The Best Back-to-School Products for Pre-K

While the “back to school” season for kids in daycare or Pre-K isn’t as intense as that for elementary-age kids, it’s still a prime time to buy some essential new products for the upcoming school year. For my 4-year-old (he’s going into Pre-K 4) and my 2-year-old (she’s in a tots and toddlers class), the school supply list is less around the typical school supplies (pencils, notebooks, etc.) and more about the staples — backpacks, lunchbags, and sneakers.

And as someone who loves shopping, I use the new year as a time to get them each a new backpack, lunch bag, and pair of sneakers. These things tend to wear out once a year (if not sooner!), so it makes sense to time it around the new school season.

I’ve had a few years of experience trying out different brands of back-to-school products and have found the following to work the best for our family. Read on to see why I love each one and add to your cart if you’re in the market!

Backpacks

I’ll admit I haven’t tried all of Pottery Barn’s backpacks (my kids are so young and small that they don’t need the popular Mackenzie style with the buckles). Instead, I opt for the simpler and smaller styles, like the Astor. Henry has used the Astor and we love that it holds up well, is sturdy enough to hold his lunchbox, water bottle, and folder with school papers. The side pockets are roomy, the zippers don’t get stuck, and stains wash out easily (I’ve only handwashed small spots). I usually wait until there’s some sort of sale since they’re a bit pricey, but they do have sales often.

Lunch Bags

For lunch bags, I want something that’s not too bulky (since it has to fit in the backpack alongside other items). I typically buy a new one every year since they get grimy, so I like these Wildkin brand ones from Amazon. The big seller to me though is the range of patterns — there’s one for every “phase” your kid is going through (we’re still in the dinosaur phase here if you’re wondering). They hold up in the wash (or you can hand wash) too, which is great for milk spills and other food stains.

Henry likes using a Bento Box since it gives him more options and variety and makes him feel like he’s eating more “cool things” than if I sent it in a container or a plastic bag. We like this one from Amazon – it’s simple, fits any standard-sized lunchbox or bag, and cleans easily.

Water Bottles & Cups

Another daycare Mom and I were joking that Contingo is the toddler’s version of a Stanley. I’ve tried a few different styles and brands of water and milk cups over the years, and Contingo seems to leak the least. I love the variety of colors and patterns, too! They’re so affordable that we replace them every year (or sooner if needed) because no matter how much you wash them, I feel like water/milk cups can get grody. We use both styles for variety — the straw tumblers and the Autospout straw cup.

Labels

So I know that daycare labels are a hot topic and everyone swears by a certain brand or product. I purchased these on Amazon and haven’t looked back. No, they aren’t personalized, but I like it that way! I like being able to write whatever I want on them and the early days of daycare required labels to have ounces and dates written on them, so I needed that flexibility. The best part about these labels are that they’re sticky enough to stay on through a few washes, but they also are easily removable if needed. I don’t need to throw them away after each use, but I have the option to if needed.

Sneakers

Since my kids could stand, I’ve been buying Stride Rite sneakers for them. I did my research as to what to look for in kid’s shoes at different stages (I had 2 late walkers, so I was looking for certain characteristics). I ended up going with Stride Rite shoes because they have different styles for the stages of walking – pre-walkers, early walkers, and then intendent walkers. While they’re a bit pricey, they do hold up and they have many machine-washable styles. They also have a nice rewards program where you can earn money for future purchases. Our favorites right now are the Stride Rite 360 Dive Sneaker (for my 4-year-old with average size feet) and the Stride Rite Winslow Sneaker (for my 2-year-old with tiny feet).

Folders

Ok this sounds lame to link a folder, but hear me out! I tried other typical folders and they ended up getting so bent and beat up in his backpack (after all, a 4 year old isn’t the most delicate person on the planet). These plastic folders are thin and flexible, so they hold up all year long with no tears or rips. You can thank me later.