Back to School Essentials 2026
Even though it comes around at the same time every year, the return of the back-to-school period can often bring a mix of excitement and stress!
That's why, at Décor, we’re here to take some of the guesswork out with our handy back to school guide! Think of it as your ultimate timesaving and stress-reducing resource, so you can forget about having to do the frantic shopping runs and last-minute purchases because we have you sorted.
To get your kids through the school year, you need products that can keep up with them. At Décor, we have been designing storage solutions for over 60 years, so we know a thing or to when it comes to creating quality products for the whole family. From leak-proof lunchboxes and insulated drink bottles to clever snack bags, we have something for every student, whether they're heading into the first day of kinder or their final year of high school.
When Do Kids Go Back in 2026?
Sometimes it’s easier to start planning by working backwards! If you know what day your kids go back to the classroom, then you can get a head start on when you need to have everything ready by. That includes prepping lunch boxes and snacks bags and deciding on weekly menu might.
Most back to school dates are usually between late January and early February. It’s best to check your state's official term dates now to ensure you have everything prepped and ready!
Download your states school calendar:
- VIC School Calendar
- NSW School Calendar
- QLD School Calendar
- WA School Calendar
- ACT School Calendar
- NT School Calendar
- SA School Calendar
- TAS School Calendar
The Ultimate Back to School Checklist for Parents
We've created the ultimate back to school checklist to help keep you organised and relaxed. From the essential food and hydration gear, which at Décor, we have plenty of options to choose from, to the must-have stationery and uniform items, use this list to keep track of everything you need and ensure your kids are ready for the school year.
You can even download our handy PDF for easy shopping!
✅ Food & Hydration
- Lunch box
- Drink bottle
- Insulated lunch bag
✅ Stationery & Study
- Pencils, pens, erasers
- Ruler, scissors, glue stick
- Pencil case
- Notebooks and exercise books
- School diary or planner
✅ Uniform & Personal Items
- School uniform and shoes
- School bag
- Sunscreen
- Name labels
✅ Sport & Extra-Curricular
- Sports uniform
- Sports bag
- Musical instrument (if applicable)
- Water bottle for sport days
Why the Right Lunch Box & Drink Bottle Matter
Picking out the right lunch box and drink bottle is important for more reasons than you might think. Not only do you want to make sure your kids have a healthy meal every day, but you also want to make sure the lunch box itself is one that will actually last the school year! Choose a lunch box that is made from high quality and durable materials, like the ones in our Décor Lunch Boxes and Bags range. These are all BPA-free to keep food safe and fresh and their tough design means they can withstand being tossed around the playground or into lockers. The leakproof lids also guarantee no messy surprises in the school bag either, so less hassle when it comes to cleaning.
And don’t forget about keeping your kids hydrated! A reusable drink bottle is a great way to make sure children are drinking water throughout their busy school day. Drink bottles that are light weight, leakproof, and come with easy to carry handles are always the best options to look out for. Our HydroFit Drink Bottles offer a great selection of bottles and lids so your child can pick the style that fits them best.
Good food and plenty of water are key to ensuring your kids have the energy to get them through a long school day, so you want to make sure it all arrives fresh and in one piece!
Choosing the Best School Lunch Box
When it comes to choosing the best school lunch box for your child, you want to consider what it the right fit for their age and eating habits. Luckily these days, there are plenty of options and styles to pick from!
Bento Boxes
Bento box lunch boxes are designed after the traditional Japanese segmented lunch meals. These boxes feature multiple built-in compartments and dividers of various sizes, which allow different foods and snacks to be added without them touching or needed to be plastic wrapped. These types of lunch boxes are great for younger children and fussy eaters who prefer to have their food separated. Many also come with airtight seals to keep snacks fresh and avoid major spills. If you after a lunch box like this, the Décor Bento 4 Compartment Lunch Box is a great choice!
Compartment Lunch Boxes
Compartment lunch boxes are very similar to bento style ones but often offer larger sections, making them a better choice for older kids and teenagers, who usually need bigger portions. These are also great if you want to minimise the number of containers your kids need to bring to school so they are less likely to lose them. Many styles are microwave-safe, allowing for easy reheating of leftovers, like pasta or rice, and are leakproof so you don’t have to worry about mystery foods in the bottom of their school bags!
Snack Boxes and Bags
Snack boxes and bags are smaller, even lighter lunch box options that are perfect for recess or after-school activities and work well for kids of all school levels. They are great for fruits, especially if you child prefers them cut up, or for dry snacks like crackers or chips.
Choosing a lunch box that features integrated compartments and are made from strong and food safe materials is key, that’s why Décor’s Kids Lunch Boxes are designed with all this and more in mind, making them a great choice when it comes to preparing lunch for the school year.
Choosing the Best School Drink Bottle
Bringing a drink bottle to school is vital for children of all ages, and not just during the warmer terms either. Staying well hydrated throughout the day ensures kids can keep up their energy from the first bell to last. For primary aged children, smaller, lighter bottles that have flip top lids and straws offer easy and fast hydration, with less chances of major spills on desks. You’ll also want to look for bottles that feature a leakproof lid wear possible, to avoid soggy school bags too.
For high schoolers, drink bottles with a larger capacity are a great way to get them through the longer classes. Bottles with screw lids or chug caps means they can get more water per sip or if they want a more subtle drinking method, a straw top is a good choice, such as the Décor Soft-Sip Tritan™ Bottle with Rigid Handle and Stainless Steel Straw, 750ml.
Look for drink bottles made from long lasting materials like insulated stainless steel or high-quality BPA-free plastic to withstand it falling out of bags or being dropped. Bottles with wider openings or detachable parts also make for easy cleaning to keep things hygienic.
Make Back to School Easy with Décor
For a stress-free start to the school year, Décor has you covered. Our handy guide has everything you need to get prepared for the year ahead so you don’t have Designed to withstand the rough and tumble of the school yard, our durable, airtight, and leakproof lunch and drink products will have your kids eager to get to break time every day. Get a head start on your back-to-school shopping by picking up your kids’ ideal lunch boxes and drink bottles now and head into the new school year prepared for whatever is to come.
Check out our back-to-school essentials here:
