Listen… I know some of you are going to think this is coming way too early, but for the parents that I know, now is the time to start thinking about these things. In an effort to help them and you reading this know what is a must have this fall, I’ve gathered together 6 things to ensure the kids are happiest going back to school or starting school this fall. Enjoy those summer days and soak up the sun while you check out this epic roundup.
Now if you’re thinking this is going to be the latest binders and pencils, I hope you’re pleasantly surprised by a list of things your kids will love and thank you for. While those are important, in my opinion your kids/ the kids in your life and their happiness is just as important.
First up – LEGO. Now my big kid at home Julio wants this just as much as my niece Rebecca does – she’d six btw. The LEGO Group announced the latest addition to the LEGO® Super Mario™ product line. The LEGO Super Mario The Mighty Bowser™ set will be on sale starting October 1st.
This highly detailed recreation of the King of the Koopas comes complete with controllable movements and is made from an incredible 2,807 pieces. The brand-new LEGO® Super Mario™ The Mighty Bowser™ is for sale from October 1st, 2022 on www.LEGO.com and from select leading retailers around the world. The recommended retail price for The Mighty Bowser is 269.99 EUR/269.99 USD.
2. A Nintendo Switch + NEW games
We all know that we are a Nintendo household, and even went so far as to get one for our niece and nephew a few years ago (let’s be honest it’s also for my brother and sister-in-law) – so a Nintendo Switch and the new Pokémon games are a must this year for the kids and kids at heart in your life.
The Nintendo Switch – OLED Model Splatoon 3 Special Edition will be available in stores at a suggested retail price of $469.99. Splatoon 3 is now available for pre-order at select retailers, in the My Nintendo Store and in Nintendo eShop. To learn more about the game visit https://splatoon.nintendo.com/ca. To stay up to date on all the latest Splatoon 3 news, follow the Squid Research Lab at https://twitter.com/splatoonNA.
I’m hoping to get a Nintendo Switch of my own this year and to get both the Pokemon games for Julio and I – trust me when I say the kids in your life will be the happiest you’ve ever seen them. EVER.
For students of all ages – especially the older ones, Staples is that one stop school shop for the essentials. From that new laptop they made need to backpacks, a visit (or three if it’s me) to Staples is a must this season and I highly recommend picking up a first gift cards while you’re there. If anyone is feeling generous, I’ll take one too! I may not be a student, but I am always learning and could use an upgrade or two this back to school season too!
Canada’s Official Back to School Guide
“Staples has helped Canadians go back to school for more than 30 years, evolving with them to meet all school year needs. As Canada’s leading authority on back to school, Staples is your one-stop shop for the leading tech, on-trend school supplies, workspace essentials and more to give back the ultimate preview of what this season has to offer. This includes the best products of the season, tips and hacks to ace your year, working station design guides and so much more. Let’s Find Out: Canada’s Official Back to School Guide is available at Staples stores nationwide, as well as at Staples.ca.“
Equipping Educators for Success with Staples Teacher Membership Program
“Staples’ Teacher Membership Program provides educators with exclusive perks, competitive pricing on supplies and dedicated services. It’s free to join the program, and is available to teachers, staff and faculty at all public and private K-12 schools, colleges and universities as well as home educators. In addition to exclusive offers for teachers, Teacher Appreciation Days will take place throughout the month of August. As always, with School Tools, teachers can create and share their class-specific lists of school supplies with parents and students. For every purchase made through School Tools, Staples Canada will donate three per cent back to the purchaser’s school.”
Being married to an educator, I couldn’t love that any more than I do. Thank you for being so awesome Staples.
4. A Trip to the CNE
This is one of those kids of all ages things, but especially for the young ones in your life before they head back to the classroom, this is a MUST this year. Now that things are opened up (remember to always be mindful of local health recommendations) it’s time to have some fun – and there’s nothing quite as fun as the CNE! The food, the rides, the stuffies and the memories are something that you have to experience with them to start the school year off properly with some epic summer memories. Trust me on this one.
The 2022 Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is marking its highly anticipated in-person return as one of Ontario’s most iconic events and end of summer traditions. Taking place from August 19 – September 5 at Exhibition Place, the CNE is packing music, performances and comedy on its six variety stages daily throughout the grounds, including an impressive marquee line-up on the Bandshell Stage. Enjoy summer nights outdoors while rocking out with Tom Cochrane or Marianas Trench; jammin’ to the reggae tunes of Jay Douglas; singing along to Gordon Lightfoot’s greatest hits — or discover new music from JUNO-winning artists including Indigenous singer-songwriter Iskwē and 2022 Breakthrough Group of the Year Monowhales, and more! All concerts and performances are FREE with CNE admission.
CNE Bandshell Stage Concert Series:
- August 19 – Comedy Night featuring Howie Mandel, Ali Hassan, Nour Hadidi, Neil Seguin, Courtney Gilmour
- August 20 – Bruce Cockburn with Hawksley Workman
- August 21 – Marianas Trench with Jocelyn Alice
- August 22 – DSL Dire Straits Legacy with Jake Clemons
- August 23 – Iskwē and Monowhales
- August 24 – Third World with Jay Douglas
- August 25 – JJ Wilde with Command Sisters
- August 26 – Grandson with Elko
- August 27 – Johnny Reid with Five Roses
- August 28 – Glass Tiger with The Spoons
- August 29 – Lighthouse with Altameda
- August 30 – David Wilcox with Connor Gains
- August 31 – Anslem Douglas with Eddie Bullen
- September 1 – Bryce Vine with Shawnee Kish
- September 2 – Busty and The Bass
- September 3 – Gordon Lightfoot with The Good Brothers
- September 4 – Tom Cochrane with Kasador
- September 5 – Labour Day, no concert
TICKETS:
Concerts are FREE with CNE Admission.
$20: Advance General Admission Ticket (purchased by August 18)
$25: Regular General Admission Ticket (starting August 19)
WEBSITE: www.theex.com
5. The right kind of snacks
With summer coming to an end, kids will be busy rushing to their extracurricular activities from soccer to band practice and more. Clif Kid Zbars, packed with energy and nutrients are the perfect snacks to toss in a backpack or nibble in the car to help kids fuel through the day. I’ve LOVED Clif bars for as long as I can remember – omg they had these nut butter ones a few years ago at one point that I couldn’t get enough of – and I love that there is now an entire kids line with their needs in mind.
Made with organic rolled oats and no artificial flavors, this gluten-free snack is a perfect choice for an easy on-the-go snack. With flavours like Iced Oatmeal Cookie, Chocolate Brownie, and Chocolate Chip, kids won’t want to trade in their snacks! I mean, I know I wouldn’t want to!
I know that I’ll keep them stocked in the house for the kids and Julio alike, along with all the other delicious Clif bar line of bars for that nutritious snack on the go between content creating, meetings, enjoying the sunshine and everything I have on the go!
6. A visit to Mark’s Canada for some new clothes & shoes
New school year and new clothes are basically synonyms of each other, at least they were for me. As you would have seen here, Julio and I got to check out the stunning new 12,000 square foot Mark’s Canada location at Bayshore Shopping Centre in Ottawa and one of the sections that stood out was the selection of shoes and clothes for kids!
So that’s my six things to get and do for this year’s back to school season – and though it may not be the list you thought you’d get, trust me when I say it’s the list that will have your kids loving you and excited for their return to the class room!
Come along with Julio & I if you aren’t following us yet at @dothedaniel & @fashionights on all platforms
Photos: Daniel Reyes Cocka and aforementioned participating brands
Don’t forget to be kind & laugh a little more this year
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