16 Products From Amazon To Help Expedite Getting Your Kiddos Out The Door For School

An alarm clock built just for kids, so they can get used to waking up and getting ready for school on their own. This softly glowing gadget features a cute little face that lights up in different colors when it’s time to sleep or time to get up — and as a bonus, it’s a great sleep-training tool, so it’ll grow along with your little one from their toddler years well into their school years.

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Promising review: “Outstanding investment! We absolutely LOVE our Mella! I bought this for my 7-year-old son to teach him how to be responsible in the mornings and manage his time to get ready for school and I could not be more pleased with this precious clock! He loves it, it has a pleasing sound, the light is not too bright, and it makes a perfect nightlight. We also adore the sweet little face on it!” —Shawn or James Northcutt

Price: $49.99 (available in four colors)

A reusable daily routine checklist that’ll help your kiddos stay on task in the morning. With slots for up to 10 items and a satisfying little toggle to flip when each task is complete, this handy tool makes developing good getting-out-the-door-on-time habits fun.

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Promising review: “We use this to keep our ADHD 9-year-old daughter on track for her morning routine. Instead of my husband and I constantly telling her what she should be doing, which can be stressful for the three of us, we gently ask her to refer to her checklist.

It’s great because she feels more independent and accomplished when she can check off her list. I like that the list isn’t something she has to write on and get messy. She only has to move a button over to check an action off her list. Our checklist includes things like brushing your teeth, getting dressed, brushing your hair, putting on your shoes, packing your school bag, etc. She is easily distracted and not very motivated in the morning.

The checklist offers her structure and affirmation without us having to continually remind her what she has to do next. It’s durable, sticks to the wall easily, and is easy to change out and add morning or nightly routines to help keep her on track.” —ALucas77

Price: $6.98+ (available individually or in two-packs and in three styles)

And a kid-friendly countdown timer, because learning good time management skills is key for getting out the door on time. Plus, it comes in a ton of different colors — including a ~rainbow~ option.

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This timer can count down intervals of up to 60 minutes — and even if your little one is young enough to still be learning their numbers, the colorful band at the center of the timer gives them a numeral-free visual cue for how much time has passed and how much is left.

Promising review: “Keeps kids on task! I bought this to set at the breakfast table on school days. It helps my kids (ages 5 and 7) know how much time they have left before they need to be ready for school. It has helped them since they’re still learning to read a regular clock. It’s simple and easy to use!” —Moonchild

Price: $14.99+ (available in nine colors and designs)

A weekly hanging clothing organizer, so they can take charge of their wardrobe for the week — and take the mystery out of getting dressed each morning while they’re at it. The six little cubbies in this hanging organizer are labeled with the days of the week, plus one more for the weekend, letting them pick out their outfits in advance so they’re all ready to go first thing in the morning.

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Promising review: “Great outfit organizer! I really loved this product. It made school mornings go a lot more smoothly and it gave the children more independence while getting ready. It is something we prepped every weekend and it made school mornings easy as well as those busy weekends with the kids’ activities. Everything had a home and it was easy for them to just grab and put on, so no more morning frustrations!!!!” —Jessica

Price: $13.99

A Ninja air fryer to help get breakfast (and lunch, and after-school snacks, and dinner, and…) on the table in a flash. With the ability to crisp up everything from tater tots to English muffins, this reviewer-beloved pick makes cooked breakfasts quick, easy, and delicious. What better way to start your kids’ day than with the breakfast sammie to rival all breakfast sammies?

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Promising review: “How did we live without this?! We were late to the game on buying an air fryer. Note that we have this, I don’t know how we lived without one. It’s perfect for heating up french fries. Frozen tater tots take five minutes. My kids love those in the morning to go with their eggs and bacon. We get the most perfect fluffy baked potatoes using this air fryer. It’s the best for reheating pizza. Chicken tenders are easy and fast. It’s so nice to not have to turn on the big oven and heat up the whole kitchen. We love it!” —Kimberly Brooks

Price: $89.99+ (available in three sizes)

An everything-but-the-kitchen-sink zipper binder that’ll make sure their homework is all in one place and ready to go. With three big O-rings for all their loose leaf paper needs, pockets for pencils, Post-Its, and other supplies, and even a full, five-compartment portfolio (with tabs!), this sturdy binder can hold literally all of your kid’s most important school stuff.

