Back-to-School Shopping Guide: Products for Any Age and Stage

Note: I was sent products for inclusion in my back-to-school shopping guide. There are some affiliate links in this article.

Parents and students alike are excited (or dreading) back-to-school. Having fun, new items to take to school, read, eat or drink can help take the sting out of it. Even if your child has already started school, it’s not too late to purchase or order these products because they can be used year-round.

For the middle-schooler or younger crowd:

Scribble – Custom Hardcover Photo Book

Imagine a book that showcases all of your little one’s art projects? Instead of having piles of artwork on a corner table in the family room or taped all over the refrigerator, now you can have it featured in a book displayed on the coffee table and/or it makes a great keepsake for the grandparents.

Handzies

You can purchase a bag of individually wrapped wipes and stick them in your kid’s lunch box, backpack and/or after-school sports bag. I personally like the 30-count soft pack so that I can toss it in my tote bag for weekend trips or theme park outings.

Mabel’s Labels Water Bottle Bands

Whether you’re a kid on the playground, a fitness goer at the gym, or a young adult at the office, everyone has a water bottle! Personally, I like mine to stand out and half the time I forget which design is mine. Having a personalized water bottle band ensures that your bottle won’t get mixed up with someone else’s! Plus the silicone band provides texture that ensures a better grip so that it won’t slip out of your child’s sweaty hands.

For college-aged or high school students:

Nativ Laundry Sheets

These laundry detergent sheets are eco-friendly and an efficient way for college students to do their laundry without having to lug around a bulky bottle of detergent. Simple to use, simply place a full-sheet or half-sheet (depending on the size of your load) in with your laundry.

Mad Dandy Coffee Alternative + Enhancer

Full of anti-inflammatories, antioxidants and just a 1/4 the caffeine of a cup of coffee with a rich, creamy taste. It’s a healthier coffee alternative and it also comes in decaf. I’m trying it out because I want to eliminate the caffeine jitters and stomach issues that I get when I sometimes drink coffee.

Moso 500-gram Air Purifying Bag

Moso Natural Air Purifying Bag uses bamboo charcoal to magnetically attract odor, chemicals and moisture out of the air for up to 2 years. One 500g bag covers 250 square feet. This is a perfect solution for dorm rooms to keep a continuously clean space. I’m personally using it in my living room/entryway!

“Are You Gonna Eat That?” by Jimmy Craig

“Are You Gonna Eat That?” is a comprehensive book offering more than 100 hilarious animal comics imagining what it would be like if we had VIP access to the lives of our animal friends. It’s perfect for those who enjoy pet humor! This is a funny book to tuck into your college-aged kid’s bag as they leave for college. It’ll give them something to read besides staring at TikTok on their phones! 😉

Keep Going First Aid Kit (college-aged/parents)

These kits are perfect to give to your college student because it has all of the necessary first aid items, plus it is so small. In fact, I take mine as a travel kit when I go out of town with the family! Another great plus about this company is that you can buy refill pieces instead of hunting for individual products at the neighborhood drugstore.

Snacks and Drinks (for any age):

Moon Fruit Snacks

These freeze-dried fruit snacks are made with no added sugar, no artificial preservatives, no artificial colors, and no artificial flavors. Moon Fruits Snacks come in a variety of flavors and I was gifted the Straw-Bana  flavor. The snacks are a hit with my kid, hubby and me!

Waterloo Sparkling Water

Waterloo was founded in 2017 and is committed to creating sparkling waters that support a healthy, active lifestyle. I was sent a few flavors and I really like the taste! It’s a refreshing drink to have in the afternoon.

Crunchy Mushroom Chips by Evil Snacks

These crunchy vegan snacks are made with organic, non-GMO oyster mushrooms. Evil Snacks uses sustainably sourced alternative ingredients to enhance the mushroom. It’s packed with umami flavor and I have to say it’s delicious! Even my husband, who isn’t a fan of mushrooms, liked it. Sprinkle it on salads or it by itself as an alternative to potato chips.

For parents:

All Better Co.

All Better Co. was founded by two moms who met on the playground and wanted to create a clean personal care brand for their families and yours. You can read my interview with the co-founders here. Together Merav and Stacy created a line of products that allow your skin to feel better from mosquito bites. Don’t Scratch That Patches are formulated with tea tree oil that soothes your skin from itchy bug bites, while the Don’t Scratch That Pen contains plant-powered bug bite relief. So Long, Suckers is a pest-repelling spray that uses botanicals like Citronella and Lemon Myrtle, plus hemp-derived CBD. Their Better Lippy contains SPF 15, Vitamin E and organic beeswax to keep your lips soothed and smooth.

Wildfare

Why not have a special back-to-school dinner or breakfast? Wildfare offers unique products which are cultivated using heritage farming practices. That means Wildfare has partnered with skilled farmers across the world to bring consumers the best ingredients that have delicious flavors.

• Hazelnut Butter with Cocoa: Hazelnut Butter with Cocoa elevates the classic combination universally beloved by children and adults alike. The texture is beyond silky and the flavor is delicious!
• Wildfare Pistachio Butter: Add this to toast or any pastry and prepare for some yumminess! Sweet and nutty, pistachios are delivered in a creamy texture that is sure to be a hit with anyone.
• Wildfare Organic & Vegan Pastas: Available in black carrot, spinach, tomato, sweet red pepper, olive or the band’s best-selling beetroot, Wildfare makes a unique plant-based fettuccine that adds color and nutrients to simple pasta dishes. I’m planning on making a pasta dish to celebrate the first day of school.
• Wildfare Orange Stuffed Olives: Dirty with a twist! Wildfare orange stuffed olives wow in all kinds of recipes from salads to cocktails and charcuterie (my personal favorite).

So there you have it! This is my personal shopping guide that’s great not just for back-to-school, but year-round! Happy shopping and enjoy the products in good health. 🙂

Disclosure: No monetary compensation was received for this post. I received complimentary samples which helped facilitate this review. All images & opinions are 100% my own.