Our Very Best Back To School Buying Guide for 2015

School may be in session where you live, but it's NOT too late to shop! We have been carefully following all the trends and products available for the new season, and we have picked our favorite buys for making your transitions easy and productive.  See what we love in each of these categories!

Tech


Nextbook Flexx 10 2-in-1 Windows Tablet (Walmart $178)

With 5 students in one home, we can get "grabby" with the laptops and computers.  Luckily, we have been using the Windows Nextbook series at our home to help round out the technology.  This year, Walmart is selling the Nextbook Flexx 10 2-in-1 Windows tablet and it comes with a limited edition neoprene sleeve, plus students can upgrade to Windows 10 for free!

For just $178, you get touch-screen responsiveness (like a tablet), but the convenience of a removable keyboard (like a laptop). It's great for college and high school students, and the access to educational apps through the Windows store is amazing!  Check out the MyHomework app to manage assignments, ebook compatibility with Kindle and Borders bookstore, or use the Office 365 Personal subscription to get popular programs like Word and Excel. You'll never lose your work with the included 1TB of online storage free for one year.

Amplifyze TCL Pulse ($39.95 online)



Getting up in time for school can be such a dramatic event. Loud alarms wake the whole house, and snooze buttons are just too easy to employ. The Amplifyze TCL Pulse is a unique solution to sleeping in with a Bluetooth enabled device that fits easily under a pillow or on a night stand and either gives a tone or vibrates for gentle waking.  The free app that comes with the device is only for Apple devices for now; we love that it comes in white, black or pink and helps kids become more responsible for their mornings!

Shoes


Bzees Slip-Ons
A photo posted by Linsey Knerl (@lknerl) on
The right shoe can make a HUGE difference in your day, so for busy moms, I can't say enough good things about my favorite pair of kicks right now, the Bzees Lavish Slip-On (mine are blue). I rocked these shoes on a recent business trip, then took them home to do housework and help with homework. They are so comfy and so stylish that I can no longer feel guilty about wearing a pair of shoes that are cute; they really are good for my toes!  You can find this style in 3 colors, but the entire line of Bzees Slip-Ons are perfect for whatever your day throws at you.


Skechers Game Kicks ($65 at Skechers.com)



Kids don't get enough exercise, but one shoe is out to change all that. The Skechers Game Kicks shoes are designed to give boys and girls another reason to put on their outside shoes and get moving!  These interactive "kicks" act as a game, but they also offer the same support and comfort that you would expect from Skechers.  Help kids stay mentally and physical fit this school year (and put those video games away for awhile.) The Game Kicks shoes have your child covered!

Robeez Active Ace Soft Soles ($26, MyRobeez.com)



My little guy wear tennis shoes like the rest of the crowd. But sometimes, he needs a comfy shoe that shows his personality. These comic-inspired Active Ace Soft Soles from Robeez are adorable and trendy -- and perfect for a future superhero or comic book lover.  We love the elastic opening that keeps the shoes on baby's feet, and the non-slip suede soles are great for any surface!

Health and Wellness


Softsoap Fragrant Foaming Collection ($2.48 at Walmart)

Dirty hands won't do this school year, so we've been proactive by placing Softsoap Fragrant Foaming hand soaps in all the important rooms in our home.  With scents like Jasmine & White Cotton for a "clean" feeling, and the yummy, bright antibacterial strength of the Kitchen Citrus Bliss soap, it's easy to get kids to lather up.  I'm partial to the indulgent and sweet Whipped Cocoa Butter, myself!  Snag one in all three scents to please (and clean) every hand in your household.

Nexcare Acne Absorbing Covers ($7.99 at Amazon)



Looking for a chemical-free way to zap zits over night before setting foot in school? This brand new product from Nexcare is a simple sticker that kids (and grownups) can put over a pimple to suck out all the nasty, greasy stuff and help it heal faster -- without medicines or irritants. They come in different sizes, so you can find the right cover for your zit, and while we choose to use them overnight, they can be used during the day under makeup for a barely noticeable solution to common acne. You can tell it's done working when the cover turns white. Give your teen or preteen a box of Nexcare Acne Absorbing Covers for their gym bag and help them fight acne naturally.

NO-AD Sport Sunscreen Stick ($6.99, nationwide)



Summer may be over, the but the sun's powerful rays can still cause burns and damage.  Keep kids protected during sports and at recess with the affordable and effective NO-AD suncare line.  We keep a stick of the Sport Sunscreen with SPF 50 in all the kids' bags to put on in a pinch. It's easy to apply by themselves, and it won't melt in the gym bag. It's fragrance free and non-irritating, so you can use it on your face, too.


Snacks


Crispy Fruit from Crispy Green ($17 for 16, Amazon)




Fruit is tasty and healthy, but kids just aren't always in the mood for an apple.  Crispy Fruit from Crispy Green has won favor in our family as an ultra-portable, 100% freeze-dried fresh fruit that kids can take anywhere. It requires no refrigeration and packs neatly into lunchboxes or backpacks. With no added stuff, it's just fruit! Try non-GMO verified, Asian Pear, Pineapple, Mango, Apple, or Tangerine this school year. (Or get the variety pack and try them all!)

Goya Coconut Water with Lychee Fruit (Amazon)




We all know that coconut water has a hydrating effect that can't be matched. We love keeping some on hand for when kids feel ill, it's hot outside, or other drinks don't satisfy. For kids that like their drinks a bit sweeter, I recommend the new line of Goya Coconut Waters with fruity twists, like the Lychee Fruit!  I really enjoyed drinking this, and my toddler found it to be perfect in his sippy cup when he had a fever.  Keep some in your fridge for when you need it, or put it in a lunchbox for a healthier alternative to sodas or sugary drinks.  The Goya Coconut Waters also come in Guava, Pomegranate, and Mango, too!

Stay tuned for our homeschoolers back-to-school book and curriculum guide!

*Samples of some items have been received to try and share our opinions. All opinions are our own.

Comments

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    1. They are my new favorite shoe! I showed them to family at the last holiday, and a few of them had to go out and get their own! I want another color for my next trip.

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