Back to School: What products we are loving

Children across Australia are back to school in a few short weeks and we are most excited because our son Harry is starting big school!

Whilst most schools require a uniform, we are lucky enough that Harry's school does not so we haven't had to do much shopping, but there are a few essentials all kids need for school so here are our favourite essentials.

1. A comfortable sturdy backpack.

We've bought many backpacks in the past, from Smiggle to Kmart and they never seem to last long. This year we've gone for the classic Kanken bag from Fjallraven for its ease of use, classic design and also quality. These bags are hard to kill! Which is why I didn't mind paying more for a bag I know will last for years.

2. A good pair of shoes

Having a good pair of shoes is essential for kids development. We love the Bobux and Toms brands, but there are many great quality joggers and shoes on the market. Buying a good quality pair at the beginning of the year can save a lot of money, as kids tend to wear them out quickly.

3. Lunchbox

I spent forever researching lunchboxes and last year when Harry did a term of prekinder, we used the Go Green lunchbox set and I loved it. It is huge so fits a lot of food (which is important as I found the popular bento boxes to be too small for a five yr old), is great quality and sturdy, washes up easily, doesn't leak, comes with a stainless steel drink bottle and you can even write a little message to your child on the mini whiteboard inside (too cute!). It also comes with a freezer gel pack to keep your food cold.

4. Stainless drink bottle

I love stainless steel drink bottles for a few reasons, one being the water stays cooler for longer, they are seriously sturdy, don't seem to leak like plastic bottles and are also great for the environment as they can be recycled. Luckily you can buy them pretty much everywhere these days

5. A wide-brimmed hat

Most schools have their own hat as part of the uniform but since we had to buy our own this year, we went with a cute classic from Purebaby. It also a good idea to keep a spare hat in your child bag as all schools adhere to the no hat - no play policy.

6. Bag tag

When Harry was at his last school, all the children had the same bag so having a bag tag was essential so he could easily identify his bag from the rest. We love these wooden bag tags as they are sturdy and also eco-friendly. This year we ordered a personalised rainbow one from Arlo and Co.

7. First day plaque

Can you really start school without a first day photo? Absolutely not and a cute wooden plaque was too hard to go past. A keepsake that will be used for years (or until your child decides they are too cool for that). We also purchased our plaque from Arlo and Co.

Know of any awesome school gear? Please let us know and hope everyone has a great start back to school for the year, I know I CANNOT WAIT ;)