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26 Things For Parents Who Want To Get Their Kids Excited For Back-To-School

You might even wish you were heading back, too.

Posted 8 hours ago

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by Daphne Ruiz BuzzFeed BuzzFeed Staff

I’m a Shopping Fellow who has scored a lot of holy grails from BuzzFeed Shopping over the years, and I’m eager to pay it forward.

1. A first-day-of-school banner, because the happy face pancakes you spent all morning making might not be enough to make your kid smile during their back-to-school breakfast. A banner, on the other hand, really brings the party, and maybe reminds them that a year of 'ologies and 'isms (or maybe just their ABCs) is worth celebrating. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "So cute and perfect for back to school! It came with two banners pre-strung, which is a huge plus considering most banners from Amazon don’t. The quality was great, and the pictures were bright and clear. There’s a lot of extra string for hanging, so you can pretty much hang it from anything! It folded up super easily and is ready to go for the next school year." —Magical Finds 

Get it from Amazon for $6.49.

2. A pack of sushi-shaped sidewalk chalkthat will make your budding artist count down the days before they can use it during recess. These hand-painted cuties just might earn you a spot on the honor roll (of parenting). 

tweemade.com

Twee is a woman-owned small business based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that makes cute sidewalk chalk designs, like theserainbow donuts and petite macarons. 

Promising review: "This is the second purchase I've made from Twee, and their chalk is just too cute. The sushi chalk is adorable and so fun, I love the packaging as well!" —A.R.R.Get the set from Twee for $25. 

3. A pack of 60 iron-on patches, because any child of yours is gonna want to deck out their lunchbag, T-shirt, or high-tops with some snazzy patches like you did in your Hot Topic days. They'll totally feel more confident after decorating a special jean jacket or backpack just for school. And with all the design variety, there's something for every kid and every outfit. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Some reviewers recommend using fabric glue or sewing them on for extra durability. 

Promising reviews: "Love love love! Used for a back-to-school backpack! —Lacey James 

"We got plain backpacks this year, and they picked which patches they wanted. We ironed them on to make them stand out! Quick and easy!" —Pagecarlisle85

Get a pack from Amazon for $9.99+(available in 35 different styles). 

4. A backpackwith a built-in insulated compartment that fits the (matching!) Betgo lunchbox, so your kid gets a character design they’ll love and one less lunch bag to lose. Its water-resistant exterior, lightweight feeling, and comfy padding are just the icing on the cupcake you're inevitably going to fish out of this backpack. At least it's easy to clean too. 

Amazon, www.amazon.com

If there's anything better than an olive green dinosaur backpack, it's a matching lunch bagandwater bottle to go with it. 

Promising review: "The 3-year-old and the 5-year-old were so ecstatic the next morning when the boys went to school. The older one said he liked the compartments, and he liked the lunchbox at the bottom of the backpack. The lunchbox is big enough to hold the cold box used for lunches." —GA friend

Get it from Amazon for $29.99(available in 15 styles). 

5. A set of fast-drying tempera paint sticks complete with expressive little faces to match every emotion your kiddo might be feeling before school starts. Once they start gliding the washable colors across some paper, everyone might be left smiling, especially you, because there are no brushes or cups of water to clean up afterward.  

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

And if your child must have all the cuties (which I would completely understand), here’s a 24-pack.

The Pencil Grip is a family-run small business based in New York and California that specializes in craft materials 

Promising reviews: "Perfect for young children who are typically very messy with arts and crafts. They’re bright, dry quickly, are washable, and non-toxic. Super easy to clean up, and I love that we don’t have to worry about him smearing paint everywhere since they don’t require a brush or water. Also, my son usually doesn’t have patience for anything that he has to sit down for, but these paint sticks really catch his attention! We use them daily now, and he’s learning to say his colors by playing with them. Will purchase again when they run out, but so far they are lasting well. —Natalia

Get the pack of 12 from Amazon for $12.80 (also available in a non-character design). 

6. A set of classic Ticonderoga pencils that are... actually Ticonderoga erasers. Your kid will get a kick out of taking these out of their school bag every day, because it's the little things (or jumbo) that can make school so much more fun. And hey, reviewers say it's a great eraser too. 

www.amazon.com, Amazon

And seemingly created just for me and any future electronic music-loving children you might have, neon versions are also available. 

