Back-to-school is in full swing with everyone on Facebook seemingly starting the school year in August— what is up with that??? It’s still summer! Luckily, I live on the Northeast, where school starts when it should— at the beginning of September.
The rest of the country is CRAZY.
In order to ease those back-to-school jitters and take the edge of your brand new morning routines (IF WE DON’T LEAVE NOW, YOU’LL MISS CIRCLE TIME!!!!!!), I’ve put together a back-to-school guide for parents and kids alike.
There’s also lots of exclusive promo codes throughout and a big giveaway at the end, so make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to win over $500 in prizes. You know, like how you missed the signature on that lice check form and now you’re stuck with your kid at home another day.
Here are 60 items that will get you and your kids through the school year with an A+ in Student Preparedness. If only that counted on their school transcripts….
If your daughter is anything like mine, your kids ask you to carry their bags. It’s important to find a bag your kid will be proud to carry all on their own.
1) Apple Park Purple Who Owl Backpack; 2) Mad Pax Spiketus Rex Half Pack; 3) Chooze Shoes Choosepack in “Crave”; 4) So Young Blue Robot Backpack; 5) Land Of Nod Teacher’s Pet Unicorn Backpack.
Special Offer:
To receive 20% off on all Apple Park products, use the code MS20 at check-out. Promo code valid from August 17-31st.
1) Micro Maxi Kickboard; 2) Micro Helmets; 3) Elbow & Knee Pads.
Mazzy loves scooting to school on her Micro Maxi Kickboard. Not only does it cut the commute time by half, it’s lightweight, foldable and easy to carry or stow in a locker. Designed for ages 5-12, the Maxi is has exceptionally strong construction and is extremely easy to brake and maneuver. Even Harlow can do it!
SPECIAL OFFER:
Get 20% off the Pink and Blue Maxi using code BACKTOSCHOOL from Aug.24-Aug 31st.
Sandals are the best thing about summer but with these new kicks, hopefully your kid will forget all about their flip-flops and Birkenstocks.
1) Mini Boden Girls Short Leather Boots; 2) Chooze Scout Loafer in “Rock”; 3) Chuck Taylor Allstar Shine; 4) Girls Slide Glitter Sneakers in Silver; 5) Cole Haan Boys Oxford.
SPECIAL OFFER:
Click here for an automatic 15% off all Mini Boden clothes + Free shipping.
There is nothing more frustrating than opening your kids lunchbox at the end of the day and discovering a fully packed meal untouched inside. These fun colorful lunchbox accessories might make your kid’s food a bit more enticing.
1) Gourmet Getaway Lunch Tote; 2) 3-Pack Spork Set; 3) Minion Thermos Funtainer; 4) Silicone Cupcake Holders; 5) Munchkin Silly Sandwich Cutters; 6) Trio Stainless Steel Bento Box.
This year, I was introduced to kid’s clothes from Lands’ End and I found they make adorably stylish high quality items for kids of all sizes. I’m particularly fond of their cardigans and hoodies which come in many colors and styles for girls and boys and are perfect for layering over your kid’s favorite summer outfit and calling it FALL.
1) Lands’ End Boys Long Sleeve Colorblock Sherpa Hoodie; 2) Lands’ End Girls Solid Tuck Stitch Cardigan in Coral.
My girls aren’t up to homework stage yet but when I am, you can bet I’ll be buying supplies that up the fun factor. You know, so I can steal them.
1) Zoey Mini 3-ring Binder; 2) Staple-free Stapler; 3) Poppin Acrylic Rulers; 4) Draw It Yourself Calculator; 5) Ban.do Sweet Talk Pen Set; 6) Gold Icons Notebook Set; 7) Take 5 Wall Bin.
1) MyCharge AMP Plus w/ USB; 2) MyCharge AMP Mini; 3) MyCharge AMP Max w/ USB.
When you’re on-the-go from drop-off to swim practice to all the errands you need to run in between, smart parents know to carry a portable back-up charger at all times. The myCharge Amp series is so small they can easily fit in mom’s purse, dad’s pocket or little junior’s backpack, with pretty significant extra juice. The AMP Mini provides 15 additional hours of talktime, the AMP Plus delivers 22 and the AMP Max (which charges smart phones as well as tablets) comes in at a whooping 45 additional hours.
