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I know school has started for most of America—all except my kids! Two of my kids start back after Labor Day, which is just way too long. They are so bored and ready to head back! I have a few cool back-to-school products to help get your kids off to a great start this school year. Take a look and leave me a comment if you have tried any of the following, or let me know what product your kids would like to try the most.
TerraCycle
TerraCycle, an upcycling and recycling company, makes eco-friendly products from trash items that are normally non-recyclable, including Capri Sun juice pouches, Frito-Lay chip bags, and Mars candy wrappers. Many of the products could make great holiday gifts for crafty types who are also eco-minded. For example, TerraCycle has clocks and coasters made from vinyl records and circuit boards, circuit board picture frames, boom box speakers made from candy wrappers, and brightly decorated flower pots.
The trash is collected by student groups at schools across the country. Groups called “Brigades” can collect trash from juice pouches to chip bags to computer keyboards. They sign up for free and then send their trash to TerraCycle for free. For every piece of trash that students send us, they receive two points. These points can be used to buy specific charity gifts, such as clean water, or converted to cash and donated to a non-profit or charity – including their school. Many students raise money for their extracurricular activity groups or to buy new, energy-friendly electronics for their school.
This backpack is on the smaller side, 10″ wide x 13″ tall x 5″ deep, so I would say that it would be better suited for younger kids who do not have to carry lots of heavy books. The straps and the back of the pack are covered in wrappers from Clif Kid Z bars—a unique backpack!
Available at: DwellSmart TerraCycle Shop, Amazon.com
Price: MSRP $16.99
Website: TerraCycle.com
Scotch Duct Tape
If you are on Pinterest, you must have seen at least one Scotch Duct Tape made project; pattern Tape is HOT right now! In addition to the Glow in the Dark Batman, Snake, Superman, and a School Style, they have over 40 other styles and colors. My kids look forward to gussying up their back-to-school folders and supplies with this new tape!
Scotch Color & Pattern Duct Tape and how people use tape today is truly incredible (check out the project gallery here: http://scotchducttape.com/gallery). Making a one-of-a-kind duct tape project is perfect for kids to express themselves! There are some GREAT images and how-to instructions of unique projects kids (and moms) can make to personalize back-to-school supplies. Bookbags, pencil holders, magnets, folders – the list continues.
Available at: Local Retail Stores, Amazon.com
Price: MSRP $4.99
Website: DuctTape.Scotchbrand.com
VW Camper Van Toiletry Bag
You may be asking, “A Dopp kit, really?!” But when I received this, I thought it would be great to use as a pencil case. My son usually has to take 2 pencil bags to stuff all his supplies in; this one is certainly large enough for him to carry everything in. Plus it is unique, no case of mistaken identity with this pencil bag!
This one-of-a-kind wash bag from The Monster Factory USA adds a little retro style to the bathroom, beach bag, or luggage. Licensed by VW, the durable Camper Van Wash Bag is built to scale, fully lined, and comes with both zippered and elasticized pockets. Easy to clean and built to last, this is the wash bag for a VW lover to show their colors, or anyone who wants to bring a little freedom off the road wherever they are. Available in the classic T1 Van Blue or Pink.
Available at: The Monster Factory USA, Amazon.com
Price: MSRP $20
Carmex Moisture Plus
Don’t forget items to tuck some Carmex Moisture Plus lip balm in your backpack. I personally do not wear lipstick, so I have these tucked everywhere: car, purse, coats, bedside. Carmex Moisture Plus is formulated with the brand’s trusted ultra-hydrating Moisture Plus technology that contains aloe and vitamin E to keep lips hydrated and refreshed in the summer sun and winter weather. The new, limited-edition line of lip balms is available in various fun, fashionable designs. The six designs include Chic, Fab, Limited Edition Fab, Starlet, Adventurous, and Limited Edition Whimsical.
Available at: Drug & Retail Store, Amazon.com
Price: MSRP $2.99
Website: MyCarmex.com
Pinch Me Therapy Dough
Stress balls, or in this case, stress dough, can be helpful to kids, especially with the stress of heading back to school, making friends, and, of course, homework. My son loves to squeeze and smush a ball of this dough while sitting at the desk while working on the computer. The scents I received were Tropics and Beach, and while the scents were not overpowering, I could catch a whiff when I walked into the room. With this dough, you can take as much or as little as you like and then place it back into the container for next time. I also like that the dough does not break up to make a mess; no residue, other than the scent, is left on your hands.
Pinch Me Therapy Dough, a one-of-a-kind way to soothe nerves with a simple squeeze of the fingers, is a professionally developed, soft, pliable dough infused with calming aromatherapy. Pinch Me is expertly designed to serve as a simple, holistic way to take the edge off. Pinch Me Therapy Dough is a non-prescription, drug-free, ‘as-needed’ relief supplement that stressed-out souls can use ‘in a pinch.’
Pinch Me’s color palette was professionally designed to calm with each subtle hue, while each of the scents has been carefully chosen for its pleasantly pacifying qualities. “As you massage the dough, your body begins to release tension. Gently applied pressure steadily relaxes the hands, as a gradual hush starts to wash over you.” The six scents available are Tropics, Ocean, Beach, Spa, Earth, and For Men.
