In Florida, it takes a lot more than just books to survive the day at school. Make sure your child is well equipped to take on any challenge thrown their way this school year with these beyond books backpack essentials.

Stay Clean
Ward off germs and prevent your child missing school due to sick days. Send your child off with hand sanitizer to use before eating and after playing outside. When they find themselves in sticky situations, equip them with wet wipes so they can clean up with no worries. When runny noses inevitably appear, make sure they are well prepared with mini packs of tissues. To keep things organized in your child’s backpack, designate a specific pocket for their cleaning supplies or fill a small, easy to find pouch with the items.

Beat the Heat
While summer may be winding down for back-to-school season, the Florida sun will always be shining. Protect your child from the elements by making sure they have sunscreen to reapply throughout the day. Remind them to use it before they hit the playground or head outside for P.E. Along with protecting your child’s skin, make sure they stay hydrated with a handy refillable water bottle. Try providing your child with an insulated bottle to keep their water cold all day. For kid’s with long hair, hair ties are another essential item to beat the heat. Slide a few hair ties into your child’s bag so they can easily pin up their hair when the heat starts to swelter.

Rainy Daze
Other than its heat, Florida is notoriously known for its afternoon showers. When the rain starts to pour, help your child be ready to brave the storm with an easy to use compact umbrella or poncho. Also give your child a small plastic bag for them to store their wet gear when the sun comes back up. Another essential item that your child will thank you for is unusual but extremely necessary. Be sure to pack an extra pair of socks in your child’s bag so they can enjoy the highs of playing in puddles without having to deal with the consequence of sitting in soggy socks for the rest of the day.