New term, new shopping spree. Back to school used to mean a dutiful trip to Clarks for sensible shoes and the annual choosing of a new pencil case. Now it’s a far more exciting prospect. Children of all ages are suddenly fixated with pickle key-chains (the less said, the better), quietly angling for Beau water bottles, and describing sensory fidget toys as essential educational equipment. Needoh Jelly Squish? Vital for concentration. Squeeze-butter toy? Practically on the uniform list.

Parents, naturally, want in on these back-to-school trends. On social feeds, the viral Skylight calendar – the one that syncs family diaries without tears – is being hailed as the domestic peace treaty of the year. And when contemplating imminent homework chaos, Sostrene Grene’s cult folding crate remains the chic, Scandinavian answer to making even algebra look almost appealing.

So long, summer holidays. Hello the unexpected fun of new-term shopping where children’s obsessions, parent’s sanity-saving gadgets and all the latest little essentials make it into our basket.

Here are 18 back-to-school accessories for September – the playful, the practical, the stylish, and the ones your children will insist are absolutely essential.