In a little over a week, I will have a kindergartener! What?! I still can’t believe it. I actually think I’m still a little bit in denial.
We got his bus schedule, his teacher assignment, and his school supply list. We also get to go meet his teacher the day before, and they get their school pictures taken that day. It seemed a little strange to me at first, but is a really good idea. Then, I won’t have the chance to forget about it, and send him in some crazy outfit with goofy hair.
We’ve done a little Back-to-school shopping, but we still haven’t finished his list. There are a lot of things a kindergartener needs for class. Who knew?
To make it easy, Amazon has a great program. This post is not sponsored by Amazon, but it does contain my affiliate links. So, if you happen to click-through my link to make a purchase, there will be no additional cost to you. It will, however, help me maintain my blog, so thank you in advance.
First, if you don’t already have Amazon Prime. I highly recommend it. You get FREE shipping on tons of items, plus awesome streaming TV and Movies. You can even try Prime for FREE for 30 Days. Just click on this banner to sign up.
Once you’re over on Amazon, did you know they have an awesome tool to help you finish your school supply shopping? All you need to do is enter your school name in the box, then they will take you to your required items. Hopefully, your school is in there. Mine was! Super cool! Just click the picture below to find out.
In addition to all the supplies on our school list, I’ve come up with some other essentials that we’re going to need to have a great year in kindergarten. Some of these products are also on our list, but I thought they were so cute and essential that I’d share them with you.
Here is our list of Must Haves for Kindergarten:
Must Have #1 A great Back Pack and lunch box
When I was in Kindergarten, I honestly don’t remember taking a back pack. We also had no need for a lunch box because it was only a half-day. Now, the kiddos are in school all day, plus they do a lot more school work. A back pack is a requirement, and the lunch box is a must have for both snack time and lunch.
Since my son is still pretty little, I don’t want him to have a huge back pack that is going to hurt his back. That’s why I love Skip hop. Not only is everything adorable, but they make the back packs “kid” size. We chose a matching monkey back pack and lunch bag.
I included the other sets because they are just sooooo cute. Just click on any of the pictures to be taken to these sets.
My son used one of the backpacks this year for preschool, and it was great. It went through a lot of wear and tear and still looks almost brand new.
In addition to a back pack and lunch box, you may also want reusable snack bags to keep inside. These from ChicoBag are really nice. They are made from food-safe materials and are tested to be BPA, phthalate, PVC, and lead free. Plus, you can wash them in the dishwasher. Sold!
If these backpacks aren’t your thing, not to worry. Amazon has a ton of other great back packs and lunch bags. Just click below.
Must Have #2 A Cozy Nap Mat
A nap mat is also a requirement for our kindergartener, but I think I may get some for the twins too. They are getting to the point where nap time is a struggle. These mats can be brought into the living room for quiet time, if a nap isn’t in the cards.
This nap mat from Olive Kids is perfect. The attached blanket, lets them snuggle up. My oldest has a thing about being “cozy,” so this should do the trick.
I don’t want to send drink/juice boxes to school everyday. My son doesn’t need that much sugar, so we needed to find a water bottle he could take. You know that I love the Zak Brand, so when we found this Minion one, it was perfect.
We’re also love all things Star Wars over here (and it might be the theme of someone’s upcoming birthday party…) Plus, the Hello Kitty one is for me.
Must have #4 New Shoes and Clothes
My favorite thing about heading back to school when I was a kid was shopping with my Mom. I always got to pick out my own outfits, and it was just so much fun.
Unfortunately, my son is not so excited to go clothes shopping. Luckily, he doesn’t even have to set foot inside a store. Amazon has some great deals going on in their Boy’s clothing department, and 20% off select Kids shoes. Hooray! You can click on either picture and finish your clothes shopping right away.
Must have #5 Good and healthy food for Breakfast, snacks and lunches
Again, with school going all day long, I need to fuel up my son before he leaves, pack him a healthy snack, and a healthy lunch. Amazon is making it super easy to get up to 25% off great brands like Annie’s Organics, Larabar, Bear Naked, and Quaker.
Of course I need to get fresh fruit and vegetables at the market, but this will save me tons of time and money.
I hope some of my “Must Haves” helped you complete your Back-to-School shopping. I also hope all your little ones have a great first day and wonderful school year!
My hint: get a back pack and lunch box they can use for more than one year! I went cutesy with Olivia and when we got to second grade and told me that Tinkerbell was not OK as a first grader? Ugh. So now we go plain colored things. Jackson is going on his third year with the same lunchbox and Olivia is going onto her fourth. I even got them plain backpacks and said that was it until middle school. $30 for a back pack- no thank you. LOL. And my other tip? As things go on clearance at your local stores, buy them. Grab the list for first grade (because it likely won’t change much, if at all) and buy what you can! And I don’t know about your kiddo, but mine go through glue sticks like crazy. I always buy a bunch extra because inevitably I’ll get the note that says, “Jackson is out of glue sticks” or something. I honestly wonder if he’s eating them because no way is he gluing THAT much at school!! HA!
