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Everything you need to get your toddlers, tweens and teens prepped for the new school year!
As much as we hate saying goodbye to the summer, it’s time to get our heads back in the game and get ready for the new school season. It’s time to switch gears and get focused. This means getting the kids moved over from those lazy, late night summer hours back to that early morning grind. It means pulling out the uniforms and setting the alarm. It means getting ALL. THAT. GEAR. Yup, you’ve got back to school supplies on the brain, and it’s giving you a headache. Let us help ease the pain and make the prep a little easier. Here is Sassy Mama’s comprehensive Back to School Guide to help you find everything you need for your kiddo in this new school year.
Jump to:
One Stop Shops
Bags and Gear
Stationery, Planners and Books
Sports Gear and Shoes
Online Extras
One Stop Shops
You may already be familiar with Bumps to Babes, Hong Kong’s largest mother and baby superstore. They have everything, including themed alarm clocks, which will come in handy in the school year. Why? Because wouldn’t it be easier for your kids to get out of bed when they have this football glow in the dark clock?
Bumps to Babes, Units 14-18, 21/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong, 2552 5000; 5/F, Pedder Building, 12 Pedder Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2522 7112, www.bumpstobabes.com
CityGate Outlets
Every so often, you need to be reminded of this handy shopping centre in Tung Chung. Back to school time is one of those times. Take a well worthwhile trip there to stock up on reduced-price items for kids, from sports gear at Adidas, Nike, New Balance and more to childrenswear at stores like Chickeeduck and Kingkow. Don’t forget to stop at the Dr. Kong, Geox or Rockport outlets for school uniform shoes or at Kipling for school bags. It’s definitely worth spending an afternoon here getting organised.
CityGate Outlets, 20 Tat Tung Road, Tung Chung, Lantau, Hong Kong
Fiona’s Prince
Grab all the gear you need and more at any Fiona’s Prince at The Peak. Tiny tots will be able score new school shoes (especially if their playground has no uniform policy just yet) and colourful yet functional lunch bags.
Fiona’s Prince, Shop BL8, Basement, The Peninsula Arcade, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, other store locations here, www.fionasprince.com,
Hip Little Bubba
This is another one of Sassy Mama’s favorite one-stop shops. From backpacks for kindergarteners to shoes for playtime and water bottles galore, Hip Little Bubba will help you tick off many items on your back-to-school list.
Hip Little Bubba, www.hiplittlebubba.com
Mirth Home
Southside mamas should check out Mirth Home for cool desk or study accessories, children’s educational toys, stationery, books, shoes and other furnishings. Our Sassy Mama Maura popped in recently and fell in love with the bits and pieces there for her daughter Eve!
Mirth Home, Mezzanine Level, Yip Kan Street, Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, 2553 9811, www.mirthhome.com
Petit Bazaar
Bubba needs a bag! Petit Bazaar is one of our faves to stock up on cute school bags and lunch boxes in lots of different designs, perfect for toddlers or primary school-aged children. Boys will love this blue one with cars on it, while little princesses might like this vintage one. Petit Bazaar is in two locations – that’s convenient!
Petit Bazaar, 9 Gough Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2544 2255; 80 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2528 0229, www.petit-bazaar.com
seed heritage
This Australian brand stocks a range of items for kids, from sandals to comfy clothes (great for youngins who are still at playgroup and have no uniform yet). Girls will love the hair accessories as well. Grab a hair band or two, they’ll come in handy in Phys Ed.
seed heritage, 41 Queens Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2160 3171; click here for other stores, www.seedheritage.com
TREE
Got a little one who’s starting at big school this year? They’ll need to update their desk space at home to accommodate all that big school homework and studying. TREE has got some great accessories, such as the Fendy desk. Add a rack to it for stationery compartments, and your grown-up tween is all set.
TREE, 28/F, Horizon Plaza, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong, 2870 1582, other store locations here, www.tree.com.hk
Bags and Gear
Cambridge Satchel Company
Offered in a whole array of trendy colours and durable leather, the bags from this British brand have it going on. And the higher price points makes that clear, but the fact that these bags have been seen on the arm of many celebs makes it even more clear.
Log-On
Part of CitySuper, the lifestyle section of this grocery store has got backpacks that are great for teens, including JanSport and Outdoor bags. Take a look at all their other gear that might be useful for tweens and teens, such as laptop case or stationery.
