As summer winds down and school doors reopen, it’s time to help your tween gear up for a successful year. The older your kids get, the more independence they start to have in everyday life and at school. Higher grades means changing schedules and the need to stay organized throughout the day. Having a well-stocked backpack not only sets them up for academic success but also helps them feel prepared and confident. Check out our new post with a list of School Backpack Essentials Every Tween Should Carry.

Not only are your tweens learning new organizational skills, they’re also learning to manage their hygiene and self-care. A small pouch with self-care items is a must-have for boys and girls. Some of these items can be a lifesaver when an emergency strikes. That’s why it’s good to have small, travel-size hand sanitizer, lip balm, deodorant, body sprays, pads, hair ties, and a small brush.

Back to school basics like pencils, pens, and highlighters are must-haves, but kids should also have a case to keep these items organized. Not to mention busy school days can leave tweens hungry! Pack healthy, non-perishable snacks like granola bars, trail mix, or applesauce pouches. A refillable water bottle is also a must—bonus points for an insulated one to keep drinks cool all day.

In this post, you’ll find a list of Backpack Essentials for Tweens

School Backpack Essentials Every Tween Should Carry

Tween Boys

Why Tweens Should Keep a Hygiene Pouch in Their Backpack

As tweens grow more independent, it’s important they learn to take care of themselves throughout the school day—and that’s where a hygiene pouch comes in. Keeping a small zippered pouch in their backpack filled with personal care essentials helps them feel prepared for anything that might come up. For boys, make sure they have deodorant, body spray, gum, lip balm, tissues, and hand sanitizer.

Your tween girlies need all the same itmes and should carry pads, tampons, liners, hair ties, and spare underwear. Having a hygiene pouch teaches tweens responsibility, helps them stay clean and comfortable, and gives them confidence to navigate their day without needing to run to the nurse’s office for every little thing. It’s a small addition that can make a big difference!

Touchland Hand Sanitizer

Aluminum-Free Deodorant

Adidas Body Spray

Yeti Water Bottle

Lip Balm

In a world full of screens and distractions, there’s something comforting and empowering about always having a good book within reach. Encouraging your tween to keep their favorite book in their backpack is a great way to make the most of unexpected free time during the school day.

Whether it’s silent reading time, a long bus ride, or waiting for pickup after school, having a book handy gives them a positive way to stay engaged, unwind, or escape into another world. It also helps build a lifelong love of reading—and turning to a book instead of a phone or tablet can support focus, creativity, and stress relief.

Let them choose a story they genuinely enjoy, whether it’s an adventurous series, a funny graphic novel, or a magical fantasy. Their backpack might be packed with essentials for school, but a favorite book is fuel for the imagination. One of my son’s favorites is the National Park Mystery Series.

Favorite Book Series

Tween Girls

Frenshe Hair & Body Perfume

Ouchless Hair Bands

Strawberry Aluminum Free Dove

Hairbrush

 

Feminine Pads Teens

On-the-Go Heating Pads

Starface Lip Balm

Favorite Book Series

Awalah Water Bottle

For Both Tween Boys and Girls

Portable Phone Charger

School days can be long and busy, and growing tweens need plenty of fuel to stay focused and energized. That’s why keeping healthy snacks and a refillable water bottle in their backpack is so important.

A quick snack—like a granola bar, trail mix, crackers, or a piece of fruit—can help tide them over between meals and keep hunger from becoming a distraction. It also gives them the independence to take care of their own needs during breaks or after-school activities.

A water bottle is just as essential. Staying hydrated supports concentration, boosts energy, and even helps with mood. Encourage your tween to refill it throughout the day and choose one that’s leak-proof and easy to open.

With the right snacks and plenty of water, your tween will be ready to take on whatever the school day brings!

Snack Bars

Sugar-Free Gum

Mechanical Pencils

 

Pencil Case

Middle school is a time of big transitions. Helping your tween pack a well-thought-out backpack is a simple way to support their growing independence and confidence. Check in periodically to clean out old papers, restock supplies, and talk about what’s working (and what’s not). A little organization goes a long way in setting them up for a great school year

Check out our Best-Selling Etsy Printable

Related Posts:

Homework Calendar

Printable Positive Affirmation Cards for Kids

15 Essential Back to School Items on Amazon

This post contains affiliate links and advertisements. Affiliate links and affiliate ads help support From Under A Palm Tree. They help pay for web hosting, email delivery, domain registration, and other various fees that help keep our blog operational. We appreciate your support!

Meagan

Hi! I’m Meagan and I’m a 41 year old mom of a high energy almost 9 year old, happily navigating my way through the little boy years. I’ve been married for 14 years. I met my husband over 20 years ago in high school; we got married 10 years later after graduating from the University of South Florida. I currently help run a family business with my parents while blogging about my life and love of DIY projects!

When I’m not at a kids sports game, I enjoy spending time with my family on a beach anywhere. I also love decorating and organizing, fun DIY projects, bargain shopping, and eating out or in! I also love Barbecue anything and a good show or movie on Netflix.