Promising reviews: "This is the second school year I am buying these for my daughter because she loves them that much, and as long as she keeps up with them, they last the whole year. They are Ticonderoga, so of course, they work the best of all the brands. (Their pencils are a teacher’s first choice😉) They are so cute and cheap for as long as they last. Also, they don’t leave a lot of residue, and when it comes to erasing, that’s huge!" —S. Wallace

Get a set of three from Amazon for $3.44(also available in a pack of 12). 

7. A set of two matching customizable bracelets to make their first day feel extra special, and maybe make drop-off a little less painful for you, too. If they miss you throughout the school day, it'll just take one little tug for them to be reminded that you're probably thinking of them, too, and hoping they're having the best day ever. 

Indigo & Ivy / Etsy

If you and your child love a bit of pizzazz, you can also get a set of the same bracelets with gold accents here. 

Indigo & Ivy is a small business specializing in handmade jewelry and based in South Carolina.

Promising reviews: "We love ours! Mom & son survived the first day — the bracelets did too!" —Megan

"The bracelets are perfect! My son loved it. Great for the first day of school jitters." —Gia

Get it from Indigo & Ivy on Etsy for $7.35+(available in child and adult sizes and in dozens of colors). 

8. A standing pencil case that transforms into a standing pencil cup; your kid will be ~meowed~ every time they pull the top half down and reveal all their writing utensils. Having every colored pencil and pen visible and within reach sounds sooo much better than digging through a plastic box or sticky Ziplock bag. And honestly, who wouldn't be excited to take this out of their backpack every morning?

www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "Pretty sturdy and so cute! This lets my granddaughter go from school to home or my house with all her supplies, then instantly becomes a cup of pens on her desk or table. She loves it, and I gifted it to several granddaughters by getting different colors." —Donna C.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (also available in four colors and in a grid style). 

9. Or a monster of a pencil bag — it's actually made from a single long zipper. It's big enough for all the markers, crayons, and squishy toys your child wants to lug around, and they'll have a hoot every time they open it up and see its toothy grin. 

www.amazon.com

And if your kiddo has A LOT of markers and pens, a jumbo version of this pencil pouch in an alien and pink monster design is available here.

Promising review: "I bought this pencil case for my son, and it was a big hit! He used it throughout second grade, and it’s still in fantastic shape for another school year. The design is fun and engaging, with bright eyes and a shiny grin that make it stand out. The unique feature of being made from one long zipper is both clever and durable — it’s held up to daily use without any issues. The case is roomy enough to hold all his pens, pencils, and other small items, and the large diagonal opening makes it easy for him to find what he needs." —Becca

Get it from Amazon for $7.99+(also available in six colors, plus cat, unicorn, and bunny designs). 

10. A12-pack of pre-sharpened rainbow #2 pencils, because the allure of rainbow swirl pencil shavings might make every trip to the classroom pencil sharpener feel like more of a treat. Your kiddo may even squeeze in a few extra spelling words just to make another swirl, which could help with acing the next quiz.

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "These are the most fun pencils I've ever bought for my students! They absolutely love the colorful, rainbow design. It makes them so much more excited to write. I'm a big fan of them too, especially since they're made from recycled paper. They write smoothly, and I've noticed they hold their point much longer, so I'm not constantly sharpening them. A great eco-friendly and fun choice for the classroom!" —Cindy's Great Finds

Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $8.99.

11. A jumbo XL disappearing-purple gluestickthat'll delight any reluctant student who feels that all the fun disappears by the end of summer. It's fast-drying, sticks well, and contains as much glue as 14 glue sticks, so there's some money-saving fun in there for you, too.  

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I bought this as a gift since my child always goes through the 'small' glue sticks lol. I got tired of eating money on them and came across this here on Amazon. So I thought, wouldn’t it be funny to just get a giant stick? Also, I was really curious if it was THAT big. Lol, it really is that big, so funny and great to use. I bought it a few months ago, and she barely made a dent in it. A must-have for school, no need to buy little ones, this will last from kindergarten through college. Best value for my money. —Jen

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (also available in white and in a pack of six).  

12. A jumbo back-to-school coloring tablecloth to keep the kids busy while the grown-ups label water bottles and hunt down missing forms. At six feet long, there’s room for everyone to color, solve puzzles, and avoid fighting over the blue crayon.

Amazon

Promising review: "Our homeschool girls loved this for the first week of school. We used it as a table mat all week and then placed it on the wall." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $8.49 (also available in six other non–back to school designs). 

