As far as consumable school supplies, I have it relatively easy. The kids’ school sells classroom supply kits, which I order online and have delivered directly to the classrooms. The supply packs aren’t overpriced and it saves me the hassle of searching all over town for specific items like red pocket folders with brads. However, in addition to school supplies, last year we invested in well made personal supplies. Everything I bought last summer for kindergarten lasted all year and will be used for first grade if not longer. If you’re on the hunt for school supplies, check out our list:
During a 60% off sale, I snagged each child a Fairfax backpack and lunch bag for about $30, which rivaled even Target’s prices. Pottery Barn is currently running the same sale with different patterns. I ordered the kids size small backpacks and they were big enough for their daily folder, library books, and lunch bags to fit inside. Anything bigger would’ve been too large for their tiny bodies. Mid way through the year, I learned that both backpacks and lunch bags are machine washable and they came out of the wash looking new.
2. Ty Clip on Mini Beanie Baby
The kids loved choosing their own mini beanie baby to clip onto their backpacks to personalize them. These are all the rage in elementary school! Throughout the year, the kids collected a few more of these little cuties.
3. Easy Lunchboxes, 3 compartment container
While the kids thought it was really cool to buy tray lunches, and it was sure easy, it was also costly for us. I packed lunches most of the time and found easy lunchboxes were perfect for dividing food, not wasting baggies, and for the kids to quickly/ easily open during their short lunch break. Silicone baking cups helped further divide the larger compartment, and made everything look festive.
4. Thermos Funtainer water bottle and food jar
It’s H-O-T in Texas most of the year, especially when school starts in August. I knew our old favorite Contigo water bottles wouldn’t keep water cold so I replaced them with Thermos stainless steel water bottles. The kids were allowed to keep them in the classroom for hydration and refill from the water fountain, which was great. They kept ice cold during the school day and were sturdy. A few times, the kids chewed the silicone straw too much, but I was able to easily replace them. The kids also liked an occasional hot lunch (e.g. macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets, fried rice) in the Thermos food jar.
To keep lunches cold, we used Bentgo ice packs, which fit right under the easy lunchboxes. These were still cool even at dismissal.
6. Mabel’s Labels Mabel’s Labels
Before the kids were born, I ordered each of them a set of skinny labels from Mabel’s labels to keep bottles sorted. Guess what- We still have them! These labels were perfect for labeling water bottles, lunchboxes, containers, etc. as they are waterproof, dishwasher, and microwave safe. The kids’ school has a massive lost and found, which is often stocked with Thermos water bottles among other items. If students or parents don’t find their own things, the student council returns labeled items to classrooms at the end of every six weeks (cool service project!!)
Happy back to school shopping!
Amber
Four to Adore 