What’s hot: Style ideas for every age, every kid
by Shandley McMurrayProducts we love
What back-to-school shopping list is complete without the latest gadgets? From cool-looking lunch bags to fashion-forward binders, these products are sure to make your kid the hit of the class this season.
Lunch bags
Boys:
Old Navy thermal lunch bag.Sturdy and insulated, this hip-looking bag comes with an adjustable shoulder strap and a carrying handle on top. It’s available in orange, new black or gray camouflage. (And the price is hard to beat!)
$8, Old Navy stores or www.oldnavy.com.
The Children’s Place lunchbox.Complete with ID tag (so there’s no confusion about whose mom packed the good cookies), this lunchbox is durable and has a comfy cushioned handle. There’s even a strap inside to hold a drink in place. Available in energy or new navy.
$7, The Children’s Place stores or www.thechildrensplace.com.
Girls:
Old Navy insulated lunch bag.Available in blue combo or pink/brown, this trendy-looking bag is insulated and has a secure pocket on the front – perfect for holding a small snack.
$8, Old Navy stores or www.oldnavy.com.
The Children’s Place lunchbox.
Just like the boys’ version (above) but in different colors. Available in multi, sky blue or bouquet.
$7, The Children’s Place stores or www.thechildrensplace.com.
Arctic Zone lunch tote.
Perfect for your budding fashionista, this pink tote will allow your daughter to carry her PB&J in style. If only you could make the contents look this good.
$9, Target stores or www.target.com.
Binders
The Children’s Place 3-ring binder.Finally, a fashionable alternative to the cheapo plastic binder. These funky polyester binders come with a handy nylon mesh pocket and matching pencil case. They even have a zipper to help keep the contents inside. Available in army camo or new navy for boys and cocoa and multi for girls.
$8, The Children’s Place stores or www.thechildrensplace.com.
Markers
Crayola Color Wave markers.With two times more ink than your regular marker, these pens show you the ink supply—no more surprises about when you’re going to run out. They also come with a clear storage container.
$4, Mass merchandisers like Wal-Mart and Target or www.crayolastore.com.
Crayola Pip-squeak marker portfolio.Ideal for little hands (they’re shorter, which means easier to hold), this deluxe set of washable markers boasts 12 broad-sized markers and 14 skinny ones, all in a neat zippered case. Bonus: they come with a 25-page doodle pad.
$10, Mass merchandisers like Wal-Mart and Target or www.crayolastore.com.
Crayola Twistables.No Caps! markers. Hate playing hide and seek with marker caps? Now you don’t have to. Twist the barrel of these six pens to release their tips and twist again to close them.
$4, Wal-Mart, Staples and other major retailers, or www.crayolastore.com.
Pencil Crayons
Crayola Twistables colored pencils.Finally, a pencil crayon that stays sharp. You get 24 of them in this fun package. Plus, they’re contained in a long plastic tube, which means no more stubs to deal with when your pencil runs out!
$4, Mass merchandisers like Wal-Mart and Target or www.crayolastore.com.
Faber-Castell Color grip 2001 color pencils.
Easy to grip with soft bumps on the shaft, these 12 pencil crayons make coloring fun and comfy.
$14, www.grandrivertoys.com.
Dictionary
Franklin children’s dictionary.
Make reading even easier with a pocket electronic dictionary. Now kids can easily look up definitions on the go.
$10, Target stores or www.target.com.
Calculator
Staples bubble calculators.Available in fun colors like teal, fuchsia, white, black and green, these lightweight calculators have a soft-touch pad, making them funky, practical and easy to use.
$3, Staples or www.staples.com.
Crayons
Crayola Twistables Slick Stix.No need to worry about broken crayons! These five slick stix are encased in a plastic tube, meaning they’re virtually indestructible. Smooth and colorful, they glide easily over each page.
$4, Mass merchandisers like Wal-Mart and Target or www.crayolastore.com.
Book cover
Book Sox® book cover.Make even the drabbest of text books look cool with these fun and washable book covers. Available in bright colors and patterns like polka dots, butterflies or the logo of your favorite sports team, the flexible covers are simple to use (no measuring, cutting or taping required).
$4, Staples or www.staples.com.
Agendas and organizers
Staples academic planner.Help your child get organized with one of these weekly or monthly calendars. They run from August 2006 to August 2007 and feature a notes section and receipt or small paper holder. With striped edges and funky patterns in contrasting colors (like pink and green ovals and blue olive), it’ll be hard to misplace this agenda. Available in 3" x 6", 5"x 8" and 7"x 9".
$4-10, Staples or www.staples.com.
Globe-Weiss® 7-pocket padfolio.From papers to CDs to photos, your child can keep it all in one place with this unique organizer. Available in hard-to-miss colors like fuchsia and orange, teal and navy and teal apple green.
$11, Staples or www.staples.com.
