Back to School Tips and Tricks - Packing the Bag

Make the new school year feel easier (and more fun)

When school starts, the morning routine can go from calm to chaos fast - especially if you’re juggling packing lunches, finding school shoes, and getting everyone out the front door on time. The good news? You can set up a few simple systems (and grab everything you need) in one trip to Broadway Sydney, conveniently located in inner-city Sydney.

Here are practical back to school hacks (with plenty of lunch box hacks woven in) to help you feel more prepared for the school year ahead - whether you’ve got little ones starting kindergarten or older children heading back for a new school year.

1) Create a “launch pad” near the front door

School hack: Set up one spot at home where everything lives for weekday mornings — think bag, hat, drink bottle, notes, and keys. It’s a small change that can save time all week.

Shop it at Broadway Sydney:

Smiggle or Target for hooks, tubs, labels, and bag tags (perfect for kids who forget things).
Cotton On Kids, shop HERE, for spare hats, socks, and hair accessories that can live in the launch pad basket.

Quick tip: Add a small “back-up kit” (hair ties, bandaids, tissues) from Chemistworks so you’re not scrambling on the first day.

2) Lunch box hacks that reduce weekday stress

If lunch packing is the part that feels the worst, build a simple rotation: two to three “go-to” options your child actually eats, plus a few easy extras.

Back To School Tips & Tricks | Pack the Lunchbox

Shop lunch essentials at Broadway Sydney:

Coles, ALDI or Harris Farm Markets for fruit, yoghurt, crackers, wraps, cheese, and grab-and-go options.
Breadtop for buns and bakery favourites (great for recess variety).

Lunch box hacks to try this week:

Prep once, pack fast: wash and cut fruit/veg after your shop, then store in easy-access containers.
Freeze-friendly wins: keep bread or wraps in the freezer so you can build lunches the night before.
Two-of-everything rule: if you can, buy two lunch containers and two drink bottles so you’re never stuck mid-wash.
Make it a fun way to eat: let kids choose one “colour” fruit/veg for the week to help spark curiosity around food.

3) Upgrade the school bag, not the chaos

A school bag that’s easy to open, easy to carry, and has the right pockets makes mornings smoother (especially when kids start packing their own things).

Where to shop at Broadway Sydney:

Smiggle, Target, Kmart, and Cotton On Kids, shop HERE, for backpacks, lunch bags, and drink bottles

Hack: Add a name label and bag tag combo so your child’s belongings make it back home - and pack the bag the night before at the launch pad.

4) School shoes without the guesswork

School shoes are one of those “leave it too late” items. If you’re shopping with kids, aim for a quick try-on trip early in the week when it’s quieter.

Back to School Tips & Tricks | The Perfect School Shoes

Where to shop at Broadway Sydney:

Rebel for durable school shoes and sport-friendly styles.
Target and Kmart for affordable, everyday school shoe options.
The Athlete's Foot, shop HERE, for both school shoes and sports shoes..

Hack: Bring the socks they’ll actually wear to school so the fit is accurate (and less drama later).

5) Beat the stationery panic with one-stop shopping

If your child’s list is long (or you’ve got multiple kids), you’ll want to keep it simple: list → trolley → done.

Back to School Tips & Tricks | Prep the Stationery

Broadway Sydney options:

Kmart and Target for budget-friendly school stationery, diaries and planners.
JB Hi-Fi for practical home/desk essentials (printing, storage, office supplies).
Mint My Desk for fun stationery, storage supplies, and motivation boosters kids actually want to use.

Hack: Set up a “homework station” basket — one tub with pencils, scissors, glue, markers, and spare paper. When homework time hits, everything is in one place.

6) A “spare set” hack that saves the week

If you’ve ever had a spill, lost hat, or missing lunch box lid… you already know this one.

Keep a small spare set ready:

spare socks/undies + a hair accessory
a basic snack stash
bandaids + hand sanitiser
a spare pen + notebook

Shop it at Broadway Sydney:

Chemistworks for first aid and practical bits.
Coles/ALDI for snack staples.
Cotton On Kids - shop HERE - for clothing backups.
Target and Kmart for clothing backups.

7) Keep kids engaged during the school-holiday lead-in

The last week of summer break can feel long. A little structure helps with the transition (and builds excitement).

Easy ideas to try:

Pick one afternoon for bag setup and stationery organisation so the task doesn’t drag on.
Choose one “fun” item together (new pencil case, keyring, drink bottle) to make the new school year feel exciting.

Where to shop:

Kidstuff and QBD Books, shop HERE, for activity books, games, and small rewards.
Smiggle for fun stationery that makes kids feel proud of their setup.

8) Tech essentials to power the new year

Discover must-have school tech, designed to support learning at home and in class.

Where to shop:

JB Hi-Fi for great value laptops, headphones, and accessories.
Harvey Norman for a wide range of reliable computers, and study-friendly tech.
Apple for powerful, easy-to-use devices like iPads and Macs for learning and creativity.

Get set for the year ahead at Broadway Sydney

With the right back to school hacks, you can make mornings calmer, packing lunches quicker, and the whole school year feel more manageable. From lunch box essentials at Coles, ALDI and Harris Farm Markets to stationery, school bag upgrades, and everyday basics — Broadway Sydney is a convenient destination for back to school shopping in Sydney.