The daycare drop-off juggle is real, especially when you’re trying to keep everything clean, organized, and halfway nutritious. So I put together a list of what we’re actually packing this year — from bottle hacks to non-toxic sunscreen, my favorite supplement routine, and the best organic snacks I can throw in a lunchbox without thinking.
We’ve used every single thing on this list, and I’ve linked everything in one place on my Back-to-School Amazon Storefront — plus some Teacher Gift Ideas here if you want to plan ahead.
A few discount codes below as well!
✅ Labels & Bottles
- Custom rubber bottle labels: They stretch to fit bottles, cups, jars — and don’t peel like sticker labels.
- Self-filtering water bottles: (can use code KEETOWELLNESS for 10% off) or a quality hydroflask
- Food-grade silicone sippy cups (less toxic plastic, dishwasher-safe)
- Formula mixing pitcher: A must if you pre-make bottles
- Anti-spill ventilating bottles: Comes with a small insert that actually blocks leaks from inside
🎒 Gear & Lunchbox Essentials
- Size-appropriate backpacks: I pick based on what needs to go each day or week. Ex: old daycare I had to bring lunch every day, new daycare I leave the backpack all week but have to be able to fit a folder in it on Friday to bring home.
- Organic nap mat: Comes with a removable pillow + thick enough for real comfort
- Non-toxic sunscreen: We keep this in their cubby all year for outside play
- Freezer-style lunchboxes: These stay colder way longer than a lunchbox + ice pack combo. I like the bentgo boxes (younger kids here, older kids here) plus the freezer lunchbox holder.
- Reusable smoothie pouches: I batch smoothies once a week for easy grab-and-go
🍎 Supplements We Actually Use
- Superfood gummies: Multivitamin + greens — Claire loves these
- Immune Avenger drops: I add them to orange juice if something’s coming on
- Elderberry gummies
- Probiotic gummies: Helpful when they’re eating lots of new foods. Use code KEETOWELLNESS15 for 15% off.
- Beekeeper’s Naturals Vitamin C: I use this as an extra immune boost
🥪 Snack Staples
Tons of kids food options here!
- Grain-free avocado oil cheddar crackers
- Sprout Organics PB & Yayz bars
- Skout Organic bars
- That’s It bars
- Little Bellies organic puffs (for littles) & teethers
- Inexpensive pouches: Least expensive organic option I’ve found
- Organic pouches in bulk
- Stonyfield zero sugar yogurt pouches: Great for protein
- Beech-Nut organic purees: Great for babies. All BLW picks here!
- Chia Smash pouches: great for added fiber
🎒 Extras That Help With Transitions
These aren’t must-haves, but they definitely help — especially if it’s your child’s first time in daycare or they’re switching to a new class.
- First Day of School signs: For photos and keepsakes
- Books about starting school: I like the ones that talk about making new friends, being nervous, and saying goodbye to mom
- Wet/dry bags: For bringing home dirty clothes, especially after art, water play, or blowouts
- Miss Mouth’s Messy Eater stain spray: I keep this on deck at all times — works so well on food, paint, and mystery stains
- Affordable organic onesie pack: Great to keep in their cubby as backup clothes — soft, non-toxic, and inexpensive
🛍️ Bonus: Teacher Gift Ideas
If you want to stay ahead of the game for holidays or first-day gifting, I’ve also rounded up some thoughtful and easy Teacher Gift Ideas right here.
✨ You can find everything mentioned above in my Back-to-School Amazon Storefront, all organized by category.
If this was helpful, save it for later and follow along on @kee_to_wellness for more tips, finds, and mom life hacks.
