The most wonderful time of the year is right around the corner—that’s right, it’s back-to-school season. Every kiddo, no matter their age, wants to start a new year with next-level supplies. Our picks for the best back-to-school gear are totally kid-approved (but also sport plenty of features that are super convenient for parents, as well). Too cool for school? Oh, yeah.
The Best Backpacks for Back to School
We’ve combed through product reviews from real Albee parents and polled our own gear enthusiasts to round up our picks for the best backpacks. (Some of us used to be cool.)
The Kane Backpack from State Bags has major cool kid credentials: all the prints are totally kid-friendly, but also a little bit sophisticated, and you have to be “in the know” to spot them in the wild. The straps are super cushy for added comfort, and the main compartment is spacious enough for binders, iPads, and lunch boxes. It’s also available in a Mini version that’s perfectly sized for preschoolers and has a struggle-free zipper that’s easy for little hands to use.
Herschel’s Pop Quiz Backpack is an awesome unisex choice for your moody teen. The color options are gender-neutral and not flashy, and it’s got plenty of pockets for keys, phones, and pens. It’s also big enough to hold larger textbooks and has a fleece-lined sleeve that protects laptops from getting beaten up in transit.
The Classic Mini from Herschel is a no-frills backpack ideal for preschoolers. Available in fun prints (pretty bold for Herschel), the straps are slender and won’t slide off narrow shoulders. Its perfect size provides enough space for essentials without overwhelming your kiddo, while the durable construction ensures comfort and longevity (and zero broken zippers).
These playful backpacks from 7 A.M. Enfant feature puffy 3D elements—like dino spikes or wings—that your elementary-aged child will love. Made from water-resistant polyester (which is also super easy to clean), these mini backpacks have tons of interior pockets and extra-padded shoulder straps for cozy carrying.
Shopping Tips for Backpacks
While picking a new backpack for your child isn’t exactly complicated, keeping a few features in mind while shopping will help you find the bag that’s just right for your kiddo.
- Size. You might be surprised to discover how much stuff kindergarten- and elementary-aged children have to schlep back and forth from home to school. On top of books and binders, expect your kiddo to need enough space for iPads or laptops, too.
- Pockets. In our collective experience, the younger the child, the more voluminous the school supplies. Your preschooler or early elementary-aged child will have all sorts of classroom supplies that older kids don’t: scissors, erasers, glue sticks, crayons, pencils—it’s a lot. If the school expects them to keep any supplies at home, more pockets can help keep things organized (by that we mean organized chaos).
- Zippers. Durable zippers that are completely exposed on the backpack—as opposed to zippers placed under a fabric seam—will be much easier for preschoolers to operate.
Pro tip! Help your young child practice zipping and unzipping their backpack (and demonstrate how to pack it, as well) before starting school—especially if your kiddo has first-day jitters or is the anxious type.
The Best Lunch Boxes for Back-to-School
These are our most loved lunch boxes, and we’ve included options for every kid, from preschoolers to fifth graders, from small-portion snackers to kiddos with big-time appetites.
The Rogers lunch box is in the traditional style: It has one fully insulated compartment with an optional divider to keep items from rolling around. Because it fits a water bottle and sandwich (plus sides like granola bars and bananas, too), it’s a great choice for both big kids and big eaters.
The Herschel Pop Quiz is another great option for older children. The main compartment is roomy enough for sandwiches and water bottles, and it’s fully insulated to help keep food cool (or warm). It’s also extra deep, so you can stack foods and storage bags on top of one another.
The Yumbox is truly leakproof—yogurt, dips, and “sauced” foods will not migrate out of their compartments, making a mess (or triggering protests from picky eaters). And the compartments are nicely sized for a bento box, too (the main compartment is big enough for a sandwich). It’s available in a stainless steel option, too.
The OmieBox was designed with preschoolers in mind. Its oversized handle makes it easy to grab, and the lid opens and closes easily, so even young children can operate it with total independence. It includes a vacuum-insulated thermos for messier foods, and the double-walled tray is exceptionally good at keeping foods cold (for up to six hours!).
Don’t forget the utensils! This BPA- and phthalate-free fork and spoon set from Omie Life comes with its own “pod” that holds the utensils securely, and keeps them free from dirt and grime. The handle loops on lunch boxes or backpacks, and getting the utensils out of the pod is super easy, even for the littlest lunchers.
Shopping Tips for Lunch Boxes
The age of your child will have the biggest impact on finding the right lunch box—not only will preschoolers only need room for snacks, but they also need lunch boxes that are easy to open because their fine motor skills and hand strength aren’t fully developed. Other considerations include:
- Leakproof. Some bento-style lunch boxes are better at containing leaks than others—look for tray inserts that are one solid piece and don’t have any space between their walls, and lids that have substantial silicone seals between compartments. There are plenty of options that will keep yogurt or dipping sauces in place.
