Moms Built This: The Ultimate Back-to-School Shopping List

I can’t believe summer is almost over and we’re already deep into the back-to-school season. My daughter starts kindergarten this year, so this is my first real BTS checklist, and I decided to skip the Target run entirely. Instead, I curated a list of mom-owned brands I actually love and think are worth your cart.

Every single item on this list was built by a mom who ran into a problem (an allergy, a cold every week, a kid who lost seventeen water bottles in one semester) and instead of just complaining about it, she made the thing that didn’t exist yet.

So here’s the list of mom-founded brands that make back-to-school a little easier, plus a few favorites for you because, let’s be honest, you’re part of the morning routine too.

1. Bubblegum Market: lunch notes and colorful school supplies that will actually make your kids excited to do homework

2. Erin Condren: colorful planners and calendars to keep everyone mostly on schedule

3. Joy Creative Shop: the cutest thank you cards and gift tags for teachers

4. Little Chicken: personalize and design your own backpack, denim jacket, and lunchboxes

5. Fluf: eco-conscious backpacks

6. Mabel’s Labels: labels for literally every item your kid goes to school with

7. Yumbox: for the kid who wants everything packed in one lunchbox

8. The Charmish Shop: custom charms for backpacks to add some personality

9. CharCharms: not a mom, but a student who wanted to add some extra style to her water bottles

10. Beekeeper’s Naturals: holistic remedies for back-to-school germ season created by Carly Kremer

11. Babo Botanicals: all natural sunscreen for recess time

12. DojoCare: turn the after school bath-time battle into a foam party

13. Spilled Milk: editorial-feeling kids’ style you wish came in your size

14. Milk Teeth: bold, colorful, un-boring kidswear, founded by two former fashion executives who wanted better options

15. Minimalist Folk Co.: hand-screen-printed kids tees and clothing

16. Primary: no-fuss kids’ basics that make getting dressed less stressful

17. Sunny Mini Store: hand-crafted designs, small-batch knit-wear made in New Zealand

18. Polkadot England: chic pajamas sets for pajama day and every cozy morning in-between. made on heritage knitting mills in England

19. Ten Little: sturdy shoes for the littlest students

20. StyleChild: fashion-forward sneakers

21. Bisgaard: danish, handmade, natural-material shoes

22. Babiators: kids’ sunglasses perfect for recess

23. Super Smalls: playful jewelry and hair accessories

24. Mimi & Lula: hair accessories that survive an entire school day

25. Little Words Project: confidence bracelets for the first-day nerves

Because apparently we’re expected to look like functioning adults at drop-off after surviving 17 meltdowns all before 8am. These women-led brands make the morning routine a little easier.

• The Bar: i practically live in these oversized sweatshirts

• Beyond Yoga: the softest buttery leggings you’ll get in every color

• Tower 28 Beauty: the look alive trio; tinted moisturizer, lip jelly, mascara by Amy Liu

• Saie: fake a vacation with this clean beauty cream bronzer From the Saie Office

• Rare Beauty: the “i definitely have my life together” liquid blush by Rare Beauty

• Kosas: brightening concealer for when your baby was up six times but your coworkers don't need to know.

Bookmark this one. Restack it. Share it. Send it to the group chat. However you get through the next few weeks of first-day chaos, at least now you know exactly where to put your money.