Pick your favourite back to school pieces from George at ASDA and share your back to school tips - £300 voucher to be won! NOW CLOSED

[EmmaMumsnet]

It’s never too early to start thinking about the kids starting or heading back to school. There’s so much to buy that it’s hard to remember everything or even know how much of each thing you need - are 5 shirts enough/too much? Where should I shop? What should I buy? Are all common questions our MNers have.

Here’s what George at ASDA has to say: “Our schoolwear and footwear are such brilliant quality, we’re proud to offer a no-quibble 100 day satisfaction guarantee. This means that if you’re not happy with an item you’ve brought with 100 days, we’ll give you a full refund. So you can shop with complete confidence.”

George at ASDA would like you to go to their website here and pick out your favourite back to school items, whether that’s uniform, shoes, lunchboxes, or stationary and come back and share them (ideally with a link to make it easy on anyone who wants to check them out). It would be great if you could also share your back to school tips and tricks with your fellow MNers, especially those who may have DC going to school for the first time this year!

So how many shirts do you buy? Don’t forget about the PE kit! What are the most comfy school shoes for your DC? Have you found an amazing lunchbox with lots of handy compartments? Do you label EVERYTHING? How do you get your kids in the mindset for going back to school? Whatever your favourite back to school items and tricks, please share them on the thread below and you will be entered into a prize draw to win a £300 George at ASDA voucher.

Thanks and good luck

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

[voyager50]

I like this jacket as it is showerproof and it will be easy to find him coming out of the school gates with it's bright coloured stars.

direct.asda.com/george/kids/coats-jackets/shower-resistant-star-print-hooded-jacket/GEM558350,default,pd.html

Let them pick their own stationery - it makes them feel independent and grown up when they are just starting school but when it comes to shoes you should choose them yourself. Shoes must fit them properly and be well made as they will get so much wear and tear that cheap ones just aren't worth it.

[cwalliss82]

With so many kids with identical uniform, name tags are brilliant and I have ordered these this year direct.asda.com/george/school-name-tapes-george,default,pg.html As they are iron-in there is no sewing for me to do.

As for shoes, kids crawl around and leather or fake-leather shoes scuff really easily so I buy my DD these direct.asda.com/george/kids/shoes-boots/girls-school-patent-shoes/GEM571227,default,pd.html as they withstand the abuse a bit better.

[cnut]

My fave trousers..........direct.asda.com/george/school/trousers/boys-school-slim-leg-with-adjustable-waist-trousers-black/GEM561010,default,pd.html for my son, they are on trend with a slim leg so keeps him happy and they wash brilliant and wear well so that keeps me happy!.

[foxessocks]

direct.asda.com/george/kids/accessories/novelty-fox-rucksack/GEM573251,default,pd.html

My dd would love this bag. And my tip is to start getting bits gradually over the summer and not leave it to the last minute!

[hannahbjm]

My son loves direct.asda.com/george/kids/lunch-bags-bottles/smash-skull-bag-and-bottle/002069119,default,pd.html?cgid=D10M1G1C20, he says it is epic!

My tip is to buy stick on name labels rather than spending time ironing or sewing them on. The amount if uniform you buy and what gets lost is really a time saver. I was sceptical but they really do last the whole year without falling off and survive hundreds of hot washes.

[Belmo]

I'll be buying some of these pinafores

direct.asda.com/george/school/pinafores-dresses/girls-school-jersey-bow-pinafore-black/GEM563263,default,pd.html

Had them last year and they're great.

[frances93]

Label every item of school clothing with your childs name, its amazing how many different jumpers they bring home (none of them being their own)! direct.asda.com/george/school-name-tapes-george,default,pg.html?cmpid=ahc--geor--asdacom--back-to-school-2017--nametapes-_-cta
Buy a plain lunch box with no design as they go through so many different stages of which tv programs etc they like, and if they want to jazz it up buy some stickers.

[MrsGotobed]

Slim leg trousers are great for when boys start getting a bit fashion and style conscious and don't like the usual baggier style of school trouser.
These are affordable for parents and acceptable for the child!

My tip is, without fail, don't leave uniform shopping until the last minute otherwise shops won't have the size/colour/style that you want. It sounds obvious but how many times have you found the summer holidays fly-by and are nearly over before you know it?!

[hibbertheather]

I always buy a plain jumper and sew the logo on from an old jumper!

[AngelwingsPetlamb]

These boys trousers are a god send - direct.asda.com/george/school/trousers/boys-school-regular-fit-trousers-black/GEM462524,default,pd.html
No need to iron them as they have a crease already at the front, stain repellent, and can go in the tumble drier so if you need them washed quickly you can do so. They are very reasonably priced too, which is important especially if you DC is a little accident prone or adventurous and takes the knees out of their trousers regularly.

I always prepare well in advance for back to school and make sure everything is ready for September during the summer holidays, that way I don't have to worry at the last minute.
Shoes always come from Clark's or Jones because I only buy leather and they must have their feet measured properly.

Shoes are a bit of a nightmare because you cannot buy them too far in advance due to feet growing but when you get to the shop they have often sold out of the ones your DC had their heart set on. So when we go to the shop now I just ask the assistant to please bring out all the shoes for school in my DC size and let him choose from that selection only after trying them on.

