All the Back to School Gear Kids Need to Start the Year Off in Style

Start the school year off in style with the best backpacks, smartest lunch boxes, and coolest accessories for every age, from kindergarten to college-bound.

01of 16

Throwback Backpack

courtesy herschel

Buy It!Herschel “Paper Flowers” bag, $55;herschel.com

02of 16Adorable Germ Fightercourtesy bed & Body WorksEx-squeeze-me? Opt for a sanitizer dispenser so cute they’ll be excited to show it off (and possibly remember to use it once in a while). Also: It barks!Buy It!Bath and Body Works PocketBac holder, $12.95;bathandbodyworks.com

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Adorable Germ Fighter

courtesy bed & Body Works

Ex-squeeze-me? Opt for a sanitizer dispenser so cute they’ll be excited to show it off (and possibly remember to use it once in a while). Also: It barks!

Buy It!Bath and Body Works PocketBac holder, $12.95;bathandbodyworks.com

03of 16Cold Onecourtesy owalaAdults areobsessed with the Owala FreeSip bottle— give your kids the same spill-proof, ding-proof, insulated hydration.Buy it!Owala Kids 16 oz. FreeSip, $22.99;target.com

03of 16

Cold One

courtesy owala

Adults areobsessed with the Owala FreeSip bottle— give your kids the same spill-proof, ding-proof, insulated hydration.

Buy it!Owala Kids 16 oz. FreeSip, $22.99;target.com

04of 16Eco-Friendly Carryallcourtesy everlaneMade from 100% recycled polyester, the streamlined style is also loaded with pockets—including one hidden in the flap.Buy it!ReNew Transit Backpack, $95;everlane.com

04of 16

Eco-Friendly Carryall

courtesy everlane

Made from 100% recycled polyester, the streamlined style is also loaded with pockets—including one hidden in the flap.

Buy it!ReNew Transit Backpack, $95;everlane.com

05of 16A Smarter Cable CaddyWest ElmThis set of four cubes is weighted and magnetic to keep cords on the desk and untangled.Buy it!Cable Blocks, $25;function101.com

05of 16

A Smarter Cable Caddy

West Elm

This set of four cubes is weighted and magnetic to keep cords on the desk and untangled.

Buy it!Cable Blocks, $25;function101.com

06of 16Don’t Purr-get!courtesy Claire’sA cat-shaped light-up board is thepurr-fect (sorry we can’t help ourselves) place to jot down reminders or encouraging notes.Buy it!Cat shaped light-up dry erase board, $11.99 (orig. $19.99);claires.com

06of 16

Don’t Purr-get!

courtesy Claire’s

A cat-shaped light-up board is thepurr-fect (sorry we can’t help ourselves) place to jot down reminders or encouraging notes.

Buy it!Cat shaped light-up dry erase board, $11.99 (orig. $19.99);claires.com

07of 16Poppin Pencil CaseZIPITThe classroom organizer is topped with kids' favorite fidget toy in durable silicone.Buy it!Zipit Pop Pencil Box, $12;walmart.com

07of 16

Poppin Pencil Case

ZIPIT

The classroom organizer is topped with kids' favorite fidget toy in durable silicone.

Buy it!Zipit Pop Pencil Box, $12;walmart.com

08of 16Sound Offcourtesy bandolierPerhaps a bright orange pouch with a clip for a backpack or keychain will encourage your teen not to lose her AirPods within the first two weeks of school?Buy It!Bandolier “Avery” AirPod case, $38;bandolier.com

08of 16

Sound Off

courtesy bandolier

Perhaps a bright orange pouch with a clip for a backpack or keychain will encourage your teen not to lose her AirPods within the first two weeks of school?

Buy It!Bandolier “Avery” AirPod case, $38;bandolier.com

09of 16Stay-Cool Lunch BoxPackitStick it in the freezer, and the gel-filled lining turns the whole bag into a long-lasting ice pack.Buy it!Classic Soft Sided Lunch Box, $24.99;packit.com

09of 16

Stay-Cool Lunch Box

Packit

Stick it in the freezer, and the gel-filled lining turns the whole bag into a long-lasting ice pack.

Buy it!Classic Soft Sided Lunch Box, $24.99;packit.com

10of 16Tech ProtectionBagguFit for a 16-in. laptop or tablet, this ripstop nylon sleeve is padded for extra insurance against crammed lockers.Buy it!Puffy Laptop Sleeve, $32;baggu.com

10of 16

Tech Protection

Baggu

Fit for a 16-in. laptop or tablet, this ripstop nylon sleeve is padded for extra insurance against crammed lockers.

Buy it!Puffy Laptop Sleeve, $32;baggu.com

11of 16

Labels That Last

The customizable styles stay stuck on supplies (and clothes) all year. Plus they’re dishwasher-, microwave- and laundry-safe.

Buy it!Custom Labels, $39 for 89;namebubbles.com

12of 16Bright Ideascourtesy targetA rainbow planner will cheer up anyone writing down even the dullest homework assignment — and add extra excitement for the fun plans coming this fall.Buy It!Color Me Courtney for Blue Sky planner, $12.99;target.com

12of 16

Bright Ideas

courtesy target

A rainbow planner will cheer up anyone writing down even the dullest homework assignment — and add extra excitement for the fun plans coming this fall.

Buy It!Color Me Courtney for Blue Sky planner, $12.99;target.com

13of 16Color Your Worldcourtesy mujiSupercharge your doodling with double-ended pens in every color you could want from the Japanese basic brand.Buy it!Water Ink Hex Twin Pen 10-piece set, $14.90;muji.com

13of 16

Color Your World

courtesy muji

Supercharge your doodling with double-ended pens in every color you could want from the Japanese basic brand.

Buy it!Water Ink Hex Twin Pen 10-piece set, $14.90;muji.com

14of 16Multitasking Bagcourtesy calpakIt’s almost impossiblenotto stay organized with this thoughtfully-designed laptop backpack, which has a sleeve for your tech, plenty of interior pockets and a suitcase handle sleeve at the back.Buy it!Calpak “Kaya” laptop backpack, $138;calpak.com

14of 16

Multitasking Bag

courtesy calpak

It’s almost impossiblenotto stay organized with this thoughtfully-designed laptop backpack, which has a sleeve for your tech, plenty of interior pockets and a suitcase handle sleeve at the back.

Buy it!Calpak “Kaya” laptop backpack, $138;calpak.com

15of 16Plastic-Free UpgradeZiplocA single reusable silicone sandwich bag will replace countless disposable ones. They can go in the dishwasher, freezer, oven and microwave!Buy it!Ziploc Endurables Medium Pouch, $13,target.com

15of 16

Plastic-Free Upgrade

Ziploc

A single reusable silicone sandwich bag will replace countless disposable ones. They can go in the dishwasher, freezer, oven and microwave!

Buy it!Ziploc Endurables Medium Pouch, $13,target.com

16of 16

Inclusive Art Supplies

Target

Buy it!Bellen’s More Than Peach Creativity Pack, $13;target.com

source: people.com