Make the transition from holidays to school easy by stocking up on these back-to-school basics available at Coles.
1. Food and drink containers
The right lunchbox and drink bottle are essential. If your child is happy with their food set-up they are more likely to eat up and the lunchbox is also more likely to come home empty at the end of each day, cutting down on mysterious (and expensive) "disappearances".
When selecting these items consider whether your child is very active during day (an extra-large drink bottle), whether they have after-school activities (a separate, smaller after-school snack and drink) or whether they travel home by themselves (a snack they enjoy will mean fewer diversions to takeaway shops). Less packaging means less waste in landfill and less rubbish blowing around school grounds. The latest lunchboxes have ingenious compartments and smart designs to limit the need for plastic wrap or bags, which in turn saves you time when assembling lunch.
2. Stationery
Your school may send home a list of required stationery. Make sure you take the list with you when you shop, and consider buying extra quantities of key items such as pencils or pens and putting them away for later months. if your school doesn't give out a list see our must-have checklist.
Consider purchasing different-sized see-through plastic containers with lids to store stationery — such as coloured pencils, glue and sticky tape — tidily where the kids do their homework. Just about everything you send out the door needs a label. Investing in a label maker is extremely cost effective. Kids go crazy for them!
3. School accessories
It may seem tedious but take the time to go through your child's socks, undies, hair accessories and so on. Now is a great time to make sure they have what is needed. Restock the sock drawer with at least 10 pairs (they have a nasty habit of escaping) in the same style and colour. Buy extra shoelaces, hair ties, hair clips, undies and singlets. Just put them in your trolley at Coles when you're doing your weekly shopping.
Don t forget shoe polish for school shoes and trainers and, for school uniform emergencies, safety pins, needles, thread, hemming tape or iron—on patches.
4. Bags & backpacks
Your school may have a regulation bag, but don't forget an extra bag or backpack may be necessary for after-school activities. When purchasing a backpack look for sturdy, adjustable straps, a smooth zip action and zip pockets for keys, money or bus passes. Consultation with your child on the design and colour of the bag is a good idea. If they love it they're more likely to look after it. If it is going to get heavy use, let your child trial it for a week and, if they are happy, buy another one as a backup for later in the year.
5. Household items
The following household items don't immediately spring to mind when you're thinking about stocking up on back-to-school basics, but they are time and sanity savers. Buy up big on laundry soakers and stain removers. Do you need a bigger laundry basket or some smaller baskets for the kids’ rooms?
A plastic container near the door is a great way of keeping track of shoes, and extra hooks on doors or walls can help manage bags, hats and raincoats. Little packs of tissues that fit into pencil cases will counteract snotty noses in class, and sadly, nit treatment, conditioner and a fine-tooth comb are a part of school life!