[daniel1996]

I like to be prepared, and buy I
5 white polo shirts
3 pairs trousers (I love the teflon coating and the fact that the waist can be adjusted.
3 sweaters
2 lots of PE kit (shorts white t shirt and black pumps)
The prices are so good and the quality is good too, so they last a couple of terms, which is saying something the amount of stick the trousers go through. Well done Asda.

[ohlittlepea]

I like the traditional style pinafore but also think its great that theres so many styles to choose from.
direct.asda.com/george/school/pinafores-dresses/girls-school-button-detail-pinafore-grey/GEM563463,default,pd.html
The scalloped cardigan looks sweet too.
direct.asda.com/george/school/cardigans-jumpers/girls-school-scallop-trim-cardigan-navy/GEM279448,default,pd.html

This lunch bag is awesome too!!
direct.asda.com/george/home-garden/kids-lunchbags-dining-sets/zebra-lunch-bag/050192834,default,pd.html

[farhanac]

Love this BB8 lunch box unit
direct.asda.com/george/kids/lunch-bags-bottles/star-wars-bb8-shaped-lunch-bag/050028582,default,pd.html?cgid=D26M08G08C20

[RueDeDay]

I like this gingham dress... direct.asda.com/george/school/dresses/girls-school-sporty-gingham-dress-light-blue/GEM527015,default,pd.html

And my top tip is buy dresses with zips for the littlies... Saves small fingers taking too much time with buttons before and after PE! Major stress averted here for the last couple of years, DD was always last getting changed in her first year at school which she found very upsetting.

[purplevamp]

direct.asda.com/george/girls-school-skirts/girls-school-box-pleated-skirt-charcoal/GEM463867,default,pd.html

My daughter's school has decided to change the entire uniform (she will be in Year 11) so that means a whole new set of clothes for 1 year. Their skirts are £17 each so I would buy one of Asda's charcoal pleated school skirts, which look very similar to the "official" ones. But seeing as the sizes only go up to 13-14 I can't. Hey, Asda, you know kids stay in school until they are 16, right???

[honeyandginger48]

I love this back pack. direct.asda.com/george/kids/accessories/love-heart-print-faux-suede-panel-rucksack/GEM560991,default,pd.html

My top tip would be to get as organised as possible as early as possible and buy as much as you can before the mad rush starts at the end of the holiday! Label everything - then you have more chance of keeping hold of it.

[IncaAztec]

My DD love this My Little Pony bag for school!
direct.asda.com/george/kids/accessories/my-little-pony-rucksack/GEM559857,default,pd.html

I would also suggest you try on plimsolls (daps/pumps) for PE quite early on and they vary quite considerably in fit etc.

Also, buy at least 3 of all items and more water bottles than you think are reasonable. They seem to go missing ALL the time!

[Teaformeplease]

These gingham dresses are lovely, wash well and don't need ironing. I love the shape too.
direct.asda.com/george/school/dresses/girls-school-sporty-gingham-dress-light-blue/GEM527015,default,pd.html
I bought:
3 pinafore dresses
4 polo shirts
2 cardigans
1 hoodie
1 pair of joggers
2 school cycling shorts
It really depends on how often you do a wash and how easy and it is to dry clothes.

[HoneyDragon]

These water bottles usually on offer easy to properly clean and BPA free and dd can manage to get the lid off and fill it.

And you need to make their lives a little easier with things like this as school encourages independence so make sure in primary they have items that are suitable for their motor skills.

[kateandme]

the pinafores are great.

don't underestimate how much depending on age your child will grow over the hols.we made this mistake.bout uniform early and,wam at the start of school the trousers were too short!
but get things you can when you can so your not rushing at the end of the holidays.hang them up ready.
have spares of everything.
teach how to tie shoes.
if there are any big changes.be aware of how they are feeling with new uniforms etc.ours got so nervous about new uniform the night before they couldn't sleep.and all it took was a try on and bit of reassurance as to why they needed to wear special outfit....how to tie the tie.button up trouser properly etc. becaue also up until then ours had waistbanded trouser so this new button and zip!!confusion city
what cool lunchbox they went at the end of term might not be the rage at the start of the new one after holidays so either buy neutral or wait.
practice school lunch.
how to pack bags
buy new pencil case and stationary.there is nothing that feels more special than your own pencils.

[yawningbear]

With DS, 6 and a lover of dirt generally, I buy 5 of everything. Saves a lot of stress, knowing he has a clean outfit for every day. Trousers/shorts from Asda wear really well & are inexpensive compared to M & S etc.

[HalimaB]

direct.asda.com/george/school/shoes-trainers/boys-school-leather-1-strap-school-shoes/GEM545074,default,pd.html i like these shoes go on easy and last even though my son gets through a couple of shoes atleast every year

[BorisTrumpsHair]

My 9yo DD has started wearing shorts (alternates with culottes) and she LOVES them.

She would love these - especially as they have pockets: direct.asda.com/george/school/shorts/girls-school-pleated-shorts-grey/GEM561314,default,pd.html

I like these shoes, and the 100 Day guarantee is most welcome especially with shoes:
direct.asda.com/george/kids/shoes-boots/girls-school-t-bar-patent-shoes-black/GEM545759,default,pd.html

[MakeTeaNotWar]

Lovely things! DS is starting reception in September so this is very timely as he can't wear his sister's hand-me-down pinafores unfortunately. These are pretty for 7 year old DD blouse while DS needs some shoes he can easily put on and off himself shoes He'd love this for his sarnies lunchbag