Your ultimate back to school essentials shopping guide 2024

back to school essentials

by Samantha Ball |
Updated on

Getting organised for the school year is difficult enough, so we have made it a little easier by shortlisting the ultimate back to school essentials guide. We know it can be overwhelming scrolling through endless products online trying to buy all the school supplies your little one needs for when they go back to school, which is why here at Mother & Baby, we've created the ultimate back to school essentials shopping guide so that you can find everything you need in one place.

There's no denying that those summer weeks go by so quickly that one minute, you're buying thank-you teacher gifts, and the next, you're panic-buying supermarket school uniforms the weekend before school starts.

If you're new to shopping for back-to-school essentials, it can feel even more overwhelming to know what to buy and where to find items such as personalised school labels that make your life that little bit easier.

Our favourite overall back to school essentials at a glance:

Whether you want to sit with your little one and let them pick their favourite back to school essentials or you're just wanting a one-stop place to get everything you need, then our shopping guide is the perfect place for you.

From water bottles to accessories and even books, we've found the best back to school essentials.

Our favourite back to school essentials:

Best back to school essentials lunch box overall

b.box Lunch BoxCredit: Amazon
Price: £27.95
Alternative retailers
Walmart$19.96View offer

When it comes to kids' lunch boxes, we think the b.box lunch box is hard to beat! It has a durable hard shell, perfect for clumsy kids, and a special fruit compartment with a stretchy seal that can even fit a whole apple. With a two-litre capacity, there’s plenty of room to satisfy hungry tummies. Our favourite feature is the dedicated spot for an ice pack, which keeps their lunch fresh all day long.

Our review: "I was really impressed with this lunch box! It’s usually tough to find space for everything, especially the ice pack, but this one has plenty of room. I love that you don’t need to cut up fruit to fit it in, and the leak-proof sections are perfect for packing yoghurt or soup—my son’s favourites."

Pros

  • Sections can removed to create more space
  • Leak proof sections
  • The lunch box can fit full-sized fruit
  • Ice pack included including a section for the ice pack to be stored

Cons

  • Handwash only

Best back to school essentials water bottle overall

air upp-  Mini Sipper Pink 600ml BottleCredit: Amazon

One of the biggest challenges for many children is getting used to drinking water, especially since many schools have a strict water-only policy, which can be tough for kids who love juice. With so many changes and adjustments already, you don’t want hydration to become another hurdle. That’s where Air Up water bottles come in handy. They work by placing pods on the bottle, so when your little one takes a sip, flavoured air bubbles travel from their mouth to their nose, tricking the brain into thinking they’re tasting a flavour.

Our review: "During his first term in reception, my son couldn't stop talking about Air Up bottles. I've never seen him so interested in drinking water. He's always been notoriously bad at staying hydrated, so I was thrilled when he asked for the new water bottle. It seems to be the must-have item in the playground, but if it gets him drinking more, then I'm all for it!"

Pros

  • It comes with three scented pods
  • Easy opening
  • 600ml capacity, perfect for little hands.

Cons

  • It is a little more expensive than traditional water bottles

Best back to school essentials polos overall

3pk Unisex Stain Resist School Polo ShirtsCredit: M&S

Marks on your child's uniform can be a sign of a day well spent, but stains can be incredibly frustrating, especially when they’re tough to remove depending on the school colours—especially those pesky pen marks! That’s why we love the stain-resistant school polos from M&S. The best part is these polos come in a selection of school colours.

Our review: "These shirts are of excellent quality and a great price. I really like that they come in a bundle of three, which means they are fantastic value for money. Unlike some supermarket brands, I have found the colours are closer to the school-branded polos and they wash better."

Best back to school essentials stationary overall

Stabilo - Ergonomic Graphite Pencil Credit: Stabilo/ Amazon
Price: £11.37

One of the hardest parts of learning to write is mastering the tripod grip. As adults, we don’t even think about how to hold a pen or pencil; it’s second nature, but when children first learn, they often hold the pen in a fist.

This makes it harder to control the stationery, and schools don't encourage it. The Ergonomic Graphite Pencil helps with a relaxed hand posture thanks to its triangular shape and non-slip grip zones. We also love that they have options for left- and right-handed kids, preventing pencil marks from smudging.

Our review: "I'm a big fan of these pencils (and the ergonomic pens, too). Whenever a child in my family is about to start school, I always gift them an ergonomic pencil. With my own three children, I’ve found that these pencils make learning to write much easier and more enjoyable."

