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I’ve lived through many first days of school. My kid is now going into his last year of elementary school. One thing I know is that every year, there inevitably ends up being a list of back-to-school must-haves on kids’ collective radars. The latest back-to-school trends somehow find their way to the littlest of kindergartners, first graders, and definitely the older kids.
For 2026, the trends feel bigger than just one must-have item. Kids’ hobbies, personalities, and even their parents’ nostalgia is making its way into the classroom. According to data from Intuit Credit Karma, 60% of parents say their children are asking for non-essential gear they see online, or from a friend.
SuperAwesome’s latest back-to-school report says parents will spend up to $524 per kid this season. That’s a rise of about 15% compared to last year. That’s on everything from water bottles and backpacks to clothes and the latest tech gadgets. And more and more kids are getting involved in the back-to-school shopping decisions, too. In fact, according to this report, a whopping 46% of kids are coming to parents with products they see online. But what do the kids actually want for back-to-school?
Back-to-school shopping can be a core memory and a moment you share with your littles year after year. But being in the know as a parent is the first step to striking the balance of not trying to keep up with everyone else, but also feeling like they’re getting something special for the big day.
With that in mind, I polled my kid, his friends, my mom friends, and the other moms on The Everymom team to get to the bottom of what’s trending for back-to-school right now. Here are the biggest back-to-school must-haves for 2026. And if you’re looking for more ideas and tips, head over to our big Back-to-school hub for everything you need.
Back-to-School Trends 2026: What Will Be on the Kids’ Wish Lists This Year
Kids’ Tech Gets Smarter (and Parents Feel More Comfortable)
Times have certainly changed since our landline days, but just because smartphones have become the norm doesn’t mean they have to be the default first device for young kids. As more elementary schoolers start asking for their own tech, age-appropriate connected devices are showing up on more back-to-school wish lists. Kids love the idea of having a device of their own, while parents are looking for something that feels like the right first step.
The new Verizon Gizmo Watch 4 fits that in-between stage. It gives kids the excitement and independence of having their own device while helping families stay connected with voice or video calling and messaging to a parent-approved list of trusted contacts. Features like School Mode and watch removal detection make it especially helpful for busy school days. The Verizon Family app gives parents a convenient place to manage approved contacts, customize settings, and check in as kids head from school to sports, clubs, and other after-school activities. Plus, the new water-resistance feature is especially helpful for swim activities. It’s the kind of back-to-school pick that checks both boxes: exciting for kids and reassuring for parents.
These days, your video game of choice isn’t just about something fun to do after homework. It’s become part of kids’ identities. Backpacks, water bottles, t-shirts, backpack buddies, notebooks, and more are getting the gaming treatment this fall. And no one more so than Minecraft. Last year’s Minecraft movie mania continues to impact the products taking over the schoolyard this year.
Millennials rejoice, we are finally cool again! If you thought the ’90s summer trend was over, just wait until you get to ’90s back-to-school supplies. And we’re not just talking about Trapper Keepers!
Maybe it’s the collective desire for more connection, but we’re seeing an uptick in nostalgic play and merch this year. Kids are loving old-school cameras, landlines like the Tin Can, vintage-style sneakers, and even Tamagotchis. So, if your kid rolls up in a JanSport backpack this year, you’re welcome.
Call it the Knicks and World Cup effect, but summer 2026 felt like the summer of sports. Watching sports, playing sports, and being a fan all played a major part in our downtime the last few months. We saw this earlier in the year with the Winter Olympics, and it feels like we’re all ready to jump on the collective cheering experience again and again.
For back-to-school this sports-mania manifests itself in jerseys, lunch boxes, and everything in between. From emulating your heroes to showing the hometown team love and sporting the latest ice cream gear (IYKYK) the sports kid era is here to stay.
In my day, it was all about freshly-sharpened No. 2 pencils and the multicolor Bic pens (I’m partial to the green ink!). These days, kids are starting to rival us when it comes to their Pinterest boards. “Aesthetic school supplies” are replacing our brightly colored characters of years past for many tweens. Think floral notebooks, pastel pencils, personalized everything, and pretty water bottles.
