After a summer of fun in the sunshine, the new school year can quickly sneak up. So, why not beat the last-minute rush of back-to-school preparations and make life easier for yourself by getting organised for the new school year in advance?
Stocking up on those back-to-school essentials now means you can relax and enjoy the rest of the summer. To help you do this, we’ve put together the ultimate back-to-school shopping guide packed full of top picks for the 2024/2025 academic year.
Take a look at these must-have back-to-school items:
The Best Bags, Bottles, and Lunchboxes
Buying a new bag for the new school year is essential to ensure kids have a secure place to store all their school equipment. But, when it comes to choosing a school bag, it’s vital to get one that your kid loves. As every parent knows, kids can get a little choosy about their school equipment, so their school bag needs to be pretty cool to get their approval. This Nike Elemental Kids’ Backpack is sure to be a hit and has a generous 20l capacity, so it’s the perfect size for all their stuff.
A new lunch box and bottle are also a must for the new school year. This Kennedy International Round Twist 2 Tier Stainless Steel Insulated Lunch Box is BPA-free and has a vacuum seal lid to prevent spillages. Staying hydrated is crucial for kids to concentrate throughout the school day, so a large-capacity water bottle is vital. This Built Cascade Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Wide Mouth Water Bottle holds 12oz and can keep water cool for up to eight hours. This Built bottle is designed to be leak-proof and is also the ideal size to fit into the side mesh pocket of most backpacks.
The Smartest School Uniforms
Kids grow fast, so a uniform that probably fitted them perfectly just weeks ago may now be a struggle to get on. Stocking up on new uniforms for the start of the new school term is a great way for kids to feel smart and confident for the year ahead. For boys, these smart French Toast Flat Front Shorts are ideal for school. The shorts are available in either Khaki or Navy and have an adjustable waist, which is good news for fast-growing kids!
A crisp white shirt is another back-to-school clothing must-have. This French Toast Short Sleeve Shirt is also designed for growing kids and features an adjustable collar to ensure comfort. Parents will be pleased to know that this shirt is made from easy-case Wrinkle No More fabric, so keeping it crease-free will be simple. A Uniform Pullover Sweater will keep boys warm at school on slightly cooler days and is perfect for making them look extra smart in their first day back to school photos.
For girls, we also have an excellent selection of school uniform items to keep them feeling comfortable and smart in the new term. This French Toast Grey V-Neck Pleated Jumper Dress can simply be popped on over a school t-shirt or shirt for an instant formal look. The dress has permanent pleats that will stay crisp with every wear and an elastic waist to ensure a perfect fit.
Some crisp, white shirts are another item worth stocking up on ahead of the new school year. This French Toast Short Sleeve Modern Blouse has a Peter Pan collar and is made from easy-care fabric, so minimal pressing is required. The Uniform Cardigan Sweater is the ideal finishing touch for a polished back-to-school look and is available in a smart shade of Navy Blue.
Extra Back-to-School Essentials
Often, it’s the small essential items that get forgotten when preparing for the return to school. So, don’t forget to pick up new school socks like these Flat Knit Knee High Socks. These school socks are available in a wide choice of colours including, so they’re sure to match your child’s uniform. New boxers or briefs are always handy items to stock up on, so adding a pack or two to your school shopping is a wise idea. This 5-pack of Carter’s Boxer Briefs are tag-free and have a pinch-free waistband to ensure comfort throughout the school day. Plus, kids will love the fun designs! The final back-to-school essential to add to your cart is a pack of vests.
Kids tend to grow out of vests super-fast, so they’ll likely need a bigger size ready for the new school year. This Hanes Girls’ Five Pack of camisole vests contains a choice of pretty coloured vests, each made from 100% cotton so they feel soft against the skin.
Visit our back-to-school shop for even more essentials for the new school year.