Welcome to the 2022-23 school year! We hope the year ahead is full of wonder, awe, and discovery for each of your children.
To help you get prepared for the 2022-23 school year, we've pulled together a list of the best clothing, shoes, accessories, bags, and other gear for elementary students. Two of our four kids fit in this age range. We have an entering Kindergartener and 5th grader (plus, an 8th grader and 11th grader)!
When a new school year begins, we typically check the collection at Carter's/OshKosh B'gosh. The well-known children's brand, which originally formed in 1895, offers durable & stylish clothing options for infants through size 14. Since our children attend a school with a uniform, we particularly love that OshKosh offers uniform shorts, skorts, pants, and polos at reasonable prices!
Our family has long been a fan of using picture books to teach a wide variety of educational concepts across many different subjects. From arithmetic and algebra to botany and biology, picture books are an amazing gateway to learning. This year, at our family's annual Back-to-School Read-A-Thon (we stay up until midnight and read stacks of books while munching on sweet treats), we enjoyed reading three books in the math series by Arbordale: One Odd Day, My Even Day, and My Half Day. These books introduce basic math concepts with simple rhyming text in a Seussical style along with captivating illustrations.
There are only a few backpack brands that offer rolling backpacks for kids and J World New York is on that list. With plentiful patterns and a wide variety of sizes, our kids have relied on J World backpacks for a number of years - especially our kids in grammar school (grades K-6).
If you have an older elementary or middle school daughter who is requesting lip gloss, Burt's Bees is a perfect introductory makeup options with not-too-bright colors that have exactly the right amount of shine.
At a recent dental appointment, our wonderful hygienist recommended floss and brushes by Cocofloss and, although they are perfect for the whole family, tweens will especially love the pretty pastels and translucent pedestals. Designed by a dentist, the floss itself features a textured, loofah-like weave of 500+ filaments - which helps to whoosh away plaque and bacteria more effectively than traditional floss. Plus, it comes in an assortment of fun flavors and colors, including Banana Daiquiri, Cara Cara Orange, Vanilla Bean, and Pure Peppermint - among others.
Does your child eat 2 1/2 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruit every day? According to the USDA Guidelines, that's a goal we should all be aspiring to diligently. Juice Plus+ Chewables offers a way to add in more amazing nutrients to your diet through real fruits and vegetables in the form of a delicious chewable that your kids will ask for every single day! These chewables are gluten-free, plant-based, vegan, certified non-GMO, and contain no high fructose corn syrup. Plus, if you order chewables or capsules for yourself, you may qualify for free chewables for your child! More details on that program here.
I've been looking all over for a brand of makeup products that is specifically designed for tweens...and I finally found it! Petite 'n Pretty offers products that work with petite sized features where each shade and formula is developed to be age appropriate with high-quality, safe ingredients. Approved by pediatricians and dermatologists, Petite 'n Pretty's line includes eye shadow, blush, lip gloss, and mascara - in adorable packaging!
When it comes to scissors, paper cutters, and math accessories, I inevitably turn to Fiskars. They have earned a great reputation in our house for sharp supplies (literally) that are durable for many years of use.
Our kids use the excellent geography songs by Veritas Press to memorize countries and capitals from year to year. Most of the songs are very catchy, but it always helps to have a tactile way to add extra "stickiness" to memorization. A mom in my circle recommended these puzzles by Geotoys as a supplementary tool and they are great. The pieces are vibrant in color and they are the right size for young hands.
Audiobooks and classical music are an excellent addition to any homeschool day or homework afternoon. A well-fitting set of headphones for kids makes a world of difference. With volume-limiting capabilities to protect hearing, these kid-friendly headphones are a great, affordable addition to any classroom or homeschool room.
More than any style of shoe, elementary kids tend to gravitate toward comfy, sporty shoes that can hold up to plenty of use on the playground. From freeze tag and dodgeball to soccer and four square, athletic sneakers are where it's at.
If you have a young boy who is ready to transition from toddler shoe brands to "real" sneakers, Reebok's Durable XT Shoes are a smart pick in patriotic red, white, and blue.
Skechers shoes offer sparkle, squish, and shine - and the new slip-in sneakers are a perfect pick for elementary school girls! They offer Air-Cooled Memory Foam cushioned comfort insoles and a unique Comfort Pillow in the heel. Plus they're machine-washable!
What are your favorite products for back-to-school 2022?
Where will you be purchasing clothes, shoes, and gear for your elementary students?
SEE OUR 2022 BACK-TO-SCHOOL GUIDE FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.