Special Offer:
Get 40% off the Amp series by using code SCHOOL.
Everyone knows Mazzy’s got a crazy thick head of hair, which is gorgeous but a beast to maintain. Harlow is rarely seen without her signature pigtails (aka “pinkie tails”) so TRUST ME, I am the person to ask for hair accessory recommendations.
1) The Wetbrush Detangling Shower Brush; 2) Goody Girls Sassy Barrettes; 3) Janie & Jack Blossom Headband; 4) Hair Braid Bands; 5) Hair Braid Headband; 6) Frozen Fever Hairstyles Book.
Check out these easy-to-clean reusable snack bags from Spbang! Not only can you toss them in the dishwasher, they have a space to write notes in non-permanent marker that comes clean in the rinse cycle too! Spbang’s snack bags are durable, eco-friendly and crafted with food safe materials that contains no lead, no BPA and no phthalates.
SPecial offer:
Get 25% off all spbang products with the code MOMMYSHORTS; valid until September 31st.
If you want to stock up on must-have toiletries while teaching your kids how to make a positive difference in the world, shop at Walgreens and Duane Reade who are donating to Give H2OPE to Others during the back-to-school season. Every TRESemme®, Suave® or Caress® product purchased between July 26 and September 30 will result in 5 gallons of clean water given to families in need. Kids can visit TrackYourImpact.com to see exactly where the water is donated, to help them understand how they are making a positive impact in other people’s lives.
1) Suave Shampoo & Conditioner; 2) Tresemme Hairspray; 3) Caress Daily Silk Body Wash; 4) Caress Bar Soap.
Finding clothes that make kids want to take off their pajamas and get ready for the day is harder than it sounds. These fun items will hopefully have your kid dressed and ready before you’re halfway out the door.
1) Mini Boden Sparkle Jersey Dress; 2) Polka Dot Ankle Socks; 3) Ruby & Bloom Pink Tulle Skirt; 4) Boys Dinosaur Boxers; 5) Gymboree “High Five” Long Sleeve Tee; 6) Girls Everyday Leggings in Wild Horses Print.
SPECIAL OFFER:
Click here for an automatic 15% off all Mini Boden clothes + Free shipping.
Once you’ve made a sandwich and remembered to include a drink, you need a variety of no-fuss snacks easy to toss in your kid’s lunchbox. Plum Organics Fruit & Veggie Mashups are the perfect healthy treat, made from organic fruits and veggies mixed and mashed into squeezable purees. Mashups use USDA-Certified Organic apples and 25% less sugar than the leading applesauce pouch.
special offer:
Get 20% off any Mashups purchase at the Plum Store using code MASHUPS20 at checkout.
There’s nothing more emotional than sending your baby to preschool for the first time. These items will help your kid get through the day, even if he’s without mom and dad.
1) Sticky Bellies ‘Picture Me Proud’ Posters; 2) Puffs Soft Pack; 3) Day of the Week Undies; 4) Melissa & Doug Triangular Crayons; 5) Pocket Frenz Hoodie with ultra soft tactile tabs hidden in the pockets 6) Kidecals Custom Clothing Labels; 7) Melissa & Doug Triangular Crayons; 8) Hello Kitty Band-Aids.
Special Offer:
Get 10% off Sticky Bellies ‘Picture Me Proud’ Posters using the code MAZZY10; valid through 9/30.
Like Harlow, many kids start their school day with cereal and I’m a big believer that parents should not feel bad about that. Over the years, General Mills has made whole grain the first ingredient in all their cereals and reduced sugar. Currently, more than half of General Mills cereals are made without artificial flavors or colors from artificial sources and they will continue working until artificial ingredients are removed from all of them— even Lucky Charms. Come September, five varieties of Gluten Free Cheerios will be available.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL GIVEAWAY
No back-to-school guide would be complete without a back-to-school giveaway! Today, one lucky reader is getting a prize pack worth over $500.