Log-On is all around town, store locations here.
Available on Shopbop.
Kipling
Check out Kipling’s classic backpacks in trendy patterns that kids will simply adore. They’re also super light and durable, perfect to last the whole academic year.
Kipling, F7, Level 1, Fashion Walk, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, see other stores here, www.kipling.com.hk
Stanley Market
Head southside and peruse the Stanley Market for its back to back stores full of things that will be useful for back-to-schoolers. You’ll find plenty of shoes and cartoon-inspired backpacks for your littles.
Stanley Market, Stanley New Street, Hong Kong, www.hk-stanley-market.com
Tiny Footprints
This HK superstore carries a whole host of school bags and other gear – think lunch boxes, drawstring bags, pencil cases and water bottles. This dinosaur canvas backpack is great if your little one is a mini palaeontologist starting big school this year! Or maybe you’ve got a princess who loves animals and the forest – she’ll get to strut her stuff with this woodland-themed backpack.
Tiny Footprints, 10/F, 1 Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2522 2466, www.tinyfootprints.com
Typo
The stationery leg of fashion superstore Cotton On has got great stuff for tweens and teens, from stationery to cool notebooks, water bottles, magnets, DIY supplies and more. The price points are also favourable. Here, you’ll find backpacks, satchels, pencil cases, laptop cases and phone covers. We’re big fans of the brand at Sassy Mama HQ!
Typo at Cotton On, Shop 34-36 Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2367 2190; 2/F, Lee Theatre Plaza, 99 Percival Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, 2557 1110, www.cottonon.com/HK
Stationery, Planners and Books
Amazon
Everyone’s favourite online retailer has everything you need in one place! If you’re a big online shopper, don’t forget to check out Amazon for textbooks, backpacks and more. Note that not all sellers in the marketplace will ship goods to Hong Kong, and that even if they do, the shipping charges can be high. It’s worth browsing, though, for those hard to find items.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Artland
If you’ve got a budding Banksy at home, head to Artland for art supplies. You’ll get everything from painting materials to cutting tools and craft items. It’s your one-stop shop for all things arty!
Artland, 3/F, Lockhart Centre, 301-307 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2511 4845, www.artland.com.hk
Bookazine
Whether it’s story time or extra activity books for your primary schooler you’re after, Bookazine has you covered. They’ve got a whole host of books for early learners, including educational titles, which will get your cheeky cherub all set for the new school year.
Bookazine, Shop 309, Landmark Prince`s Building, 10 Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong, www.bookazine.com.hk
BookDepository.com
This online book retailer has been a secret among some of us at Sassy Mama HQ! The price points are favourable, making it great for difficult-to-find textbooks that teens or tertiary students may only use for a term or two. It’s worth noting that this website offers free delivery worldwide.
Book Depositry, www.bookdepository.com
Hong Kong Book Centre
Older kids who’ve selected different subjects for their post-16 qualifications often need to buy their own textbooks… and just where do you find those, mama? Check out Hong Kong Book Centre (which is also affiliated with Swindon Book Company Limited and Kelly & Walsh Limited – so you can pop in to those stores, too, and hunt those elusive textbooks down) for all you need. We suggest shooting them an email with the book titles, waiting for a response and then heading to your closest store to pick them up in one go when they’re ready.
Hong Kong Book Centre, 25 Des Voeux Road, On Lok Yuen Building Lower Level, Central, Hong Kong, 2522 7064, see all branches here, www.swindonbooks.com
MUJI
This is one chain store in town that’s got all the stationary you need for the new school year, from pens and notebooks to calculators and box files. You’ll also find small storage units that are great for your teen’s desk area at home along with paints, colouring pencils and more for budding artists.
MUJI, see all stores here, www.muji.com/hk-en
Page One
Another Hong Kong staple, this bookstore, which can be found at Festival Walk, Harbour City and the airport, has also got a huge variety of books and magazines. This one is great for all Kowloon-siders! It’s worth noting the prices in this store are a bit steep compared to others.
Page One, Shop LG 1-30, Festival Walk, 80 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2778 2808; Shop 3001A, Level 3 and 4001 Level 4, Harbour City, Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2730 6080, www.pageonegroup.com
Prints
The colorful notebooks at Prints are great as a gift for a university student-to-be or for a tween who wants to start the new school year in style. Prints also has weekly and daily diaries, great for kids who need to keep track of lessons and homework.
