It’s hard to believe that summer is almost over. We made the most of our time off from school, taking several vacations and spending lots of fun days at the pool and at playgrounds.
Now it’s time for the kids to head back to class, and that means one thing – back to school shopping!
We needed to buy lots of supplies for all three kids, from pre-K all the way up to 4th grade. Instead of heading all over town to pick up the dozens of items on our back to school lists, we head to one store – Target.
Since we had so many items to buy, we devised a plan of attack and made a list to help us shop.
Back to School Essentials for Kids
1. Backpacks
As soon as we walked toward the back to school section, my kids made a beeline for the backpacks.
We’ve shopped at Target for our back to school supplies in the past, but I don’t ever remember there being such an enormous selection of backpacks and lunchboxes! In addition to this wall, there were 2 other aisles of backpacks, several endcaps with lunchboxes and more of each over near the luggage section. The kids were thrilled!
While my younger kids were excited by all of the character and movie themed backpacks, my older daughter loved the pretty pink, white and black bags. She’s getting older and wants to show it with a more “mature” backpack, so I was happy to see lots of backpacks for her age group too. She ended up finding the perfect gear for 4th grade – a fun black and white backpack with coordinating black and white floral lunchbox.
2. Lunchboxes
These adorable little kid backpacks and lunchboxes caught my eye immediately. How adorable are these?
Of course, my toddler son wasn’t listening to my thoughts on the adorable monster and robot bags. He wanted Spiderman! It was fun to see how excited to kids got over each of their choices. They definitely have their own opinions about what they need to start the year off right. 🙂
3. Lunch Accessories
Once the kids had all chosen backpacks and lunchboxes, we headed over to check out the lunch accessories. The kids all picked out thermoses for hot and cold foods, funtainers for drinks and cold packs for keeping perishables chilled in their lunchboxes. There was a great selection of accessories to choose from.
4. Class Supplies
Once we had the really fun stuff picked out, we moved over to the classroom supplies. We were able to find everything we needed on all of our lists. That’s never happened before!
We got pencils, notebooks, erasers and paper. And we even found the elusive yellow plastic folder! That yellow folder has plagued me for years. I usually have to hunt through several stores to find them, but our Target had hundreds. I was ridiculously happy about it. I may have even embarrassed the children with my celebration.
We had a great time shopping at Target for all of our back to school essentials!
I was happy to do all of my shopping at one store, and the kids were thrilled to all be able to choose the perfect gear to suit their styles.
What’s on your back to school essentials list?
Every little thing is a really big deal.
Kim says
We got everything except for the back to school supplies. I always wait until the last minute to do that!
Kecia says
School supply shopping starts next year in this house. I’m excited about it – I cannot wait to take my oldest son shopping for a backpack and supplies. We did do something fall/winter clothing shopping over the weekend, since the kids still need clothes even when they aren’t in school yet!
Christina G. says
Our essentials list is clothes, backpack, binder, lunch bag, and school supplies. Thanks for sharing!
HilLesha says
I’m so happy to have most of the back-to-school shopping behind me! Now, all I have to be concerned about is clothing. 🙂
Angela S says
Those have to be the cutest lunch boxes I have seen. Target has such great back to school stuff!
Liz Mays says
I always stock up on notebooks, pencils, pens and paper! I love how well Target has it all organized.
Kerri says
I love to go to Target at this time of year to stock up on supplies like crayons, notebooks and glue. Those items are so expensive at other times of the year that it pays to purchase extra now.
Chelle says
Out of all the back to school supply shopping, backpack selection is the worst in our family. Can’t ever get the kids to pick just one backpack. Always wanting multiples, indecisiveness and then complaining they’ll be made fun of. *rolleyes*
Michelle says
I love school supplies! I can’t wait till my kiddo goes to school next year!
Elaina says
Target is our go-to place for everything, including back to school essentials!
Tiff @ Babes and Kids says
My boys have both been asking for new backpacks. It looks like we will have to stop at Target, they have a great selection!
Digna D. says
I need to get on the bandwagon with this for my son. Teens can be so difficult as they like to make their own choices when it comes to everything. I am dreading shopping for clothing just thinking about it.
Lynsey @MoscatoMom says
We just stocked up this morning at Target – I even bought stuff for my home office. Loved it.
Robin Gagnon says
Good to know they have such a big selection. I need to get my daughter a new backpack.
Tammy S says
I still have to find a backpack. My daughter is being really picky this year so we haven’t found the “right” one.