The prize pack includes 1) Micro Maxi Kickboard; 2) $50 to Walgreen from Unilever; 3) mycharge AMP Max, Amp Plus and Amp Mini; 4) $50 Lands’ End gift card; 5) $75 worth of Plum Mashups; 6) set of 3 dishwasher safe reusable bags from spbang; and 7) Two cases of your favorite General Mills cereal plus one case to donate to your favorite charity.
To enter:
You must be a Mommy Shorts daily or weekly subscriber to enter. Then leave a comment below telling me what grades your kids are going into this fall and what they currently want to be when they grow up.
FYI, Mazzy wants to be an artist who sells ice cream on the side. Practical.
WINNER UPDATE:
Ok so this might not count since mine is only 2 1/2…but she is starting Mother’s Day Out this year and is SO EXCITED about going to “school” that she cried when we had to leave the open house! I warned the teacher that she might want to go home with her! She currently wants to be Minnie Mouse when she grows up. 🙂
My 3 older daughters are going into 7th, 9th, and freshman in college. My college daughter wants to be a forensic psychologist. My 9th grader wants to be a musician. My 7th grader wants to own a bookstore and be a teacher. They are all pretty set right now with these aspirations. None of them have changed in the last 6 years! I can’t wait to find out what my almost 9 month old will aspire to be!
Pre-k (oh my heart!). My little one is trying to decide between a career as a princess or a mermaid.
My daughter is 4 and started her last year of Pre-K yesterday. When I asked her what she wants to be when she grows up she said a Ninja. I really don’t know how to feel about that!
My son is going into first grade and he wants to be a policeman and my daughter is going into kindergarten and she wants to be a princess.
My 2.5 year old daughter is starting preschool in two weeks! She wants to be a ballerina!
My son Eli is going into 1st grade. He’s very excited and he wants to be an astronaut that fights fires on the moon and to discpver a way to breathe in space. Because when he is big “we’ll all be able to live up there and they’ll need firefighting astronauts! “
My daughter is starting preschool and wants to be a Firefighter (her favorite heros) and a Rockstar who only plays the air guitar.
I have 4 year old twins and a 2 year old son. My twins start pre-k on Monday and my 2 year old will be stuck at home alone with dad.
My 4 year old daughter wants to be a princess butterfly.
My 4 year old son wants to be a dog or a minion.
My 2 year old just giggles when I ask him what he wants to be.
My kiddo started first grade! He’s in the cluster class again, which feeds into the TAG program. He said he wants to be a basketball player when he grows up (dad is hoping he switches to football player)!
My kids are 3 and 5, going into PreK and Kindergarten. The big kid wants to be a chef and the little guy wants to be a basketball player. And I have to make lunches for them both which is exhausting- but I love the sporks and dry-erase snack bags!!
My 4yo Macalister will be starting pre-school this year. Mama’s not ready! He wants to be a football player, race car driver, and an astronaut! Holy buckets!
Fiona is going to second grade. She first wants to be a doctor then president and then a firefighter.
My son is going into first grade. He wants to be a teacher so they can call him Mr. (His first name).
I have 3 children- My oldest is 6.5 and just started first, my Middle is 4 and is starting Pre-K next week and my youngest is 18 months and will be starting a toddler class next week as well.
My oldest wants to be a Baltimore Ravens Football player, a paleontologist and a dolphin trainer and he’s sure he can be all 3, because he’s decided the jobs are seasonal. My daughter would like to be a mommy doctor or maybe a princess, she’s not sure yet. And I’m fairly certain if you ask the little one he would say he wants to be “Mi” aka mickey mouse.
My 6 year old is going into 1st grade and wants to be a “shark catcher”. My 3 year old is going into preschool (sob) and wants to be “a green car”.
Robbie is starting 2nd grade, and says he doesn’t know what he wants to be when he grows up. That’s okay, I didn’t end up working in a field relevant to my undergraduate degree, after all. Here’s hoping it’s a good surprise!
I have a 2 1/2 year old who goes to daycare/preschool full time. He doesn’t talk about what he wants to be when he grows up but I bet it will involve animals and singing. I also have 2 middle schoolers (ages 11&12) one wants to be a nurse, the other an engineer. I can’t wait to see if this comes true!
