Back to School: The Complete Guide for Parents

The big back-to-school guide with tips on school bags, pencil cases and much more.

The start of school is a special moment for children and parents every year. For some children, school entry marks the beginning of a completely new stage of life, while others return after the summer holidays to a familiar class at primary school. In both cases, everyday routines change: mornings need to run a little faster, the school bag is packed every day and products such as a drinking bottle,lunch box, pencil case and backpack suddenly become important daily companions.

Parents of children up to around eight years old often have many practical questions before school begins. Which school bag really suits my child? Is a children's backpack enough, or does my child need a classic school bag? Which drinking bottle does not leak? Which lunch box is easy to open? Which pencil case fits the first pens and pencils without being too large? And what should you look out for so your child can manage the school day as independently as possible?

In this back-to-school guide, you will not find an endless shopping list, but clear guidance. We show you which products are truly important in everyday life, which mistakes many parents make at the start of school and how to choose high-quality, durable and child-friendly companions. Popular brands such as Liewood, Jeune Premier, Little Dutch and Mollalso play an important role, because they offer many practical products for kindergarten, preschool and primary school.

Why the start of school needs preparation

The first day of school begins before the day itself

A relaxed start to school does not begin on the first school day. Children feel more confident when they know what to expect. That is why it helps to practise the new daily routine playfully a few weeks in advance. You can walk the route to school together, pack the backpack as a trial, open and close the drinking bottle , test thelunch box or fill the pencil caseogether with the first pens and pencils.

For adults, these things may seem obvious. For children, however, they are important small steps towards independence. If your child knows their school items and can use them confidently, they will start the day with much more security.

Routines make mornings easier

Fixed routines are especially helpful during the first weeks of school. Lay out clothing the evening before, fill the drinking bottle in good time and pack the bag together with your child. This creates less rush in the morning and teaches your child step by step to take responsibility for their own belongings.

A fixed place for the school bag, lunch box, drinking bottle and pencil case is also useful. When everything has its place, fewer things get lost and the morning starts more calmly.

What does your child really need?

The most important basic equipment

Many back-to-school lists are unnecessarily long. For younger children, it is not the number of products that matters, but whether the most important companions work reliably in everyday life. Good basic equipment is usually completely sufficient and helps avoid unnecessary purchases.

What you do not need to buy right away

Not everything needs to be bought before the first day of school. Many schools provide their own material lists. For exercise books, folders, pencils or craft materials , it is therefore worth waiting for the school's requirements.

You can still prepare a pencil case early if it is simple, clearly organised and not too heavy. The term Federpennal may also be familiar to many families. What matters is that your child can quickly find pencils, coloured pencils, an eraser and a sharpener without having to search for them.

Products that your child uses every day are different. You can choose a backpack, drinking bottle, lunch box and pencil case early. This leaves enough time to test different sizes, materials and closures.

Choosing the right school bag

Size and weight are key

A school bag should always match your child's height, age and strength. Especially for children up to around eight years old, a backpack that is too large is often impractical. It quickly becomes too heavy, does not sit properly and encourages children to take too many unnecessary items with them.

For kindergarten, preschool and the first years of primary school, a compact children's backpack is often sufficient. It is important that the drinking bottle, lunch box, snack box, pencil case and possibly a thin jacket fit inside easily. Children's backpacks from brands such as Jeune Premier, Liewood or Fresk are particularly popular because they combine child-friendly design with practical everyday usability.

Comfort comes before design

Of course, the motif plays an important role for children. Nevertheless, carrying comfort should always be more important than colour. Look for adjustable shoulder straps, a comfortable back panel, smooth-running zips and a low empty weight.

A beautiful backpack is of little use if it slips, presses or is difficult to open. Younger children in particular should be able to use their bag independently.

When is a backpack too large?

A backpack is too large if it clearly extends beyond the shoulders, hangs low on the back or pulls your child backwards when walking. If your child constantly has to hold the shoulder straps, the backpack usually does not fit properly.

A good children's backpack sits close to the back, is easy to carry and stays securely in place even while walking.

Children's backpack or school bag?

Which option is the better fit?

Many parents wonder whether their child needs a classic school bag or a flexible children's backpack. The answer depends heavily on the child's age, the school and the daily contents.

A school bag offers plenty of structure and makes sense if your child needs to carry books, exercise books and folders every day. A children's backpack is lighter, more flexible and often ideal for kindergarten, preschool or lighter primary school days.

When a children's backpack makes sense

A children's backpack is an excellent choice if your child mainly carries a lunch box, drinking bottle, snack box, pencil case and personal items. At the same time, it can also be used outside school, for example on trips, at kindergarten, for sports or on holiday.

High-quality models from Jeune Premier, Liewood, Little Dutch and Fresk are especially popular. They impress with their low weight, ergonomic carrying systems and lovely designs.

When a school bag is the better choice

If your child needs to carry several books, exercise books, folders or a well-filled pencil case every day, a classic school bag often provides more comfort. Thanks to its stable shape, school materials remain better protected and neatly stored.

