Skip to content

Top Navigation

Parents Parents
  • GETTING PREGNANT
  • PREGNANCY
  • BABY NAMES
  • BABY
  • TODDLER
  • BIG KID
  • FUN
  • HEALTH
  • PARENTING
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAY
  • News & Trends
  • Raising the Future
  • OUR MAGAZINES
  • Podcasts
  • Kindred
  • MORE

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Pin FB

Explore Parents

Parents Parents
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 22 Chore Ideas for Every Type of Kid

      22 Chore Ideas for Every Type of Kid

      Find a chore your kid loves to do, and start a habit of wanting to help out that'll last a lifetime. Read More Next
    • Top 5 Mom Friend Problems—And How to Fix Them

      Top 5 Mom Friend Problems—And How to Fix Them

      Parenting is so much easier with good pals. Learn to overcome friendship hurdles and bond with women who get you. Read More Next
    • How to Sleep Train Toddlers and Big Kids

      How to Sleep Train Toddlers and Big Kids

      Do you struggle to put your kiddo to bed—or keep them there? Read on to find out how to sleep train toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids. Read More Next
  • GETTING PREGNANT

    GETTING PREGNANT

    See All GETTING PREGNANT
    Your Chances of Getting Pregnant, During Every Phase of Your Cycle

    Your Chances of Getting Pregnant, During Every Phase of Your Cycle

    When sex coincides with your most fertile days, your chances of getting pregnant increase. Get to know each phase of your cycle to help you conceive (or avoid) a pregnancy.
    • Ovulation
    • Reproductive Age
    • Maximizing Your Fertility
    • Pre-Pregnancy Health
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Dealing With Infertility
    • Genetics
  • PREGNANCY

    PREGNANCY

    See All PREGNANCY
    9 Signs That Labor Is Approaching

    9 Signs That Labor Is Approaching

    Anxiously awaiting your baby’s arrival? Learn to recognize the signs of approaching labor, which signal that your little one might make an appearance soon.
    • Signs of Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Week-by-Week
    • Giving Birth
    • Labor & Delivery
    • Pregnancy Symptoms
    • Due Date Calculator
    • Pregnancy Complications
    • Fetal Development
    • Gender Prediction
    • Baby Showers
  • BABY NAMES

    BABY NAMES

    See All BABY NAMES
    These Baby Names Are Predicted to Be Popular in 2022

    These Baby Names Are Predicted to Be Popular in 2022

    From Bridgerton to travel destinations, learn what's inspiring the baby name trends of 2022.
    • Baby Girl Names
    • Most Popular Names
    • Names by Origin
    • Twin Names
    • Baby Boy Names
    • Names by Religion
    • Celebrity Baby Names
  • BABY

    BABY

    See All BABY
    How to Decode Your Baby's Cough

    How to Decode Your Baby's Cough

    Caring for a baby with a wet or dry cough? Listen for wheezing, hacking, or barking first, then read on to find out what's normal and when it's time to worry.
    • Newborn Care
    • Crying Baby
    • Health
    • Baby Development
    • Safety
    • Gear
    • Breastfeeding
    • Diapers
    • Sleep Issues
    • Feeding
    • Nursery
  • TODDLER

    TODDLER

    See All TODDLER
    • Preschool Activities
    • Behavior & Discipline
    • Toddler Development
    • Milestones
    • Potty Training
    • Starting School
    • Health
    • Safety
    • Childcare
  • BIG KID

    BIG KID

    See All BIG KID
    How to Deal With Bullies: A Guide for Parents

    How to Deal With Bullies: A Guide for Parents

    Mean kids aren't just a middle-school problem. The trouble has trickled to the youngest grades. Learn how to spot it—and how to protect children of all ages from bullies at school.
    • Education
    • Health
    • Food & Nutrition
    • Bullying & School Problems
    • Child Development
    • Safety
    • Manners & Responsibility
  • FUN

