Preschool Essentials We Actually Use (And Love!)
Back-to-school season is such a mix of emotions—excitement, nerves, and lots of prepping! As a mom of a preschooler, I’ve learned that having the right gear makes a huge difference in how smoothly our mornings go. Today I’m sharing our absolute favorite items that have made our preschool mornings easier.
Whether you're prepping your little one's first backpack or looking to upgrade your lunch setup, these are the items we truly use and love.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you shop through my links. Thank you for supporting my little corner of the internet!
Simple Modern Kids Character Backpack
These backpacks are so well-made and the size is perfect for preschoolers—not too bulky but still roomy enough to fit a folder, water bottle, change of clothes, and a lunch box. My child loves the fun character prints (unicorns, sharks, princesses, and dinosaurs—yes, please!). The padded straps make it comfy for little shoulders, and I love the durable material that holds up well even with daily use and traveling. We’ve had our Simple Modern Kids Backpack for over a year and it still looks brand new!
Simple Modern Lunch Bag
This lunch bag matches the backpack—which is adorable, but it's also super practical and easy for my preschooler to keep track of what belongs to her. It fits our Bentgo box perfectly, has a little mesh pocket for utensils, napkins, or a sweet little note—and the handle is great for little hands to carry. It’s lightweight and easy to wipe clean—a must!
Bentgo Kids Lunch Box
The Bentgo box is a preschool lunch game-changer. The sections help with portion sizes and make it fun for kids to open and explore their food. It’s leak-proof (yes, even with yogurt!) and easy for little hands to open on their own. We use ours for school, the park, and road trips.
Bentgo Thin Ice Packs
These slim ice packs fit perfectly under the Bentgo box and keep everything cold until lunchtime. I love that they don’t take up too much space in the lunch bag and they don’t make a watery mess. Just toss one in the freezer the night before, and you're good to go.
Kid-Safe Headphones
If your preschooler uses a tablet at school for learning games or quiet time — a good pair of kid-safe headphones is a must. Look for ones with volume-limiting features to protect those little ears. We love this pair with soft padding and adjustable sizing so they’ll last a few years.
Amazon Fire Kids Tablet
We’re not a big tablet family, but this one comes in handy on long car rides, airplane trips, or for the occasional quiet time. The kid-proof case is very necessary and I love the parental controls. There are tons of educational apps and books, and you can download content ahead of time so it works offline. It’s peace of mind and entertainment all in one.
Ello Emma Water Bottle
This is our go-to water bottle for everyday outings and school days. This 16 ounce stainless steel water bottle keeps water cold all day and is the perfect size for little hands. The flip lid is easy to open, has a locking lid (good-bye spills!), and my preschooler loves the fun color options.
Thermos Funtainer Water Bottle
We also rotate this water bottle when we need something that keeps water cold all day. The straw is super easy to sip from, parts are easy to replace if needed, and it never leaks in the backpack (praise!). It’s a preschool staple for a reason—and the fun characters are always a hit.
OXO Tot 2-in-1 Go Portable Potty
This is not your typical back-to-school item but, this little potty has saved us so many times while out and about. The disposable bags make cleanup super easy — no mess, no stress! It’s compact, lightweight, and fits under the seat in the car. You can use it with disposable bags or over a public toilet. It’s quick to set up and perfect for potty training kids who need an emergency option when there’s no bathroom in sight. A must-have for travel, parks, or even the school pickup line. Highly recommend for any mom on the go!
Final Thoughts
Preschool is a big transition, and having reliable gear that your child enjoys using really helps everyone feel a little more prepared. These are the items we’ve personally loved and used, and I hope they make your school mornings (and errands!) just a little bit easier too.
Bonus Resource: If you’re thinking ahead to kindergarten, I’ve created a Kindergarten Readiness Checklist you can download for free. It’s simple, supportive, and designed to give you peace of mind as you both prepare for the next big step.
Get your copy here
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you shop through my links. Thank you so much for supporting my blog + family!
Shop Our Preschool Favorites:
Here’s a quick roundup of all the products we mentioned in this post. These are the tried-and-true Amazon finds we love and repurchase: