn GREEN if it is time to wake-up. If they wake-up before the clock is green, they know it isn’t time to get up yet.

• Calendar – Back to school also brings busy weeknights. Who has which sport when and at what field and time, etc. Anybody else? So, I purchased this dry erase calendar to put on the side of the fridge to hold us all accountable to what is coming the next day/week. The kids like to be able to visualize the week, too!

• Masks and Lanyards – Masks are here to stay for a while (which I am OK with, it is how we are going to keep our kids safe to start the year!), so I thought I would share our favorite masks for kids and the lanyards my kids used all of last year. A lanyard is 1000% necessary with children. They can pull their mask down without losing it, dropping it on the floor, etc. Necessity.
  • Masks for kids
  • Our favorite lanyards

A short list, but all necessities in this house! I hope everyone has a fun and safe year back to school!

Stay well,

Angie

*Links in this post are affiliate links. I make a small commission if you purchase using my links at no extra cost to you.