What I Bought for Back to School 2025 (And Why I Don’t Buy Everything New)

If you’re wondering what to actually buy for back to school this year — and what you can skip — this post is for you.

Every year, I do a full Back to School Stock Take before I even think about shopping. That way, I don’t waste money doubling up on things we already have, and I can shop intentionally for the things my children actually need.

This year, I’ve got one child in secondary school and two in primary, and today I’m sharing exactly what I’ve bought (and what I haven’t) for the September 2025 term.

You can also watch the full haul in my video here, and grab all the useful links below.

ad affiliate disclosure – this blog post may contain affiliate links

Mentioned in the video…

Start Here: Do a Stock Take Before You Shop

Before you head to the shops (or hit checkout on your online basket), I highly recommend starting with a full Back to School Stock Take.

This is something I do every single year — I go through all the clothes, supplies, and uniforms we already have, check what still fits, and then make a shopping list based on what’s actually needed.

🎒 You can grab my free printable checklist to help you do the same.

This one step has saved me so much time, money, and stress over the years — especially with four children and plenty of potential hand-me-downs!

Free Back To School Checklist

The Organised Back To School Planner & Workshop

If you want to go deeper and get a full system for back-to-school prep, the Organised Back to School Planner is for you. This isn’t just about uniforms — it’s everything from school routines, folders, and supplies, to setting your child up for success in secondary school (especially if they struggle with organisation or need extra support). I’ll walk you through it all in the Back to School Planning Workshop, which is included inside my Organised Life Club. You’ll get access to the full planner and workshop replay (or join live if you’re reading this before the 8th of August). If you’re a neurodiverse family like mine, this system can really take the pressure off. 

Super Awesome Back To School Pack For Kids

This one’s just for the children — and it’s seriously magical. The Super Awesome Back to School Pack for Kids is filled with fun, supportive printables designed to help your child feel calm, confident, and ready to start school again. From emotion check-ins and ‘about me’ pages to visual routines, mood trackers, and printable calm down cards, this pack is especially helpful for children with autism, ADHD, or big feelings about change. It’s a gentle, empowering way to prepare them for the school transition — and it’s included for all members inside the Organised Life Club.

Name Labels

One thing I never skip buying for back to school is a fresh batch of name labels. If I ever want to see something again — lunch boxes, water bottles, hoodies, pencil cases — it needs to be labelled.

I’ve used My Nametags for years, long before I started blogging. They’re durable, dishwasher safe, and even machine washable after 24 hours. I order them with either:

• My child’s name and class
• Or name + phone number (great for lost property and safety)

This year, all three kids chose their own styles — from lilac bunnies to ducks and pizza emojis. They even make brilliant teacher gifts.

School Bags

Will hasn’t settled on a new bag yet, but the girls are sorted. Bella chose a pineapple dance bag she’s obsessed with, and Zara went with (no surprise) a big lilac one full of compartments and bunny keychains.

Zara’s Lilac Bag

Bella’s Pineapple Bag

Initial Bag Charms

To make them extra special, I added their initials as bag charms. A little personalisation goes a long way in helping kids feel excited (and keeping things from getting mixed up at school).

School Supplies

This year, I picked up new pencil cases for all three kids — the same style, just in their favourite colours. They open flat but have loads of pockets, and I’ll be adding fidget toys and sensory tools to each one.

We’ve also restocked felt tip pens (the girls’ favourite set), pencils, sharpeners, and Will’s shiny new scientific calculator. Apparently the one from last year didn’t quite cut it!

Pencil Cases

Fidget Toys

Coloured Pencils

Felt Tip Pens

Casio fx-83GTCW Black Scientific Calculator

Pencil Sharpeners

Sticky Back Plastic

A4 Folders

Uniform

Navy Flared Leggings

Polo Shirts

Skorts

Tights

Coats

Shoes

Skechers Trainers

Lelli Kelly Shoes

Outdoor Learning

Waterproof Trousers

Wellies

What I Still Need to Sort…

• Label everything (with the kids’ help!)
• Finish Will’s folder system for secondary school
• Buy and label Will’s uniform from the local supplier
• Get school bags fully packed and ready to go!

We’ll be doing all the final organisation when we get back from our Disney cruise, and I’ll share that in another vlog soon.

Want Help Getting Everything Sorted?

If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the school prep, I’ve created something that will make your life so much easier — especially if, like me, you’re raising neurodiverse children.

🎓 Inside the Organised Life Club, you’ll get:
✅ My complete Organised Back to School Planner
✅ A full planning workshop to walk you through it step by step
✅ The Super Awesome Back to School Pack for Kids
✅ A supportive community of mums who just get it
…and loads of printable resources to help you feel calm, confident, and ready.

💻 Join here and get instant access:
👉 https://mummyoffour.com/SchoolPlanner

You don’t have to do it all on your own this year.

Join My Organised Life Club

Get My Free Ultimate Mum Bundle Of Organisation Printables

Ready to take your organisation to the next level? I’ve created the Ultimate Mum Bundle of Organisation Printables to help you stay on track and bring some order to the chaos. Best of all, it’s completely FREE! This bundle includes everything from meal planners and weekly schedules to budgeting sheets and more – all designed to make life a little easier for busy mums like you. Download your free bundle today and start organising your life with ease!

Create Your Own Organised Life Binder (My Secret Weapon)

One of the best tools I’ve used to stay organised and on top of everything is my Organised Life Binder. It’s my secret weapon for managing all the chaos of daily life – from family schedules and meal planning to work tasks and self-care. With everything in one place, I can easily track goals, plan ahead, and keep myself focused. In this post, I’ll show you how to create your own binder so you can experience the same sense of clarity and control in your life!

Grab The Resource I WISH I Had When My Kids Were Being Assessed For Autism

Navigating the autism assessment process can be overwhelming, and when my kids were going through it, I wish I had a resource to help me stay organised and on top of everything. That’s why I’ve created a comprehensive Autism Journey Journal. This resource is everything I wish I’d had at the time – a place to record dates, appointments, meeting notes, and reflections, all while helping you stay prepared every step of the way. Grab your copy now and make the process a little bit easier for you and your family.

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Watch More From My Magical Adventures Channel

Check out the latest video from my Magical Adventures channel! You may know it as Mummy of Four Does Disney, and I’m still sharing Disney videos every weekend. But now, I’m also bringing you along for our magical family days out and mini-breaks across the UK too! Don’t miss out on all the fun—watch the latest adventure here.