13. Asix-shelf clothing organizer that might seem like something only you'll appreciate, but on the day before school starts, don't be surprised if your kiddo jumps at the chance to pick out their clothes for the week. They might want some input before you settle on that toy truck t-shirt and pinstripe pants combo.

www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "We’ve had this for about a year, and it still makes my daughter excited to prepare for the week. So durable and doesn’t hang too low. The cubes are spacious, and there’s enough room for folding a coat or putting shoes in the cubbies, too. Definitely will be buying again! Plus, it’s something to do with my girl that teaches her 'chores' and neatness." —💗

Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (also available in blue).

14. A pair of foldable kids’ headphonesto bring a pop of super-fun color to computer lab and tablet time once school starts. The padded ear cups and adjustable headband keep them comfy, and the tangle-resistant cord is made for the daily trip in and out of their backpack.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Noot products is a small business based in Brooklyn, New York, founded in 2014.

Promising reviews: "Great headphones for my elementary school kid - he has to wear them for a few hours per day and says they're comfortable and the mic quality is good. The cord is long enough to reach across his desk with extra room. He likes the navy and turquoise colors, apparently, other kids in the class have the same type. :)" —Meg

Get it from Amazon for $20.99 (available in five colors). 

15. A 15-inch LCD writing tabletfor practicing letters or doodling on the ride to and from school. The reusable screen gives your child plenty of room to draw, so maybe they'll stop waving loose artwork toward the front seat while you’re trying to parallel park.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Such a smart and fun way for my child to be creative. She spends tons of time drawing/writing on this, keeping her occupied when I need it most. The button to clear the image is fun for her to use as well." —celia 

Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in eight colors).

16. A bookworm-shaped clip bookmarkto save your spot while you're both reading The Night Before Second Grade. Wally clips onto the corner without folding the page, so the first reading assignment of the year comes with an adorkable little sidekick.

Amazon

Promising review: "Wow! So Cute! My son was so excited for me to read to him his first chapter book with his new bookworm bookmark! It is so cute! He listens and plays with it while listening to the story and asking questions!" —abriana

Get it from Amazon for $9.99(available in five colors).

17. A tub of balloon-animal erasers, because your kid may not be excited about math time, but they could be persuaded by a brigade of balloon animals. They come in six bright colors and erase actual pencil marks, so these aren’t just cute arcade prizes pretending to be school supplies.

Amazon

Geddes is a small business that has been selling super sweet school supplies for over 90 years.

Promising review: "I got these for my granddaughter for school and just for play. She loves them! I must say, I love them too for the cuteness factor, and because they are sturdy and actually do erase. The colors are vibrant and translucent. —Spenser Havaneser

Get a pack of 24 from Amazon for $10.74. 

18. A deck of 60 lunchbox joke cardsfor slipping a little comic relief between a sandwich and some snacks. Each one has a colorful joke or riddle on the front and space for your own note on the back, so your child can share the laugh with their friends and get a little boost from you at lunchtime.

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I use these for my son’s school lunches (he is in 1st grade!), and they are a HUGE hit with him. He specifically requests one every morning while I’m packing his lunch! They are very good quality and not too thin! There’s also room on the back for you to write a note! 10/10 recommend!" —Macy

Get the deck of 60 from Amazon for $7.45. 

19. A set of reusable dinosaur ice packs that'll keep lunchtime favorites cold without taking over the whole lunch box. They’re slim and quick-freezing, and the colorful dinos or unicorns might make your mini-me look forward to seeing what you packed, even if it’s the same ol' turkey sandwich again.

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "These ice packs are perfect for my son’s lunch box! The dinosaur designs are adorable, and he loves picking which one to use each day. They’re super slim, so they don’t take up too much space, don't weigh down the lunchbox, but still keep food cold for hours. I also like that they’re non-toxic and easy to clean. The seals have worked great and no leaking experienced. Great quality and such a fun way to keep lunches fresh—highly recommend!" —Caitlyn 

Get a pack of four from Amazon for $10.99(available in 10 different styles).

20. A set of animal food picksto turn an ordinary lunch (or an extraordinary one, maybe you made something fabulous) into a field trip to the zoo. The reusable creatures can even make fruits and veggies more appealing, because lunchtime really is the ~mane~ event.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "They make packed lunch so much fun for little ones. My daughter gets excited to see which animals I will put in her lunch each day." —Tiara 

Get the 156-piece set from Amazon for $6.99.