Pros

  • Promotes the tripod grip taught at school
  • The thin lead encourages precise writing and marking
  • Colourful designs

Cons

  • Doesn't come with a sharpener

Best back to school essentials backpack overall

Mountain Warehouse - Bookworm 20L BackpackCredit: Mountain Warehouse
Price: £12.99 ( was £27.99)

www.mountainwarehouse.com

Even if a backpack isn't a requirement for school, it's a pretty good idea, especially if your little one is planning on having a packed lunch. In our experience, little ones find it incredibly difficult for them to keep hold of all of their belongings (and carry them around). So we love this oversized backpack, which is perfect for storing a book bag, lunch box, and water bottle (and all the crafts they make at school).

Our review: "This bag is brilliant, it's great to use for school but also great for short weekends away. I love the design that is child-friendly, without having a short shelf-life like some of the trends lead bags."

Pros

  • Two colour options
  • It comes with a detachable pencil case
  • Elasticated mesh pocket for bottles
  • Adjustable straps, meaning that they can grow into the bag

Cons

  • Can easily be overloaded making it heavy for little ones to carry

Best back to school essentials toddler lunchbox

With stainless steel utensils for little ones, the Bento Lunchbox is designed to fit small portions so there is plenty of choice at lunchtime and your child can pick at their dinner. It has five compartments for separating foods, and is beautifully designed and even has a practical carry handle!

Our review: "It's really convenient having all my daughters foods in one place rather than having several different containers taking up space in the bag and a loose set of cutlery. It's super handy that the cutlery that comes with it can fit to the lid, so that they don't go missing too! My daughter loves helping herself to the foods, and as the handle is on the opposite end to the close mechanism of the lunchbox, there's no accidentally catching it so that it opens!"

Pros

  • Five compartments for different foods or snacks
  • Comes with two cutlery items
  • Perfect for kids with small to medium appetites

Cons

  • No onsite reviews but we absolutely loved it
Dimensions:25.7 x 23.3 x 6.9cm
Suitable for ages:18 months+
  • 1 x Spoon
  • 1 x Fork
  • Carry handle
  • Five compartments

Best back to school essentials leak-proof water bottle

best back to school essentials shopping guide contigo bottle
Price: £38.27

With a press button to access the drinking spout, the Contigo Kids Water Bottle is one that you really want to invest in. Designed to be fully leak proof, this bottle can be tipped upside-down even with the spout open and not a drop of water leaks out. The parts inside the bottle also stay together to clean, to help prevent losing anything when washing up.

Our review: "We go through so many water bottles throughout the school year, if they're not constantly leaking we're losing the straws or they're breaking, but this water bottle has really changed things. My son has dropped this bottle so many times, and it hasn't even got a tiny crack in it, and he doesn't chew the spout where you drink from like he normally does (and if he does chew it, I can't see any teeth marks!)

It is also incredibly easy to clean, and the straw stays attached to the bottle, so we aren't constantly losing it. It is incredibly good value for money and I've definitely spent the same on three different bottles over the last few weeks, whereas this one has actually lasted."

Pros

  • 100 per cent leak proof
  • Robust design
  • Ideal for school
  • Multiple design options

Cons

  • Will need to refill at school
Capacity:420ml
Dimensions:11 x 8 x 17cm
Weight:107g
BPA Free:Yes
  • Rubber strap to prevent parts getting lost
  • Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
  • 100 per cent leak proof
  • Protective cap for straw

Best back to school essentials thermal water for design

RIXOZ Football Water BottleCredit: Amazon
Price: £19

We love this collapsible water bottle because it easily clips onto your child's book bag, which means one less thing to remember in the morning! It's lightweight and can be filled in both smaller and larger sizes. And don’t worry about spills— we’ve tested the leak-proof design for over a year without any issues.

Our review: "This collapsible water bottle is great! It clips onto my child’s book bag, so we never forget it at home. It's perfect for my football-mad son, and since so many of his friends have the same bottle, I love that there’s a spot at the bottom to write his name."

Pros

  • Collapsable
  • The keyring attached to the bottle
  • It can be filled when folded and when extended
  • Leak proof

Cons

  • It's only available in a football design (but in multiple colours)
Capacity:355ml
Dimensions:7 x 7 x 19cm
Weight:230g
BPA Free:Yes
  • Vacuum insulation
  • Up to 12 hours cold
  • Stainless steel interior and exterior
  • Flip-up carry loop
  • Hygienic push-button opening
  • Pop up straw

Best back to school essentials for easing anxiety

The Share a Hug Pin badge is a beautiful way to reassure your little one that you're always with them, even if you're a bit further away from them. You wear one half of the badge and they wear the other on their jacket, jumper or even school bag.