Prints, Shop 230, Prince’s Building, 10 Chater Road, 2523 981; see other stores here, www.prints-international.com
Stuck On You
Kids go through uniforms like they drink water, and boy, don’t we know it, mama! Having their name ironed on to the inside of their uniform – be it school uniform or PE kit – makes for an easier search of the lost and found box. Find those useful iron-on labels here. The company also does bag tags and other stationery.
Stuck On You, www.stuckonyou.hk
Sports Gear and Shoes
Dr. Kong
With stores all over town, Dr. Kong is great for basic black or white school shoes that your cheeky cherubs need. Good footwear for school is essential as kids are in those shoes all day long. Dr. Kong has a range of different styles, from mary-janes to slip-ons to shoes with Velcro straps and laces.
Dr. Kong, located all over Hong Kong, www.dr-kong.com.hk
Escapade Sports
This is another store offering a host of sporting goods. They’re all about helping you and your kids become successful athletes. The pleasant members of staff are always happy to advise on equipment.
Escapade Sports, branches in Causeway Bay, Central, Clearwater Bay and Repulse Bay, www.escapade.com.hk
GigaSports
All your favourite sports brands are available at GigaSports – from Nike, 2XU, Adidas, fitflop, Outdoor, Skechers and more. This is a great one-stop shop for all the needs of an amazing young athlete!
GigaSports, located all over Hong Kong, www.gigasports.com.hk
Gusella
For tiny tots starting kindergarten, check out Gusella for those black or white leather shoes. Whether it’s laces, velcro or slip-ons, this store has got all styles covered. The soles are comfy, great for little walkers and growing kids. We love the Jenny, which has a supportive and protective high ankle.
Gusella, Shop 3023, Lee Gardens Two, 28 Yun Ping Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, 2940 2238, www.facebook.com/gusellahk
Marathon Sports
Marathon Sports is the jackpot for sporting goods and sports shoes. You’ll be able to get equipment, accessories and apparel from a wide range of sports brands. Your kid will have all his kit covered for the new year!
Marathon Sports, located all over Hong Kong, www.imarathon.com
Spanish Shoes.hk
Spanish Shoes.hk has got a handful of simple styles in their school shoes section – just what you need at this time of year. Check out their size guide, which gives you instructions on measuring your kiddo’s feet. If you choose to buy online, you’ve got the handy option of picking them up from the showroom in Central. Or check out their brand new store at The Pulse if you’d rather get your child to try before you buy.
Spanish Shoes.hk, Shop 201G, Level 2, the pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay, Hong Kong, 2910 1026, www.spanishshoes.hk
Stride Rite
Popular among Sassy Mamas, Stride Rite has got a range of shoes for any and all uniform requirements in HK schools. Plus, we hear that there’s currently a back to school sale and discount codes if you order online… However, you may prefer to forgo the discount and take your tween to one of the stores to physically try shoes on before buying.
Stride Rite, all around town including Sogo and Windsor House in Causeway Bay, Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui, Telford Plaza II in Kowloon Bay, MOKO in Mong Kok and Discovery Park in Tsuen Wan, www.striderite.com.hk
Online Extras
Etsy
This online marketplace is a great spot to hunt down unique goodies for the new school year. From stationery to planners and backpacks, phone covers and laptop or tablet cases, you’ll get all kinds of great items in their back to school section.
Etsy, www.etsy.com
Not On The High Street
Does your kiddo want to personalise their gear? Not On The High Street is super useful for youngins who want to plop their name and class details on their pencil case, for example. Also available on this website: school bags, lunch bags, notebooks and stationery galore.
Not On The High Street, www.notonthehighstreet.com
Society6
Affordable art prints, laptop cases and trendy tees – check out Society6 (our Sassy Mama Maura can vouch for this one!). Your tween and teen will love their super cool cases and sleeves… we sort of want sleeves from here too!
Society6, www.society6.com
Zazzle
This is another online store that’s great for personalising everything – laptop cases, backpacks, notebooks, even water bottles! There’s also discount codes on the site to help you out with back to school shopping… it’s just the season for it!
Zazzle, www.zazzle.com
Phew! That’s one long list! Hopefully it’s helped you in finding all the perfect back to school essentials for the new academic year. Happy shopping, mamas!
