Nanny to Mommy

It’s that time of year again, fresh notebooks, sharpened pencils, and the excitement (with maybe a few nerves) of a brand-new school year! Whether your child is starting preschool, heading into middle school, or venturing off to high school, having the right gear and essentials can make the transition smoother and a lot more fun.

In this Back-to-School Gift Guide, I’ve rounded up my favorite finds for students and parents, everything from practical must-have supplies and lunchbox favorites to tech tools and organization helpers that make daily routines easier. These picks are all about keeping everyone prepared, motivated, and maybe even a little excited for the year ahead.

So, grab your planner, sip that coffee, and let’s get ready to make this school year the best one yet!

Now that summer is in full-swing, it’s time to start thinking about back-to-school. From clothes and shoes to backpack and lunchboxes, this list has something for all of your back to school shopping list needs.

We go back to school July 30th! We are transferring to an all year-round school calendar. So that means we may get out a little early for some (May), but we will be going back late July. I'm honestly ready to go back. I love the schedule of the school year and even though my daughter will be starting cheerleading so it will be busy, I'm all for more order. My daughter is starting 2nd grade while my son is starting his last year as a preschooler. The question everyone asks is, "So what are you going to do when he goes off to elementary school?" I honestly am still trying to figure it all out. And I'll let you know when I do.

Anyways, so here are some of my hot back to school shopping list items that your kids are sure to love!

I am one of those people that has to write everything down in order to stay organized.


This product was featured in my Back to School Shopping Guide.

Pipsticks+Workman sticker gift line: A new line of 17-month planners with coordinating sticker books and notekeepers that are perfect for mom and tweens/teens who want to keep track of their school work. This is the first planner line where each planner’s interiors (monthly art and stickers) are unique to the theme.

Enter to Win a Teach My Preschooler Learning Kit

AND a Teach My Kindergarten Learning Kit

Mommy's Playbook's Prize is Sponsored by Teach My

I love having supplies on my to extend my child's education from the classroom. We have our list of Back to School Shopping List, but Teach My products are perfect for anyone!

Crayola is excited to introduce Take Note! – a brand new suite of innovative writing tools designed to make colorful marks - just in time for back to school. Using color for note taking is proven to aid in memory retention and can be helpful for organizing tasks. The Washable Gel Pens feature a quick-dry formula for rich, vibrant color that is streak-free and the Erasable Highlighters’ bright colors will make a bold statement on homework and projects alike. Capture your thoughts, notes and doodles with Crayola Take Note!

If you have been following me on Instagram (please check it out), then you know my kiddos are back to school. My daughter has been all about her style this year. I guess it starts in second grade? Anyways, we received an adorable package from KidsShoes and she didn't get excited about school until she saw what was in the box.

KidsShoes is your destination for the best in children’s footwear all in one place. They offer a variety of designer brands you know and love such as Michael Kors, Sam Edelman, Kenneth Cole, Tommy Hilfiger, Ash Sneakers, Stuart Weitzman, Badgley Mischka, Frye, and Sydney Jordyn. They are the only place to get exclusive styles in these designer brands. They have new styles added every month in the latest trends in footwear. Their site is curated to bring you the best style and design in kids footwear. They are available 24/7 to answer any and all KidSizing, fashion, and style questions.

This post is sponsored by Crayola in the form of complimentary products. All opinions are my own. These products were featured in our Back to School Guide.

My mom was a teacher when we were growing up. I remember watching her go back to school after she and my dad divorced. She worked so hard to become a teacher, a lot of late nights studying and creating lesson plans. She loved being a teacher so much. Educating our children is such an important and, often times, underappreciated profession.

Crayola has been our brand of choice for so many years. My mom and I would create lesson plans and activities using Crayola because they make high quality products with beautiful vibrant colors in every box. And they are the one and only crayon and marker brand I trust to actually be washable when the package says it is. This summer Crayola has started an amazing initiative. They have started the next phase of the “Thank a Teacher” campaign. They want kids around the country to show their appreciation for teachers and help reach one million thank-yous to teachers across the country!

We have been back to school for a month now. It has been a little easier for me to get back into our back-to-school routine this year then it has been in years past. I think it is because I have a few tips that I started following this year and it really helped us get back into the swing of things.

Back-to-School season is in full swing and that means I have already packed 13 lunch for my daughter. This year our back-to-school list included a new lunch bag. I didn't want to get her anything with too kiddie of a print on it, but I wanted something for her that was something she would like.


I was so excited to find all the different varieties that Fit & Fresh had. This was actually my first time hearing of this brand, but their styles are so cute to choose from.

Back to school shopping can be hectic - there are so many different brands it’s hard to know what’s going to be the most durable, and give you the best value for your money. You want to buy something that your child will find useful while lasting through the school year. Last year my daughter went through TWO book bags because I was too focused on the cost to get her a quality bag. An expense I didn't want to have to worry about half through the school year.


But not this year because Five Star makes back to school shopping a little bit easier with their with durable and innovative products, so they eliminate the stress of organization by providing school supplies that last all year long. No need to worry about items breaking or losing their functionality, as all products and accessories support your academic achievements, especially when you need them the most.

The school shopping lists are covered. We have bought everything for both of my kiddos school supply lists thanks to Office Depot. Office Depot and OfficeMax have a ton of fun, fashionable school supplies, plus amazing accessories to make your kiddos' supplies truly personal.

Now that summer is in full-swing, it’s time to start thinking about back-to-school. From clothes and shoes to backpack and lunchboxes to snacks and accessories, this list has something for everyone (including the moms) for all your back to school shopping list needs.


Both of my kiddos are starting school this year. My daughter is headed to 1st grade while my baby is starting his first year of pre-school. People ask me, "what are you going to do with yourself all day?" My son is only going three days a week for three hours a day. And it will fly fast, so I will try to get a little work done and grocery shop by myself for sure! But since they both are headed off to school this year, I thought what better time to put together a back to school guide when I have never really done one before.