Whether your kid is embarking on their first day of a new school or prepping for an online [1] or hybrid school year, back-to-school season [2] is in full swing. Amazon has a whole hub dedicated to getting your little ones the classroom essentials [3] they need to have a successful school year. Not only does this hub separate your kids' school needs by age and grade level, but also you can shop all of the most-loved back-to-school essentials that Amazon [4] customers rated near 5-stars. From durable yet stylish backpacks and lunch bags to reliable notebooks, pencils, and pens [5], Amazon customers can't stop raving about these finds. We rounded up the best back-to-school [6] picks from Amazon that your kids will need to take the school year by storm.
Best Lunch Bag: Sunny Bird Insulated Lunch Bag
The Sunny Bird Insulated Lunch Bag [7] ($24) has thermal insulation to help keep food and beverages hot or cold for hours. It comes in a variety of patterns and colours so your little one can choose their favourite.
For Unexpected Weather: Columbia Rain Jackets
The Columbia Girls' Switchback II Waterproof Jacket [8] ($30) and Columbia Boys' Glennaker Rain Jacket [9] ($30) are durable and perfect to have on hand. These can even be stored in the bottom of your kid's bag just in case it rains at recess or before they hop on the bus.
Best Gym Bag: Nike Unisex-Adult Brasilia Mesh Backpack
Make sure your kid is prepared for gym class with a durable bag. The Nike Unisex-Adult Brasilia Mesh Backpack [10] ($59) is the perfect size for an extra pair of clothes, sneakers, water bottles and more.
Best Scientific Calculator: Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE Colour Graphing Calculator
Your budding mathmatician will love this Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE Colour Graphing Calculator [11] ($119). It's perfect for those who are learning pre-algebra, algebra, geometry and advancing their maths skills.
Best Rolling Backpack: Rockland Double Handle Rolling Backpack
Give their back a break with this Rockland Double Handle Rolling Backpack [12] ($48). Make commuting to school easy with this rolling backpack that comes in a variety of colours and patterns. It has a front pocket with a built-in organiser and side mesh pockets.
A Stylish Backpack: Vera Bradley Women's Signature Cotton Campus Backpack
Give your little ones the stylish upgrade they deserve with the Vera Bradley Women's Signature Cotton Campus Backpack [13] ($92). It features two zip pockets, two side slip pockets, and a hidden back zip pocket.
For Keeping Track of School and Activities: 2021-2022 Academic Planner
No school year is complete without a planner. The 2021-2022 Academic Planner [14] ($12) has both monthly and weekly pages for easy year-round scheduling. There's enough space for detailed daily planning, assignments, and post-school activities. There's even a notes section for writing important things, appointments, or inspirational quotes.
Best Backpack: JanSport SuperBreak One Backpack
This JanSport SuperBreak One Backpack [15] ($60) is a reliable favourite. It has spacious storage in the main compartment, a front utility pocket with a built-in organiser, and a side water bottle pocket. It comes in a variety of colours as well!
A Durable Backpack: adidas Youth Kids-Boy's/Girl's Young Creator Backpack
The adidas Youth Kids-Boy's/Girl's Young Creator Backpack [16] ($35, originally $40) is perfect for your child's academic life and after school practice. It's so stylish and sleek, anyone can use it! It has a roomy main compartment and a big pocket on the outside for larger items along with two zip pockets for snacks and small gear.
Best Basic Calculator: CATIGA CD-8185 Office and Home Style Calculator
The CATIGA CD-8185 Office and Home Style Calculator [17] ($10, originally $13) is a great, reliable, solar powered everyday calculator. It is convenient, powerful, and long lasting.
For Creativity: Prismacolor Class Pack Wood Coloured Pencils
If your little one loves to get creative and flex their inner artist, they'll love this Prismacolor Class Pack Wood Coloured Pencils/a> ($24). It's a great find for not only encourageing creativity but also for making presentations pop and colour-coding their notes. [18]
A Bag Filled With Personality: Mygreen Child Printed Backpack
Let your child make a statement with these fun and playful Mygreen Child Printed Backpack [19] ($27). They come in a variety of prints, patterns, and colours.
A Stylish Lunch Bag: Fit + Fresh Charlotte Insulated Soft Liner Lunch Bag
The Fit + Fresh Charlotte Insulated Soft Liner Lunch Bag [20] ($15) is trendy and lightweight and comes in a variety of chic prints and patterns. It has three layers of insulation, it's leakproof, and even waterproof.
For Reminders and Active Note-Taking: Mr. Pen- Sticky Notes Set
Whether it's bookmarking, a helpful reminder, or active note-taking, a set of these Mr. Pen- Sticky Notes Set [21] ($8) will come in handy. In fact, the whole family will be able use these handy sticky notes.
For Sanitation: Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer Refreshing Gel
Keep little hands clean in between handwashing with this three pack of Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer Refreshing Gel [22] ($11). It's travel-sized so they can always carry one in the bag or jacket pocket.
Best Pens: Paper Mate InkJoy Gel Pens, Medium Point, Assorted, 14 Count
The Paper Mate InkJoy Gel Pens, Medium Point, Assorted, 14 Count [23] ($12) has a near 5-star rating on Amazon with over 24,000 ratings. Your child will absolutely love taking notes and making study guides with these ultra smooth and bold pens.
A Cute Backpack: Cat Embroidery Canvas School Backpack
How adorably chic is this Cat Embroidery Canvas School Backpack [24] ($35, originally $40)?! It can carry your kid's every day essentials including a 14-inch laptop.
For Sanitation: Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer Refreshing Gel
Keep clean with this three pack of Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer Refreshing Gel [25] ($11). It's travel-sized so they can always carry one in the bag or jacket pocket.
Best Highlighters: Sharpie Clear View Highlighter, Chisel Tip 12-Pack
The Sharpie Clear View Highlighter, Chisel Tip 12-Pack [26] ($15, originally $20) are pefect for active note taking, colour-coding, and recognising keywords. They have a chisel tip perfect for gliding over notes.
For Note-Taking: Five Star Spiral Notebooks
You can't beat a classic, and spiral notebooks are a staple for middle school. These Five Star Spiral Notebooks 1 Subject [27] ($21 for 3). come in a variety of colour combinations so your kid can separate their school subjects by colour. If a few of their classes require a lot of note-taking invest in the Five Star Spiral Notebooks 3 Subject [28] ($35 for 3).
For the Eco-Friendly and Efficient: Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook
The Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook [29] ($32) is a smart notebook that can be digitized so your kid doesn't have to carry around a ton of notebooks and folders. It's a 32 page lined notebook can be used endlessly by wiping clean with a damp cloth. All you have to do is scan the notes with your phone, and organise it in a dedicated folder in a cloud-based service or notetaking app like Google Drive or Evernote.
For Reliable Writing: BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencils
Stock up on these BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencils [30] ($8, originally $12), especially if your kid has a tendency to lose pencils. You won't have to worry about constantly sharpening pencils since they are mechanical.
Best Mechanical Pencils: Paper Mate 34666PP Clearpoint 0.5mm Mechanical Pencil Starter Set
The Paper Mate 34666PP Clearpoint 0.5mm Mechanical Pencil Starter Set [31] ($4, originally $8) has #2 leads – so you're good to go for standardized tests. It also has refillable jumbo erasers make do-overs a breeze and comfortable textured grip for endless writing.