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.
I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds
A nature-focused mindfulness book that helps young children connect with their feelings and the world around them.
From: Keep calm and carry on with these 7 excellent children's books about mindfulness, meditation and deep breaths
My Magic Breath: Finding Calm Through Mindful Breathing by Nick Ortner, Allison Taylor & Michelle Phan
A simple guided-breathing book for children that teaches calming techniques useful for anxiety or big emotions.
From: Keep calm and carry on with these 7 excellent children's books about mindfulness, meditation and deep breaths
Sparkly Watercolor Gel Crayons (art set add-on)
Shimmery gel crayons that work with paper rolls and coloring books — a fun, giftable art supply to boost creativity.
From: We put together 20 of the best gifts for 4-year-olds this year. Here are some favorites that they'll LOVE.
Melissa & Doug Tabletop Drawing Roll and Dispenser
A compact paper roll dispenser that creates an easy coloring station — great for fostering creativity and craft time.
From: We put together 20 of the best gifts for 4-year-olds this year. Here are some favorites that they'll LOVE.
The Reading Bug Box
Curated monthly book subscription from an indie children’s bookstore, tailored by age to encourage reading for babies and kids.
From: The best subscription gifts for kids this year: 40+ ideas for every age, and every interest
Miniland Doll
Diverse, anatomically aware dolls designed for open-ended play and to help children see themselves represented in their toys.
From: 200+ of the best gifts for kids by age: The ultimate guide for birthdays and holidays!
Classroom DIY Heart Artwork (Framed Poster Art)
Simple class art (heart-shaped collage or poster) made by students—bright, easy to assemble, and ideal for young classes to present together.
From: Our favorite DIY teacher gifts from the class that make a big impression.
What Does it Mean to Be Kind? by Rana DiOrio, illustrated by Stéphanie Jorisch (children's picture book)
A gentle, illustrated picture book that introduces everyday acts of kindness for young children—good for storytime or gifting to preschoolers and early readers.
From: What Does it Mean to Be Kind? | A perfect children's book for our time.
My Mini Masterpiece Kit by Seedling
A compact craft set with a wooden easel, small canvas, paints and brush — perfect for rainy-day creativity for preschoolers.
From: We found them! 15 seriously awesome preschool birthday party gifts under $15
Animals Art Prints by Ingela P. Arrhenius
Colorful animal-themed prints or products featuring Ingela P. Arrhenius’s whimsical illustrations—bright, friendly designs that suit preschool rooms or as small gifts.
From: We found them! 15 seriously awesome preschool birthday party gifts under $15
Downloadable Princess in Black comic about Coronavirus and quarantine
A free downloadable kid-friendly comic that explains COVID-19 and quarantine in simple terms—easy to print or view for young children.
From: How to explain social distancing to young kids: This free downloadable Princess in Black comic book helps
My Peppa Pig Play Pals by Klutz Jr.
A creative Peppa Pig–themed craft kit that helps young artists make and decorate character play pals—good for imaginative, hands-on play.
From: Black Friday shopping: 6 holiday toys to have on your radar this weekend | Sponsored Message
Cate & Levi Hand Puppets and Craft Kits
Upcycled-material hand puppets and craft kits — imaginative, eco-friendly gifts that inspire creative play for young children.
From: 14 of our favorite small shops and online children's boutiques to help you #shopsmall for the holidays.
Tegu Magnetic Building Block Set
Magnetic wooden building blocks that encourage creative construction play — great for preschoolers and elementary-aged kids.
From: 14 of our favorite small shops and online children's boutiques to help you #shopsmall for the holidays.
DIY Leaf Mask (wearable leaf craft)
A simple wearable-craft idea that becomes a playful dress-up gift for preschoolers and imaginative play fans.
From: 8 of the most adorable kids' crafts using fall leaves. After they rake them. Hopefully.
Eric Carle x Magna-Tiles Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Set
Colorful magnetic tiles featuring Eric Carle’s Brown Bear artwork — a creative, educational toy for practicing colors and animal recognition.
From: Where to find the iconic Eric Carle + Magna-tiles sets that just launched today.
Personalized Minkie Dot Nap Pillow for Preschoolers (Etsy)
Soft personalized nap pillow for preschoolers to bring comfort at rest time and ease separation anxiety.
From: Creative ideas to help young children with school anxiety: 7 small items that can make a big difference.
Bluey, now airing on Disney Jr. and streaming on Disney Plus
Complete episodes of the award-winning kids' show 'Bluey' available to stream on Disney+ — a family-friendly, imagination-building gift for young children and caregivers.
From: Bluey: Hooray for a funny, charming kids' show that won't make you insane!
Alpha-Bots Transforming Letter Robots
Chunky colorful letters that twist into robots to encourage early literacy, fine-motor skills, and imaginative play for preschoolers.
From: 5 gifts to help kids develop valuable skills: Top holiday toys from Lakeshore Learning | Sponsored Message
Fairy Land 9-Inch Playset with Poseable Fairies
Durable fairy house with poseable figures and accessories that encourages imaginative solo or cooperative play.
From: 5 gifts to help kids develop valuable skills: Top holiday toys from Lakeshore Learning | Sponsored Message
Attack of the Underwear Dragon by Scott Rothman & Pete Oswald
A silly, imaginative picture book about dragons in underwear that’s sure to spark giggles — a playful gift for young readers.
From: The best children's books of 2020: All the award winners to read with your kids in 2021.
Printable Halloween Connect-the-Dots Coloring Set (6 pages)
A set of six printable connect-the-dots Halloween activity pages that combine drawing and coloring fun for young children.
From: 9 fun free printable Halloween coloring pages to help keep little fingers out of the candy stash
Underwater Creatures Coloring Page (Free)
A simple, artful sea-creature printable perfect for younger children and summer ocean-themed activities.
From: 25 beautifully illustrated free printable summer coloring pages for kids. We found them!
Kindergarten Sight Word Worksheets Printable Pack
A comprehensive set of sequential sight word worksheets for kindergarten—great for helping early readers practice at home or on the go.
From: Free (mostly) printables for kindergarten sight word help, 12 ways