Ha! Ha! Too funny about the glue sticks. And I’m totally hitting the clearance. I actually got some stuff last year before he was even in school. Great idea about the plain colored back packs and lunch boxes!
What a great idea by Amazon to have the school lists available right there! And I love that Monkey backpack, it’s so cute 🙂
I did not know about the Amazon school list feature! Wish I had known before I went searching everywhere for yellow plastic folders! Good luck on the 1st. I will be thinking of you (as Henry and I cry) 🙂
Awe. I’ll be crying too!
I don’t have any kids and I’m not going back to school but I LOVE Annie’s Organics and those backpacks are ADORABLE!!!!!
I know. I wish they made them in adult sizes 🙂
Such a wonderful list…. and these are exciting times for you….. It’s been awhile for me since I’ve had kids that young!
I need to get myself a new lunch bag – I’ve just been taking mine in my wal-mart bag for the time being lol
I second the water bottle idea. I don’t mind if my students have a water bottle. With as hot as it is right now, they need to stay ultra-hydrated.
Definitely. Thank you!
These are such adorable back to school supplies! I wish you could have such cute supplies in college!
This *almost* makes me want to be a mom, haha. But seriously, these are super cute and as someone in the education field, we thank you for sending your kids in with this stuff!
Ha! You’re welcome. Thanks for reading.
I love the backpacks!
Aren’t they cute?!
Amazon for school shopping, or any shopping, is the way to go. I’m a teacher and Amazon saves me all the time for necessary items and cutesy things I want for my class.
Awesome!
Shann. My youngest is going to be a senior this year! Now that I can’t believe. lol Time does fly by so fast, savor the moments. I wish I would have had amazon prime years ago!! It it so worth it!
Thank you!
Those back packs are uber cute – talk about the perfect school bags. I like the lunchboxes too. I bet even us adults could use them, especially those who go to work.
Yes! I want one for myself 🙂
The backpacks are too cute. I love shopping at Amazon because they have a lot of cute items to choose from.
Yes, I agree 🙂
My boys are in 3rd and 5th (eeekkk Middle School next year!) grade and the amount of supplies that they needed was INSANE! I bought a lot of the items through Amazon – you can’t beat their prices AND Prime is the BEST!
I can only imagine. The kindergarten list was long!
Seems you have found a life-saver for back to school shopper! 🙂
Yes! 🙂
Your kiddo must haves are super cute!! I never really thought to look to Amazon for BTS shopping! I was just at Target this morning getting my notebooks, pens, etc!
xo Adriana
Daily Dose of Design
Great list of items. I Love the deals at Amazon.
Thank you…me too. 🙂
This brings back so many memories. My youngest graduated from high school last year. It sounds like you have it all together. I will comment back http://www.oldefashionmom.com/
So cool! I love the backpacks and the tumblers the most. These are very cute, perfect for the kids.
That is fantastic that Amazon can bring up your school list, would save so much time.
Yes!
Such a great post. I love the back to school book-bags, stylish and comfortable enough for the kids to use.
Thank you!
Starting school is such an exciting milestone! It sounds like you are more than ready (and your school is super organized). We don’t have our supply list yet and we start next week. I suspect I will head out on the weekend and guess. My daughter is starting Grade One so we have a lot of the stuff we can re-use from last year (back-pack and lunch box) but you always need a few new things to mark the event. A new water bottle (Hello Kitty was very cute) as well as some new clothes.
Every success on the big day!
Thank you so much!
That nap mat is so cute! And looks perfect for a little snooze!
I think the nap mat is great too! Adult version?
A have a soon-to-be-kindergartener on my hands too. She’s so ready and exited. It’s hard to believe she’s old enough for it already!
We are enjoying co-hosting the #HomeMattersParty with you.
Thank you! I’m enjoying co-hosting with you guys too!
I can’t believe there’s a list of supplies for kindergarten! I don’t remember having or needing any of these things when I went, lol. It must be hard to send your first off to school. I hope you all adjust to the change well. Thanks for sharing your Amazon finds. I love shopping from them whenever possible too. I’m really enjoying being a co-host at the HomeMattersParty with you! 🙂
I don’t remember needing anything for kindergarten either! Then again, we just went a half day. I enjoy co-hosting with you too!
Great finds Shann. I love those backpacks! I don’t have kids yet !! So ,all these are new to me because when we went to school ,we don’t get lists like this .We used to have what parents got us. It’s great to co-hosting with you at #HomeMattersParty.
Thank you! Great to co-host with you too!
You listed some great things to get from Amazon. These school years go by so fast.