Back to School Hacks to shop at Greenwood Plaza in North Sydney
Getting ready for the back to school season doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. From packing lunches and tracking down drink bottles to organising bags and supplies, a little planning can go a long way in setting up a smoother school year for the whole family. With a few clever back to school hacks — and plenty of easy lunch box hacks — you can simplify your morning routine and avoid last-minute stress. The best part? Everything you need is available in one convenient visit to Greenwood Plaza, making it easy to prepare for the year ahead without wasting time running between stores. School hack: Set up one spot at home where everything lives for weekday mornings — school bags, hats, drink bottles, notes and library books. This simple system can save time every single day. Shop it at Greenwood Plaza: Cotton On, shop HERE, for bags, hats, socks, hair accessories and bag charms that help kids keep track of their things Seed Kids for backpacks, stationery and everyday essentials for growing kids Quick tip: Add a small tray or basket for keys, notes and permission slips so nothing gets forgotten on the first day. If packing school lunches feels like a daily battle, simplify it. Build a rotation of two to three lunches your kids actually eat, plus a few easy extras you can mix and match across the entire week. Shop lunch essentials at Greenwood Plaza: Greenwood Grocer for fresh, seasonal fruit and veggies Romeo’s IGA for bread, cheese, snacks, juice boxes and grab-and-go lunch staples Lunch box hacks to try this week: Prep once, pack fast: Wash and slice apples, carrots and cucumber after your shop, then store them in easy-access containers in the fridge. Freeze-friendly wins: Keep bread in the freezer so you can build sandwiches the night before. Ice pack trick: Freeze a water bottle overnight — it keeps lunches cool and doubles as a drink by lunchtime. Make it fun: Let kids choose one fruit or veggie colour for the week to keep lunches interesting for picky eaters. A school bag that’s easy to open, light to carry and well-organised makes mornings smoother — especially when kids start packing their own lunch boxes and pencil cases. Where to shop at Greenwood Plaza: Seed Kids for backpacks, stationery and practical school-day accessories Cotton On - shop HERE, for bags, drink bottles and fun bag charms Hack: Add a name tag or keyring to every bag and pencil case — and pack everything the night before at the launch pad. School shoes are one of those “leave it too late” items that can add unnecessary stress. Aim for a quick try-on early in the week when stores are quieter. Hack: Bring the socks they’ll actually wear to school so the fit is right — and there’s less drama later. Long school supply lists don’t have to mean multiple stops. One focused shop now can save you time all term. Greenwood Plaza options: Typo for pencil cases, notebooks, planners, diaries, pens, markers and lunch totes Seed Kids for stationery and school-ready essentials Hack: Create a simple “homework station” at home — one box with pencils, scissors, glue, markers and spare paper so homework time runs smoothly. Spills, forgotten lunches and missing items happen — but a backup kit can save the day. Keep a small spare set ready: A spare snack or juice box An extra drink bottle A pencil and notebook Shop it at Greenwood Plaza: Romeo’s IGA and Greenwood Grocer for snacks and lunch refills Cotton On - shop HERE, and Seed Kids for clothing and accessory backups
The final week of summer can feel long. Adding light structure helps kids ease into the new school year. Easy ideas to try: Pick one afternoon for bag setup and lunch box organisation Let kids choose one “fun” new item — like a pencil case or drink bottle — to build excitement Where to shop:
A little preparation now can make a big difference once school starts. By setting up simple systems at home and shopping smart, you can save time in the mornings, reduce stress during the week, and make lunch packing far more manageable. From fresh food and lunch box essentials to stationery, bags and everyday basics, Greenwood Plaza has everything you need to support a smooth start to the new school year. With these practical back to school hacks, you’ll be ready to tackle the term ahead with confidence — and maybe even enjoy the mornings a little more.Make the new school year feel easier (and more fun)
1) Create a “launch pad” near the front door
2) Lunch box hacks that reduce weekday stress
3) Upgrade the school bag, not the chaos
4) School shoes without the guesswork
5) Beat the stationery panic with one-stop shopping
6) A “spare set” hack that saves the week
7) Keep kids engaged during the school-holiday lead-in
Get set for the year ahead at Greenwood Plaza