Now is the time to place your orders for the backpacks, litter-less lunch essentials, stylish stationery and more that children need to kick off a new school year, especially if you’re looking to personalize any of the items or want to take advantage of seasonal sales.
For your littles
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This space-inspired lunch bag perfectly fits the brand’s All-In-One bento box and can be customized with a child’s name or initials for free. If you really want to splurge, there’s even a co-ordinating backpack and water bottle, for your budding astronaut.
Pottery Barn Kids Mackenzie Astronaut Mission Patch glow-in-the-dark lunch box, $43 through potterybarnkids.ca.
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Recommended for kids 6 and older, this fashionable zippered pencil pouch comes with a small notebook, a pencil sharpener, a ruler, gel pens and more. All you’ll have to do is tuck it into their backpack for the first day of school.
Wonder Co. wavy check stationery multikit, $20 through indigo.ca.
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Joe Fresh’s stainless-steel container is insulated and comes with a leak-proof lid, so it can be used for everything from a fruit salad to hot soup. The checkerboard pattern is fun, and there’s a handle for small hands.
Joe Fresh 350-ml insulated thermal food jar, $13 through joefresh.com.
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This BPA-free, stainless-steel bottle can keep drinks cold for up to 12 hours and comes from Thermos, a brand that’s been keeping drinks cold since 1904. And it’s affordably priced in case you need to buy multiples for a child whose belongings often land in the school lost and found.
Thermos 12-oz Funtainer vacuum-insulated bottle, $18 through walmart.ca.
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Sized for children 6 to 11, this linen and cotton backpack by Toronto-based brand SoYoung is machine-washable and includes two mesh side pockets for water bottles and other must-have accessories.
SoYoung Birds in Nature backpack, $49 through soyoung.ca.
For the tweens
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Kensington’s wireless keyboard can be used with a computer, phone or tablet, and is slim and compact enough to easily fit into a backpack or tote bag. The battery-operated keyboard comes with a three-year manufacturer’s warranty, so it should last through middle and possibly high school, too.
Kensington Dual Wireless Bluetooth compact keyboard, $40 through bestbuy.ca.
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Your little Swiftie will love these tropical-hued pens from Creativien Studio. The Toronto-based company, which specializes in sassy, pop culture-inspired stationery items, also offers other themed pen sets as well as custom pencils.
Creativien Studio Swiftie Era pen collection, $15 through creativien.com.
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This colour-block pencil case is made in part from recycled plastic bottles and the fabric is durable and even water-resistant. Plus, the case can be personalized with your budding scholar’s name or initials for an additional cost.
Crate & Barrel navy and ochre pencil case, from $19 through crateandbarrel.ca.
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The sleek Eyas backpack by Vancouver-based MEC is made with water-resistant, durable fabric and comes with practical features such as a moulded foam back panel and internal organizer pockets that fit everything from an agenda to hair accessories.
MEC Eyas daypack, $50 through mec.ca.
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This five-litre lunch box, in a limited-edition print and featuring a fabric that’s 100 per cent made from recycled water bottles, is roomy enough for lunch and several snacks. Plus, it comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
Herschel Pop Quiz lunch box, $40 through herschel.ca.
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