Outer Layer's back to school shopping list
We’ve browsed the longest back to school shopping lists, compared thousands of stationery products and listened to the cries of fed-up parents so that we can proudly present to you the Outer Layer back to school survival list. If you’re looking for unique, fun and quirky products that you won’t find in “normal” shops, Outer Layer may be just the place for you.
School supplies, why are they important?
There’s nothing like the smell of fresh school supplies! Pencil shavings, new notebook paper, the distinctive smell of an eraser. As adults, no matter how many years ago we finished school, most of us still get the feeling something new and exciting is going to start in September - even if we don’t have children in school.
Here in Toronto, as soon as the CNE opens in mid-August we know it’s game over for summer. Sad children and happy parents start to appear in shops to gear up for the new school year. Part of getting children to accept the return to school is to involve them in the process of choosing fun new school supplies!
Back to school style
Styling your child’s locks can take anywhere from 5 - 20 minutes, depending on how happy they are with your ability to french braid it whilst cooking at the same time. For this reason alone, encouraging them to start doing their own hair will save you time, give them confidence, and be sure to make you laugh when their first attempt ends in a knotted mess.
 |
 |
The key to school supplies
If you’re ready to hand down the responsibility of owning a house key to your child, why not make it fun and cool so they really want to keep it safe. Whilst unlocking your house with a good tooth might sound unnecessary, allowing your child to choose how their keys and keychain looks will turn them into a personal treasure, great for your peace of mind. And you can always write them a little love note on our lightbox keychain.
|
|
|
|
Upgrade their pencil case
Upgrade their pencil case and keep them interested in learning by giving them fun tools to work with. Although you may never be able to make them see the beauty in math, you can give them beautiful stationery to write with. It’s all about creating excitement in places that are usually dull, and in doing so your child will naturally engage more.
From cute pencils to colourful erasers, we’ve hand-selected these pencil case must-haves for anyone going back to school:
|
|
|
|
Who made the coolest lunch? You did.
It’s break time on the first day back, children are gathered around the lunch tables trading snacks and comparing treats. Suddenly, your child pulls out a Dia De Los Muertos Silver Set that stuns the playground. Your child comes home, ruler of their new school, and you, you’re probably the best parent ever. Packed lunches will never be the same, and you won’t have to worry about them losing this cutlery as they come in a very handy carrying case. Why not upgrade their lunchtime experience even more and equip them with one of our fashionable lunch sacks? They’re guaranteed to keep any treasures fresh whilst giving you that back to school style.
|
|
|
|
|
Socks, the final hurdle
You’ve almost done it. They’re fully equipped with stationery, any wrinkles in their routine have been ironed out and most importantly, because of you, they’re going to make it on time for their first day back. Cue the socks. If you’re finding it difficult to attach a sock onto a child’s leg that seemingly orbits your hands, we know just what you need to turn the tides. We’ve compiled socks with Unicorns, T-rexes, Pizza, Sharks and even Catterfly - sure to grab the attention of every child, no matter how out of this world their interests might be.
|
|
|
|
The start of the rest of their lives
Helping your child feel prepared and involving them in the process is the best way to ensure they have a positive start. Simply by making their learning tools more engaging, you’ll find your child as much keener to involve themselves with learning. Finally, let’s not forget how your child must be feeling on this day, it’s important that we help them get the best possible start. You never know, their new pencil case might spark a conversation that produces a lifetime friendship.