Pros

  • Wearable for both parents and children
  • Removable
  • Lovely design
  • It can help to reassure your child

Cons

  • Some uniforms might not allow it on clothing due to uniform policy
Dimensions
Rainbow circle pin:3 x 3cm
Heart pin:1.5 x 1.42cm
  • Two detachable pins

Best back to school essentials for SEND children

These Engage Kids Loop Earplugs help to reduce noise sensitivity and allow children to focus more at school (or at home!) They can help manage to reduce anxiety so that they can enjoy being kids too. The Loop Earplugs come in three different fun colours to choose from, and are subtle to wear.

Our review: "I think these are a great little item, and my son found them easy to put in his ear. Like most children, he has difficulty concentrating, but I noticed he wasn't looking around the room at different noises as much and would sit building his Lego with a lot less distraction."

Pros

  • Helps improve focus and creativity
  • Control noise sensitivity
  • Helps to manage and reduce anxiety

Cons

  • Wear a maximum 90 minutes at a time and for up to 3 hours a day
Suitable for ages:6+ years
Noise reduction:16dB

Best back to school essentials starting school book

Best best back to school essentials book five minute mum starting school
Price: £14.33

Five Minute Mum: Starting School is a gentle and funny guide all about starting school. From getting ready in the morning to meeting their teacher for the first time, and making new friends, it'll help guide your child through what to expect. It also has lots of five-minute activities and games to help your child feel more confident and excited.

Our review: "My son and I have loved going through this book together. It's been great for sparking conversations about starting school, and I think it’s helped us both feel more prepared for this exciting new chapter."

Pros

  • Child-friendly activities and games
  • Supportive tone
  • Engaging illustrations

Cons

  • The nature of the book means that it is used in parts rather than one sitting.

Best back to school essentials book keepsake

The Tale of Starting School uses personalisation to help prepare your child for their first day of school or nursery. It's a great way to introduce your little one to their school using your own photos of them, their school and their own words. It then becomes a lovely keepsake of their first year!

Pros

  • Beautifully illustrated
  • Completely personalisable
  • It can be kept for years to come

Cons

  • It might not be easy to get photos of the school
Dimensions:21 x 21 x 2.5cm
  • Downloadable list of what you need
  • Helps prepare for school
  • Creates a memory of your child's first school

Best back to school essentials caddy organiser

The easy to see Create A Space See-Through Caddy is a lovely way to keep your little ones pencils and colours organised at home. They can move the caddy around using the easy to carry handle and will feel so grown up with this organiser.

Our review: "This caddy is really lovely, and the clear container design makes it easy to locate stationary. My son keeps his on his desk in his room but will bring it downstairs to the table if he wants to do his 'work' at the table. The coloured lids make the organiser a lot more fun, too."

Pros

  • Keeps everything organised
  • Carry handle
  • Can store multiple things

Cons

  • No onsite reviews but we love it
Dimensions:N/A
  • 4 x see-through caddy's
  • Carry handle
  • Storage lids

Best back to school essentials stamp name label

There is nothing worse than sifting through the lost property pile trying to find your child's belongings. The age-old sniff test doesn't always work. The Stamptastic Name Stamp for Clothes - Deluxe Bundle makes it unbelievably easy to identify your child's possessions.

Our review: "I love this stamp set; I have been using it for two years now, and even with multiple washes, you can clearly see my son's name. This bundle is a game changer for keeping track of my child's belongings and avoiding the lost property pile. It's so easy to use, and it saves you from relying on the dreaded sniff test!"

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Works on multiple materials
  • No more writing out names

Cons

  • The ink pad may need to be replaced after time.
Dimensions:3.8 x 1.5cm
  • Personalise with name
  • Add a character to the stamp
  • 1 x stamp included
  • 1 x ink pad included

Best back to school essentials Marvel Set

Best back to school essentials shopping guideMarvel Pen Set
Price: £16.99

This Marvel Pen Set has everything your child needs for going back to school. With all the stationary in one convenient and Marvel styled pencil case, it features a double zip opening. The scissors can also be removed for younger children.

Pros

  • Double zip
  • All the back to school stationary your child needs
  • Some schools don't require children to bring pencil cases

Cons

  • Scissors aren't suitable for all materials
Dimensions:20 x 13.6 x 5.3cm
  • 8 x coloured felt tips
  • 1 x avengers rubber
  • 1 x plastic safety scissors
  • 1 x ruler
  • 1 x triangle ruler
  • 1 x sharpener
  • 1 x semi-circle ruler
  • 10 x colour pencils
  • 1 x ballpoint pen

Best back to school essentials Pokémon 4-piece set

best back to school essentials shopping guide Pokémon Kids 4 Piece Set

Rrp: £42.99

Price: £39.99

With all the essentials your child needs for school, the Pokémon 4 Piece Set comes with a water bottle, matching pencil case and lunch bag. It has plenty of space to store the extras inside the bag, and has an external mesh pocket for the water bottle.

