Back-to-school health supplies
The practical, unglamorous list: the things that quietly cut down on sick days and forgotten forms in September.
When this is useful: August, alongside the school supply list.
Tick off what you already have (10 items)
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If you only do one thing
The 3 that matter most
Everything else in this kit is a nice-to-have. Start here.
Insulated water bottle
Hydrated kids, and no sharing of bottles at lunch.
Thermometer
Before the first fever, not during it.
First aid kit for the house
Restock it once a year instead of hunting for plasters.
Find your next step
What best describes your situation?
Pick one and we will put the few things that matter right now at the top.
School-day basics
- Insulated water bottleHydrated kids, and no sharing of bottles at lunch.
- Reusable lunch containersEasier to wash properly than the ones that live in the sink.
- Hand sanitizer for backpacksSmall enough that it actually stays in the bag.
Refillable silicone-sleeve keychain bottles (4-pack, 2 oz)Empty flip-cap squeeze bottles with a silicone sleeve and keychain clip; fill with your own sanitizer so it clips to a backpack and stays put. 60 ml / 2 oz each.
PURELL Travel Size Hand Sanitizer (8-pack, 1 oz)Eight pre-filled 1 oz bottles with travel carriers in mixed scents; grab-and-go for backpacks, lunchboxes, and field trips. Kills 99.99% of germs without sticking around.
Home medicine cabinet
- ThermometerBefore the first fever, not during it.
- First aid kit for the houseRestock it once a year instead of hunting for plasters.
BAND-AID Brand Travel Ready First Aid Kit (80-piece)A compact, grab-and-go 80-piece kit with bandages, antiseptics, and gauze; sized for the car, the diaper bag, or a vacation rental. Restock yearly and you are never hunting for a plaster.
BAND-AID Brand All-Purpose Compact First Aid Kit (160-piece)A fuller 160-piece home kit with bandages, wipes, and ointments in a hard-shell case; the one to keep on a shelf for the full family. More pieces means fewer refills between seasons.
- Allergy relief for kidsFall pollen looks a lot like a cold. Ask your pediatrician which suits your child.Find it on Amazon
When something is going around
- Kids' face masksUseful when something is going around the class or a grandparent is visiting.
Nit Free Terminator Head Lice CombWorth a weekly check once cases start in the class.Find it on Amazon
Routines and paperwork
- Sleep-friendly night lightBetter sleep is the most underrated illness prevention there is.
- Wall calendar or plannerSick days, forms, and half-days in one place.Find it on Amazon
These are everyday supplies parents tell us they like to have on hand, not medical advice. Nothing here diagnoses or treats anything. Always follow your pediatrician's guidance, and check labels for your child's age and weight.
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Free things worth doing first
These matter more than anything you can order.
From the Ickly blog
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Back-to-school kit FAQ
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