    FUN

    See All FUN
    17 Budget-Friendly Kids' Birthday Party Ideas

    17 Budget-Friendly Kids' Birthday Party Ideas

    A fun celebration doesn't need to cost a pretty penny. Throw a memorable bash with these clever cost-cutting kids' birthday party ideas.
    • Birthdays
    • Indoor Activities
    • Outdoor Activities
    • Arts & Crafts
    • Printable Coloring Pages
    • Kids' Entertainment
    • Best Toys
    • Holidays
    • Family Vacation Ideas
  • HEALTH

    HEALTH

    See All HEALTH
    All About Coronavirus COVID-19: A Concerned Parent's Guide

    All About Coronavirus COVID-19: A Concerned Parent's Guide

    Here’s everything you need to know about the disease that originated in Wuhan, China.
    • ADD & ADHD
    • Allergies
    • Autism
    • Cold & Flu
    • Coronavirus and COVID-19
    • Cough
    • Down Syndrome
    • Emergency Aid
    • Fever
    • Medication & Vitamins
    • Obesity
    • Rashes
    • Stomach Aches
    • Vaccines
  • PARENTING

    PARENTING

    See All PARENTING
    The Stay at Home Guide for Parents

    The Stay at Home Guide for Parents

    Everything you need to thrive at home as a family.
    • Positive Parenting
    • Parenting Style
    • Celebrity Parents
    • Family Dynamics
    • Divorce
    • Home
    • Adoption
    • Just for Mom
    • Money
    • Toy Recalls
    • Stroller Recalls
    • Moms Run the World
    • The Stay at Home Guide
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    • Family Recipes
    • Baby Food
    • Toddler Finger Food Recipes
    • Hints & Tips
    • Healthy Eating
    • Birthdays
    • Holiday Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Meals
    • Food For Pregnant Women
  • HOLIDAY

    HOLIDAY

    See All HOLIDAY
    44 Fun Valentine's Day Crafts for Kids, Preschoolers, and Toddlers

    44 Fun Valentine's Day Crafts for Kids, Preschoolers, and Toddlers

    Spend an afternoon making these Valentine's Day cards, decorations, and edible projects. Bonus: Each one can double as a homemade gift for someone special!
    • Christmas
    • New Year's
    • Valentine's Day
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Memorial Day
    • Father's Day
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
  • News & Trends
  • Raising the Future
  • OUR MAGAZINES

    OUR MAGAZINES

    See All OUR MAGAZINES
    • Parents
    • Parents Latina
    • Ser Padres
  • Podcasts

    Podcasts

    • We Are Family Podcast
    • That New Mom Life Podcast
    • Pregnancy Confidential Podcast
  • Kindred
  • MORE

    MORE

    • Newsletters
    • Contests
    • #ParentsIRL
    • Adulting
    • First Year Playbook
    • Celebrate Your Way

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Family Life
  3. Fun
  4. Entertainment
  5. The Best Back-to-School Gear for the New Year

The Best Back-to-School Gear for the New Year

By Jessica Hartshorn and Rebecca Rakowitz Updated July 09, 2021
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
Pin
An image of school supplies on a colorful background.
Credit: Courtesy of Manufacturers.

Back-to-class shopping feels especially celebratory this season. Get kids in on the excitement with fun yet functional supplies, from stylin' backpacks to so-cool pencil sharpeners.

Start Slideshow

1 of 21

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Mini Kane Fuzzy Bolt Backpack

state bags mini kane fuzzy bolt backpack
Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook
Shop It

Your child will feel like a superhero when wearing this lightening backpack! At just over a foot high, it's large enough to fit lunch and early-grade-school supplies. (And a shout-out to the brand for gifting backpacks to children in need.)

1 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 21

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Staples FurReal Heartdogs Backpack

blue pink furreal heartdogs packpack
Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook
Shop It

Extra credit for cuteness! The dachshund-in-a-bun-covered FurReal Heartdogs Backpack is a tall 16 inches for big kids with books and has a water bottle pocket on each side.