A fourth grader who wants to own a cupcake store and a kindergartner who wants to be an artist. Plus, my two year old preschooler who just wants to be her big sisters:)
My daughter will be entering Pre-K this fall and my son will be entering a 2s program! When asked about her future aspirations, she said, “I dunno!”. Great, she’s unmotivated.
My daughter is starting preschool (3 years old) in a few weeks. At the moment she wants to be a girl construction worker that uses real tools (not the plastic ones she has in her pink toolbox) and also a member of Paw Patrol.
My daughter is going into Pre-k and wants to be a party-planner. My son is almost one so we have a bit of time till he tells us what he wants to be but he’s in daycare.
Our son is starting T-K and he wants to be a doctor like Doc McStuffins.
Hazy will be in 1st grade and wants to be a lady who works in a store.
George will be in pre-K and wants to be a lifeguard.
My son turns 1 TODAY…so he’s going into negative pre-pre-pre-pre-school?? We’re prepping for the future! 🙂
Fun roundup! My kid goes to kindergarten the end of August. He wants to be a driver. Not even the race car kind. Just someone who’s able to drive.
My daughter is going into kindergarten and wants to be a pastry chef and an artist on the weekends.
I have my one and only going into Kindergarten! He is super jazzed! So far he wants to be LEGO engineer so he can create LEGO sets that he wants to play with…and work at LEGOLand!
My son will be in 4th grade and wants to be a semi truck drive and work at a construction site.
My daughter will be in Kindergarten and wants to be a mom
I have a second grader who wants to be a vet. But only for cats and small cute dogs and a rock star at night. I’ve been showing her old episodes of “Jem and the holograms”
My preschooler wants to be a “braces dentist.” I second that!
I have a 9 year old going to 4th grade and she wants to be a chef. Also a 4 year ol going to pre k 4 and she wants to be a mommy and work at a gas station.
Thank you for this list. I thought I was done shopping but now I see a few must haves I missed! I have a 1st grader who wants to be a hockey player. And a kindergartener who wants to be a singer who designs clothes and works with animals in her spare time.
My daughter is going into 5th grade, and she flip flops between astronaut and a teacher 🙂
My twins are going into the 7th grade. One wants to be a football player the other an artist.
My oldest is going into Junior High this year :(. She wants to be an actress. My middle is going into 3rd grade and wants to be a teacher. My youngest missed the public school cutoff for Kindergarten, but we are going to put her into private kindergarten so she’s not behind next year when she can go to Kindergarten in public school. She really wants to be a baker, she is obsessed with cake tutorials – since she was a year old!
6th Grade and she wants to be a veterinarian, because she loves animals.
My son is about to start his second year of preschool (4 years old) and when he grows up he wants to be a member of the Paw Patrol. Or an astronaut. Or a pirate. Maybe all three.
My Daughter started Early Preschool on Monday. She absolutely loves it! She wants to be a professional sticker/Band-Aid and ice cream taste tester.
My oldest started kindergarten last week and she wants to be a pharmacist like her dad. My youngest will be 3 and she wants t9 be a vet and a stunt women.
Kindergarten girl, wants to be an astronaut!
I have started a basic homeschooling to prep my now 3 year old to start a school program next year. He wants to be a superhero currently. Ridiculously smart for his age. My belief is he will be an engineer since he puts lego sets together that are for children much older than him.
My daughter is now in T-K Transitional Kindergarten. She wants to be a Rock Star Doctor, both a rock star and a doctor but she doesnt know which she wants to be first
Pre K3. She wants to be a chef!
My daughter just started kindergarten yesterday. She wants to be an astronaut doctor when she grows up, at least at the moment.
We started school weeks ago…but we’ll be done before May is half over so there’s a silver lining. The reusable lunch note is awesome!!! I’ve got a sixth grader who wants to be either a teacher or a scientist, “probably studying bugs (but NO spiders!),” and a preschooler who usually answers queries like “what do you want to be” with random responses like “a tree” or “milk.” Lol
My oldest daughter just began 4 year old preschool and wants to be a mommy. My youngest is 2 and apparently wants to be a professional rock climber although she can’t yet put that into words.
