11 items for back to school you've probably overlooked

Our verdict

Small enough to pop into their school bag, this Carex Moisture Plus Hand Gel will ensure your child keeps their hands clean during the school day.

It kills 99.99% of bacteria - so will hopefully help keep some of those nasty bugs at bay - and is fast drying so they can do a quick application before lunch or after they’ve been to the toilet.

Our verdict

Another item you may want to pack in their school bag, these wipes can be used to clean and freshen your child’s skin throughout the school day. They can be used to wipe their face and hands if they’re feeling sticky after their lunch or after running around at playtime. 

Made with vitamin E, these wipes by Boots are fragrance free to help moisture and soften the skin and leave it feeling refreshed. They’re also plastic and chlorine free and biodegradable so are kind to the environment too.

Our verdict

Let’s face it, with kids, you can never have too many tissues. From wiping a snotty nose when a winter cold hits to dabbing at a bloody knee, storing a packet of tissues in their bag or coat pocket will always come in handy.

In this Boots pack of tissues, you get six packets of ten tissues for just 90p so that should keep them stocked up for a while. The tissues are soft enough for wiping sensitive skin while still being strong so they don’t fall apart easily in your hands.

Our verdict

It’s one of the things parents fear most about going back to school. The dreaded head lice can make an appearance at any time during the school year and the sooner you treat it, the better.

So make sure you have a bottle of the Lyclear Original Head Lice Treatment Shampoo in your cupboard so you don’t have to rush to the shops at the last minute. It not only treats your hair, getting rid of the lice and eggs, it washes your hair at the same time. There’s also a comb included to make sure you’ve removed all the eggs. The treatment works in just 15 minutes.

Our verdict

While eating a healthy diet is the best way to ensure your child gets all the nutrients they need, that’s not always possible with fussy children! So vitamins can help make sure they stay healthy. Each of the tablets in the Vitabiotics WellKid Multivitamins provide a range of 21 nutrients suitable for children aged 4-12 years.

These nutrients include Iodine, which contributes to the growth of children, iron for aiding cognitive development and vitamin D. The chewable tablets are a tasty mixed fruit flavour, so are just like eating a sweet, but they have no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives and are suitable for vegetarians.

Our verdict

For sunny days at school, you’ll need to make sure you apply some sunscreen in the morning and ideally one that will last most of the day. This Soltan Kids Once Suncare Roll On is very easy to apply and it provides SPF 50+ protection for eight hours - from just one application.

It’s also small enough that you can put it in your child’s school bag in case they do need to reapply throughout the day. Designed for children, it’s suitable for sensitive skin and is water resistant for up to three hours so you can use it if you go on holiday too. The sunscreen has a five star UVA rating for offering the most effective protection.

Our verdict

It might not be the most obvious back to school item, but it may come in handy if your child is susceptible to insect bites and you want to make sure they’re protected while at school. The Boots Repel Maximum contains 50% DEET with a strength rating of four so should provide strong protection from all kinds of bugs. 

It lasts for up to eight hours too so you can roll it on first thing in the morning and it should last the whole school day. If you’re jetting away anywhere this autumn you can use it there too as it’s designed for tropical destinations. Suitable for children aged two and above.

Our verdict

When kids are running around during playtime with friends, it’s not uncommon for them to come home with scraped knees or a bumped head. So ahead of the new school year, stock up on this Boots Mini First Aid Kit to make sure you have all the medical essentials to hand should you need them. 

The 74 piece set includes plasters, non-alcohol wipes, bandages, adhesive tape, alongside other first aid essentials. It also contains bravery stickers to give children after they’ve been bandaged up. The kit comes in a handy little travel sized bag too so you can pop it in your handbag for treating injuries on the go.

Our verdict

If there’s one thing you’ll definitely need plenty of when it comes to treating injuries, it’s plasters. Whether they’ve fallen over at school or at home, kids love to have a plaster for even the tiniest of scrapes, so it’s worth getting plenty in.

This pack of 20 waterproof plasters repel water and dirt and come in four different sizes for tackling cuts of all severities. They’re flexible too, so shouldn’t pop off as soon as your child starts playing again, and hypoallergenic so they’re kind to sensitive skin.

Our verdict

This one may be more for mage conscious teenagers. This Boots Compact Mirror is the perfect size for easily storing in a pocket of their school bag. A cute pink colour, the mirror has two sides and one has two times magnification so they can use it to see up close.

Our verdict

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a hot sunny day or the chilly winter, your child will need to stay hydrated while at school so making sure they have a good, sturdy water bottle is a must. 

The Original Chilly’s bottle is a popular choice due to the fact that it keeps your water cool throughout the day - in fact for up to 24 hours - thanks to its double-walled vacuum insulation. Although you’re unlikely to use it for school, it can also keep drinks hot for twelve hours too. The bottle can hold up to 500m, is BPA free and comes with an airtight screw lid so you don’t need to worry about any spillages in their bag. Don’t put it in the dishwasher though, it needs to be hand washed in soapy water.