Back to School: The Ultimate Guide to Cool Bags, Bottles & Stationery

That familiar mix of excitement and mild panic is back — the summer holidays are winding down, and it's time to think about back to school shopping. Whether you're kitting out a wide-eyed reception starter or a too-cool-for-school teenager, the right gear can turn "ugh, school again" into "actually, this is pretty cool."

The good news? Back to school shopping doesn't have to mean boring. From rocket-powered rucksacks to erasable pens that make homework feel like less of a chore, we've rounded up the standout picks from Brand Academy Store's stationery collection, water bottles range, and one seriously fun backpack. Here's everything you need to make the new term a success — organised by the three things every school bag needs: something to carry it in, something to drink from, and something to write with.

Why "Boring" School Supplies Are a Thing of the Past

There was a time when back to school shopping meant a plain black rucksack, a pack of blue biros, and a water bottle that leaked in your bag by lunchtime. Not anymore. Kids (and let's be honest, adults too) are far more likely to look after their things — and actually enjoy using them — when they're a bit fun, a bit personal, and built to last. That's the philosophy behind this guide: durable, planet-friendly, genuinely covetable gear that makes the first day back feel like an event rather than a chore.

Let's start with the item that gets the most airtime on the playground: the bag. 

The Showstopper: Suck UK Jetpack Backpack

If there's one item on this list guaranteed to get playground envy, it's the Suck UK Jetpack Backpack Children's Bag Rucksack. This isn't just a backpack shaped like a jetpack — it's designed so your child can genuinely blast off into their school day feeling like a young astronaut on a mission.

Here's what makes it a back-to-school favourite:

• Cosmic design that doesn't fade with fashion. The polyester jetpack styling looks brilliant on day one and still looks brilliant in June — it's a novelty item with real staying power because kids don't grow out of loving rockets.
• Genuinely useful rocket pockets. The signature rear "rocket" pockets on the straps aren't just for looks — they're perfect for stashing pencils, a snack, or a drink, so the little essentials don't get lost in the main compartment.
• Sized right for school life. At 360mm (W) x 450mm (H) x 150mm (D), it's roomy enough for books, a lunchbox, and a PE kit, without being so big it swamps a smaller child.
• Comfort that lasts the school run. Padded, adjustable straps mean it grows with your child and stays comfortable whether they're walking to school or racing around at pickup.
• A practical touch parents will appreciate. It comes with a name tag, so it won't end up in the lost property box after the first week.

At £30, it sits in that sweet spot of being an affordable back-to-school treat that still feels special — the kind of bag a child will actually want to wear, which, as any parent knows, makes the whole morning routine easier. You can check it out here.

Styling tip: Pair the Jetpack Backpack with a reusable water bottle clipped or slotted into a side pocket, and a compact pencil case in the main compartment, and you've basically sorted 80% of the back-to-school list in one go.

Staying Hydrated: Reusable Water Bottles That Actually Get Used

A water bottle only works if it gets used — and gets used properly, without leaking all over the homework in the bottom of the bag. Brand Academy's reusable glass and metal water bottles collection is built around exactly that problem, with a strong focus on cutting down single-use plastic while keeping bottles genuinely practical for daily school use.

Here's a look at some standout options for the school run:

For younger kids and lighter bags

The Water Bottle Lightweight 250ml Steel from 24 Bottles is a great starter size — small enough not to weigh down a little one's bag, but still sturdy stainless steel that will survive being dropped on the playground more than once. If black is more their thing, there's also the 250ml Tuxedo Black version.

For all-day hydration

Older kids and secondary school students who need more water to get through a longer day should look at the Water Bottle Lightweight 1L Steel or the equally striking 1L Ice White — both hold enough water to avoid the mid-afternoon "can I fill my bottle up" request, and the lightweight steel construction means they won't feel like a brick in a school bag.

For colour-coordinating with the new bag

The 500ml range comes in some genuinely striking colourways, including the Blue-Green Atlantic Bay Stone, the Country Dark Red Stone, and the muted Green Sage Stone — all from 24 Bottles, all built to the same durable, leak-resistant standard.

For the eco-conscious household

If reducing plastic waste is a priority, it's worth reading the collection's own reasoning: since plastic bottles are typically used once and then end up in landfill or the ocean as microplastics, switching to a durable glass or metal bottle is both a money-saver and a genuinely useful habit to build early. The Glass Transparent Water Bottle 400ml White from Dopper is a lovely option here — a proper glass bottle (with a protective sleeve) that teaches kids to look after their things.

