It’s the last week of the school holidays for us here, the final countdown has begun. It is also likely to be the busiest time in shops whilst parents rush around to get the last minute bits that you need.
I think we may be done (fingers crossed!) and are all ready for the routine to come back to this house, however, if you are still in need of a few bits, here is my last minute shopping list for you to check back to.
Uniform –
One of the things I hate getting, you don’t want to get too small so they grow out of it too quick but at the same time, you don’t want them to look like they are drowning in their new uniform.
I have been using George at Asda for our clothing now as I have found it to be the best to wash up and it lasts the longest, however, lots of supermarkets now do school uniforms for really good value.
Here was my back to school checklist:
- Polo shirts
- Cardigans
- Jumpers
- Skirts
- Trousers
- PE Kit
- Swimming shorts
- Tights
- Socks
- Shoes
- PE Trainers
It all soon starts to add up!
Stationary, backpacks and lunch boxes
Both Kayleigh and Ethan need stationary, backpacks and lunch boxes in junior school and again that soon starts to add up. Their favourite shop is Smiggle though and we do treat them to a new bag, pencil case and lunchbox each. Usually, by the end of the year, their bits have seen better days where they are well used so we look to refresh these bits.
Smiggle kindly sent the kids some new bits and we topped them up to ensure they had everything they need. These lunch boxes are the same designs they have both used for the last few years and they are the perfect size for their lunches and snacks for the day.
One thing I did love from Smiggle this year which I didn’t see last year was their swimming bags, they are a great size and perfect for swimming lessons. We had to hunt down one for Ethan as they were so popular they had sold out in the one he wanted online!
Here is our checklist (this may vary depending on what your school requires)
- Pencil case
- Backpack
- PE bag
- Swimming bag
- Lunchbox
- Water bottle
- Pencils
- Eraser
- Ruler
- Sharpener
- Colouring pencils
- Glue
Another great shop to check out is The Works, they have a great range of stationery as well as books for the kids to enjoy.
Additional items
With all the basics covered there are still a few bits as parents we always have a steady supply of as they are always required.
Snacks – Kayleigh and Ethan can take a snack a day for their morning break, this has to be a healthy snack so no chocolate or crisps etc, however, snack bars and cereal bars are allowed. My two tend to stick with fruit however they do mix these up.
Kayleigh is a huge fan of Go Ahead bars, now I know they are not perfect but she loves them, Ethan is a fan of Soreen mini lunchbox loaves and we have these in a variety of flavours.
We have been trying out the Pulsin bars this summer and they have been a big hit with the household. The kids loved the kid’s bars, they were not so sure of the normal bars but that is fine, more for me.
Another thing you need to make sure you have lots of is ACE for white and colours. Even with an 8 & 9-year old, I lose track of how much gets on their school clothes, there is only one way to keep them like new, ACE! Simply pop it in the wash with the uniforms and they will come back out shiny and new!
There is a great range of products from ACE which is perfect for both your whites and your colours, you can check them out here.
If you are new to the school routine with your little one, it does get easier each year and you learn a few more hacks every year don’t worry.
Now, all we need to do is battle with the return to school routine, wish us luck.
