Back to School Basics for Kids

Getting ready for a new school year starts with the basics. We stock up on fresh school supplies and make sure the kids have comfortable clothes and shoes for walking and playing. Then we fill the pantry with energizing snacks to fuel busy days. These back to school essentials help our family feel organized and ready to go!

Colorful School Supplies

School is much more fun with a notebook decorated with mermaids! My girls loved picking out new school supplies this year. Our kids list of back to school basics included a pencil pouch, notebook, binder, new pencils, erasers, scissor, and glue.

Most schools provide a supply list so you know exactly what to buy. We like to shop early because popular items tend to sell out by late August. A quick trip with the kids to pick out their own notebooks and pencils makes it feel like an exciting start to the year!

Comfy Kids Shoes

By the end of summer, my kids have outgrown their shoes and worn out their flip flops. We like finding shoes that can keep up with active kids who run, play sports, and climb at the playground. Quality matters to us, so we look for comfortable, supportive shoes that hold up through daily wear and are easy to clean. pediped kids shoes is a great go-to brand with more than 130 trendy footwear styles for boys and girls. A good pair of shoes makes all the difference for energetic little feet!

Exceptional quality, unsurpassed comfort, and distinctive styling have made pediped the fastest growing children’s footwear brand in the United States. The award-winning footwear is available in EU sizes 17 to 38 (US newborn to 6 Youth).

Good shoes last through more than one kid. My older daughter has passed down several pairs of pediped shoes to her sister, and they still look great. Our youngest child is an eager adventurer. She loves running outside, going to gymnastics, and joining us on family hikes. She always picks glittery shoe styles! We love that pediped offers fun, girly styles that are still sturdy enough for the park, the playground, and the trail.

Organized School Space

Additionally, our family homeschools so I designed a cozy school space for my kids. I find that my kids are more productive if their workspace is free of distractions. A school corner also helps keep homework off the dining room table! I’m excited to share how I decorated our homeschool space with a few essentials.

First, I furnished our homeschool corner with some vintage looking metal caddies and a metal map of the United States. I added color with a homemade mini felt pennant banner. Furthermore, I needed some extra light in that corner of our room so I added a modern puzzle lamp pendant. This lamp came in pieces that I had to arrange into a globe pendant light, just like a puzzle! The end result is a whimsical lighting accent that provides some extra light for our homeschool corner.

I also added a My Mighty Magnet photo cable to display the kids photos. This cute photo display wire uses strong magnets to show off photos that I can easily swap out seasonally or as my kids grow older. Each magnet is decorated with a clear rhinestone (other styles are available too). If you have young kiddos, it can be helpful to put this photo display cable up high so kids can’t access the magnets or rearrange the photos.

Healthy Kids Snacks

Finally, after school my kids love having an afternoon snack. I try to pick snack options that won’t ruin their appetite for dinner. Fresh apple slices, peanut butter crackers, string cheese, and Veggie Straws are all fairly healthy snack options for kids.

Popped chickpea chips are another great healthy snack. Squeaky Pops are packed with real ingredients, nothing artificial and less than 100 calories; a yummy snack or addition to a healthy lunch. These chickpea chips even come in two flavors; cheddar cheese and apple cinnamon. I love finding creative ways to encourage my kids to eat healthier, even while snacking!

With a little creativity, we are all set for back to school with colorful supplies, new shoes, and healthy snacks. How do you make the back to school routine go smoothly for your family? My kids especially love learning when I find creative ways to make school fun!

Katie Wallace

Hi, I’m Katie! I live with my husband and 4 kids in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. I love Jesus, coffee, creative projects, photography, and traveling. I’ve previously worked as a web designer, journalist, and barista. I hope you enjoy our creative projects and family adventures!