Everything you need to head back into the classroom in style
With September on the horizon, now is the perfect time to get one step ahead with your back-to-school shopping! And we have all the essentials you're looking for (and more) under one roof. Whether they’re starting their first school year or heading back for another, shop everything from uniform staples to playful stationery. Plus, a selection of family-friendly activities and foods you’ll want to tuck into one last time as a family before the new term begins.
Fit for the term
Swap swimsuits for school shirts as summer winds down. At Bluewater, you’ll find great schoolwear that blends comfort, durability, and style, ready for classroom learning and playground adventures. Shop high-quality staples from trusted retailers like John Lewis, M&S, Next and River Island. Choose from adorable dresses, smart trousers, timeless polos, along with accessories and PE kits to top off their school-ready style. And, you’ll find heaps of back to school sales and offers running across these stores throughout the summer, so you can stock up on all these essentials for less.
Ultimate Stationery
Whether they’re revising for exams or just getting creative, explore back to school stationery essentials to keep them inspired and organised. Let your child’s imagination run wild at Smiggle, with a colourful collection of back to school supples and backpacks. Need the basics? Head to Typo for study-ready must-haves, stock up on highlighters, pens, notebooks and more at TGJones, pick up art materials at The Works, and pop into Waterstones where kiddos can discover their new favourite author and shop vibrant pens, cute erasers and sleek notebooks from Legami.
Stride into school
Whatever their school day holds, racing to class, break-time fun, or the walk home, finding the right shoes makes all the difference to day-long comfort and confidence. Replace worn out footwear and discover a variety of school-approved styles, from on-trend loafers and brogues at Clarks to comfy-meets-cool black trainers at schuh kids.
Sporty staples
Football, hockey, gymnastics, rugby… whichever sport they’re into, you’ll want to make sure their PE kit is stocked with comfortable, stylish and hardwearing essentials that can handle being washed repeatedly. You’ll find on-trend trainers and water bottles at Footaslyum, as well as roomy school bags, tracksuits and more at JD Sports, and school gym essentials like crew socks and training shorts at Primark.
On-trend frames
Looking after your family’s eyes is important, so if you haven’t done it already, the summer holidays is an ideal time to book the kids (and you) in for an optician’s appointment. From M&S and Vision Express to David Clulow and Boots Opticians, there are plenty of places to get your eyes checked shop for new glasses around the shopping centre, with many, including Boots, offering a range of children’s frames specifically designed to fit – and win over – little faces!
Make a day of it
And, once the essentials are ticked off the list, why not make your back-to-school shopping trip into a family adventure? Catch the latest blockbuster at Showcase Cinema. Let off some steam at the Bluewater Nature Trail and Wintergarden Play Area. Pick up a handcrafted treat from Lola’s Cupcakes. Take on zip lines and the inflatable Aqua Park obstacle course at Hangloose Adventure, and join the world's craziest inflatable party at The Monster – a giant inflatable course packed with obstacles, tunnels, bounce zones, and an 18 metre Mega Slide (running until the 31st August). Then refuel as a family with a meal at Bill’s, Ask Italian, Big Easy, or TGI Fridays, where the kids can eat for FREE this summer!
