Products We’re Loving for August

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After a few months of days full of water play, ice cream sandwich snack breaks, and the constant aroma of sunscreen floating in the air, you may find yourself recoiling at the sight of back-to-school displays at your local big-box store. Or, perhaps you spent your summer tirelessly battling the dreaded “I’m bored!” declaration from your kids, so the stacks of notebooks and shelves lined with fresh boxes of crayons add a little spring to your step. Regardless of where you fall on the back-to-school spectrum, it’s that time of year again, whether you’re ready for it or not. 

This year, I have one little one in daycare and another entering first grade, and I have to say I love the back-to-school season. I get immense joy going through school supply lists, scouring the shelves for sparkly pink pencil boxes and notebooks, and getting the opportunity to be a “yes mom” for a day as we shop for new clothes. When I look back on my own childhood, I feel a warmth come over me when I remember back-to-school shopping with my mom. Every summer, it was a chance for us to connect and bond one more time before life got busy again, and I am thrilled that I get to carry on the tradition with two daughters of my own. 

That being said, when I remove all of the emotions I have attached to back-to-school shopping, I am fully aware that this time of year basically equates to one giant to-do list for parents. And while online shopping is a real life-saver at times, it can also be incredibly overwhelming when you just want to find your kid a lunchbox that won’t fall apart before December break. I get it—all of the editors at Pregnancy & Newborn get it. So this month, we came together to curate a list of some of our favorite back-to-school products for 2023 to (hopefully) save you some time on research.

Becco Bags

For the kid whose style is constantly changing, Becco Bags offers the opportunity to personalize and switch things up throughout the year—without having to drop a ton of money on a whole new backpack. The small backpacks are a great size for preschoolers, the large backpacks offer plenty of space for big kids, and the lunchboxes are perfect for anyone. The bags are stylish on their own, but what makes this brand really stand out is its line of patches that kids can attach, remove, and reattach as much as they want to add some personality to their bags. Unlike most patches that have to be sewn or ironed on, Becco patches are backed with the hook side of Velcro, so they firmly and securely attach to the bags made from loop-faced fabrics. We also love that the brand was founded by a mom of four who came up with the concept thanks to a failed craft activity she planned for her daughter’s birthday party (we’ve all been there, right?).

PackIt Freezable Snack Box

If your child has to bring a snack in for class every day, not only do you have the added task of packing something extra for them to eat—but you also have to figure out what to pack it in. We love the PackIt Freezable Snack Box because it reduces waste and keeps snacks cold throughout the day. Measuring 9 inches x 4.5 inches x 5 inches, this snack box is large enough to hold a small snack but small enough to fit into a backpack along with a lunchbox and books. The bag’s interior is filled with freezable gel, so it is essentially its own cold pack. Simply put the box in the freezer overnight, then pack up a string cheese and some grapes (or whatever’s in the fridge) for your kiddo to enjoy for a cool afternoon snack. It’s so easy and convenient. Plus, they’re available in several fun patterns your child will love.

Primary Uniform and BTS Tea Collection

One of the best things about the start of school is stocking up on some fresh, new clothes. Given the many amazing children’s clothing brands available, we were a bit torn on this pick—so we decided to change things up and pick two product lines to feature this month.  

First, we chose Primary’s uniform line for kids who need new uniform staples. Primary is known for making high-quality basics designed to withstand rough play. Their uniform line is made with the same standards in mind and includes polos, oxford shirts, dresses, pants, skirts, sweaters, activewear, and socks and tights. They even offer multi-packs with slight discounts. Products are available in a rainbow of colors and come pre-washed to avoid shrinking, and since most items are made of 100% cotton, kids will notice a comfortable, soft—not scratchy—texture.

If you have a little more creative freedom with your child’s school wardrobe, we suggest the new BTS line from Tea Collection. There is a wide variety of styles available, whether you want something cozy and comfortable, like joggers, something a little dressier, like a pleated skirt, or a cute two-piece set for your baby. Clothing from Tea Collection is always super soft, well-made, and downright adorable.

Artful Agenda

Now that school’s back in session, you’ll be expected to keep track of, well, everything. Between meet-the-teacher nights, PTA events, half days, class parties, and hard deadlines, it’s a lot to keep organized (especially since you have to keep your own schedule organized, too). There are plenty of planners out there to help you keep everything straight, but if you’re on the hunt for one, we’re big fans of Artful Agenda. It’s a digital planner that is designed to look like a paper planner—a real best-of-both-worlds situation. It syncs with Google, Apple, and Outlook calendars, can be used on your mobile device, tablet, or computer, and is sharable. You also have the ability to customize your agenda as much as needed to make it work for you; choose a design, pick your own cover, color code events, select a handwriting font, and even add stickers. The best part? At $35 per year, it’s comparable in price to a paper planner.

MadeGood Snacks

Food allergies are serious, and if your child happens to be in an allergen-free class or school, it’s essential to follow the rules to keep classmates safe. Unfortunately, it can be incredibly difficult to find allergen-free snacks that taste good, are high quality, and are easy to toss into a lunchbox when you’re rushing out the door. MadeGood snacks are all of these things. You’ll find granola bars, cookies, snack squares, breakfast bars, and oat balls in tasty flavors like Birthday Cake, Cinnamon Bun, Strawberry, Chocolate Chip, Cookies and Creme, and more. MadeGood products use organic ingredients and are packed with vitamins and nutrients from natural sources. What’s not to love?

Stanley IceFlow Flip Straw Tumbler

I know what you’re thinking, and yes, the editors at Pregnancy & Newborn have been influenced by TikTok—so much so that we’re buying Stanley Tumblers for our kids now. As a parent, I love that schools make drinking water a priority for students. Unfortunately, daily use and regular trips through the dishwasher can quickly wear a water bottle down, but the Stanley IceFlow Flip Straw Tumbler is strong enough to withstand the regular wear and tear of a child. This style holds 20 ounces and will keep your kiddo’s water cold for up to seven hours or iced for up to two days. The adjustable handle makes it easy for younger children to carry around with them, and the attached flip straw helps to prevent spills. This water bottle is available in a variety of colors, but it probably comes as no surprise that they quickly sell out since this is so popular, so if the hue your child wants is available now, scoop it up while you can!