Pros

  • Matching accessories
  • Zip closure bag
  • Adjustable straps

Cons

  • Might want a larger capacity water bottle
Dimensions:11 x 29 x 39cm
Pockets:2
Weight:460g
Machine washable:Wipe clean
  • 1 x large bag
  • 1 x lunch bag
  • 1 x pencil case
  • 1 x 500ml water bottle

Best back to school essentials balance board

While this can't be left outside, it's a great toy to let your child play with in the garden! They can use it as a bridge or a mini slide and can even practise their balancing skills. They can even relax on it with their teddies. The Size M Balance and Motor Skills Board is such a simple toy, but the play possibilities are endless. It is a great activity to enjoy after a long day at school.

Our review: "My 6-year-old loves the balance board. He uses it to stand and rock on, as a bridge for his cars and even to sit on to play games. He sits and rocks himself, and I've noticed that it really helps him release some of his energy as he likes to move around, so for him to sit and rock it's a really great support."

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Help psychomotor development
  • Helps aid physical development at school

Cons

  • Can't be left outside
Dimensions:93 x 30 x 19cm
Suitable for:1 to 6 years
  • Easy to use
  • Help psychomotor development

Best back to school essentials Yoto Player

The Yoto Player is designed for all ages and can be used by parents through the app for babies and toddlers or by toddlers and older kids themselves. The cards play stories, games and even music, and you can even create a night time routine with the nightlight, and have an alarm for the morning.

Our review: "The Yoto Player was really easy to set up, and I love that I can create a routine for my son on it, which will be really handy for when going back to school. It's easy to use the cards and it's handy to download them onto the app too. He's enjoyed sitting and listening to the stories and educational cards through the headphones when he's wanted 5 minutes peace."

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Educational
  • Perfect for listening after a long day of school

Cons

  • Cards and accessories sold separately
Dimensions:11cm
Suitable for:3 to 12 years
  • Ok-to-wake and night light
  • Room thermometer
  • 24 hours of play per charge
  • Independent and ad-free listening

Best back to school essentials school dresses

There are so many school uniform Dresses at TU Clothing! The cotton-rich dresses are designed to be stain-repellent with easy-iron Teflon-coated fabric to suit everyday school activities. Some even feature a one-touch fastening front with faux buttons, making it easier for little ones to get dressed independently.

Pros

  • Playsuit and dress options
  • Multiple sizing choices
  • All finished beautifully with added detail (frills, bow etc)

Cons

  • There are no plain-coloured dress options
Sizes:3 to 14 years
  • Regular and plus fit sizing available
  • Different Multipack options
  • Gingham dresses and plain pinafores

Best back to school essentials supermarket school shoes

The School Shoes range at M&S are available in three shoe styles, standard, regular and wide and also a wide range of sizes. With different materials, there's definitely a shoe to meet your little one's school requirements. They even have Velcro and lace options. They're cushioned designed and some also have antibacterial Freshfeet™ finishes.

Pros

  • Freshfeet™ finish
  • Large range of different sizes
  • Vegan-friendly shoe options

Cons

  • You might need to measure your little ones feet
Sizes:Children's small to large
  • Standard, regular and wide shoes
  • Velcro and laces
  • Trainer and pump options
  • Light-up options
  • Freshfeet ranges

Best back to school essentials plimsolls

Suitable for physical education lessons, the Kids Riptape Plimsolls have a Freshfeet design to prevent odours. They're riptape, so they're easy for little ones to take on and off to swap for their outdoor shoes at school. They have a flexible cotton design with supportive underfoot foam.

Pros

  • Machine washable
  • Riptape fastening
  • Perfect for children with wide feet

Cons

  • Not suitable for tumble-dry
Size range:7 small to 4 large
Width:Standard
  • Standard fit
  • Riptape fastening
  • Machine washable
  • Lightweight
  • Freshfeet

When do children go back to school?

The summer holiday's officially end by Monday September 2nd. However, it's important to check on your schools website to check the official return date, as some may have an inset day.

What back to school essentials do I really need?

It's important to make sure they have their school uniform, a school bag, water bottle and shoes. These are the most basic items your child will need.

All the other essentials on our list will make you or your child's life that little bit easier, but they aren't compulsory.

Samantha Ball is a Product & Lifestyle Writer for Mother&Baby and freelanced for the website for two years before joining the team full time. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best products and cute outfits.

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