2 of 21

3 of 21

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Liewood Allan Backpack in Arctic Mix

scandiborn liewood allan backpack actic mix
Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook
Shop It

Made of recycled polyester, this adorable 11-inch backpack is gender-neutral animal chic for preschoolers who only need to tote a few essentials.

3 of 21

Advertisement

4 of 21

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

LEGO Brick Backpack

yellow lego brick kids backpack
Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook
Shop It

Their favorite toy in bag form: The LEGO Brick Backpack is a little over 15 inches high, comes in 11 colors, and has one water-bottle pocket and two fun circular zipped pockets, plus a laptop sleeve inside.

4 of 21

5 of 21

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Skip Hop Zoo Big Kid Backpack

skiphop koala zoo big kid backpack blue pink
Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook
Shop It

The soft ears make it, but we love the clear pouch and puffy koala nose too. Skip Hop's 14-inch-tall backpack—which comes with a water bottle pocket—is the right size for preschool and kindergarten.

5 of 21

6 of 21

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

L.L.Bean Junior Original Book Pack

ll bean original 16-inch alligator backpack
Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook
Shop It

Kids can rock the coolest reptile print with this classic 16-inch backpack for grade school. Add a monogram so that the swamp comes back home with the right kiddo.

6 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 21

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Stasher Sandwich Bags

stasher sandwich bags endangered seas collection
Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook
Shop It

Reusable silicone Stasher Sandwich Bags make ditching single-use plastic baggies a no-brainer. Plus, a portion of every purchase from the new Endangered Seas Collection—with wavy, colorful stripes—goes to the protection of oceans and their ecosystems.

7 of 21

8 of 21

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Nalgene Kids On-the-Fly Lock-Top Astronaut Bottle

3 nalgene kids on-the-fly lock-top astronaut bottles
Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook
Shop It

The BPA-free 12-ounce bottle serves up out-of-this-world characters: space explorers doing their thing as surfers, dancers, loungers, and dunkers.

8 of 21

9 of 21

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Bear Ice Pack from The Container Store

blue bear cub-shaped ice pack
Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook
Shop It

Who better to chill out your child's lunch than a frosty blue polar bear? And don't worry; the nose on the lightweight Bear Ice Pack is sealed shut for a leak-free freeze.

9 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 21

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Scandibørn Fabelab Lunch Bag

scandiborn cotton animal fabelab lunch bag
Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook
Shop It

The tiny Fabelab Lunch Bag, made of organic cotton, adds a little bit of magic to lunchtime. Tie the ears of the unicorn to hold a sandwich or snacks inside.

10 of 21

11 of 21

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Precidio Design Snack in the Box

3 precidio design snack in the box cubes
Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook
Shop It

Reminiscent of a Tic Tac box but with dual compartments, these containers can fit 4 ounces of snacks in either side, which kids can have fun dispensing from the tiny doors. The boxes are also dishwasher safe.

11 of 21

12 of 21

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Lands' End Kids Insulated TechPack Lunch Box

lands end kids insulated techpack lunch box mermaid swirl
Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook
Shop It

This lunch box, which comes in this otherworldly Mermaid Multi Swirl pattern, is thick and sturdy so food stays cool and unsquished. FYI, you can stash a drink in the bottom.

12 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 21

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Yoobi x Marvel Avengers Amazing Spider-Man Bento Box

yoobie marvel avengers amazing spider-man bento box
Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook
Shop It

The skateboard, hammock, pool float, and break dance motif on this bento box is a mash-up kids didn't know they needed. It's got three compartments and an ice pack.

13 of 21

14 of 21

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

ban.do Write On Pencil Set

bando write-on take care pencil set mantras
Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook
Shop It

Maybe you can't be in the classroom to motivate your child, but this pencil set can, with feel-good reminders like "Be Kind to Yourself" and "It Doesn't Have to Be Perfect."

