10 Items That Make the Transition from Preschool to Elementary School Easier

Here's everything you'll need to prep your little one for their first day of Kindergarten.

July 26, 2022

By: Samantha Lande

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Photo By: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc

Preparing for the First Day of "Big Kid School"

Going from preschool to elementary school is a big deal! For some kids, that means going to a full day of school for the first time. Ease some of the anxiety by preparing everything you and your little one will need to make that transition. Here are some of the products we love!

A Book to Get Ready for the First Day

Starting kindergarten can be scary, so getting ready for the first day is key. There are so many great books available, but we love "The Night Before Kindergarten" to help them prepare. It walks through all of the things kids can expect in a day.

BUY IT: Amazon, $3.99

A New Lunchbox

Many kids won’t experience their first packed lunch until they start Kindergarten, and it’s important that they have a great lunchbox that’s easy to carry (and easy to clean for the parents). We love these Bentgo bento box-style lunch boxes! They're perfect for the picky kids who like a little bit of everything. The lunchboxes are leakproof, so you can rest assured that you won’t be wiping applesauce out of the bottom of their backpack.

BUY IT: Bentgo, $29.99

New Shoes

Quick growing feet call for a new pair of kicks every season. This is the perfect transition shoe for kids who can’t tie their laces quite yet, but want a good, supportive fit. This New Balance pair has an easy velcro closing with a dial on the side to help achieve the perfect fit. The fun styles don’t hurt either.

BUY IT: New Balance, $59.99

Writing Practice Paper

It’s time to start penning those ABC’s, and handwriting practice paper is the best way to learn to form those letters. Start them off with their very own pad, complete with their name and rainbow colors to make writing that much more fun. They’ll be writing in no time!

BUY IT: Erin Condren, $10.00

Labels

The more things kids have to carry, the more chances they have to lose them. Labels are a great way to (hopefully!) get your stuff returned, and kids can pick out their favorite styles from sports to tie-dye. They even make a special label pack just for elementary school kids!

BUY IT: Mabel's Labels, $33.20

A New Backpack

This year, kids will need just a little bit more in their bag, so it’s time to get a new backpack! It’s also a great way for kids to show off their style. These Pottery Barn backpacks have plenty of room and they glow in the dark! They are water-resistant and have adjustable straps for the perfect fit.

BUY IT: Pottery Barn, $44.50 - $84.50

Pencil Case

With pencils, markers, and more, a storage container can come in handy. We love this dabbing astronaut version! Not only is it silly, but It also features a hard top, so writing utensils won’t get broken.

BUY IT: Amazon, $15.99

Mask Lanyards

Masks may be a part of school in the fall. These lanyards will make it easy for your child to put the mask on when needed and keep it around their neck when it’s not. Pick their favorite character to show off a little bit of style.

BUY IT: Amazon, $8.99

Headphones

Whether they are needed in the classroom or for iPad work at home, a good pair of durable headphones are key for Kindergarten. This version is well-padded, foldable, and tangle-free. The price point is also great if they tend to lose or break things easily.

BUY IT: Amazon, $13.99

New Books to Read at Home

Chances are, your kid will become even more excited about reading once they can identify more sight words they learn in school. It’s the best time to amp up their home library with stretch books that they like to listen to now, and will eventually be able to read. We love the "Elephant and Piggie" stories by Mo Willems. These anthologies put a bunch of stories into one big book they are sure to love.

BUY IT: Target, $7.98

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