Top 5 School Accessories for Back to School

5 Must-Have School Accessories To Kick Off the Year Right

Whether you’re shopping for your grade schooler or getting ready for grad school, ALOHA Collection has all of the versatile bags you need to take you from summer beach days to school days. From thoughtfully designed backpacks and protective laptop cases to insulated lunchboxes, these five essential school accessories were designed for students at any age. Class is in session! 

1. A Fun And Functional Lightweight Backpack

Best for: Grade school kids, middle school kids, high schoolers, college students, commuters 

Why you’ll love it: The backpack is the classic school accessory for a reason. When you combine thoughtful design with playful patterns, you get the perfect school bag for all ages. 

Our Keep It Light Nylon Backpack is a super lightweight, durable backpack that’s comfortable to carry all day for students of all ages. It keeps everything you need for the classroom organized and easy to access with multiple compartments and pockets for your water bottle and essentials, plus a padded laptop compartment to protect your laptop or tablet.

For grade schoolers that need to travel lighter or high school students adding fashion-forward style to their bag wardrobe, meet the Mini Backpack! This compact version packs a lot of function in a little size. The hands-free design is easy to carry and multiple pockets keeps school accessories easy to access. 

Whether you go with the full size or mini size, we’ve got the best backpacks for high school​. Shop ALOHA Collection's school backpacks here.

Is your tech always tangling, your pens leaking, and your ID impossible to find? Here’s a few tips for packing your backpack for stress-free school days: 

How To Organize A School Backpack

• Pack it right: Put the heaviest items (like textbooks) closest to your back for better weight distribution and comfort.

• Protect your tech: Put your laptop or tablet in the padded sleeve. It doesn’t just keep you organized, it also keeps your tech protected. 

• Every pocket has a purpose: Use the exterior pocket for items you need to quickly access– like pens or your student ID. The side pockets fit a water bottle or can be used as snack pockets. 

• Organize it with pouches: Use our pouches to keep similar items together and find exactly what you need—fast. Keep all writing supplies in one pouch, tech accessories in another, and personal items separate from school supplies.

2. A Tote Bag That Can Do It All 

Best for: High schoolers, college students, teachers, and commuters

Why you’ll love it: Tote bags for school are a versatile everyday essential that easily transitions from classroom to extracurriculars without missing a beat.

For the student or teacher who goes straight from class to extracurriculars, The Day Tripper and The Daily Tote are the perfect totes for school that combine functionality with everyday durability. 

The Day Tripper is your everyday and everywhere favorite as your beach bag, travel tote,  teacher tote bag, and more. The spacious interior fits a laptop (pair it with the Laptop Case), notebooks, gym clothes, and all the extras, while the zip-top closure makes sure nothing falls out during your busy day. 

If you’re looking for a sleek tote that keeps your tech protected, meet The Daily Tote with an interior padded laptop sleeve, magnetic closure, and multiple pockets.

Bonus: wear it as a tote or a crossbody with a convertible strap. 

3. The Grab-And-Go Lunch Box

Best for: Preschool, day care, grade school, middle school kids, high schoolers, college students, and commuters

Why you’ll love it: The Lunchbox makes it easy to eat well, with a water-resistant insulated interior that keeps food fresh, while the compact design fits easily into your backpack or lockers. With multiple ways to grab and wear— throw it on as a crossbody or grab the top handle—it’s the perfect compact size to carry for every student, from grade school to grad school, or workers on the go. 

4. The Laptop Case

Best for: High schoolers, college students, teachers, and commuters

Why you’ll love it: Made with water-resistant fabric and light padding, it’s built to fit up to a 16” laptop. The multiple pockets all around—a quick-access front, plus a roomy back zip for your charger, and chords—provide plenty of room so you're always prepared. Whether you’re taking it to class, work, or the café, this case has you covered. 

5. Easy To Clean Zipper Pouches 

Best for: Everyone, from grade schoolers to college students

Why you’ll love it: The secret to packing like a pro: pouches! In a range of prints and sizes, you can color-code and categorize your pouches to easily grab what you need. Use them for pens and pencils, art supplies, personal items, and tech accessories. 

Are Backpacks Or Tote Bags Better For School?

It’s your bag, your way! Generally, a backpack is best for grade schoolers and students that need to carry more. A tote is best for older students as it is versatile for lighter days and other activities. But why choose when you can have both? Many students have both options for different purposes. 

Backpacks are best for:

• Carrying heavy textbooks and supplies

• Walking or biking to school

• Elementary through high school students that want to move with your hands free

• When you need to pack more for traveling or commuting

Tote bags are best for:

• College or high schooler with lighter course loads

• Commuters who drive to school and don’t need to carry as much all day

• Transitioning from classroom to other activities 

• Teachers that need to easily transition to after-work activities. 

The best school accessories are the ones that work for your daily routine and style. Whether you’re shopping for the first school drop-off at kindergarten or beginning graduate school, we have a bag for that! 

Shop all back to school essentials here!