BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING

AUGUST 1, 2012 - BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING

Here are some back to school ideas:

For the lunchbox: 

Stainless steel is in -- not for the lunchbox itself, though, just for the stuff you pack it. With the government's new ban on BPAs in baby bottles, manufacturers are taking things a step further and making thermal containers and water bottles out of sleek stainless steel. They're pricier than plastic, but they last longer, don't hold on to odors, are reusable, and won't leak toxins into a kid's lunch. 

For school supplies:

Superheroes are always big among the elementary school set, but this year they're even bigger, thanks to blockbuster movies like "The Avengers" aimed at adults and older teens. Another must-have for younger kids: Anything Angry Birds, from backpacks to notebooks to lunch boxes. For older kids, notebooks and other school supplies will be governed with glitz and glitter or animal prints in colors not normally found in nature.

For the tech-savvy:

According to data from Ebates.com, kids of all ages are clamoring for high-tech gadgets like tablet computers and smartphones, but the people who can benefit most from those devices are the college-bound. If you're heading to the dorms, a tablet computer (like an iPad) can serve as your entertainment system (streaming movies and TV shows, playing music and games, reading books via Kindle, iBooks, or Nook apps) and as an in-class learning aid (for tapping out notes or recording lectures, or even for toting around PDFs), and even for carrying around all those English Lit books they'll have to read (thank you, e-readers!). Students will still need a computer for writing papers and doing research, both of which are more difficult to do on a tablet. 

For clothing:

For girls, skinny jeans and ballerina flats are popular, and for students who have to wear school uniforms, flowered headbands are a hit, thanks to shows like "Gossip Girl." Floral prints and tribal themes are also rumored to be hot this season. For guys, retailers are counting on bright colors and classic prints -- think wide horizontal stripes and argyle patterns. But don't forget, if your child attend Cape Girardeau School District, there are stricter dress guidelines this year.  Need clothing assistance?  The district has a collection and distribution, and on July 31 and August 1 between 9 am and 4 pm, families who need help getting dress code ready can go to the Central Junior High field house on Caruthers and select clothing, free of charge. For details, visit KFVS-12 at http://www.kfvs12.com/story/19090433/cape-girardeau-school-officials-hold-clothing-drive-for-new-dress-code