Back-to-School Hacks: Top 15 Tricks to Save Time and Sanity

As summer starts to wind down, it’s time for parents to dust off backpacks, sharpen pencils and channel their inner superheroes. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back!  

Whether you’re a seasoned school-year veteran or a first-time kindergarten parent, we’re sharing a back-to-school checklist to give you a breather. Because let’s face it: all parents can use a few extra tricks in their toolbelt.

But wait, what if your children are beyond the pencil case stage (read: soon-to-be or recent university grads looking for their first job)? We’ve got you covered, too.  

• Read these 10 career-building tips for recent grads to learn how they can stand out in a sea of candidates.  

• Encourage those early in their career to consider contract work—it's a great way to build skills and network while seeking full-time employment. Read about the 5 benefits of contract work.  

• Help your recent grad nail that first interview with these handy tips.  

Okay, let’s get back to “back-to-school.” Ready to show those school supply lists who's boss? Let’s dive in!

Note: This post contains links to products we thought were cool, interesting and helpful. Altis hasn’t tested these products and doesn’t receive a commission from their sale.  

1. Laces to Slip-Ons – like magic

Forget the hassle of tying shoelaces every morning! With this clever product, you can turn any pair of shoes into slip-ons, saving precious time and eliminating the risk of tripping over loose laces. This is a game-changer, especially on those hectic mornings when every minute counts.

Get the product here

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2. Personalized Emoji Labels for a Fun Twist

Labeling your child's belongings doesn't have to be a chore. Turn it into a fun activity by creating personalized emoji labels. Let your kids design their avatars, which will not only make them more excited about their items but also decrease the chances of lost belongings.

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3. Make Eating the Rainbow Fun

Make eating fruits and veggies a fun game by printing out a "Rainbow Food Chart" where your child can track the different colours they eat each day. It’s a playful way to get them involved in choosing their meals and can help with selective eaters.  

Check out the chart here

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4. Roll Through Homework Time with a Mobile Cart

Streamline homework time with a dedicated “homework cart” stocked with all the essentials. Opt for a cart with wheels, so your child can easily move it to their preferred homework spot—whether that’s the kitchen counter one day or the dining room the next.  

Some of the essentials:  

• 3-tier rolling cart  
• Pens, pencils and markers
• Notebooks
• Homework timer  
• Folders  
• Scissors  
• Tape  
• Sticky notes  
• Glue

5. Expert Tips for a Better Night's Sleep

With all the excitement of back-to-school, ensuring your child gets enough sleep is crucial. We consulted a pediatric sleep consultant who suggested parents:  

• Create a visual routine chart: Outline the before-school, after-school and bedtime routines for each child. A visual guide helps them understand and follow the daily schedule. (check out these pre-made checklists)

• Discuss the routine and set expectations: Go over the routine with your kids, making sure they know what’s expected at each stage of the day.

• Consistency is key: Children thrive on routine because it helps them feel secure and know what to expect next.

• Limit screen time before bed: Ensure no screen time for at least an hour before bedtime to help them wind down.

• Adjust to earlier bedtimes: As they transition back to school, children may need an earlier bedtime. Preschoolers and kindergarteners might need to be in bed as early as 5:30 pm, while early school-aged children may require a 6:00-6:30 pm bedtime. These early bedtimes could be necessary for 2-3 weeks, or even longer, as they adjust.

• Be patient with yourself and your children: Remember that adjusting to new routines takes time. Be gentle with yourself and your kids while everyone adapts to the changes.

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6. AHS – Always Have Snacks!

Whether you’re on the go or at home, having snacks readily available can save the day. Always have a snack ready at school pick-up!  

Prepare a snack basket each Sunday with a variety of grab-and-go options like cheese sticks, fruits, crackers and dips. This will keep your kids fueled and happy immediately after school.

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7. Weekly Outfit Planning Made Simple

Avoid morning chaos by planning your child’s outfits for the entire week. Use a hanging door organizer labeled with the days of the week and let your child help choose their outfits. This not only saves time but also reduces morning pressure for everyone.

Get the labels here  |  Get the organizer here

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8. Play Freely After School

Give your kids a break after a structured school day by designating free playtime right after they get home. For example, take them to a park, run around in the backyard, or play dress-up.  This unstructured time helps them unwind and prepares them to focus better when it’s time to do homework. Let them shake their sillies out!  

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9. Display and Preserve Your Child’s Artwork

Running out of space for your child’s art projects? Artkive lets you preserve their masterpieces by transforming photos of their art into mosaics or books. You can then decide what to do with the originals while keeping the memories intact.

10. Measure Shoe Sizes at Home

Avoid the hassle of in-store shoe shopping by measuring your child’s feet at home. This way, whether you’re shopping online or in-store, you’ll know their size in advance, saving time and allowing you and your kids to spend more time on the fun part of choosing the shoes.  

Get a foot measurer here

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11. Colour Code the Clock for Smooth Mornings

Empower your kids to manage their morning routine by colour-coding a clock with a legend that indicates what they should be doing at specific times. More independence for everyone, yay!  

Watch the tutorial here

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12. Leverage Technology for You and Your Teen

Empower your teen to stay organized by making use of note-taking apps and online project management tools. The start of the school year often brings a flood of tasks and to-do lists, but with the right digital tools, they can set up reminders and keep everything neatly in one place. Examples include Evernote, Microsoft OneNote, Asana, and Monday.com.  

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13. Keep a Basket of Socks by the Door

You're at the door, and the kids are putting their shoes on but...WAIT, they forgot their socks? Save the sprinting trip around the house and keep a basket of grab-and-go socks at the door.  

Shop here

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14. Take Your Back-to-School Photos a Week Early

Avoid the stress of trying to capture the perfect back-to-school photo on a chaotic morning by taking them a week ahead of time. During the summer break, you can take your time to get the best shots without the pressure of the first day. No one will know the difference!

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15. Fun with Left and Right—Sticker Hack

Help your child learn their left from their right in a fun way. Instead of marking each shoe with an “L” and “R,” use a sticker of their favourite character. Cut the sticker in half and place the right side in the right shoe and the left side in the left shoe. When they put the shoes on correctly, the character will be whole again!

See the idea here

BONUS TIP: “Achoo!” Pack a Cold and Flu Kit

Here’s some unfortunate math: Back to School + Chilly Weather = Unwelcome Friends. That’s right, we’re talking colds and flu.

To help stave off illness (or treat it when it comes knocking), be sure to keep a well-stocked “cold kit” for your kids. Vitamins, children’s pain reliever, cough syrup, cold medicine and lozenges, a thermometer, tissues, orange juice, soup... Best to have it all on hand.  

Unfortunately, when your kids get sick, the math gets worse because Kids + Colds = Sick Days. And that’s where we can help.  

If you need a temporary contractor to cover last-minute, unexpected time off, don’t forget the Altis Team can help with that too. We can quickly connect you with skilled temporary help to tide you over until you’re back on track, so you can rest easy and focus on recovery.

With these back-to-school hacks, you can ease into the school year—and the busy fall season with confidence. Each tip is designed to save time (and sanity), reduce chaos and make the transition to school smoother for both you and your child(ren).  

At Altis, we’re always here to help employees and employers, hiring managers and job seekers get top marks.  

Are you an employer looking for last-minute temporary help to cover employees on leave? Contact us today to learn how we can help.

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