Alright, squad, it’s that time of year again. The smell of freshly sharpened pencils is in the air, and your feed is about to be flooded with first-day-of-school pics. But before you start panic-buying school supplies like it’s toilet paper in 2020, let’s talk about the real MVP of back-to-school season: name labels for kids.
Look, we’ve all been there. You’re knee-deep in a mountain of laundry when you realize your kid’s favorite hoodie is MIA. Or you’re prepping lunches at midnight (because #parentlife) and can’t find that overpriced bento box anywhere. It’s enough to make you want to throw in the towel—or at least consider a school uniform of name-tagged potato sacks.
But fear not! We’re about to level up your labeling game. From customizable stick-on labels and stamps to DIY , there’s a whole world of options that survive dishwashers and washing machines without fading or falling off.
Here’s the kicker: these little labeling heroes aren’t just about keeping track of stuff. They’re stealth teachers of responsibility. Suddenly, that water bottle your kid “had” to have isn’t just another thing to lose—it’s a prized possession with their name on it. (Literal ownership for the win!)
Whether you’re a label newbie or looking to upgrade your game, we’ve got the tea. We’ve rounded up options so cool, your kids might actually volunteer to slap them on their gear. Waterproof wonders? Check. Customizable cute ones? You bet. Options that won’t break the bank? We gotchu.
So grab your favorite caffeinated beverage and let’s dive in. Because we’re all in this together, trying to navigate the school year without losing our minds (or our kids’ stuff). Ready to crush this labeling thing? Let’s go!
Our favorite name labels for kids clothes and gear
Mabel’s Labels stick incredibly well to everything from lunchboxes to sweatshirts and never look raggedy even after countless rounds through the dishwasher or washing machine. And don’t worry about hand-me-downs. They easily peel off when the time comes to pass something on to the next kid.
They’ve got an incredible variety of sticker sizes and styles including brilliant left and right shoe labels to help them not only keep track of their kicks, but also put them on the right feet when the time comes. You can also opt for silicone water and baby bottle bands, plastic hang tags, or a custom stamp instead of traditional peel and stick labels. Their combo packs are an economical way to get a variety of styles and they’ve got tons of colors fonts to choose from too!
Name Bubbles are a great option from daycare through high school given their wide array of sizes, styles and formats. Their unobtrusive circle stickers–which are just the size of a nickel–are our go-to design since they have room for both a first and last name and tend to work for everything from water bottles to winter coats. For more expensive items like sports equipment or tech there’s larger contact labels which can include phone numbers and both physical and email addresses. Additionally, they offer a wide variety of neutral and sophisticated designs that won’t feel too babyish for older kids or too loud for a more minimalist aesthetic.
Another stand out option is their wipe off labels for baby bottles. Each label can be customized with your baby’s name and features space to write in the date, amount and any notes which can be wiped off at the end of the day.
Of course they’re dishwasher, laundry, microwave and freezer safe and stay put through all kinds of abuse. Choose from one of their variety packs or stock up on a variety of single styles that suit your needs.
Inch Bug launched in 2004 with the Orbit Label, the first silicone band style label on the market. Since then, the Austin, Texas-based company has expanded to offer a full collection of adhesive labels in a ton of great colors and sizes. Their traditional styles are dishwasher and microwave safe and stick really well to hard surfaces like lunch boxes, water bottles and school supplies. For clothing and soft goods you’ll want to opt for their TagPal styles instead which can be laundered. They sell convenient variety packs to cover all your bases as well!
$7.50
If you’ve only got a few things to label or prefer a more DIY approach, the Avery No-Iron Fabric Labels provide a step up from masking tape and Sharpie. The blank stickers (which come in four shapes including small ovals and three rectangular sizes) are durable and water-resistant with the ability to stick to everything from plastic to fabric. Just handwrite whatever info you need with fine tip permanent marker and it will stay put through multiple washes.
Connie Stokes is a freelance writer and editor who has been working in the publishing industry for more than 11 year. She has written for lifestyle, books, sports, education, and tech publications, as well as websites and blogs. She enjoys writing about everything from celebrity culture to parenting issues to the latest gadget trends.
