I’m a Family Editor and Here Are the 9 Back-to-School Items I'm Most Excited About

I’m already a big fan of the original OmieBox that lets me fill the insulated compartment with hot food (I add pasta for my soon-to-be first grader at least once a week) and the other compartments with cold food (grapes, pretzels, applesauce, etc.). So when I found out that the AAPI-owned, all-women small business recently launched a bigger version for older kids, I immediately knew I needed one in our rotation.

The new OmieBox UP is designed for ages 9 and up, with a 12-ounce thermos that holds heartier meals like leftovers, sandwiches and rice bowls. It’s got all the smart features of the original (dual-temp storage, leakproof design, durable materials) but with a more grown-up design, including six cute colors and a custom-fit ice pack. It’s the lunchbox upgrade I didn’t know I needed!

If your toddler is anything like mine, they’re fiercely independent and getting them dressed is basically a nightmare (case in point: my 3-year-old wore long sleeves and pants in 97 degree heat today). So I’m excited to see that Carter’s just launched Otter Avenue, a new line designed specifically with toddlers in mind. Think: oversized buttons for little hands, front-back labels to avoid the classic “is this on backwards?” debate, and twirl-friendly skirts made for movement, not to mention seriously cute designs. Bonus: Prices start at just $10, which means I won’t stress when she outgrows her jumpsuit in about five days.

I know that this is technically a back-to-school roundup, but I might just have to buy this one for myself. The Rocketbook notebook feels like regular pen and paper but wipes clean with water so you can use it again and again. After writing your notes, you just use the free Rocketbook app to scan the pages which will then turn your handwritten notes into digital files that you can organize and share to places like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneNote, Slack and more. I love this because even though older kids are increasingly using screens for notetaking, research shows that writing by hand is better for memory and learning. This notebook offers the best of both worlds.

I first spotted the Skylight Calendar on social media and I was immediately influenced. But guess what? This viral product totally delivers. It syncs all of our family’s calendars into one sleek, easy-to-read display, and it even has built-in features for organizing tasks, shopping lists, and meal planning. My kids love it, I love it and it doubles as a digital photo frame. No wonder it won our Best for School Days awards this year.

Another 2025 Best for School Days award winner, this backpack checks all the boxes: it’s lightweight yet spacious and machine-washable, plus it has that all-important chest strap for balance. And the two water bottle pockets mean your kid will stay hydrated all day long. It’s the kind of bag that will make mornings easier (for both of you).

You’ve got the backpack, now you need the accoutrements. Kids love keychains…even when they don’t have any actual keys to put on them. And according to a recent survey, about a third of parents say their kids have already asked (or will ask) for a bag charm this back-to-school season. And look, this may be a controversial take, but I just can’t get behind the whole Labubu craze. These Jellycat keychains, however? Adorable. The croissant is my personal favorite (although, like Labubu, it is frequently out of stock so act fast).

Parents swear by Miss Mouth’s Messy Eater Stain spray that’s tough on stains but gentle enough for sensitive skin and I recently discovered that the brand makes easy-to-transport wipes, too. After spilling half a cup of iced coffee all over a white T-shirt, I can attest that the wipes are very effective. And if they can work for me, I assume they’ll do just fine for your messy preschooler or accident-prone teen. Shove one (or five) into their backpack and thank me later.

We asked students what they actually want for school, and the verdict was clear: erasable pens. This retractable one from Pilot comes in seven different colors, all of which can be wiped away simply by using the pencil-like easter on the back end. Because, hey, mistakes happen.

Maybe you’re sending your kindergartener off for the first time. Or maybe you’ve got a slightly older kid who’s feeling nervous about the year ahead. Either way, if anyone can help with tricky transitions, it’s millennial parenting whisperer Dr. Becky. Lucky for us, she’s teamed up with PLAY-DOH and Walmart for back-to-school season to launch a new digital series and free play guide—all focused on how open-ended play can help kids build confidence, process big feelings and feel more connected. Basically, everything we want for our kids this year. (Now if only she could invent a version of PLAY-DOH that doesn’t wreck my rug.)