As the new academic year approaches, parents may be focused on uniforms and textbooks, but other crucial essentials can easily be overlooked. A curated list of often-forgotten but necessary items for the fresh school year has been compiled, covering everything from school bags and lunchboxes to reusable notebooks and phones that prioritise online safety.
These items are available on Amazon, with delivery as soon as the next day, or same-day in certain cities, allowing more time to enjoy the end of summer.
Safe Smartphones and Laptops
The HMD Fusion X1 is highlighted as one of the safest smartphones for children. It allows parents to track their whereabouts, check their contacts list and approve anyone new, and blocks explicit content from their screen. Settings can be adjusted as the child grows. It costs £175.
For secondary school pupils, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook is a low-cost option with a 14-inch screen, suitable for study and streaming. It has Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth connectivity and is light enough for a school bag. It costs £149.97.
Bags and Lunchboxes
The FIORETTO Lightweight School Backpack, available in nine colours, has numerous pockets and compartments, padded shoulder pads, and is made from water-repellent nylon. It also has an anti-theft pocket at the back. It costs £24.99.
For those with muddy boots or wet kit, the BROTOU Unisex Drawstring Backpack has a separate zippered compartment to isolate odours. It features mesh side compartments and is made with waterproof fabric. It costs £14.99.
The Everusely Stainless Steel Bento Box (0.8L) is a plastic-free lunchbox option with three compartments for the main dish and two sides. It includes a lidded pot and a strong elastic band to keep the lid secure. It costs £14.99.
Hydration and Audio
The Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle has a capacity of 710ml and a leak-free cap, with fun colour palettes including 'camo cool'. It costs £31.99.
The soundcore Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds offer ANC, deep bass, and up to 10 hours of playtime. They are on sale for £20.99, reduced from £29.99.
Practical Gadgets and Stationery
The CLOCKY Alarm Clock on Wheels allows one snooze before it moves across the room, emitting a noise that is hard to ignore. The only way to turn it off is to get out of bed and catch it. It costs £35.99.
The Nelko Label Maker P21 is a Bluetooth-operated device that uses thermal technology to print labels, so no ink cartridges are needed. It is available in seven colours and costs £14.99, reduced from £19.99.
The 17 Piece Stationery Set includes rulers, highlighters, ballpoint pens, a compass, a notepad, and sticky notes. It costs £11.99, and 400 sets have been bought in the past month. The Helix Oxford Complete Back to School Stationery Set includes pens, coloured pencils, maths tools, and more, costing £21.75, reduced from £22.58.