21. A three-shape set of crustless sandwich cutters for the picky eater who insists PB&Js taste better when they’re shaped like a mouse, heart, or star. These cut and seal the bread into bento-box-ready pockets, so a homemade lunch can feel like a cut above the name-brand freezer version, since it was made with love.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Got this for my daughters to make her lunches more exciting (it was a surprise). When she came home from school, she gave me the biggest hug and said today was the best day of her life because of her lunch. Great quality, easy to use, and easy to clean." —Magdalena Ramirez

Get the set of three from Amazon for$14.98.

22. A pack of 200 waterproof stickersso your kid can make their water bottle, and other school gear, feel like their own. Sorting through the piles of stickers and choosing their favorites might make for a memorable day of back-to-school prep.

www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "I bought these so my children could decorate their school stuff, electronics, and water bottles. They liked the majority of the cute stickers. I have to admit I enjoyed watching them go through and pick out what they wanted and seeing the smiles on their faces. The stickers are a little difficult to take off their backing. They stick really well." —R 

Get a pack of 200 stickers from Amazon for $4.99+ (also available in bulk and in different styles). 

23. A DIY bead keychain kitso they can turn their name, or even an inside joke, into a keepsake they can clip onto a backpack. It comes with colorful letter beads, cords, and key rings, so decorating school stuff can double as an afternoon craft.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "Love this for kids' crafting fun time! Great price for your money, and quality and durability were nice for children to use! The children had fun making their own keychains, and I will definitely purchase this product on repeat!" —Mrs. Jay

Get the kit from Amazon for $11.19+(available in two styles).

24. A food-themed card game for the kid who says school was “okay” and leaves it at that. These moody little food tiles come with six ways to play, so they can practice matching, retention, and talking about feelings with you without it feeling like an after-school interrogation.

www.amazon.com

Chunky Deli Store is a super cute small business specializing in food-themed children's clothing, books, and activities. 

Promising review: "We have a 4-year-old and 7-year-old, and I really loved how there were different games at various levels. The cards were super cute, and my kids love the illustrations with expressions and creative names. It truly is a family-friendly game, especially for young kids. They both had a blast and have asked to play it many times since we received it. I also appreciated the quality, they are durable cards which is a HUGE PLUS with littles that get overly excited during games." —JD 

Get it from Amazon for $18.99. 

25. A basket of emotional-support school-supply plushies to make the countdown to the first day of school a little more fun. There’s a squishy notebook, ruler, highlighter, glue stick, and pencil, so your kid can open one each day leading up to school and assemble their own squishy supply list.

Amazon

Promising review: "The 3-year-old and the 5-year-old were so ecstatic the next morning when the boys went to school. The older one said he liked the compartments, and he liked the lunchbox at the bottom of the backpack. The lunchbox is big enough to hold the cold box used for lunches." —GA friend

Get the set from Amazon for $21.99(available in 10 styles). 

26. An adorable ready-to-rise alarm clockwith a little face that dozes off at bedtime and perks back up in the morning. The night-light and sound machine make it a cozy wind-down buddy after a long day, and waking up alongside it may make getting out of bed feel a little more fun.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

You can also watch a parent share why this little alarm clock has become one of their "best parenting hacks" in this TikTok. 

LittleHippo is a small AAPI business specializing in multifunctional children's products and is based in New York.

Promising review: "This little alarm clock is super cute! I got it for my 4-year-old daughter to be a little independent. She loves that her clock goes to sleep and wakes up with her. I showed her how to turn off her alarm, and now she wakes up by herself every morning for school. This is a great tool to teach your kids some responsibilities. Customer service is GREAT! I received a clock whose “hat” didn’t work to turn off the alarm. I reached out to customer service, and they sent me a new one in a few days. Thanks a lot!!" —J.S. 

Get it from Amazon for $49.99(available in four colors).

Want to see even *more* of our recommendations for parents? Try these:

* ‘Tis The Season To Play Outside And These 30 Toys Will Keep Your Kiddos Entertained

* Items That’ll Make Everyone Happier (And Maybe Less Sunburnt) On Your Next Family Beach Trip

* Things Under $50 That’ll Keep Kids Entertained And Outside This Summer

* Products For Parents Who Want To Get Ahead Of Bug Bites, Boo-Boos, And Other Summer Problems

* If You Want To Encourage Your Kids' Independence, You’ll Want These 30 Products

Plus, kids' rugs and chairs, and finds from Uncommon Goods, Target, and Walmart.

Why Trust BuzzFeed Shopping?

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The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.