Back to School and College Essentials
Whether you're prepping for the first day of kindergarten or packing the car for college move-in, back-to-school season is a lot. Here's our favorite gear for every stage: lunch boxes and backpacks, dorm essentials, care package ideas, and the little things that make a new school year feel exciting instead of overwhelming.
The guides
Newest guide · August 11, 2026Our pro-mom back-to-school tip each year: Mabel's Labels
Gift guide · July 30, 2026The best back-to-school tech for teens
Gift guide · July 29, 2026Walmart has back-to-school shopping covered
Gift guide · July 27, 2026Make back-to-school clothes shopping easy with Primary
Gift guide · July 23, 2026Our favorite lunchboxes for Back to School 2026
Gift guide · July 20, 2026The most beautiful way to get organized: Paper Source
Gift guide · July 19, 2026Why Target is our favorite back-to-school shopping destination
Gift guide · July 9, 202611 dorm room essentials your college student needs
Gift guide · May 20, 202616 fantastic gifts for college grads
Gift guide · August 17, 2025Back to school tips for moms: a smart reset guide
Gift guide · July 29, 2025Smart back-to-school picks for families on a budget
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This guide contains affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission from some purchases to help support our team. All picks are determined editorially by our staff; there has been no compensation in exchange for our picks.
Game of Thrones Oreos (Branded Pack)
Limited-edition Game of Thrones Oreos — a nostalgic snack gift for fans looking for themed packaged treats.
From the guide
Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Rich dark chocolate peanut butter cups — a decadent treat that makes a sweet addition to gift baskets or dessert spreads.
From the guide
Anker Portable Charger (power bank)
Reliable compact power bank to keep phones charged on the go—practical stocking stuffer for all ages.
From the guide
Trader Joe’s Unexpected Cheddar Cheese
A tangy cheddar blended with Parmesan-like sharpness — versatile for snacking, cooking, or gifting to a cheese lover.
From the guideBang & Olufsen BeoSound Portable Bluetooth Speaker
A premium portable Bluetooth speaker with rich audio and optional smart features — great for music and podcasts on the go.
From the guide
Trader Joe’s Plantain Chips
Crunchy plantain chips available in plain or jerk flavors — great for pairing with dips or assembling a snack gift basket.
From the guidePowerCurl Mini Cable Organizer
A compact cord wrap that holds adapter and cable ends neatly for tangle-free use at home or on the go.
From the guide
Four-Ingredient Gourmet Shortbread
Four-ingredient premium shortbread—simple, refined baked treat to pair with tea or give as a hostess gift.
From the guideJoby GorillaPod Flexible Tripod and Mount
The original GorillaPod with a mount for phones and compact cameras — great for stabilizing gear in unconventional spots during events.
From the guide
PB&J Variation Kit (Not Your Mama’s PB&J inspired)
Not Your Mama’s PB&J-style sandwich (or a kit using graham crackers and sunbutter) offers a creative twist on classic PB&J that can entice picky eaters.
From the guideCINEMOOD Portable Wireless Projector
Compact wireless projector designed for family-friendly movies and kids’ content—good for indoor or on-the-go family entertainment.
From the guide
Radish Sandwich with Butter & Salt Recipe Print
A simple printable recipe for radish sandwiches that pairs thin-sliced radish with butter and salt — a charming, small gift for adventurous eaters.
From the guideZagg Foldable Wireless Pocket Keyboard and Stand
Compact foldable Bluetooth keyboard and stand that converts phones or tablets into a more productive typing setup for travel.
From the guide
Bride of Frankenstein Guacamole Dip (recipe inspiration)
A crowd-pleasing 'Bride of Frankenstein' guacamole dip recipe or premade party-sized dip that's perfect for a Halloween spread.
From the guideAnker Ultra Compact Portable Battery Charger
Compact, affordable portable power bank from a trusted brand—useful for keeping phones charged on the go.
From the guide
Printable Popcorn Boxes with Puns (Simple Everyday Mom)
Free printable popcorn boxes with punny designs, ideal for filling with popcorn as a festive, low-cost teacher appreciation snack gift.
From the guideWestern Digital My Passport Portable Storage Drive
Compact external hard drive in multiple colors and capacities for easy backup and extra storage while traveling.
From the guide
ABC Bars (Trader Joe's)
Low-sugar almond-butter snack bars that are portable and family-friendly for on-the-go protein boosts.
From the guideEclipse Marble Portable Charger (Native Union)
A polished portable battery bank for charging phones, tablets, and more on the go with a marble-style finish.
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SoYoung Petite Poches Insulated Cooler Bag
Compact cooler-style insulated bag with detachable strap and removable insert for easy cleaning — a versatile gift for teens and adults.
From the guideApple iPod touch (new model)
A compact, touchscreen media player and app-capable device that makes a simple, kid-friendly introduction to Apple's ecosystem and portable audio/video entertainment.
From the guide
Kraft Paper Wine Carrier with Cooler
Insulated Kraft-style wine carrier that holds and protects a bottle for gifting or transport.
From the guideCharging Cord Bracelet
A wearable bracelet that conceals a charging cable, offering a convenient on-the-go solution for keeping phones topped up.
From the guidePortable Hand Warmer + Charger
A dual-purpose device that provides hot-hand comfort and doubles as a power bank to charge devices on the move.
From the guide