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The ultimate back to school shopping checklist

Get prepared for the school year ahead. - by Tahni Mesann
  • 20 Jan 2021

The end of January is almost here, which means that the holiday season is over and it’s now time for the back-to-school panic to set it. While we don’t quite know quite what to expect from the 2021 school year, a checklist of essential school supplies to buy will help you and the kids get organised, and feel more in control, heading into a new year of learning. 

WATCH: Adam Dovile makes a storage box for pencils

Here, we’ve rounded up the essential items - from backpacks to pencils, lunchboxes and shoes - your little ones will need before the school holidays come to an end. 

Clothing and shoes

Polo shirts

School uniform polo shirts in assorted colours

At Best and Less, primary school polo shirts are currently on sale for $3 each. You can buy one for every day of the week for less than $20. Available at Best and Less.

Everyday shoes

Black leather school shoes with laces
Supplied

‘Daytona Youth’ leather school shoes in black (also available in brown), $139.95, from Clarks.

Art smocks

Flat lay of two art smocks, pink one on left and black one on right
  • Left - Bobble art smock in ‘Confetti’, $34.95 and [Right]
  • Right - Bobbleart art smock in ‘Star and Stripe’, $34.95, both available at The Iconic.

Backpacks

School backpacks
  • Left - Large backpack in 'Anchors Away' print by Penny Scallan, $69.95, available at The Iconic.
  • Right - 'Harlequin' shimmer backpack in rose gold, $29.95 (also available in silver, rainbow and hot pink), from BHG Shop.

School Lunches

Lunchboxes

Lunch boxes
  1. B.Box lunchbox in 'Indigo Rose', $29.95, available at B.Box. 
  2. 'Bluey' lunchbox in orange, on sale at $7.50 (RRP $10), available at Spotlight.
  3. 'Bento Space' recycled plastic lunchbox by Hip, available in assorted colours, on sale at $17.46 (RRP $24.95), available at Myer. 
  4. 'PackIt' freezable lunch bag in 'Ice Cream', $49.95, available at Flora and Fauna.

Zero-waste lunch accessories

Zero waste school lunch accessories
  1. Plastic free 'School Lunch Kit', on sale at $150 (RRP $188). Set includes 1x Stainless Steel 'Crunchbox' with 3 pot set, 1x 'Crunchcase', 1x set of 6 silicon muffin cups, and 1x smoothie cup. Available at Seed & Sprout Co.
  2. Beeswax wraps, $49.99 (set of four), available at Myer.
  3. Davis and Waddell 'EcoPocket' 3-piece reusable zip-lock bags starter pack, on sale now at $15.99 (RRP $19.99), available at House.

Drink bottles

Drink bottles
  1. Camelbak Kids 'Eddy Plus' drink bottle in 'Let's Explore', $24.99 (400mL), available at BCF.
  2. MontiiCo Mini Drink Bottle, available in assorted colours, $22.95 (350mL), available at Hello Green.
  3. Anko by Kmart ,'Flared' drink bottle, available in assorted colours, $5 (650mL), available at Catch.com.au 

Stationery

Everyday essentials

Back to school stationery
  1. Pencil case - Giggle by Smiggle '2 Handy' pencil case, $12.95, available at Smiggle.
  2. Exercise books - Silvine A5 lined exercise books (pack of 10), available in assorted colours, $39.74, available at Catch.com.au
  3. Pencils - Faber-Castell Economy 1111 Graphite HB pencil, $25 (72 pack), available at BigW.
  4. Highlighters - Mini highlighters in pastel shades, $9.99 (5 pack), available at KikkiK.

Family organisation

A label maker, book shelf and a family organisation calendar
  1. Label maker - Brother P-touch ‘Cube’ label maker, $79, from Officeworks.
  2. Family planner - Large family wall calendar gift pack in ‘Thyme’, on sale at $28.80, available at Kikki.K.
  3. Book case - Keezi Kids Bookcase and storage organiser, $54.95, available at Catch.com.au

Furniture

Kids study desk

Girl studying at a desk

'The Koala wfh desk', $300 (Kids' size), from Koala. 

Computer chair

Computer chairs

'VIMUND' children's desk chair, available in blue and pink, $99, from IKEA.

You might also like: 

5 healthy snacks perfect for school lunches

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Tahni Mesann

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