With so many items to choose from, back-to-school shopping can seem completely overwhelming. Teaming up with Stride Rite, we've curated a list of kid-necessities that are not only innovative, but may not have been on your list until now.
You know your kid needs new sneakers, a new backpack, and a new lunch box for the new school year, but knowing what type or which brand to pick is a whole other story. While you want to give your kid the best of everything, you also don't want to break the bank. Most importantly, you want them to love their gear and you want every item to hold up, giving you not only bang for your buck, but also style and piece of mind.
To help you take some of the guesswork out of back-to-school shopping, we're introducing you to some of the most tried-and-true kids' items out there. From shoes that are not only stylish but also healthy for your child's feet, to a lunch box made from odor-eliminating materials, we've got you covered from their first day of school to their last — and beyond.
1 Stride Rite Shoes
While you probably have sneakers on your back-to-school list already, Stride Rite shoes rise above the pack in quality, comfort, and design. Built to last, these stylish shoes offer impressive benefits, such as memory foam insoles and extreme traction and grip. These shoes are a breeze to keep clean, too, as all of their Made2Play styles are completely machine washable, ensuring you and your kid are prepared for any of life's big or small messes. Stride Rite even offers the only machine washable light-up shoe on the market. On top of that, these sneakers are actually healthy for your kid's growing feet and are made with an antimicrobial treatment that reduces odor. Better yet, for how much these premium shoes have to offer, the price cannot be beat. Available in sneaker and dressy styles, you may just want to pick up a few pairs.
2 Fulton Bag Co. Lunch Bag
Fulton Bag Co. lunch bags can virtually do it all, and at under $14, they're a total steal. Not only do they have ample room, including two large compartments separated by an interior divider, but when the divider is unzipped, you can even store tall items inside. And don't worry about your kid having to stuff it in their backpack, as the bucket bag includes a clip that attaches to bags for hands-free carrying. What really makes this lunch box stand out though is that it features thermal insulation to keep food and drinks cold, a leak proof bottom compartment, and easy-clean lining with Microban, which guards against bacterial odors and stains.
3 Hydro Flask Water Bottle
There's a reason the Hydro Flask is one of the highest-rated water bottles on the market right now. With various top and size options, this bottle will last forever, all while keeping your kid's beverages ice-cold for 24 hours and piping hot for 12. It's also made of pro-grade stainless steel and is BPA- and phthalate-free. Although it's hand-wash only, it's super easy to clean and resistant to odor and bacteria growth.
4 MIFULGOO Kids Waterproof Backpack
Built with elementary and middle school kids in mind, this brilliant backpack is designed to last your child all year. It's made of waterproof polyester and features reflectors both in the front and on the shoulder straps — perfect when your kid is running to the bus in the early mornings. It also has plenty of storage inside and out, including a compartment specially created for laptops and tablets.
5 Onanoff Foldable, Volume-Limiting Kids Headphones
While headphones may seem like a strange school supply item, especially for younger kids, it's quickly becoming a required item at many elementary and middle schools. Protect your child's hearing with Onanoff headphones, which were designed with safety and comfort in mind. Not only are they super durable, and even foldable for easy portability, the volume is limited to a kid-safe level of 85 dB. They even include a built-in audio splitter for sharing with friends.
6 Champion Kids' Zip Hoodie
AC-blasted classrooms are no joke; keep your little one warm and cozy all day in a sweatshirt they can keep at school year round. With deep pockets and an easy zipper, this Champion piece is both comfy and functional. The heavyweight fleece even wicks sweat, keeping your kid dry.
7 BTSKY High-Capacity Zipper Pencil Case
A new pencil case is almost always a must-have every school year. This innovative model by BTSKY is perfect for neatly storing tons of pencils and pens — even art supplies — as it holds up to 72 writing utensils in little elastic loops to keep them from scratching each other. It's also deep and firm, yet lightweight with a double zipper that runs around the top of the sides. The best part? It's full of slots and compartments for holding other knick-knacks, too.