- Your child’s eating habits. If you’ve always had a “good” eater, as in a kid who eats large portions during meals, a bento box may not be the right choice for you. Most bento boxes intended for children can’t accommodate whole sandwiches or bagels, so a more traditional lunch box with fewer (or larger) compartments could be a better bet.
- Easy to open. Make sure to pick a lunch box that your preschooler or kindergartener doesn’t struggle to open, and practice opening both the lunch box and individually packaged snacks before school starts. Lunch breaks at school are often brief, and tons of “helpers” may not be available to assist your kiddo.
Pro tip! In 2018, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued new guidelines around food safety for babies and young children. The AAP recommends against using the dishwasher to clean plastic utensils, cups, plates, etc. If the idea of handwashing plastic lunch boxes nightly fills you with dread, try using Glad Press’n Seal Cling Film on the top of the lunchbox lid—you can avoid washing the entire lunchbox and just wash the inner tray, instead. Plus, it keeps silicone seals from being stained by food, too.
The Best Water Bottles for Back to School
Our picks for best water bottles are kid and parent-approved: They won’t leak, their lids are easy to open and close, and they’re not a headache to clean.
Thermos FUNtainer Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Straw Water Bottle
There’s a whole lot to love about the Thermos FUNtainer: it’s easy for toddlers to open and close, it’s insulated and will keep liquids cool for hours, and it’s pretty inexpensive compared to other stainless steel options. Plus, it is very easy to clean—the neck is wide, so scrubbing inside walls is a breeze (or just throw it in the dishwasher), and the spout is easy to remove (and clear, so it’s easy to spot any leftover grime).
Skip Hop Zoo Stainless Steel Straw Bottle
This stainless steel straw bottle from Skip Hop has fun kid-approved animal designs and a no-slip silicone sleeve that protects little hands from its cold surface. The grab-me strap easily attaches to backpacks, and the pop-up lid can be quickly managed by your preschooler. A wide-neck makes for low-effort handwashing, but it’s dishwasher safe, too.
Shopping Tips for Water Bottles
- Spill-proof. A leaky water bottle is a no-go for any toddler or little kid taking a backpack to school, especially if they’re toting expensive electronics. Look for bottles with secure lids and straw or spout mechanisms that help prevent spills. While no water bottle is completely leakproof, some are less likely to leak than others.
- Easy to clean. Some water bottles are really tricky to clean, making them super susceptible to icky bacteria and germs. Look for bottles with wide openings that don’t have tons of parts and convenience-bonus-points for bottles made from dishwasher-safe materials.
- Insulation. An insulated bottle will keep your kiddo’s drink nice and cold on hot summer days (or keep soup in a lunchbox warm for lunchtime).
Pro tip! Have your child practice opening the water bottle lid so they have time to master that skill prior to the first day of school. Make sure they’re able to wrangle it into and out of backpack pockets—it can be a tight squeeze.
Bonus Gear! Best Scooters for the School Commute
If you’re lucky enough to avoid the carpool line and do a school commute by foot, these are our favorite scooters for the ride.
Scoot & Ride HighwayKick3 LED Scooter
The HighwayKick3 is as safe as it is rad: two front wheels and a safety pad prevent young riders from rolling over, and light-up LED wheels make for a super flashy ride. The handlebar has a tool-free adjustment and can be folded down for easy transport.
Micro Kickboard Maxi Deluxe Foldable LED Scooter
The three-wheel Maxi Deluxe Foldable LED Scooter is another great option for elementary school kids. Its wide footplate is extra grippy for improved stability, and the lean-to-steer handling is nicely intuitive for big kids. As the name implies, this sweet ride is foldable and has light-up wheels.
The Sprite is a traditional scooter that’s super lightweight (just 5.9 lbs!) and great for older kids and teens. It has a really smooth ride, a kickstand for upright storage, and can still be folded, so it also manages public transit like a champ.
Shopping Tips for Scooters
- Stability. Preschoolers and kindergarteners still need help with balance, and scooters with three wheels (two in the front and one in the back) afford maximum stability and safety.
- Adjustability. Look for scooters whose handlebars 1) can be adjusted without tools (Allen wrenches tend to be impossible to find when you need them), and 2) have a wide range of height adjustability (kids grow fast).
- Fold. What parent hasn’t lugged a scooter or bike home when a kiddo gets tired? A scooter that’s able to be folded makes for a compact “package” that’s easier to carry home if your child decides they’re no longer interested in scooting.
Finding What’s Right for You
Albee Baby is the oldest family-owned specialty baby shop in the US. We pride ourselves on providing our customers with the best assortment of baby products anywhere, at fair prices, always. We’re committed to being an inclusive resource for parents and hope you feel empowered to find the right baby gear for your family. Still have questions? Feel free to contact our baby gear experts at 877.692.5233 or [email protected].