Start the School Year Strong: Top Back to School Must Haves

Back to school is the perfect time to refresh your classroom with practical solutions and exciting new learning resources.

In this blog, we're highlighting must-have items to keep on your radar, from organization essentials that help educators simplify daily routines to engaging resources that inspire school age children to learn, create, and explore throughout the year.

Taking learning outdoors is a great way to encourage exploration, but carrying supplies in and out of the classroom can quickly become a challenge. A sturdy Multi-Flex Trolley and a Physical Education Cart make it easy to transport outdoor resources in one trip, keeping everything organized and easy to access.

Multi-Flex Trolley

Physical Education Cart

 Outlast Art Cart

When before and aftercare spaces are shared with school age classrooms, thoughtful storage solutions are essential. When resources are left accessible, they can be moved or used throughout the day, making it challenging to keep the space tidy. While rotating shelving to face the wall may provide a temporary solution, it relies on all staff, including temporary educators, understanding and following this room arrangement.

Additionally, if shelving cannot remain in the classroom, transporting resources in and out each day can create a lot of work for your team.

Hinged and mobile shelving provides a flexible solution for shared spaces. When shelving cannot remain in the classroom, mobile units make it easy to move resources in and out as needed, while hinged shelving allows educators to quickly close off materials when the classroom is being used by another group. Together, these features help keep resources organized, accessible, and ready for learning.

School Age Hinged Unit

When it comes to learning resources, open-ended construction sets help to keep children engaged. The CONNETIX Ball Run Pack and CONNETIX Road Creative Pack encourage children to design, build, and experiment as they explore movement, problem solving, and engineering concepts. From creating exciting ball runs to designing their own roadways and small world adventures, these resources provide endless possibilities for hands-on learning and discovery. 

CLICK HERE to see the full CONNETIX collection.

CLICK HERE for 15 Ways Children Learn Through Play with CONNETIX.

Pair CONNETIX tiles with the Seoras Rechargeable Light Panel to create engaging light and colour exploration anywhere in the room. With a rechargeable design, children can easily move the light panel wherever inspiration strikes without being limited by power outlets.

Micro, Mini, and Midi Waffle Sets provide another open-ended construction option for creating mosaics and building 3D models. The easy-to-grasp pieces are safe to handle and designed to encourage creativity, fine motor development, and imaginative play.

Puzzles are a timeless favourite in before and after care spaces, offering children a chance to slow down, focus, and explore at their own pace. Beyond being a fun activity, puzzles help build problem solving skills, patience, and confidence as children work through challenges independently or together. This new School Age Puzzle Set takes children on exciting adventures around the world, from discovering fascinating animals to exploring the age of dinosaurs, while encouraging curiosity and imaginative storytelling.

CLICK HERE to see our full collection of school age and childcare puzzle and game sets.