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Depending on how your summer went, you could be dismayed or delighted at the thought of being back on the school run.
The one thing you definitely shouldn’t feel? Panicked at the thought of omitting a crucial element from their back to school checklist.
Because while you were busy sizing up school uniform staples and shopping for all the right textbooks, other crucial essentials may have escaped your attention. It’s natural, there’s only so much you can cram into your brain.
But have no fear: that’s where Metro’s shopping prowess kicks in. In an effort to help frazzled parents and caregivers everywhere, we’ve drawn up a list of the often-forgotten but much-needed paraphernalia required for the fresh academic year.
From school bags and lunchboxes to reusable notebooks and phones that prioritise online safety – and not forgetting the thrill of brand new stationery – we’ve collated a run down of the essential bits and pieces no child can start school without.
And you can breathe a sigh of relief, because there’s no need to stampede en masse to the shops either. Not when Amazon will deliver everything you need, right to your doorstep, as soon as the next day (same day if you live in certain cities), giving you more time left to enjoy the last golden drops of summer together.
You’re welcome.
XPLORA HMD Fusion X1
Much has been made of the perils of kids and smartphones – for parents, it’s a tricky tightrope to walk.
On one hand, you want them to be safe and having a phone is helpful for emergencies.
On the other, it’s wrecking their focus at school and putting potentially nefarious content in their hands.
Enter HMD Fuse, which may well be one of the safest smartphones you can buy for children. It allows parents to track their whereabouts, check their contacts list (and approve anyone new), and most reassuringly of all, totally blocks explicit content from their screen.
Settings can be tweaked as your child grows and develops a better understanding of online safety.
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook
For secondary school pupils and those about to sit exams, a laptop is essential for coursework and research.
Lenovo’s Chromebook is a great low-cost option with a 14-inch screen that’s perfect for study and streaming.
Customers have rated the battery life, performance and appearance. It’s light enough to put in a school bag for presentations and has WiFI6 and Bluetooth connectivity.
FIORETTO Lightweight School Backpack
For the back and forth to school, a decent backpack is worth its weight in gold.
This design, available in nine colours, comes with an impressive number of pockets and compartments, making organisation child’s play.
It’s lightweight, boasts padded shoulder pads, and is crafted from water-repellant nylon, keeping the contents nice and dry.
There’s even an anti-theft pocket at the back to keep essentials safe.
BROTOU Unisex Drawstring Backpack
Got the next Jude Bellingham on your hands?
Welcome the footie skills, but not the smells, with this clever drawstring backpack, which has a separate zippered compartment for muddy boots and wet kit, isolating whiffy odours.
The drawstring design comes with mesh side compartments and is made with waterproof fabric, increasing its durability.
Available in a selection of colours and patterns.
Everusely Stainless Steel Bento Box 0.8L
We are all using far too much plastic in our everyday lives, so if you can roll back one element for your kids, let it be with their lunchbox.
This one is made from stainless steel, which also makes it easier to clean.
Designed in a bento style, there are three compartments for the main dish and two sides.
It comes with a lidded pot and a strong elastic band to keep the lid secure and bags safe from spills.
Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle
However you feel about the craze for overskilled water bottles, let us all be thankful that proper hydration has become a trend in the playground.
Keep good habits going with a brand new water bottle.
Owala has knocked Stanley off its perch as the brand du jour.
With fun colour palettes (including this ‘camo cool’), a capacity of 710ml, and leak-free cap, we’re sold.
soundcore Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds
For kids forever losing theirs, it’s best to buy inexpensive headphones.
But that doesn’t have to mean poor quality – as Anker proves with this set of wireless buds.
Offering ANC, deep bass and up to 10 hours of playtime, they’re currently on sale from £29.99.
CLOCKY Alarm Clock on Wheels
If memories of shouting yourself hoarse every morning to get the kids up have come back to haunt you this September, here’s a way to make that a thing of the past.
Get creative with an alarm clock that won’t rest until they’re wide awake, like this clock on wheels.
It allows you one snooze before it runs riot across the room, emitting a noise that even the heaviest sleepers can’t ignore.
The only way to turn it off? Get out of bed and catch it.
Nelko Label Maker P21 Portable Bluetooth Sticker Printer with Tape
Make hunting through lost property for their possessions a thing of the past.
All you need is this nifty label maker, which uses thermal technology to make labels – so no expensive ink cartridges to replace.
The rechargeable Bluetooth-operated device prints on stickers, making them perfect for multiple applications – think lunchboxes, notebooks, stationery and more.
Available in seven colours.
17 Piece Stationery Set
Every base is covered with this 17 piece stationery set available at Amazon.
From rulers and highlighters to ballpoint pens and a compass for core subjects, this is the ultimate one-and-done purchase.
You’ll even get a notepad and sticky notes, helpful for both classwork and home revision.
No wonder 400 sets have been bought in the past month by Amazon customers.
Helix Oxford Complete Back to School Stationery Set
If you’ve got a bit more to play with in terms of a budget or want to include tools like a scientific calculator to your child’s kit, Helix makes some of the best school stationery around.
This set includes pens, coloured pencils, maths tools and so much more.
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