As we usher in the new year, get your kids ready for school with Motherswork’s preschool recommendations. These include lunch boxes, rain and shine essentials, as well as backpacks.
Lunch Boxes
Penny Scallan Design Bento Box
We love the different sections in Penny Scallan bento box so you can separate different food groups.
One great option for your kids’ lunchboxes is the Penny Scallan Design Bento Box ($47.92), with six different compartments. Inside, the silicone lid prevents liquids from seeping into the other areas. Additionally, the round middle compartment is designed to hold yoghurt, dips or sauces. The bento box is also free from BPA and phthalates, is easy to clean, and dishwasher safe (if you put it on the top rack). Each compartment is also helpfully labelled so you can ensure your child is getting a well-balanced meal. Choose from four different designs, including Llamas, Big City, Wild Lion and Chirpy Bird.
Sugarbooger Kitty Good Lunch Snack Container
A smaller, more compact option is the Sugarbooger Kitty Good Lunch Snack Container Set of 2 ($9.90), perfect if you’re packing some easy snacks for break time in kindergarten or childcare. These containers are clear, durable, and leak proof. Better still, they’re also BPA-free, and odour, stain, shatter and scratch-resistant. Aside from school snacks, these containers are also perfect for microwaving and freezing portions of food. Additionally, it’s also dishwasher safe.
Stasher Reusable Silicone Bag
Not only is the Stasher bag great for snacks, you could also put your phone in for safekeeping - the touchscreen works through it.
Forgo the sandwich wraps and opt for a more eco-friendly, reusable option. Available in three sizes, store snacks for the little ones in a Stasher Reusable Silicone Bag ($18.90 for the small one). Made of 100 per cent pure platinum silicone, this dishwasher and microwave safe non-toxic bag is endlessly reusable.
Skip Hop Zoo Little Kid Lunch Kit
This colourful lunch kit comes in several designs and is dishwasher and microwave-safe.
Another great choice is the Skip Hop Zoo Little Kid Lunch Kit ($15.92), which comes in several designs. The super colourful kit includes a lunch box and snack container with a leak-proof lid. Additionally, the clips that lock the lunch box are easy to open, even for little hands. Of course, like the rest of the options above, this is also dishwasher safe (if put on the top rack) and microwavable, although you do have to microwave at the lowest heat level, without the lid.
Don’t forget to pack healthy snacks like the Kiddylicious Veggie Straws or the Chunky Puffs, which is great for kids who are gluten intolerant, vegetarians, or coeliacs.
Backpacks
Skip Hop Zoo Little Kid Backpack
With multiple designs, this school backpack by Skip Hop has pockets for your kids to store all their items.
Next, choose a roomy school backpack for them to put all their essentials. The Skip Hop Zoo Little Kid Backpack ($30.32) is great, firstly because it has tons of different designs. Also, it can fit a water bottle, juice box or sippy cup at the mesh side pocket. Meanwhile, the front pouch includes extra pockets for pencils and travel necessities and snacks. Finally, the bag is free of phthalates and is easy to clean, with a write-on name tag inside.
Penny Scallan Medium Backpack
This Penny Scallan backpack is scratch proof and water resistant.
Another option is the 100 per cent canvas Penny Scallan Medium Backpack ($47.92). The bag has a scratch-proof and water resistant coating, making it super easy to clean. Choose from the Loopy Llama and the Dino Rock backpacks. Organise their items properly in the main compartment, zippered front and side pockets, and the drawstring pocket for their drink bottles on the other side.
Stationery
Crayola 30 Count Twistable Coloured Pencils
Other essentials include stationery. Should your child need to do lots of colouring, get them the Crayola 30 Count Twistable Coloured Pencils ($16.72) that doesn’t require peeling or sharpening.
Melissa & Doug Child-Safe Scissor Set
One more useful stationery item would be a pair of scissors. For this, we recommend the Melissa & Doug Child-Safe Scissor Set ($5.90), which can cut either straight or zigzag lines. Even better, they’re even suitable for lefties! However, these scissors can’t cut through clothes or hair, so they’re perfectly safe for your little ones to use.
Health
PN Kids Kids Vitamin C + Elderberry
Keep kids’ immunity up with these vitamins from PN Kids.
Ward off the flu bug and other viruses with PN Kids Kids Vitamin C + Elderberry ($34.90) vitamins. Chock full of Vitamin C, beta carotene and rosehip extract, this helps improve your child’s immunity. Other benefits include helping the body fight damaging free radicals and enhancing collagen production. Additionally, elderberries are rich in antioxidants, preventing cell damage and protecting against harmful bacteria, viral infections and common colds. Even better, there are no artificial flavours or colours,preservatives or gelatin in these vitamins. Hence they’re suitable for vegetarians as well.