If last year was all about keychains, this year is all about bag charms. Kids are decorating backpacks, lunch boxes, and even pencil pouches with plush accessories that show off their personalities. From Jellycats to Labubus and Legos, those little humans just looove backpack charms, buddies, and accessories.
The dumpling, the Needoh, and now the… (reads notes) squishy butter? Yes these were all things parents stood in line for in early 2026. Fidgets have been on the rise and these sensory toys are the latest must-have item.
It’s a positive thing as it means classrooms are embracing sensory play more than ever. These toys aren’t just fun, they’re often used as calming tools that help kids stay focused throughout the school day.
If your kid still wants to wear their Crocs every single day, you’re not the only one. Comfort is king when it comes to shoes this year, and your kid won’t want to be caught dead tying their shoelaces.
Crocs are still going strong (especially with a growing collection of Jibbitz charms) and classic Nike sneakers remain a favorite for elementary and middle schoolers alike. For me, I’m glad to see a return of the slip-on vans and slides for kids.
If your child is in elementary school, you know how important water bottles are. Last year, my child all of a sudden came home asking for specific brand names and types of water bottles. This year, the two I’ve linked below will be at the top of his wish list.
If, last year, you were constantly buying toppers for your child’s Stanley straw, you’ll be glad to hear about the Flip Straw Tumbler this year. This Stanley version features all of the same ice-cold technology with a less spill-able top apparatus.
Gatorade water bottles have always been cool with those that are the sporty type (see above). Now thanks to their squeeze bottle style, Gatorade is a bonafide must for middle elementary kids.
Owala continues to be one of Stanley’s biggest competitors, thanks to its easy FreeSip lid and bright color combinations. Plus bottle boots, straw toppers, and personalized charms are making every water bottle feel one of a kind.
Back-to-school trends are not just for kids. If there’s one trend parents are all about, it’s anything that can help mitigate the chaos that comes with the start of a new school year. As family schedules get busier, more parents are turning to digital family assistants to keep everyone organized. Parents are using AI more than ever—so why not have it help with schedules, school lunch ideas, and back-to-school shopping.
Shared calendars like Skylight have become household command centers, while smart speakers and kid-friendly AI tools can answer homework questions, set reminders, and help keep the day moving. It’s not the trend your kids will ask for, but it might end up being your favorite back-to-school buy.
Back-to-school trends will come and go (remember Sillybandz?!). Every school is different and every kid is their own person. But the excitement of getting ready for the new year doesn’t go away. Whether your child goes back with the same backpack (mine always does!) and a fresh pack of pencils, the goal is the same: helping them walk through those school halls feeling confident, excited, and ready the year ahead.
Why You Can Count on Us
The Everygirl Media Group has brought valuable content to our readers for 12+ years. In 2018, The Everymom set out to ensure that all moms know they’re not alone. If you find yourself seeking advice on how to style the latest fashion trend or searching for the best kid-friendly coffee table, we have the answers. And if you’re wondering what’s actually worth it from a sale or looking for a review of the hottest new kids’ product, we’ve got that covered too. From our annual Registry Awards and beloved holiday gift guides to the shopping round-ups you find on our site every day, The Everymom commerce team is well-versed in sifting through thousands of products to curate a digestible list for you. We combine our own experience with in-depth research to bring you a selection that meets our high standards for both fashion and function.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Roberta Correia, Editor-in-Chief
Roberta is an editor with 10+ years experience in content strategy and brand building. Before joining The Everymom she was Editorial Director at Brides and previously served as Digital Editor at Women’s Wear Daily. She grew up in Brazil and currently calls Brooklyn home with her son, Lucas.
*$179.99 purchase w/ new watch line on $10/mo Gizmo Watch service plan. Less $180 promo credit applied over 36 mos. Promo credit ends if eligibility req’s are no longer met; 0% APR.
This post contains sponsored inclusions from Verizon and Staples, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board.
Products included in graphics linked within the article.