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The zipper on this binder goes all the way around, too, so nothing will be in danger of falling out — and it’s even got a shoulder strap for hands-free carrying.

Promising review: “Helps my chaotic child be organized! We recently got this for my fifth grader, who could barely contain all her things in her full-sized backpack. This binder was large enough to hold all her folders, pens, boundless lip glosses, and small erasers, and zips up to contain it all. It is now a breeze to pack up her bag in the morning. Highly recommend!” —Max

Price: $26.99+ (available in 23 colors and designs)

Or a good ol’ fashioned Trapper Keeper, for the kiddo who’s into ~retro vibes~ (and the parent who grew up with Trapper Keepers and can’t believe they are now considered ~retro vibes~). Three rings, a spring clip, and two folders give them what they need to get started organizing their school stuff — and just wait ‘til their first experience with that satisfying Velcro rip they’ll get to hear every time they open the thing up.

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Promising review: “Don’t mess with perfection! My daughter started middle school where she would be changing classes. A Trapper Keeper helps keep her organized and her homework straight.” —Karisa Rumsey

*Another* promising review: “My 8th grader loves hers and kids at school ask where she got it! The ’80s are coming back, y’all!” —Nicole

Price: $13+ (available in six designs)

An expandable, layered pen and pencil case they can throw into their bag with ease — meaning they’ll never have to scrounge around for their must-have school supplies before heading for the bus. With a zippered mesh pocket, a mesh flap pouch, and a big ol’ main compartment, this cute and colorful canvas pick keeps everything together and neatly organized, day in and day out.

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Promising review: “Lovely pencil case! All my friends at school used this pencil case, and I wanted to know why it was so popular. Now I know! It fits a lot of stuff, and it’s easy to carry around. What I’m saying is that it’s not bulky. I recommend this pencil case for middle schoolers especially.” —Big Mac Whopperburg

Price: $14.99 (available in nine colors)

And a backpack so fun, they’ll actually WANT to sling it across their backs every day. Having a school bag they actually like will go a long, long way towards getting your littles out the door with minimal fuss and bother — and this one from Simple Modern not only comes in tons of designs, but also features loads of pockets to help them stay on top of everything, too. Everybody wins!

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Promising review: “My daughter is obsessed! This backpack is adorable! My daughter absolutely loves it and is excited to use it for school. It’s not thin and doesn’t seem easy to break. The price is a little steep, but we are hoping it lasts a long time! I’ll update if we have issues this school year!” —Brooke King

Price: $34.99+ (available in two sizes and 34 designs)

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A cute sandwich cutter set that’ll a) streamline lunch prep for you, and b) make lunchtime super fun for them. Uncrustables? Who needs ‘em when you’ve got DINOSAUR sandwiches?

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Pro tip: Reviewers say these sandwich cutters work great as cookie cutters and even pancake molds, if you feel like getting creative for other meals and treats, too.

Promising review: “Cuts very well! Now my 14-year-old, who has been eating school lunch for a few years now is requesting ‘Uncrustables.’ This has made it easier for me to pack my two boys lunches and make it fun for them.” —Ashley Rojas

Price: $9.97+ (available in nine styles)

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And an apple slicer, so you can make quick work of the fruits-and-veg portion of your kiddo’s lunch. This stainless steel pick slices apples and pears into 16 slices instead of the usual eight, too, making each of those slices both a teeeeeeeny bit more packable and a touch easier for little hands to hold. (No less delicious, though!)

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Promising review: “Game-changer for apple-loving kids! Where has this apple slicer been all my life? I wish I had gotten it much sooner! With kids who adore apples, this little gadget has been an absolute game-changer in our household. It makes slicing apples a breeze — quick, easy, and hassle-free.

Now, I can whip up a batch of perfectly sliced apples in no time, satisfying their snack cravings without any fuss. It’s so convenient and efficient, I can’t believe I used to slice them by hand. Plus, it’s a safer option for the little ones to use themselves with supervision.

