Getting organised for the school year isn’t just about stuff – it’s about creating routines that work. You'll go from frantic to totally in control with a little prep and a few game-changing organisation tools.
Back to school. Three words that either spark pure joy (hello, quiet coffee in peace) or sheer panic (where did the holidays go?!). If you’re somewhere in between, scrambling to find last year’s lunchbox lids and realising the uniforms have mysteriously shrunk, we’ve got you covered.
Here’s your ultimate back-to-school checklist – not just the usual pencils and backpacks, but the real essentials that keep you organised, sane, and maybe even ahead of the game.
1. The Night-Before Game Plan
Mornings are chaos. Kids move at the speed of sloths, and someone always forgets their library book. Cut the stress with a night-before routine:
✅ Lunchbox packed and ready to go in the AM.
✅ Uniform ready and laid out complete with undies and socks.
✅ School bag checked for all the things: homework, permission slips, mystery art projects and essentials.
✅ Water bottle filled because hydration is key and drink fountains are questionable.
💡 Must-have: A family planner or weekly checklist stuck to the fridge so everyone knows what’s happening. Shop our 7-Day Planners and routine charts to keep things running smoothly!
2. Lunchbox Wins (That Kids Will Actually Eat)
Lunchboxes are a battleground. Some days, they come home empty. Other days, you wonder if your child ate anything or just traded for a chocolate bar.
Here’s how to keep things simple and stress-free:
🍏 Prep snacks in bulk – cut fruit, portion out crackers, and avoid the morning scramble.
🍞 Use a meal planner – a week’s worth of lunch ideas saves you from staring blankly into the fridge.
🎒 Label everything – because lunchboxes have a habit of disappearing into the void.
💡 Must-have: A good lunchbox to keep everything fresh. Bonus points if you can fit everything in one and save yourself the hassle of hunting for multiple containers.
3. School Morning Survival Kit
Mornings will never be relaxing, but they can be less chaotic. Set up a grab-and-go station near the door with:
📌 Hairbrush & hair ties (because school photos always happen on messy hair days)
📌 Spare socks (because where do they even go?!)
📌 Sticky notes for last-minute reminders
📌 Sunscreen for a quick slap-on before the school bell
💡 Must-have: A morning checklist for the kids—so you’re not repeating “Shoes! Hat! Sunscreen!” 15 times. Check out our visual routine charts to make mornings smoother (and quieter).
4. Homework & Afternoon Hustle
Once school’s back, the real fun begins: homework, after-school activities, and the endless “I’m hungry” declarations.
📝 Create a homework station with pencils, erasers, and a set spot to work.
🏆 Use a reward chart to track homework and reading time (hello, motivation!).
🗓 Keep a term planner for assignments, events, and important dates.
💡 Must-have: Our term planners are a game-changer for keeping track of after-school activities, reminders, homework and (most importantly) which day is sports day.
5. The Bedtime Reset
The key to surviving the school year? A solid bedtime routine. A predictable wind-down helps everyone recharge for the next day.
🌙 Limit screens before bed (we know, we know… but it helps!)
📖 Encourage reading time – even just 10 minutes before lights out.
🛏 Stick to a set bedtime (because no one wants a 7am meltdown over missing socks).
💡 Must-have: Our daily routine planner makes it easy for kids to follow along (and keep the bedtime excuses to a minimum).
Ready to Nail the School Year?
Getting organised isn’t just about stuff – it’s about creating routines that work. With a little prep and a few game-changing organisation tools, you’ll go from frantic to totally in control (or at least looking like it).
👉 Shop our Back-to-School collection now for planners, checklists and more!