Good Housekeeping Reviews Back-to-School Products and Supplies
Experts review and recommend products and supplies.
Sept. 1, 2010— -- It's that time again, and kids – big ones or little ones – are heading back to school.
Carolyn Forte of the Good Housekeeping Institute appeared on "Good Morning America" this morning to talk about some of the institute's favorite products for your children, whether they're heading to kindergarten or college.
Click HERE to visit Good Housekeeping and see their full list of recommended products, along with their reviews.
Below you can find some of their top picks, by category:
Good Housekeeping's Picks
Lunch Boxes
A good lunch is key, and it's important to make sure your child's lunch includes an ice pack to perishables stay safe. Perishables can only stay unrefrigerated for about two hours before they become unsafe, so refrigerate drinks, and freeze sandwiches overnight. If that's too much trouble, click HERE for Good Housekeeping's list of healthy foods that don't need to be refrigerated.
Ore Originals Sugar-Booger Lunch Sack
Arctic Zone Kids Uno Bucket
Portable External Hard Drives
School nowadays means computers and space for schoolwork may compete with your child's audio and video files. Get them some more digital room.
SeaGate's FreeAgent GoFlex
ClickFree C2
Cirago's Portable Storage CST5500
Backpacks
The Good Housekeeping Institute tested 32 backpacks for durability, practicality and comfort. Before you buy any backpacks for your children, make sure it fits them correctly. You can tell if it's the right fit if the base of the pack rests comfortably against your child's lower back.
L.L. Bean Super Deluxe Book Pack
CalPak Sky Forest
L.L.Bean Apex Pack
Lands' End MultiTask
Tablet Computers
These cutting-edge items are taking the market by storm. Chances are, your child would love to walk into class and take notes on one of these. If you're thinking of getting one, the institute thinks these are a good bet.
Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Tablet
Apple's iPad
Laptop-Ready Messenger Bags
Protect your child's pricey laptop with a specially designed messenger bag that's practical and stylish.
L.L. Bean Apex
FlapJack Courier
Cupcake Carriers
The institute's picks for your kids' tasty treats!
The Bake, Take and Serve
The Bake N Take
Dorm Bedding
College dorm beds are usually extra-long twin size, to accommodate taller students. The institute tested 17 college dorm sheet sets to see which ones didn't pill, shrink, fade, rip or lose their softness.
PBteen's Twin XL sheets.
Alarm Clocks
Thirty-three clocks were put to the test. These combine form, function and versatility.
Sony Multi-Function Clock Radio for iPod
iHome Dual Dock Alarm Clock Radio
iLuv Vibe Plus
Memorex Dual Alarm Clock Radio
Thermal Coffee Mugs
If your older child dashes out with tea or coffee in a mug, you'll be interested in this list. More than 50 mugs were tested.
Thermos Sipp Insulated Tumbler
Chantal Livestrong
Oxo Good Grips LiquiSeal Travel Mug
Contigo Extreme Mug