14 of 21

15 of 21

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Fiskars Blunt-Tip Kids Scissors

fiskars designer blunt-tip kids scissors green
Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook
Shop It

These Fiskars scissors are engineered with your child's safety (no sharp edges) and comfort in mind. A little digit can fit nicely into the finger loop, while the smaller thumbhole prompts more precise snipping.

15 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 21

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

OLIKA Hydrating Hand Sanitizer Spray with Clip-On

olika orange hydrating hand sanitizer clip-on
Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook
Shop It

Let this Peeps-like product charm your kid into sanitizing their hands. Hook it onto their backpack or lunch box for easy access. You get to choose from five scents, like this orange blossom, or go fragrance-free.

16 of 21

17 of 21

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

ZIPIT Monster Pencil Case

3 zipit monster pencil pouches zippers
Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook
Shop It

Drop writing utensils into the mouth of an amusing monster! The soft sack is actually one long zipper, so your kid can unzip it all the way to watch the monster unravel, then cinch it back up again.

17 of 21

18 of 21

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

OOLY ClickIt Eraser

4 outer space-themed clickit erasers
Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook
Shop It

Encourage less stress about making mistakes with the ClickIt Eraser at the ready. Your kid taps the top, and more eraser appears.

18 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 21

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Poppin Neon Pink Ruler

poppin neon pink acrylic ruler
Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook
Shop It

The bright colors and big numbers on this acrylic ruler make learning to measure a treat for the eyes too.

19 of 21

20 of 21

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Genuine Fred Great Write Pencil Sharpener

2 genuine fred write bite great write pencil sharpeners
Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook
Shop It

Here's a shark that doesn't chomp—it sharpens. Open mouth and insert pencil with the Great Write pencil sharpener.

20 of 21

21 of 21

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Little Navy Sticky Labels Sport Pack

little navy sticky labels sport pack little me
Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook
Shop It

Kids get a kick out of designing their look-alike with these labels! You'll be thrilled that the name stickers are waterproof—they stick to clothes through the washing machine and lunch supplies through the dishwasher. Label with abandon!

21 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Jessica Hartshorn and Rebecca Rakowitz

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 21 Mini Kane Fuzzy Bolt Backpack
    2 of 21 Staples FurReal Heartdogs Backpack
    3 of 21 Liewood Allan Backpack in Arctic Mix
    4 of 21 LEGO Brick Backpack
    5 of 21 Skip Hop Zoo Big Kid Backpack
    6 of 21 L.L.Bean Junior Original Book Pack
    7 of 21 Stasher Sandwich Bags
    8 of 21 Nalgene Kids On-the-Fly Lock-Top Astronaut Bottle
    9 of 21 Bear Ice Pack from The Container Store
    10 of 21 Scandibørn Fabelab Lunch Bag
    11 of 21 Precidio Design Snack in the Box
    12 of 21 Lands' End Kids Insulated TechPack Lunch Box
    13 of 21 Yoobi x Marvel Avengers Amazing Spider-Man Bento Box
    14 of 21 ban.do Write On Pencil Set
    15 of 21 Fiskars Blunt-Tip Kids Scissors
    16 of 21 OLIKA Hydrating Hand Sanitizer Spray with Clip-On
    17 of 21 ZIPIT Monster Pencil Case
    18 of 21 OOLY ClickIt Eraser
    19 of 21 Poppin Neon Pink Ruler
    20 of 21 Genuine Fred Great Write Pencil Sharpener
    21 of 21 Little Navy Sticky Labels Sport Pack

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Parents

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
    • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • From Our Sponsors this link opens in a new tab
    • Affiliate Program this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithParents.com is part of the Parents Network. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Parents. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.parents.com

    Sign in

    View image

    The Best Back-to-School Gear for the New Year
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.