Practical Tips for Stress-Free Back to School Shopping with Middle Schoolers

INSIDE: FIND SOME PRACTICAL TIPS FOR STRESS-FREE BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING WITH MIDDLE SCHOOLERS IN TOW.

Where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday we were getting the smallest Kuball child ready for Kindergarten…and NOW – she is going to middle school???

Obviously, we will need a LOT of good vibes sent our way – because now we have 2 GIRL middle schoolers…..do not weep for us, just check in now and then and make sure they haven’t overthrown the parents!!!

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Getting middle schoolers ready for school seems like life or death. If they don’t have the right clothes, backpack, and shoes; they will DIE!

Supplies

The easiest, smartest way to shop for school supplies – Target’s School List Assist. This revolutionary way of shopping for school supplies has saved me hundreds of dollars over the years!

Two things my kids will not pick using this method – backpack and pencil pouch.

WHY you ask? I don’t know. I don’t ask too many questions – I tend to get this “boom-bastic side eye.” Thanks TikTok!

Pencil pouches are WAY cooler on Amazon.

Back packs

Y’all I give up. I think every year, if I spend a little bit more on these things, they will keep them longer. FALSE! That is soooo NOT true and couldn’t be further from the truth……UNTIL – they found the BEST backpacks EVER!

Meet Vera Bradley XL Campus bag – AND guess what – 50% off right now!!!!

Then there’s the fjallraven kanken backpack – this one has a laptop compartment.

The last one of note – Herschel’s Classic Backpack – inexpensive, holds plenty internally and even has 2 water bottle holders.

***UPDATE: Our school district decide to go with clear backpacks this year….never mind the “forever” backpacks I bought last year…..gotta start over. Thankfully, there are more options today than 14 years ago when Liam had to have one in Kindergarten. Check out these options for clear backpacks –

Under Armour to the rescue – solidly built, different colors, and has a laptop sleeve. Click here to order.

Of course, Vera Bradley and lululemon have clear options of their well known backpacks. But lululemon is TOO expensive for my blood – and the clear packs aren’t always available. You can tell by my above comments that I LOVE Vera Bradley bags. My kids beat their bags – and these ones have been the only ones to hold up – so click here to order the clear version.

Highly rated on Amazon? Yes, sometimes that is all you need. Click here to order.

Clothing

Clothes just get more expensive as they get older. I’ve preached this for years – do not spend all of your money on Fall clothing!

There are 4 seasons and the children will need shorts and pants with long sleeve shirts and jackets. Younger kids are ok with Target $5 pants etc…..middle schoolers not so much.

The bonus is they don’t grow quite as fast so clothes last a LITTLE longer.

Enter – SHEIN, Stitch Fix, Amazon, and Hollister.

Shoes

I don’t suppose it comes as a surprise but I like one stop shopping.

Hence, shoe shopping at Rack Room is what I do!

Buy one, get one 50% off allows for sneakers and dress shoes, if that’s their thing.

The other bonus to Rack Room is Free coupons after purchases. SO – you could buy one pair now and use the coupon in the future to get even further savings.

Hope this helps you has it has helped us….stay sort of sane during back to school shopping with our middle schoolers.

Happy Shopping,