For insulated, all-weather use

For families who want a bottle that keeps drinks cold on hot September afternoons and warm on frosty January mornings, the black + blum insulated range is worth a look — try the 750ml Insulated Water Bottle in Olive Green or the more compact 500ml Insulated Bottle in Ocean with Strap, which comes with a carry strap that's handy for clipping to a bag.

Browse the full water bottle collection here to match colours, sizes, and materials to your child's exact needs — and your budget, with prices from around £15 up to £39.50.

Stationery That Makes Homework (Almost) Fun

This is where back to school shopping gets genuinely enjoyable. The stationery collection at Brand Academy Store runs to over 200 products, spanning everything from playful pens to proper grown-up notebooks, so there's something for every age and every kind of learner.

Pens that turn mistakes into non-events

One of the smartest back-to-school buys is an erasable pen — brilliant for kids (and adults) who hate the look of a crossed-out mistake in an exercise book. The LEGAMI Erasable Ballpoint Gel Pen in Unicorn Design is a firm favourite, and there are fun character variations too, including the Erasable Gel Pen, Shark, Blue and the "Hip Hippo Hooray!" Erasable Gel Pen. For younger kids just getting the hang of pens, there's also a fun Ballpoint Pen with Light in Unicorn design that adds a little sparkle to spelling practice.

Running low on ink? The Erasable Gel Pens Black Ink Refill Set of 3 means the favourite pen doesn't have to be replaced the moment it runs dry.

Pencil cases and organisation

Keeping everything together is half the battle of staying organised at school. The Cat 2-in-1 Soft Silicone Pencil Case doubles as a table-top pen holder once the zip is open, which is a genuinely clever bit of design for a busy desk.

Colouring and creative writing

For kids who love to colour, doodle, or personalise their work, the Legami Set of 12 Teddy Friends Markers are washable and non-toxic with an anti-indentation tip — a small detail that matters a lot when markers get passed between siblings or friends.

Notebooks and journals for older students

For secondary school and college-age students, a proper notebook makes a real difference to how organised (and how motivated) they feel about note-taking. The Moleskine Classic Pocket Notebook, Soft Cover, Plain, Black is a timeless choice that works just as well for lecture notes as it does for creative writing. For something a little more compact and travel-friendly, the Legami A6 Small Travel Notebook slips easily into any bag.

Fun extras for the desk

A few small details can make a school desk (or home study corner) feel like a proper workspace. The Bright Reading Light with Clip, Dimmable, White is brilliant for evening reading or homework once the nights start drawing in, and a Book Fan — Around the World makes a genuinely lovely, geography-themed bookmark alternative for reluctant readers.

For a bit of personality on the desk, the Sushi Tape Decorative Washi Tape from Suck UK is a fun way to label folders, decorate notebook covers, or just add a splash of colour to homework projects — and it ties in nicely if you've already gone for the Suck UK Jetpack Backpack.

You can browse the entire stationery range here — with 208 products at the time of writing and prices from £2.50, there's plenty of room to build a full back-to-school kit without breaking the budget.

Building the Perfect Back-to-School Bundle

If you're short on time (and let's face it, most back-to-school shopping happens in a bit of a rush), here's a simple formula for putting together a complete, on-trend school kit:

1. The bag — the Suck UK Jetpack Backpack for a bag that gets genuine excitement rather than a groan.
2. The bottle — a reusable water bottle sized to your child's age and school day, ideally in a colour that matches or complements the bag.
3. The pens — a set of erasable pens so homework mistakes are never a big deal.
4. The notebook — something they'll actually want to write in, whether that's a fun character design for younger kids or a classic Moleskine for older students.
5. The small extras — a pencil case, some washi tape, or a reading light to make the whole set-up feel finished.

Back to school shopping is one of those tasks that can feel like a chore, but it doesn't have to be. Choosing gear that's practical, durable, and genuinely fun — like a jetpack-shaped backpack, a water bottle that will actually get used every day, and stationery with a bit of personality — makes the whole process more enjoyable for parents and kids alike. It also sets a good habit in motion: durable, reusable items like metal and glass water bottles cut down on waste, while well-made bags and stationery simply last longer, saving money over the school year.

Ready to get started? Head over to Brand Academy Store to browse the full stationery collection, pick out a reusable water bottle in your favourite colour, and grab the Suck UK Jetpack Backpack before the new term begins. Here's to a smooth, stylish, and well-organised back to school season!