Available at: PinchMeDough.com and Amazon
Price: MSRP: Buy one for $19.99, and subsequent purchases in the same order will be priced at just $16.99.
nio Tag
nio Tag prevents the loss of your smartphone and other valuables while traveling. As the first Bluetooth-powered security tag, you attach the nio Tag to any item you want to keep with you (backpack, carry-on bag, purse, child, etc.), or you can carry the nio Tag to secure a smartphone or iPad. Should you become separated from the item, an alarm will alert you – acting as a buddy system or an invisible, electronic leash.
Available at: Amazon.com
Price: MSRP $49.99
CHIL PowerShare Charger
We have a basket on our counter that we toss our phones into, and then we plug them into the wall. While we all also have chargers in our bedrooms, sometimes just charging them in the kitchen is easier. But it is first-come, first-charged. The PowerShare is great because now we can charge up to three phones at once! The bottom features a hideaway of sorts for the power cord. If you do not need the full length, just tuck it away.
The PowerShare Reactor multi-charger is a 4-port USB device and universal charging station that provides 5.1 Amps of power and surge protection to your iPhone, iPad, smartphones or tablets. With a sleek exterior for your desktop, it succinctly charges your devices! Perfect for the family that has multiple devices to charge at this one-stop charging station.
Available at: Amazon
Price: MSRP $49.99
Vamousse Lice Prevention
Lice is just something that happens. Luckily, we have never been hit, but just in case that time comes, Vamousse is there to help.
Vamousse Lice Prevention shampoo is a pesticide-free, homeopathic product that prevents lice infestation by breaking the life cycle and killing lice before they can lay eggs. Daily use for at least two weeks effectively protects the entire family when there is a head lice outbreak at school or if head lice are a concern when going to summer camp or a sleepover. Leaving hair smelling fresh and clean, Vamousse shampoo can be safely used as often as needed by all family members ages 2 and up.
Vamousse Lice Treatment is a natural, pesticide-free product that immediately eradicates active infestations, including previously resistant strains, by killing 100% of head lice and eggs within 15 minutes of application.
Available at: Amazon.com
Price: MSRP Shampoo $16.99, Treatment $24.99
French Toast Uniforms
I have worked on reviews for French Toast several times, and I keep coming back to them year after year. I love their quality and great prices. Our package arrived nicely wrapped and tucked inside a cinch sack that can be used for gym class or will come in handy for overnights.
This year, I went with one of their new Mocked Layered Pique Polo shirts. It just looks like there is an undershirt underneath that sticks out of the sleeves and top of the polo. Sneaky. My son also picked out a zipper front sweater, this will be nice for the fall weather which will be here in no time. You know French Toast carries clothing, but did you know they also carry accessories like ties, socks, and backpacks? While the backpack selection is pretty slim, my son managed to pick out a camo backpack (if you have read any of my clothing reviews, you know my son’s fascination with camo!) This backpack is a decent size for him and has a front zippered pocket.
On the French Toast website, you can shop for your uniform by school, get your school logo embroidered (if the school has set that option up)—even if they haven’t—it is a pretty easy process, and even set up a school fundraising program.
Available at: FrenchToast.com: 10% OFF your order with French Toast using coupon code QLSC10 today, Amazon.com, Local Retail Stores
Price: Varies by Style
Workman Publishing: Star Wars Workbooks
If your boys are like mine, getting them to sit and practice “schoolwork” is challenging, especially during the summer. I wish these had come out years ago…what boy doesn’t like Star Wars? It would have made summer practice so much easier! With these books, my youngest is more interested in working in them than he is in his Summer Solutions workbook. He likes all the characters and different activities, making it more interesting and keeping his attention longer.
This new line of workbooks marries Star Wars’ iconic popularity with the unique mix of editorial quality, fun presentation, and rigorous educational standards that Workman applied to the BRAIN QUEST Workbooks.
Twelve titles launch the series—three each for Pre-K through 2nd Grade—and dig deep into core subjects, including numbers, ABCs, phonics, reading readiness for younger grades, and math, reading, and writing for the older ones. The material aligns with national Common Core State Standards and is designed to reinforce essential concepts and lessons taught in schools. For more details on the workbooks, visit Workman Publishing.
Available at: Workman.com, Amazon.com
Price: MSRP $8.95
ROCKI
ROCKI is great for college-bound kids. It is a pocket-sized WiFi-equipped dongle that transforms any speaker into a wireless speaker system. This small device connects directly to any existing speaker with an audio input and then links to your personal device via a WiFi connection, enabling ROCKI to transmit high-quality audio at a greater distance. Invite friends to connect to ROCKI and let them add their tunes to the playlist.
Using the free ROCKI app for Android and iOS, you can access your saved music, stream online music services, and access multiple devices’ shared music, creating socially curated playlists with a Jukebox feel. Hook up all your speakers around your house so you can control what you listen to in every room!
Available at: Amazon.com
Price: $49 ROCKI PLAY; $145 ROCKI MY HOME Triple PLAY (set of 3 for instant ROCKI multiroom experience; includes 7 interchangeable color covers)
My Super Cookies
My Super Cookies are available in three flavors: honey, Blueberry Vanilla, and Chocolate. These cute little cookies are in the shape of fun heroes. These 100% organic, nut-free whole-grain cookies are packed with quinoa, chia, and superfruits like baobab and acerola. I am glad when I can find a healthy, good-for-you PEANUT-FREE snack that my son will actually eat. Having a peanut allergy is hard, but finding good-tasting foods shouldn’t be!
Available at: Amazon.com
Price: $4.99 per 6.25 oz box
wow so many great items , love the pencil bag and the star wars work sheets
I love the Star Wars Workbooks! I saw those on my most recent trip to Target too!!