PN Kids Kids Probiotic
Another vitamin mums could consider is the PN Kids Kids Probiotic ($39.90) gummies, which promote healthy immunity and digestion. Start by restoring the balance of bacteria in your child’s digestive tract so the “good” bacteria can boost your child’s immune system by encouraging a healthy barrier against viruses and germs. Also included in the gummies is Bacillus Coagulans, a unique, naturally dormant strain of spore-form bacteria that can survive in spite of stomach acid. Thus, children can better absorb the vitamin in their bodies. As with the above vitamins, this also has no artificial colours or flavours, gelatin or preservatives and is safe for vegetarians.
Skip Hop Zoo Lock-Top Sports Bottle
Keep kids hydrated with this super cute Skip Hop sports bottle.
Of course, children need to drink lots of water as well to aid digestion, help avoid constipation and for proper blood circulation. Great for children three and above, this 14 oz Skip Hop Zoo Lock-Top Sports Bottle ($15.92) includes an easy-grip finger loop, silicone drinking spout and a locking lid to prevent spills and leaks. The designs feature signature Skip Hop Zoo characters, and of course, it’s also BPA, PVC and phthalate-free.
Sun and Rain Protection
Babyganics Sunscreen Lotion
The ingredients in the Babyganics Sunscreen Lotion are plant-derived and certified organic.
Protect your child against excessive exposure to the sun with sunscreen, whether it’s SPF 30 or SPF 50. Using ingredients that defend against harmful rays and protect delicate skin, the Babyganics Sunscreen Lotion ($23.90 for SPF 30, 4oz or $28.90 for SPF 50, 6oz). This formulation is made without chemicals, PABA, phthalates, parabens, fragrances or nano-particles. Instead, the ingredients are plant-derived and certified organic, including NeoNourish® Seed Oil Blend, comprising a blend of tomato, cranberry, raspberry seed oils, sunflower and black cumin. Additionally, the sunscreen protects against UVA/UVB, and is water resistant for up to 80 minutes. Finally, the formulation is tear free and non-allergenic.
Mustela SPF 50+ Sun Lotion
This Mustela SPF 50+ Sun Lotion is even safe for newborns.
Another good sun lotion is the Mustela SPF 50+ Sun Lotion ($31.84 for 100ml), which promises very high protection and is also very water resistant. Also, it strengthens the skin’s barrier and preserves babies’ and children’s skin with avocado perseose. Moreover, this sun lotion is guaranteed to be safe for newborns and is hypoallergenic without fragrances or alcohol. Of the ingredients, 85 per cent of them originate from nature. Aside from applying sun lotion, babies and children should be kept out of direct sunlight, and should be reapplied every two hours.
California Baby Super Sensitive (No Fragrance) Broad Spectrum SPF 30+ Sunscreen
Using organic and sustainably grown ingredients, this California Baby sunscreen is great for kids with super sensitive skin.
A third option is California Baby Super Sensitive™ (No Fragrance) Broad Spectrum SPF 30+ Sunscreen ($34.93 for 2.9oz). Named WebMD Expert’s Choice’s winner, this PABA and fragrance free sunscreen is great for babies with super delicate skin or for those who are allergic to fragrances. The non-staining formula is also very water-resistant, and uses organic and sustainably grown ingredients.
Skip Hop Zoobrella Little Kid Umbrella
Whether it’s sunny or rainy, this Skip Hop umbrella will shield kids from the elements.
Protect your child from the rain with a Skip Hop Zoobrella Little Kid Umbrella ($23.92). With a peekaboo windowpane, children can easily see what’s ahead in crowded places, while they’re protected from the wind and water. Better yet, coordinate the umbrella with the raincoat for a super cute rainy day outfit. The child-sized handle and kid-friendly release also helps little fingers to easily open and close the umbrella.
Skip Hop Zoo Raincoat
Create a matching coordinate for rainy days with the Skip Hop umbrella and raincoat.
For extra rain protection, get the Skip Hop Zoo Raincoat ($63.92), with a colourful hooded visor and 3D ears. Moreover, the raincoat (from 1 - 6 years old) has coordinating snaps, easy for little ones to manipulate, as well as adjustable sleeves.
Image credits: Babyganics, California Baby, Mustela, Penny Scallan, PN Kids, Skip Hop, and Stasher
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