11 Essential Back-to-School Items

Give a hug from home. It's easier to digest your meal when you're pulling out a brightly decorated fabric snack pack from Fluf, the Canadian manufacturer of these cute carriers. Large enough to carry a full sandwich, and composed of 100% organic cotton, these bags have a wipeable, water-resistant lining, are free of all negativity—BPA, phthalates, lead and toxins—and are machine washable too.

Get them excited about a new school year with new school gear that includes personalized pencils. Order a personalized pencil case or a 145 piece personalized stationery set. No need to thank us for the sharp tip(s).

Having lots (and lots) of paper on hand at home is hardly a new idea. But having a stash of paper made from 60% recycled content (30% post-consumer fibre) might be. Sure, it's a mouthful to ask for, but better than adding to a landfill. So for homework, artwork, or our grocery lists, a supply of ‘green' paper (that's really more tan) will show you're taking a page out of the good earth book.

Wipe on, wipe off. Such is the genius of Zwipes notebooks and binders which offer lined sheets on the inside, and a dry-erase cover on the outside. They're perfect for important notes like quick math calculations, spelling checks, and their friend's high score on their latest download. Available in assorted colours, give kids a binder of their own, without wiping out your budget.

We don't remember asking what was in the glue we used as kids, but we think it involved cow's feet. Thank goodness for Clementine Art Supplies, makers of non-toxic crayons, markers, modeling clay, and their Natural Glue that is free from any chemical dyes, additives, or artificial ingredients. Mooove over, old glue, hello my darling Clementine.

For jotting down all those big thoughts, new ideas, doodle-art work, and the all-important birthday invite list, give the kids a colourful, Canadian made notebook that supports a good cause too. Ecojot, the proudly Canadian eco-friendly stationary company produces notebooks with patterned, floral, animal and expressive covers. Each time you make a purchase, they donate a product to a child in need.

Tread carefully. When you buy back-to-school gear, do you know where your money goes? In the case of Toms, the generous shoe company, a purchase of a pair of their shoes means another pair will be donated to a child in a developing country. As if that wasn't enough to make us loyal customers, Toms also happens to make well-constructed, fashionable, and comfortable shoes for the whole family. Their Youth line includes these Cord Classics in Teal, with elastic at the top for easy on and off and suede insoles with rubber cushions for comfort. Good soles, indeed.

Life-threatening allergies aren't something you want to keep hidden, but the prescription auto-injector is, as long as it's kept safe and nearby. For kids who can't always be expected to remember everything, Olli Lolli, the allergy aware apparel manufacturer for kids, makes life easier for you, your child and their teacher. Olli Lolli's organic cotton hoodies and nylon/cotton windbreakers come with a specially sized auto-injector pocket, so their medicine can be kept on them hassle-free at all times. Living with kids with allergies? Just carry on.

Celebrate a new year with a Back to School necklace from LoveLinx, the Canadian sterling silver jeweler. Featuring a picture frame pendant that displays a photo of family (or someone else important to her), the Back to School necklace will be something she can hang on to, or around her, as she moves between your world and hers.

Long before they ever learn about mojo, they'll be asking you about MOGO's. Before you start into an awkward conversation, remember the difference in pronunciation. MOGO's are the line of bracelets and magnetic charms that kids can mix and match to make bracelets, anklets, even belts. Each charm band is sold separately and the magnetic charms in hundreds of styles are sold in packages of three. Mojo, on the other hand, is something else and we'll leave that conversation to you.

Thanks to their sippy cup and early water-bottle days, they know all the dinosaurs and construction vehicles by name. But now, they'd prefer anonymity when it comes to hauling their acqua. Provide a vessel that won't stand out but will stand upright when full, and slip back into their backpack after their thirst has been quenched. Reebok's black bottle is BPA free and holds up to 750 ml.