I woke up this morning and realized there are only three weeks left until school starts. Eek! Do you have all your essential back to school gear yet? I’m a little behind this year so I thought it would be helpful to go over my back to school list and plan for what’s left to be done. Make sure you stick around to the end because I’ve also got an awesome backpack giveaway for one of my readers!
1. Comfortable School Clothes
This is Kay’s first year at preschool, and luckily she has lots of school clothes handed down from her older sister, all still in great shape. I like to dress her in fun tops and sturdy jeans that protect her knees when she falls on the playground. I did get her some new duds too though. A kid can’t survive on hand-me-downs alone – she deserves some new clothes too!
For the first time this year, Tee has a dress code so I’ve had to be extra careful at making sure I’m getting the right items. I just ordered her shirts, and I’m crossing my fingers that they arrive in time for the first day of school!
2. School Supplies
Double check your school’s supply list to make sure you have everything. There’s nothing worse than running out of glue in the middle of a big project! There are lots of back to school sales going on right now so check your apps and flyers before heading out.
3. New Shoes
If they’re anything like mine, your kids probably lived in sandals (or bare feet) the past couple of months. You can almost guarantee they’ve outgrown their school shoes over the summer and will need a new pair. Besides, isn’t it nice to start the school year fresh with new shoes? My kids’ schools both require a separate pair of indoor shoes, so we have twice the shopping to do. My plan is to get both girls new shoes this weekend.
4. Lunchbox/Lunchbag and Reusable Lunch Containers
Aim for a litterless lunch this year! Not only will you save money over the long run, you’ll be helping to reduce the amount of trash going into the landfill. We’re reusing last year’s stainless steel containers, washable snack bags, and cloth napkins, but now with two in school, I’ll need to pick up a few more.
Shh! I bought these matching Frozen reusable steel water bottles for my Frozen-crazy girls as a first day of school surprise.
5. A High Quality, Functional Backpack
Make sure your child has a rugged and functional backpack that will last throughout the school year. Let me tell you about Fjällräven’s Kånken backpacks. Originally designed for Swedish school children in 1978 back when kids were lugging around lopsided shoulder bags, this iconic backpack soon became a common sight at schools all around the country. The benefits of using a backpack quickly caught on, as did Kånken. It’s just as popular today, and a great choice for school, outings, or biking to work.
Kånken backpacks are made out of extra durable, lightweight, and water-resistant Vinylon F. The roomy main compartment has a large opening so it’s easy to put in and take out school books, papers, and whatever else your child needs. Two side pockets and a zippered pocket in the front help keep everything organized. It has a handle at the top, narrow shoulder straps, a sitting pad in the pocket in the back, and the cute fox logo even doubles as a reflector for safety when walking home from school.
Win a Kånken Backpack!
Fjällräven is generously giving one of my readers a Kånken original backpack perfect for back to school! Enter in the giveaway widget below. This giveaway is open to residents of Canada, 18+. All entries will be verified. This giveaway has a really quick turnaround (the free coupon code expires September 1), so I’ll need to hear back from the winner within 24 hours before I redraw.
While you’re here, check out my other open giveaways on my Giveaway Page!
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I visit Fjällräven and the colour backpack I would choose is black with yellow
Villa green is the color I like or the turquoise one 🙂
UN Blue-Navy is the backpack colour that I like the most.
I really like the women’s Greenland Parka!
I love the villa green backpack as it would be hard to miss!
A pair of their outdoor trousers looks like they would be wonderful for hiking 🙂 the blue pair is very nice!
My kids would like the pink or lime green ones i also like their kids coats they look perfect for our canadian winters nice and warm
I would choose the backpack in Cafe Mint – looks very bright and visible for travelling!
I would choose estate blue for my son. Thanks for the chance.
I’ve been wanting to get one of these backpacks! So many great colours to choose from.. but I think I would choose Putty
I would pick Graphite. But the Villa Green is also very nice. So many to chose from!
I would love the Watercolour Fox T-Shirt W ..a lot of nice things on the site!!
I would pick the purple backpack for my granddaughter.
I would choose the deep red backpack for my son. I love their High Coast Wind Jackets.
There are so many nice things! I really like the look of the High Coast Wind Anorak in Olive.
I’d love to get Vidda Pro Trousers – they must be very comfortable.
i love the Rucksack No. 21 Large in Red
I would love a black backpack! Thanks so much!
I would love it in purple 🙂
i like the black and yellow and the tan backpack
Love the vibrant colours especially the yellow or orange (of course!). Thanks for introducing me to a great company.
Besos, Sarah
Journeys of The Zoo
I would choose either the plain Graphite, or the Graphite UN-Blue if I won.
we do alot of camping and would love one of the sleeping bags..i like the Move With Bag Long
i would choose the Totepack No. 2 in navy ..perfect for trips to library or carry kids stuff
I love their organic cotton t-shirts. They look very comfortable. The prices are a bit high for me, but I’m sure it’s excellent quality and would last a long time.
I really like the Navy-Warm Yellow Kanken backpack. I’d love to get a Tur Fleece Hoodie W.
I love the Arktis Parka, the Nikka Shorts and the Nikka Trousers, they look really nice, comfortable and wearable too 🙂
I love the look of the Abisko Fleece Hoodie!
I would pick purple or lake blue for the backpack.
Love the blue medium…
Looks like a strong, roomy backpack!
A toque – but it’s so hard to choose which one! I’m torn between the Varmland Heater Hat and the Crochet Toque 🙂
I would pick the Ox Red- Putty one if I won.
I would choose the Forrest green backpack! It’s very stylish!
I’m not a very big person, so upon looking through The backpacks I chose the Greenland Backpack Small.
I would choose the Deep Red colored bag
The Rucksack No. 21 Medium is a classic backpack that would be perfect for a nice walk in the woods.
I would choose the ox red backpack! Love the color!
I like the “Kajka 85” backpack.
I would love to get the Abisko Lite Jacket.
There’s too many other amazing products to choose from so I will stick to colours – and even then, I can barely narrow it down to two: navy and warm yellow or royal blue and ox red.
I’d get the Kanken Laptop 15″ bag for myself. its nice and portable and FLAT 🙂 a must have!
I love the Kånken Laptop 15 in purple.
The KARL Shorts are great. I like the gray and black BackPack
I would pick the black one as it would be great for back and forth to school for my son.
Thanks for the chance
I would choose a purple colour backpack and I love the womens Abisko Fleece Hoodie.
I love the Övik Wool Pom 🙂 🙂
This is really nice, the woman’s Eco Trail Jacket
I like the UN Blue bag.
Love the look of these.
The Kanken mini is so cute!