Back to School shopping. I am a novice “back to school” shopper because thankfully for my boys’ preschool years, all I have needed is a small backpack and lots of hugs and kisses. But now, I have reached that moment. Kindergarten is upon us and in one month, I will stand at a door and give my son a giant hug and watch his little self enter the doors of a big elementary school. I will try my hardest to give him the biggest smile as he looks back, but inside tears will be forming as this is a big step for me and him. So as back to school season has started, it was time to do our first major shopping trip. I actually have been dreading it and was a little (or majorly) bummed that I missed the box of supplies that the school prepares for you earlier this summer. But then I thought to myself, this is my first time at this so let’s embrace this moment and make it special. Make it a really big deal. So this past week, my husband arrived home in time to put my youngest two to bed while Aiden (my oldest) and I loaded in the car and headed to our favorite store, Target. And this trip was going to be a trip to remember, something special, for my little boy as we joined together to pick out the long list of supplies & necessities for the year ahead.
As we entered Target, Aiden immediately got out the list. You all know what I am talking about. Clorox wipes. Boxes of Kleenex. Sharpened Pencils. Markers. Notebook. Etc. He was in charge of crossing off our list & I told myself that I would NOT leave this store until that list was done. I was fairly certain that Target with their great selection carried all the items on the list and this was going to be our one and only special school supply shopping trip.
After grabbing all the paper goods and cleaning supplies that were needed, it was time to hit the Back to School shop area. Immediately, Aiden ran to the backpack aisle. Now, what does every child need but a fun backpack? Aiden is Minion-obsessed so when he saw this awesome backpack, it was immediately popped into the cart. Target has a backpack for every kid out there. He wanted me to take a picture of the Spiderman backpack for his brother and there is a great amount of character finds for all of our “character-obsesssed” children! After a full aisle of these backpacks, we turned and found another full aisle of more funky and stylish backpacks for older children. It was great fun watching other kids there with their parents in the battle over what backpack should we get for the year. Backpacks are kind of a big deal, right?
As soon as we picked out the backpack, we moved down the aisle and you can only guess which lunchbox we picked. Yep. Hello to another Minion object that will grace my house this year. But seriously, how could you not buy this insulated Minion lunchbox? It really is pretty cool and if it brings smiles to my son’s face every day, then I am in. We had a lot of fun looking at all the different characters and prints for lunch boxes at Target.
Now it was time to get working on the list. I’m not sure who had more fun shopping for the supplies, Aiden or me, the former elementary teacher. It was fun to compare brands and prices as we filled the cart with all the necessities for the kindergarten year. Aiden enjoyed looking at all the fun “extras” including the Frozen folders, fun notebook covers, and all the different types of pens and paper that Target carries.
Aiden was starting to get a little antsy in the “necessary” supply area, so we had a couple more items to pick up to make this back to school shopping trip extra special. We headed over to the water bottle section where I honestly thought he would pick one of the superhero Thermos bottles, but instead he decided on the water bottle that looks just like his mommy and daddy’s. Last, we said good-bye to the school section with everything crossed off our list and headed across the store to the book area. First, we picked out a new book to help continue to practice his reading, which of course it was Meet the Minions. There was also a great “Back to School” end-cap where Aiden picked out the perfect book to help kick off the school year, Kindergarten Hear I Come.
From there, we checked out and said good-bye to Target & ended the night with a special “date” at Chipotle with just my boy and me. Target was the perfect place for us to do our back to school shopping this year with the great selection & prices as well as the fun “extras” that make back to school shopping a big deal for kids. It really was a fun time for Aiden & he is already telling people that he will get to have another special night like this when he goes to first grade. I am really thankful that I decided to embrace the “back to school” shopping experience at Target and make this little moment in our lives a big deal, a time to remember.
So in the end, here are some great ideas on how to make the back to school shopping experience special and fun for kids:
1. Make it a special one-on-one time.
2. Try to shop at a time that is less crowded. It makes it less stressful & more enjoyable.
3. Come prepared with the list AND buy everything you need in one trip!
4. Let them pick out a backpack and lunchbox that they love.
5. Pick out a few extras: a special water bottle, fun notebook, or new art supplies for home.
6. Find a new Back to School book.
7. Head out for a special treat afterwards.
8. Embrace the moment & remember these little “moments” in your child’s life are a BIG deal.
Every little thing is a
really big deal.
really big deal.
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Target
via Glam Media. The opinions expressed
herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or
positions of Target.
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