6 Tips for Back-to-School Shopping

I can’t believe we’re already talking about back-to-school! The sad thing is… it’s been creeping up on us for a while. In fact, I was in Target before the 4th of July and the school supplies were already out… and majorly picked over I might add. Insanity.

But we can no longer ignore how close we are to the first day of school so let’s get real about how to prepare those kiddos for the classroom. If you have children, you know it’s hard to shop with them in tow. In light of this challenge, I’ve teamed up with The Empire Mall in Sioux Falls to share my 6 tips for tackling the back-to-school shopping list… and keeping your sanity in the process. 😉

Before we dive in: a big shout out to my stud of a son for being my adorable model for this post. I share his outfit details at the bottom of this post!

1.) Have a ‘Game Plan’

Before hitting the mall, I always make sure I’ve reviewed what we already have and have a mental {or physical} list of what we really need. When I first became a mom, I made the mistake of heading out on shopping trips with no idea of what was already in our kids’ closets. Since then, I’ve done my best to make a real game plan for shopping. I try to keep my kids’ clothes organized and make sure I’m regularly cleaning out their drawers/closets so they only contain items that currently fit or can be grown into. That way, when I go to create my shopping ‘game plan,’ it’s easier to see what items are missing. Having a plan also keeps me from wandering around aimlessly looking at things we don’t really need.

2.) Set a Budget

This is so important when shopping for anyone but is especially important when it comes to back-to-school shopping for kids. Regardless of their age, kids can get carried away. They think there’s room for everything! Establishing a budget that your kids are aware of even before you start your shopping trip is necessary for all parties involved. A budget in conjunction with the ‘game plan’ will also keep you from making frivolous purchases.

3.) Set a Time Frame

Giving yourself a set amount of time before your shopping trip will also do wonders for your sanity. There’s nothing worse than shopping with kids when you feel like you might be endlessly browsing. Be realistic so you’re not stressed out by your time frame. Determining the places you absolutely have to get to beforehand can help to keep you on schedule. Always make sure you start at those ‘must-stop’ stores and then, if there’s time and a need, you can swing by your ‘second choice’ stores.

4.) Go ‘Kid Prepared’

Snacks, naps and distractions. These are the three things I never leave the house without when it comes to shopping with kids. If I’m missing even one of these items (especially the naps 😉 ) things might get a little nuts. It’s worth rescheduling the shopping trip if one of these things is compromised. Because mom’s sanity will be compromised if the children aren’t cooperative. It’s not worth the stress.

5.) Know Sizing

As moms, we know you have to buy things just a little too big so they can be grown into as the school year goes on. But the problem is: every brand fits just a little bit differently. This is another reason why making a mental list of the ‘must-visit’ stores is important. You know what brands your kids wear and what brands you trust. When I’m going through the closets/dressers, I also make sure to take note of what size my babes are wearing based on each retailer. That way, I’m not stuck in the dressing room and cutting into that valuable time frame. Instead, I’m able to look for the size I know will work and go home feeling confident in my purchases.

6.) Review the Sales

It’s worth doing a little bit of research before you decide to visit the mall to make sure you’re getting the best sales. Take a look online to see what the deals are in-store. The in-store offers are almost always better than the deals they are offering online so it’s definitely worth making the trip to your favorite retailers to take advantage of the best sales. If you find something you love in-store but they’re missing the size you need, most retailers are able to find it in another store and ship it (for FREE!) to your home.

Hopefully these tips help as you prepare to shop for your kids for the upcoming school year! What other tips do you have for other mamas when it comes to back-to-school shopping? Comment below!

Here are the details as to where I found Carsten’s darling outfits for this post (prices are full retail but most are currently on sale in-store!):

Look #1 – Button down flannel ($29.95), striped long-sleeve shirt ($16.95) and jeans ($29.95) all from Gap Kids in The Empire Mall.

Look #2 – Under Armour sweatshirt ($42.99) and Under Armour sweatpants ($26.99) both from Younkers in The Empire Mall.

Look #3 – Button down chambray shirt ($19.94), long-sleeve graphic tee ($9.00) and khakis ($19.94) all from Old Navy in The Empire Mall.

This post is sponsored by The Empire Mall in Sioux Falls.