It’s time. It’s coming. Back-to-school season is here and whether you are majorly bummed or annoyingly thrilled (or both!), it’s time to start checking things off of those inevitable lists. My two young children will be heading back to preschool after Labor Day, so we have a little bit more time left, but with vacation, a birthday and the rest of life’s craziness, I decided to try and get a head start on this year’s back-to-school needs.
It never fails that we’ll get back into the swing of things and out of nowhere the temperature will drop and my kids will be forced to wear coats that barely zip and pants that could really be categorized as capris. So, despite the 90 degree temperatures, we paid a visit to one of our favorite kids’ clothing destinations for some affordable back-to-school shopping at Once Upon a Child.
We checked out the location off of Fields Ertel, but there are several in the Cincinnati area. I didn’t have any clothing, toys or equipment to sell this time around, so we dove right into the massive amount of clothing that is available in a wide array of sizes. We started with my almost 3-year-old daughter who at the moment will only wear dresses. I’m not sure how – at only three – she has developed such an opinion on fashion, but I guess it could be worse. We found an adorable dress with horses all over it that is perfect for my animal-loving preschooler. The best part is, she can wear it now (perhaps on the first day of school?) and we can add leggings to it as the temperatures cool down.
My four-year-old son is much easier to shop for. We found an outfit to fit each of his current favorites: trains, Mickey and sports. We especially lucked out in finding a favorite train sweatshirt that he had in a smaller size (it was from Gymboree), and can now wear again in a size 5! I was also excited about the Mickey sweatshirt from Hanna Andersson that I had been eyeing at their store last year — we got it for a fraction of the price! And of course we had to get some Bengals gear.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to revamp your child’s wardrobe for back-to-school, head to Once Upon a Child. In addition to clothing for all seasons, they have jackets, coats, shoes and even backpacks. And if you have gently used clothing, toys or equipment, take it in and you may be able to earn some extra shopping money!
Once Upon A Child is having a special Tax-Free Weekend from August 4-6 where you’ll only pay what’s on the price tag! What a great way to stock up for back-to-school. For more information on this event and all of the stores in the area, check out their website here.
About Andrea:
A native Cincinnatian, Andrea has experienced life in all four corners of this city. After growing up on the west side, she headed north to attend Miami University, then moved east to Hyde Park and now lives in Northern Kentucky with her family.
When she’s not playing trains and doing the “hot dog dance” as a stay-at-home mom to her two toddlers, Andrea is busy writing for Cincinnati publications and brainstorming ideas for her next children’s book! With a newfound passion for fitness and overall health, she spends a lot of time at her family gym and loves to play outside.
Andrea worked in education for several years and has a special love for children’s literature. She loves showing her children all our city has to offer and enjoys sharing her finds with other parents. Her favorite spots include the Cincinnati Zoo (although she steers clear of the bird house), her local library and any playground.
