Back-to-school is, among many things, a complete and utter germfest under the most normal circumstances. So many tiny hands that don’t always get washed. Countless drippy little noses. And of course, the coughing, sneezing and wiping. Gross. Sure, you can remind your kids to wash, remind them to sneeze into their elbows, but let’s be honest; you’re not there at school with them, and they can barely remember what they had for breakfast, let alone remember to cover their mouths every time they cough. It’s anxiety inducing enough to get you buying up every bleach-adjacent product you can get your hands on. (We get it. But don’t start going hog wild with the harsh cleaning chemicals; you know that shit is toxic, right?)
That’s true under normal, non-global pandemic circumstances — so in this late pandemic phase where majority of kids still can’t get vaccinated for COVID-19 and in-person schooling is set to resume, it’s time to get serious about the must-haves for staying comfortable, safe and healthy all year long.
Just for you, we’ve gathered up the best items to keep your kids healthy during the war on the immune system known as back-to-school. So take a breath, put down the industrial-strength hand sanitizer, and relax, because we’ve got you covered.
No really, put it down. We’ll wait.
Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. CVS and Stanley are SheKnows sponsors, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
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CVS Health Children’s Gummy Dinos
Image Credit: CVS. CVS Health Dinosaur Gummies are a perfect (and tasty) way to support your child’s health when they head back to school. The gummies come in an assortment of flavors (orange, cherry, raspberry) and because of their fun shape, your child will actually enjoy taking their vitamins. But don’t forget: If you’re considering this gummy option for your child, make sure to check with a healthcare provider beforehand. CVS will also have a special promotion on vitamins, so now would definitely be the time to stock up. Through August 1 to 7, you can buy one, get one vitamin product free, and through August 8 to 28, you can buy one, get one vitamin product at 50 percent off. And if you’re looking for more back to school supplies to get you through the year, CVS has you covered there as well: When shoppers spend $40, they get $10 in ExtraBucks.
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Stanley Water Bottle
Image Credit: Stanley Hydration is key in keeping your little ones’ immune systems running smoothly, and having a colorful water bottle they like will encourage them to drink more. When they have their own reusable bottle, they can avoid the water fountain or sharing cups with others. That’s why the 40-ounce Stanley IceFlow™ Jug is just what you need to keep them healthy. It’s a sustainable alternative too as it is partially made from recycled fishing net plastics, so you don’t have to worry about adding to the tons of plastic waste with this reusable option.
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WaterWipes
Image Credit: Amazon. Water Wipes are infused with only two ingredients — yes, seriously, count them. There’s water, and there’s a drop of fruit extract, and that’s it. They’re so gentle, even newborns love them — or at least that’s what they would say if they could talk. But they also work (natural) wonders on snotty noses and grubby hands of all ages.
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Color-Changing Soap
Image Credit: Amazon. Kids too often wash there hands during the span of a blink, so let them know the correct length of time to scrub with this color-changing soap. Little beads in the soap break to change the color of the soap when handwashing is properly done.
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Sneeve
Image Credit: Sneeve. This might seem ridiculous, but think about it — you’ve taught your kid to sneeze into their elbow, but that means their shirts are covered in bacteria and snot the rest of the day. The Sneeve is an elastic band that fits over their elbow and is antibacterial, so the germs won’t survive. Take that, snot.
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Toddler Antimicrobial Pillow & Pillowcase
Image Credit: Amazon. Not getting enough sleep can wreak havoc on a child’s mood, health and well-being. Ensure even your tiniest student gets a good night’s sleep with these memory foam toddler pillows. They’re naturally antimicrobial and resistant to allergens, and the cover is removable and washable.
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Crane Train Humidifier
Image Credit: Crane. Keep coughs and sore throats at bay with this adorable humidifier from Crane. Choose from myriad animals or the super-cool Crane train that blows cool mist out the train’s smokestack.
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Honest Wipes
Image Credit: Amazon. These wipes do it all, from messy counters to sticky fingers and gross toys, and are made without fragrances and chlorine processing, Honest Wipes are just that — honestly clean.
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Puffs Plus Lotion To Go Packs
Image Credit: Amazon. Sometimes, runny noses are inevitable, and for that, these Puffs Plus Lotion tissues come in convenient (and pretty!) to-go packs and help soothe raw noses. Keep these in every bag, locker, cubby and coat pocket. Trust me.
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Emergen-C Kidz
Image Credit: Amazon. Each serving of Emergen-C contains 250 milligrams of vitamin C, plus B vitamins, antioxidants and electrolytes and come in three delicious flavors your kids will love. Your kids will start requesting this immune booster on a daily basis.
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Honest Bubble Bath in Lavender Scent
Image Credit: Amazon. Sleep is key to staying healthy, and while you can’t Inception your kid’s nightmares away, you can help set them up for a good night’s rest by adding Honest lavender-scented bubble bath to their bedtime routine. Lavender helps promote sleep by calming and relaxing and is plant-based, hypoallergenic and is mild enough for even the most sensitive skin.
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Healthy Hero Essential Oils for Kids
Image Credit: Amazon. Keeping your kid in a bubble during sick season sounds tempting, but this Synergy Blend from Healthy Hero is the next best (and way more manageable) thing; containing spruce, lavender, lemon, Rosalina and sweet marjoram, it will help your kid battle their way through the back-to-school germs and emerge victorious.
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Athleta Girl Adjustable Made To Move Non Medical Mask (3 Pack)
Image Credit: Athleta Girl We all have our favorite go-to face masks to wrestle onto our kids faces. Athleta Girl’s atheltic masks are adjustable and durable enough for the most active lifestyles and come in colors that are sure to fit with your child’s own personal style.
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Old Navy Face Masks (3-Pack)
Image Credit: Old Navy If the pastel tones aren’t in line with your kid’s taste or personality, these cloth masks from Old Navy are another option. Coming in tons of neutral colors, you can make sure there’s enough masks floating around your house to keep your little one comfortable and protected all day long.
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