Back to School Hacks to shop at Moonee Ponds Central
Make the new school year feel easier (and more fun)
When the back to school season rolls around, mornings can quickly become a juggling act — packing lunches, finding backpacks, tracking down hats and making sure everyone gets out the door on the right foot. The good news? With a few smart systems and one convenient trip to Moonee Ponds Central, you can set your family up for a smoother, less stressful school year.
Here are practical back to school hacks, with plenty of lunch box hacks woven in, to help parents save time, keep kids happy and feel organised from the first day back.
1) Create a “launch pad” near the front door
School hack: Set up one dedicated spot at home where everything lives for weekday mornings — school bags, hats, lunch boxes, drink bottles and notes. This small change can save time (and stress) all week.
Shop it at Moonee Ponds Central:
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Kmart for hooks, tubs, labels and baskets to keep everything in one place
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Match Box for drink bottles and lunch boxes that kids won’t forget
Quick tip: Add a small back-up pouch with tissues or bandaids from Direct Chemist Outlet so you’re prepared for the first-day surprises.
2) Lunch box hacks that reduce weekday stress
If packing school lunches feels like the hardest part of your routine, simplify it. Aim for two to three go-to lunch options your kids actually eat, plus easy snacks you can rotate throughout the entire week.
Shop lunch essentials at Moonee Ponds Central:
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Coles, ALDI or DeMaria’s Fruit & Veg for fruit, sliced apples, veggies, cheese and yoghurt
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Bakers Delight for bread rolls and sandwich favourites
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Dan Dan’s Cafe for focaccias or bakery treats as an occasional lunchbox change-up
Lunch box hacks to try this week:
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Prep once, pack fast: Wash and chop fruit and veggies after your shop, then store them in containers in the fridge.
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Freeze-friendly wins: Keep bread in the freezer so you can make sandwiches the night before.
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Make it fun: Let kids choose one fruit or veggie for the week — it’s an easy way to encourage picky eaters.
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Thermos trick: Use a thermos for leftovers like chicken or pasta to change things up at lunchtime.
3) Upgrade the school bag, not the chaos
A good backpack makes a big difference to busy mornings. Look for bags that are easy to open, lightweight and have room for lunch boxes and school supplies.
Where to shop at Moonee Ponds Central:
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Kmart for backpacks, lunch bags, pencil cases and drink bottles
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Kmart for affordable school bags and everyday school supplies
Hack: Add a name label and pack the bag the night before — no last-minute scrambling.
4) School shoes without the guesswork
School shoes are often left until the last minute. A quick try-on early in the week can save time (and meltdowns).
Hack: Bring the socks they’ll actually wear to school so the fit is right and comfortable from day one.
5) Beat the stationery panic with one-stop shopping
Long school supply lists don’t need to mean multiple trips. One focused shop now can save you time all term.
Moonee Ponds Central options:
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Kmart for stationery, diaries, planners, pencil cases and lunch boxes
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Supa Bargains for fun stationery and school supplies kids are excited to use
Hack: Set up a simple homework basket at home with pencils, glue, scissors and spare paper — everything in one place when homework time hits.
6) A “spare set” hack that saves the week
Lost lunch box lids, spills and forgotten items happen — but a small backup kit can save the day.
Keep a spare set ready:
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Extra snacks or juice boxes
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A spare drink bottle
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Socks or a hat
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A pen and notebook
Shop it at Moonee Ponds Central:
Hack: Head to What's a Name Embroidery to get their name embroidered on their school uniform, or hat, to ensure that it never gets misplaced.
7) Keep kids engaged during the school-holiday lead-in
The final week of summer holidays can feel long. A little structure helps kids ease into the new routine.
Easy ideas to try:
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Pick one afternoon to organise bags, lunch boxes and stationery
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Let kids choose one “fun” new item — like a lunch box or pencil case — to get excited about school
Where to shop:
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Kidstuff for activity books, games and creative play
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Supa Bargains for colourful stationery that makes kids feel proud of their setup
Get set for the year ahead at Moonee Ponds Central
With the right back to school hacks, you can make mornings calmer, packing lunches quicker and the whole school year more manageable. From lunch box essentials at Coles, ALDI and DeMaria’s Fruit & Veg to stationery, backpacks and everyday basics, Moonee Ponds Central makes it easy to get prepared in one convenient trip.