The Back to School Checklist I Actually Use (And Wish Someone Had Given Me Years Ago)
Every August I tell myself I'm ahead of it. Every August I'm standing in a shop on a Tuesday night buying indoor shoes because school starts Thursday. If that's you too, this one's for you.
I put together everything I've learned raising kids through kindergarten, primary, and now into the pre-teen chaos of phones and group chats. Age by age, what they actually need, what's worth buying and what isn’t, and which after-school spots in Zürich and Zug are already filling up for September.
Kindergarten (Ages 4 to 6): It's All About Labeling
This year is less about gear and more about routine. Involve your child in choosing their own things when you can. Kids who pick their own backpack tend to actually carry it without a fight.
Pack this:
- Backpack sized for their frame, no wheels (they can't manage stairs with one)
- Lunchbox with an easy-open clip
- Labelled water bottle, 500ml minimum, spill-proof
- Two sets of indoor shoes
- Spare clothes sealed in a bag and left at school
- Rain jacket, pants, and boots, name inside the collar
- Snowsuit and snow shoes, labelled
- Sun hat and labelled sunscreen
The tip nobody tells you: label every single hoodie, not just the jackets. At this age everything looks identical and nothing comes home. Thirty seconds with a permanent marker saves you a week of arguments.
Before day one, visit the classroom if the school allows it, and agree on a goodbye ritual you'll repeat every single morning. Consistency does more for first-day nerves than any pep talk.