I have a 6th grader who wants to work with dolphins, a 4th grader who wants to be in the NFL and the NBA and a little who just started Pre k that wants to be a mommy to 7 babies (all at one time lol)
Hawthorne isn’t starting school this year, as he just turned one, but he *is* starting dance class this fall. We joke he wants to be a dancer or dj when he grows up because he’s always dancing and bopping and has the two armed point into the crowd nailed.
My son is in preschool and he wants to be a Daddy when he grows up.
My son is entering “Toddler 1” – preschool for those just shy of 2 by September. When I asked him what he wants to be when he grows up he said “Eh-mo” (Elmo) and then later said Baboo (a “Bird”)
My son is going into pre-k and currently wants to be a rock star when he grows up.
My big girl is moving up to the 3 year old class at preschool (Yesterday), and she wants to be a princess when she grows up. Her job prospects are looking slim.
My son started kindergarten the first week of August!!! We’re already on week 4….
And, he wants to be a “constructioner” or an American Ninja Warrior.
Our daughter, Hadley, is going into prek. She tells anyone who asks(and even those who don’t) that she wants to be a brewmaster when she grows up so she can make her parents happy! ☺️
My daughter starts preschool next week. And she wants to be “a ballerina princess!” (cue face palm)
My son is going into 4th and he wants to be a computer guy/software engineer.
My daughter is going into 2nd and she wants to be a zookeeper.
My daughter will be starting preK this fall and when she grows up she wants to be just like mommy.
My God Son Alex is going into Pre-k 4. He wants to be an archeologist ????
One 6 year old boy that wants to take care of the newly delivered babies in the hospital, on his way to first grade.
One 4 year old girl that I think wants to raise chickens. Headed to preschool.
Lots of omelettes for me I suppose!
My daughter will be going to prek and at the current moment, she is deciding to be a doctor who is also a princess. I think she has her life covered!
My daughter is starting preschool and she wants to be a swim teacher.
My 5-year-old is starting kindergarten in a couple weeks. Currently he wants to be a ninja/scientist/
LOL My 2-year-old daughter just grabbed my phone and submitted my unfinished comment. Figures! Anyway, my comment was supposed to say that my 5-year-old son wants to be a “ninja/scientist/librarian/ice cream man/zookeeper (who doesn’t have to pick up poop)”. I know, my children are awesome.
Sophie is going into 1st grade. Her current future goals are either to be an artist or a hair stylist. Or maybe she could do both!
My son is 3 and entering 3K next week. He wants to be a farmer like Daddy. My daughter is 4 and entering 4K. She wants to be a Mommy and a Vet.
My daughter is starting preschool this year. She wants to be a pilot when she grows up!
Hi! I have Junior Kindergartener who would love to be vet and a pre schooler who is hoping to grow up to be a lion!
my daughter is entering her final year of preschool. she’s almost four, so–predictably–when i asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, she blew a raspberry at me, did an elsa stomp (here i stand, and here i’ll stay), turned around, and walked away.
My son will be in Preschool and he says he wants to be Batman when he grows up lol dream big little guy!
My son is two years old. He is going to preschool this fall. So far he’s fanatic for cars and trains. If he could tell me what he wants to be when he grows up I belive would be something like a car engineer, a mechanic, or that he wants to be part of the Paw Patrol!
All this stuff is so cute and practical! My 2yo is off to daycare for the first time; wants to ride on a fire truck. The 4yo preschooler wants to be a policeman. His plan is for me to sit next to him in the car. 😉
My 3yr old daughter just started preschool on Monday. On our way home from school today I asked her what she wants to be when she grows up. Her response? “A princess who helps animals.” Perhaps a real-life Sophia the First? Seems logical to me!
My daughter is starting preschool. ::Sniff Sniff:: ::giant sob:: She wants to be queen or a doctor.
My daughter is starting Kindergarten And she wants to be a ballet teacher.
My 6 year old son wants to drive a subway train when he grows up. He will be starting 1st grade soon.
My 3.5 yr old son wants to be a firefighter. He is in daycare as he is still too young for pre-k. Goodbye thousands of dollars for another year of daycare!
A+ Student! She wants to be a biologist!
Kindergarten! My son wants to be a pilot, at the moment.
