Fall is officially in session—and with it comes new routines, busy school days, sports schedules, cozy nights and plenty of reasons to refresh what your family is wearing, packing, reading and reaching for every day.
We’ve handpicked four brands that are bringing something special to the season: Pottery Barn Teen and Pottery Barn Kids for school-day style and personality, Tubby Todd for fresh fall bath and skincare essentials, Mabel’s Labels for keeping all those kid essentials accounted for, and Kane Miller Books for stories that make cozy reading time even better.
Consider this your curated shortcut to the season’s family favorites: practical enough for real life, stylish enough to get excited about and fun enough to make fall feel a little more special.
PACKED WITH PERSONALITY
Because the right backpack is more than a place to stash homework—it’s part of the back-to-school style. Pottery Barn Teen and Pottery Barn Kids make it easy to find picks that are equal parts practical and personality-packed, from team spirit and fashion-forward prints to favorite characters and perfectly coordinated lunch gear. Whether they’re cheering for their favorite MLB team, obsessed with a pretty pattern or all about Cinnamoroll, these school-day essentials are designed to keep kids organized while letting their personalities shine.
The Gear Up LoveShackFancy Pink Damask Backpack XL pairs a lightweight, roomy design with the brand’s signature Pink Damask print, while the matching LoveShackFancy Pink Damask Lunch Box adds an insulated place for keeping lunches and snacks fresh. For younger kids, the Hello Kitty & Friends Cinnamoroll Backpack and coordinating Cinnamoroll Critter Mackenzie Lunch Box bring plenty of personality to the school day, with a durable, water-resistant backpack and fully insulated lunch box featuring adorable Cinnamoroll details.
For baseball fans, the Gear Up MLB Backpack XL is a standout, featuring a spacious, water-resistant design with multiple compartments for school supplies, tech and everyday essentials, plus fun MLB team designs. And for families who love a ready-to-go set, the Gear Up MLB Backpack + Cold Pack Lunch Bundle pairs a matching Yankees backpack and lunch box for an easy, coordinated back-to-school essential.
Whether your child loves sports, fashion or favorite characters, these backpacks and lunch boxes make school days a little more organized—and a lot more fun.
KEEP YOUR GEAR COMING BACK HOME
Fall means new clothes, school uniforms, backpacks, shoes, water bottles and plenty of gear heading out the door every day. After investing in all those fall essentials, the last thing you want is for them to disappear into the lost-and-found—or end up in someone else’s backpack! That’s why labeling everything is one of our favorite fall must-haves, and Mabel’s Labels makes it easy. With label packages starting at $12 and dozens of fun icons and 35+ color options, you can create personalized labels that make it easy for kids to identify their belongings at school, sports and everywhere in between. We love that they are constantly adding new designs and styles too, making it fun to create and personalize bag tabs and labels for each sports season.
Mabel’s Labels are waterproof, dishwasher-safe and laundry-safe, making them a practical choice for labeling everything from clothing and school supplies to shoes, lunch containers and water bottles. They’re also a fall sports must-have for busy families. When the whole team has the same soccer ball, cleats, uniforms, equipment bags or water bottles, personalized labels make it much easier to keep track of everyone’s gear. Whether you’re shopping for back-to-school essentials,fall sports gear or everyday family must-haves, Mabel’s Labels are a simple way to help keep your family’s favorite things from getting lost. We love including label gift packs when we are on team snack duty. We use the Party Pack option and then personalize it with name and jersey number. Each set comes with five labels and a bag tag. Mabel’s Labels even offers curated options, such as sports label packs, making it easy to label all your gear at once. You can also use these to label items with important information, such as allergies and emergency contacts, adding an extra layer of peace of mind.
ADVENTURES BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Fall means school drop-offs, after-school activities, sports practices and plenty of time in the car. The average parent can spend 2–3 hours a day driving kids to school and activities, so we’ve found a simple way to make that time more enjoyable: books! Even though we have a TV in the car, our family rule is that unless the drive is about the length of a movie, the screen stays off. Instead, each week the kids choose a few Kane Miller books and activity books to keep in the backseat. They’re perfect for looking through during car rides, waiting for a sibling at practice, sitting at a restaurant or filling a few extra minutes between fall activities. Our current favorites include Life Size Ocean Animals for curious kids who love discovering fascinating sea creatures, Luna Loves Sports for little athletes, Adventure Mice: Ghostly Galleon for young readers who love an exciting adventure, The Cherry Pie Princess for a sweet story time pick, and the Epic Historic Adventure Series for kids ready to explore history through engaging stories. With so much going on during the fall, adding a few great books to your family’s car kit is one of our favorite screen-free fall must-haves for kids.
FALL INTO A FRESH ROUTINE
Fall brings cooler days, busier schedules and plenty of reasons to hit refresh—from post-practice cleanups to cozy bath nights and everything in between. Tubby Todd makes it easy to give the whole family’s bath and skincare routine a seasonal reset, with gentle, family-friendly essentials designed with sensitive skin in mind. Add in a few fall-inspired favorites and everyday grab-and-go staples, and you’ve got a lineup that keeps everyone feeling fresh, clean and ready for whatever the season brings.
Start with the Best Face Wash, a simple everyday essential, then get into the Halloween spirit with the limited-edition Black Cherry Wash + Lotion, a festive seasonal duo that brings a little spooky fun to the fall skincare routine. For busy school and sports days, the Hand Sanitizer 2-Pack and Deo Stick are easy essentials to keep in backpacks, gym bags and bathrooms. We’re also loving the seasonal Sweet Apple Wash, with its delicious fall-inspired scent, while the Hair Duo – Fragrance Free 25oz is a practical choice for families looking for a fragrance-free hair-care option.
From bath time to after-school cleanups, these Tubby Todd fall essentials make it easy to keep the whole family feeling fresh, clean and ready for everything the season brings.