If you have apple-loving kids (or even if you just love apples yourself), I highly recommend investing in this apple slicer. It’s a small purchase that makes a big difference in the kitchen!” —Sunshine

Price: $22.98+ (available with and without a corer)

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Or a grape cutter, if your little ones aren’t into the whole an-apple-a-day thing. Cutting individual grapes into quarters with this gadget is as easy as pushing a plunger in: One quick motion and you’re done.

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It also works for things like cherry tomatoes and olives, if those are your or your family’s jam.

Promising review: “My son’s grapes have to be cut for school and it was such a pain using a knife to cut them. This cutter is such a time saver when getting his lunch ready. I also use it to cut grape tomatoes for my salads! It comes apart so you can clean it — still a little difficult at times to get it clean, but I don’t mind if it saves me time cutting all those grapes!” —Little nurse Lo

Price: $11.99

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AND a Bentgo bento-style lunch box to put all of those lunchtime eats in. Sturdy and leak-proof, this four-compartment box speeds up the morning lunch-packing routine — or even lends itself to night-before lunch prepping, so your kid can just grab it out of the fridge and throw it in their backpack the next day.

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It’s even got an ice pack to keep everything the right temperature until it’s finally time to tuck in.

Promising review: “Game-changer for kids’ lunch! This bento box makes packing my kids’ lunch so much easier. I create a list of items for each day of the week with the number of box compartments there are, so all I do each morning is go look at my list and then throw the lunch together.

I like that there is less waste than using Ziploc baggies every day, plus I find that my kid likes their lunch all together in one box. The ice pack in the bento box helps keep the food at a good temperature for lunchtime. I also added another thin ice pack on the outside.

Overall, this has been a great tool added to our household, and we would definitely recommend it to other parents. I am even thinking of ordering another one for myself to use.” —Chelsea Holmes

Price: $29.99 (available in 10 colors)

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A leak-proof Contigo water bottle that’ll keep your kids hydrated without the mess. With a kid-friendly silicone drinking spout and a thermal design to keep everything the perfect temperature, this is one pick you can feel good about tossing in your little’s bag in the morning before you send them off to school.

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Promising review: “Highly durable and best water bottle for little kids! Fantastic water bottle for elementary kids. My daughter takes it to school and almost everywhere we go daily and it holds the water cold all day long. She loves it and has been using it since she was 4-years-old.

It has been dropped many times, and there are no dents or issues with leaks — it’s a high-quality product. I like them so much that we have two of them to alternate with, one of them being about a year or more old. The cleaning is so easy and fast, and there is no more worrying about not being able to get into small areas where other bottles eventually would grow mold (yuck). Highly recommend Contigo!” —Retro

Price: $18.51+ (available in eight colors)

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A set of elastic laces that make any shoe into a slip-on, because nothing speeds up mornings like not having to faff about with shoelaces. Okay, yes, knowing how to tie shoes is a skill kids might want to learn, if they can — but it’s also worth learning that there is nothing wrong with simplifying your footwear situation, too.

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Promising review: “Worked great on my son’s high-top Converse! I didn’t expect these to work so well on high-top shoes, but they do! We aren’t waiting 15 minutes for my son to get his shoes on to go to school, so these are totally worth it! My son doesn’t use the top holes, so 45 inches worked, but I would have gone longer if I had known.” —ThriftyCouponMom

Price: $10.99+ (available in nine lengths and 15 colors)

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And lastly, an Emergency Stain Rescue multi-pack for, well, emergencies. Look: Messes happen. And when they happen on busy mornings, you need to be able to clean them up, STAT. That’s what this stuff is for. Keep it at home. Keep it in your bag. Keep it in your car. And you’ll always be ready for whatever chaos the morning has to throw at you and your kiddos.

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This multi-pack comes with one travel-size spray and 10 individually-wrapped wipes. You can either spritz the spray on whatever stain needs rescuing, rub it in, wait, and blot, or you can just tackle the stain with one of the wipes instead. Easy!

Promising review: “Truly the best stain remover! I cannot suggest this enough for parents that have small children. I don’t think this stuff has met a stain it couldn’t get out. I keep this stuff in stock due to two small kids who love mud, chocolate, and grease. Anything that could stain clothes, my two are going straight for it. This for sure keeps me from having to constantly buy new clothes.” —Jhammons

Price: $15.99 for a four-ounce spray plus 10 wipes (also available in seven other configurations)

Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.