I have 2 boys, 5 1/2 and 2 1/2. My older one will be starting kindergarten on the 8th (insert my head exploding here)!!!!!
In his words he wants to be a “scientist that studies medicine and and sea creatures, a weather man, and a construction worker”. All in all that sounds like a tremendous amount of post secondary work that we may have to fund, so this prize could really help out! 🙂
My two year old wants whatever his brother has, so I am sure he would copy the above answer if given the chance…but the older one cut him off…
My daughter is going to Mother’s Day Out for the first time this fall 🙂 She wants to be Sofia the First :p …because she’s 2.
I also have an 11 and 12 year old brother and sister who would love those gadgets. Molly is in 5th and Mason is in 7th– they want to be an Olympics gymnast/veterinarian and video game maker, respectively.
My kids start next week. My daughter starts kindergarten and my son is starting preschool. This is the first for both of them (they’ve been home with me full time till now), so we’re all nervous and excited!
My son wants to be either a firefighter or a vet. My daughter usually says she doesn’t know yet, but some of her answers have been a teacher, a mom, and a babysitter.
Milo will be going to 1st grade this year. He would like to be a firefighter.
My 4 year old is starting TK and wants to be a Mermaid ;). My 8 year old daughter is starting 3rd grade and wants to be a fashion designer.
My son is entering Kindergarten and for the past year (at least) he has been unwavering in his conviction to become a Paleontologist.
My daughter is in fifth grade and wants to be a gymnastics teacher. My son is starting prek and wants to be a photographer in space.
My daughter will be in pre-k and wants to be a doggy doctor when she grows up.
My son will be going into pre-kindergarten this year! He wants to be a Daddy when he grows up. 🙂 <3
My daughter is going to be a middle schooler going into the 6th grade. She wants to be either a teacher or a chef when she grows up. My son is going into the third grade and wants to be an engineer.
My son is 3 and starting part-time preschool. He wants to be a firefighter!
Genevieve is going into pre-k. Right now she wants to be an astronaut teacher. I’m clear if that’s two separate jobs that she plans on doing (only going into orbit during the summer vacation, perhaps?) or she wants to teach astronauts. Either way, I think it sounds pretty great.
*unclear, not clear.
One going into highschool (wants to be a video game developer) and one going into 2nd who is not quite sure what he’d like to be just yet. =)
My son is 3 and is starting preschool! He wants to be a doctor when he grows up.
Our oldest Julia is in 8th grade and wants to be an artist. Arianna is in 7th and wants to be a veterinarian. The older they get, the more realistic they become. Kaleb is in 2nd and wants to be a college football mascot, more specifically the Oregon Ducks mascot and then “a grandpa” lol. Maddox just started kindergarten and wants to be a enderman when he grows up, kids say the darndest things!
I’ve got a 6 year old son who wants to be a policeman but he changes his mind daily. I also have a 2 year old and I’m pretty sure she wants to be a kitty.
I have a pre-schooler and one in day care. My oldest wants to be a vet..but only for horses and dogs! My little one I’m pretty sure just wants to see how little sleep I can live on!
My son is going into the toddler room, 16 months, so he of course has no idea what growing up even is.
My daughter is starting Pre-K, and I asked her the same question for her first day of school poster and her reply “I just want to be me!”. I thought that was better than any other profession she could have picked!
My son is starting his third year of college and is close to achieving his goal of system analyst.
Am I too late to enter? My oldest is 5 and going to start kindergarten! And my youngest is 2 and continuing at her daycare. My oldest wants to be Pinkie Pie from My Little Pony. Not sure what my youngest wants to be…she just started talking!
I have a two week old and a 2.5 year old. My toddler goes to an arts class for littles that parents accompany the kids too. This autumn she transitions to that class once a week with no parents attending- a way to practice getting ready for preschool. Not sure if the practice is for her or for this weepy mom wondering how she can be almost preschool age already! 🙂
My daughter is 6 and is in 1st Grade (yes, school has already been in a week!). She wants to be a “hair-doer”
My older son (4) just started his new pre-school yesterday (here in CO where school starts much earlier than it did in Boston!) and he wants to be a race car driver.