Finding the perfect drinking bottle

Leak resistance is the most important criterion

A drinking bottle accompanies your child every single school day. It lies in the backpack, stands on the desk, is opened during breaks and comes home again in the afternoon. That is why it should do much more than simply look good.

Few things are as annoying as a leaking drinking bottle. If water runs over books, exercise books, a pencil case or clothing, the school day often starts with unnecessary stress. That is why you should pay attention to a reliable closure that stays completely tight even inside a closed backpack.

The drinking bottle must suit the child

Not every drinking bottle is suitable for every child. Some children prefer screw caps, while others get on better with a flip lid, straw or sports cap. The decisive factor is that your child can open the bottle independently and close it securely again.

Popular drinking bottles come from brands such as Liewood and Fresk. They combine high-quality materials with child-friendly handling.

Stainless steel or Tritan?

For children, stainless steel and Tritan are among the most popular materials. Both options are excellent for everyday school life, but they differ in terms of weight, appearance and care.

The best lunch box for school and snacks

A good lunch box makes everyday school life easier

The lunch box is also one of the products used every day. It is packed in the morning, carried in the backpack, opened during the break and then cleaned again afterwards. That is why it should be robust, hygienic and easy to use.

Younger children in particular benefit from closures they can open by themselves. Mechanisms that are too complicated often mean the lunch box comes home unopened.

Lunch boxes with several compartments

Lunch boxes with several compartments ensure that sandwiches, fruit, vegetables or small snacks stay neatly separated. At the same time, children can keep a better overview of their school snack.

Lunch boxes from Liewood are especially popular because they combine high-quality materials with child-friendly design.

Choosing the right size

A lunch box should offer enough space while still fitting easily into the backpack together with the drinking bottle. It is therefore best to test both products together before your child starts school.

Ergonomic learning at home

Good posture starts in primary school

Many parents only think of ergonomics when children are older, but a good workspace is useful already in primary school. In the first school years, children develop habits that can stay with them for many years. While drawing, crafting, reading and doing their first homework, they spend more and more time at the desk. If the desk and chair are not properly matched, children often sit with a rounded back or raised shoulders.

An ergonomic workspace supports healthy posture and helps your child learn with more concentration and ease. The children's room does not have to look like an office; what matters is that the desk, chair and lighting work well together.

A growing desk is worth it in the long term

Children grow surprisingly quickly. A desk that fits perfectly today can already be too low in a few years. That is why many families choose a height-adjustable children's desk that can be adapted again and again to the child's height.

Manufacturers such as Moll offer particularly high-quality solutions. Their desks and ergonomic desk chairs can accompany your child from primary school into the teenage years. A long-term investment pays off not only in comfort, but also in sustainability.

Getting to school safely

Practise the route to school together

The daily route to school is one of the first big steps towards independence. Whether your child goes on foot, by bike, by car or in a bike trailer , safety begins long before the first day of school.

Walk the school route together several times. Show your child safe places to cross roads, traffic lights and clear landmarks. Repetition provides confidence and helps children quickly internalise the route.

The safest route is not always the shortest

Sometimes a small detour is worthwhile if it means fewer roads need to be crossed or the route is easier to see. Younger primary school children in particular benefit from simple, clear routes.

Reflective clothing, bright colours and high-visibility accessories significantly improve safety on the way to school, especially in autumn and winter.

Common mistakes at the start of school

These mistakes are easy to avoid

Many parents want to prepare everything perfectly for the start of school. As a result, they often buy products that are hardly used later. Focus instead on high-quality everyday companions that your child will actually use every day.

Care and cleaning in everyday life

Cleaning drinking bottles and lunch boxes

Drinking bottles and lunch boxes should be cleaned thoroughly after every school day. Models with straws or several individual parts need a little more attention so that no residue builds up.

Let all parts dry completely before closing them again. This prevents unpleasant odours and ensures that your child can enjoy the products for a long time.

Children's backpacks and pencil cases also need care

Over the course of a school year, crumbs, sand, leaves or small found treasures quickly collect in the backpack. Empty it completely on a regular basis and clean it with a damp cloth if needed. Also check the pencil case from time to time for loose leads, sharpener residue and leaking pens. This keeps the backpack and pencil case hygienic and looking well cared for even after many months.

Conclusion: A relaxed start to the new school year

Back to school means much more than buying new school supplies. It is about preparing your child well for a new stage of life and choosing products that truly make everyday life easier.

With a well-fitting school bag or children's backpack, a reliable drinking bottle, a practical lunch box, a clearly organised pencil case and an ergonomic workspace, you create the best conditions for a successful start to school.

At Kindermaxx you will find a large selection of high-quality products from renowned brands such as Liewood, Jeune Premier, Little Dutch and Moll. This lets you discover all the important companions for kindergarten, preschool and primary school conveniently in one place.

Our tip: Do not buy as much as possible; buy consciously. High-quality, durable and ergonomic products often accompany your child for many years and make everyday school life a little easier every day.