This post was sponsored by GOJO Industries, the makers of PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience. You can read my disclosure policy here.
It’s back to school season! Can I get a hallelujah?! I’m ready. I love summer so much and we are squeezing every last drop out of it before the big yellow bus comes to save my sanity. But I am READY.
This past weekend we hit Target, my one-stop shop for basically everything, definitely for back-to-school, and got everything the kids need for a happy, healthy school year. I’m sharing what was on my shopping list to make this to best school year yet!
7 Back To School Must-Haves for a Happy, Healthy School Year
Writing Utensils, Erasers, Scissors, Oh My!
Okay that’s more than one thing. But you get the idea. You need all the essentials like pencils (get extras and hide them because you know they’ll get lost at school), erasers, crayons, and pencil cases.
Target has basically everything the kids need. Look in the little pop up displays like this big blue one for great deals on glue sticks and other supplies. Don’t forget the packs of tissues for the kids’ desks and school bags!
Notebooks and Folders
This is sort of separate from the other supplies because this is more about organization, something I am not very good at but I have good intentions. The kids need a folder for each subject, maybe a planner if the school doesn’t provide one (ours does, yay!), and some spiral-bound notebooks.
I feel like if there’s a place for your stuff, you’ll put your stuff in its place. This should work. In theory. So get some places for their stuff! Everyone is happier when they’re not desperately searching for that field trip permission form the day it’s due. TRUST ME.
Lily picked out this notebook and I cannot believe it. What is she, a teenager? Stop growing up, child. And Moms, get a pocket folder for yourself. I got one for each kid to store important papers in so I’m not digging for stuff at the last minute. (Okay, I will be doing that anyway but a girl can try to be organized for a minute.)
PURELL for Backpacks
We stocked up for realz on PURELL Advanced Hand Sanitizer. You know it’s only a matter of time after school starts when the first round of coughs and colds will be going around. I keep this stuff EVERYWHERE.
The PURELL Jelly Wrap Carriers are just perfect for hooking onto the kids’ lunch bags. I bought extra little bottles for their school bags, desks, soccer bags, and for my purse and car. Each of my kids has their own PURELL Advanced Hand Sanitizer in that little hole for random stuff in the car door. They know as soon as they get in, hands get cleaned.
There was a child in my daughter’s class last year that just coughed his head off all year long. Really, poor kid. He looked miserable. And of course he sat right behind Lily. I encouraged her to clean her hands OFTEN. When washing with soap and water isn’t an option PURELL products are the best way to get rid of nasty germs.
To get my kids in the habit NOW, we’re starting the PURELL 30-Day Challenge! This is fun for us, because the kids like a challenge and I’m all about a healthy school year. So for 30 days, we’re going to use PURELL Advanced Hand Sanitizer three times a day. This is easier than you think since we are already off to soccer every night, and in and out of the grocery store, mall, movie theater, etc. on a daily basis. Lots of places to pick up germs. Lots of great times to clean those hands.
AND, a study showed that using PURELL Advanced Hand Sanitizer three times a day for 30 days can help reduce the risk of getting sick. That’s what I’m talking about, parents.
PURELL for the classroom
I grabbed a couple of these larger bottles of PURELL Advanced Hand Sanitizer for the kids’ classrooms. Once colds start making their way through the school they’re going to need it.
Deal alert: Look for those bottles with a bonus 50% more for free!
I found some of the little portable PURELL bottles in the back to school section, but if you don’t see a lot there, head over to the area of the store with hand soaps. That’s where I found the BEST selection and some really great deals. I love these PURELL Hand Sanitizing Wipes for my car!
Insulated Lunch Bag
My kids pack lunch way more often than not. Lily won’t buy school lunch at all after a bad experience with a taco salad. I’ll just stop there with that story.
Target has a great selection of insulated lunch bags. As much as it’s hard for me to pack lunch so early in the morning (mornings are hard, people!) I do love knowing exactly what she’s eating and filling her lunch bag with healthy foods. Leo is a lunch packer probably about 50% of the time, so new lunch bags all around on this shopping trip.
Insulated Thermos
Almost all of the time the packed lunches include food in a thermos. Last year’s were well-loved and ready to be tossed, so we’re replacing them and hello, C3PO. Leo is LOVING the thermos he found!
We can do soup (we do a lot of soup), leftovers, pasta salads, all kinds of goodies in a thermos. It’s a whole new world of lunch possibilities outside the PB&J. Getcha one!
Healthy Snacks
Do your kids’ schools have you send in morning snack? Every day we have to send the kids with snacks in addition to their lunches. This is something the kids can handle packing on their own (thankfully) but I always make sure we have some quick, easy items to throw in the school bags that are not total junk.
Bananas, grapes, and clementines are great options, and I love these fruit bars at Target, too (especially when they’re on sale). Look for them in the snack aisle.
So that’s what we’re buying as we kick of a healthy school year! What’s on your list? Join our family in the PURELL 30-Day Challenge and let’s do our best to have a healthy, germ-free winter!
You can find the huge selection of PURELL products at Target here, and be sure to follow PURELL on Twitter and Facebook for more tips to keep your family healthy as we start a new school year!
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