Back to school: the first aid kit to prepare for your child

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Back to school is approaching, and with it comes a host of lists: notebooks, pencils, lunch boxes... But have you thought about the first aid kit? Between the schoolyard, bike rides, extracurricular activities, and group outings, your child will experience dozens of small adventures this year — and a few scrapes and bumps are inevitably part of the package. Preparing a school first aid kit and reviewing the one at home is a simple act that brings real peace of mind. Here's how to organize yourself before the first day of class, stress-free and without forgetting anything.

Why prepare a first aid kit for school?

Schools have their own first aid supplies, but your child isn't always at school: there's the walk or bike ride, after-school care, sports practices, outings, and weekends at friends' houses. A mini-kit in the school bag allows for quick cleaning and protection of a small wound, no matter where it occurs.

It's also a great learning opportunity: a child who knows what each item in their kit is for develops preventive reflexes that will stay with them for life.

The most frequent minor injuries at school

No need to imagine the worst: the vast majority of incidents at school are minor. The most common:

• Scrapes and abrasions in the schoolyard or park;
• Blisters caused by new back-to-school shoes;
• Nosebleeds, common in children;
• Bumps and bruises during games and sports;
• Small cuts during crafts or art class.

For most of these situations, gentle cleaning, an appropriate bandage, and a little comfort are sufficient. If you want to review basic first aid, check out our article First Aid for Children: 6 Essential Steps Every Parent Should Know.

What to put in the mini-kit for the school bag?

Aim for small, light, and simple. A compact pouch is enough:

• Adhesive bandages in a few sizes (fun patterns help younger children);
• Sterile gauze pads and small cleaning wipes;
• Blister plasters;
• Disposable gloves (child or small size);
• A mini comfort kit: tissues and a resealable bag for broken teeth or ice packs;
• An emergency card: your phone numbers, 911, and the Quebec Poison Control Centre (1 800 463-5060).

You will find all these items in our collection of bandages and in our first aid supplies.

Allergies and special needs: talk to the school

If your child has a severe allergy or asthma, back-to-school is the ideal time to review. Make sure their action plan is up to date, that the school and after-school care have a copy, and that staff know where their emergency medication is located. Also check expiration dates before returning to class. These checks take a few minutes and prevent a lot of worries during the year.

The family kit at home: the foundation of everything

The mini-kit in the school bag complements — but does not replace — a complete family first aid kit at home. Take advantage of back-to-school to take inventory: replace what was used during the summer, check expiration dates, and put each item back in its place. Our guide First Aid Kit: What should it contain and how to choose it? gives you the complete list, and our kits for individuals offer sizes designed for families, cars, and homes.

Involve your child: a few minutes that reassure

Prepare the kit with your child rather than for them. Show them each item, explain what it's for, and remind them of the golden rule: when it's serious, tell an adult. A prepared child is not an anxious child — they are a confident child.

What to remember

Back to school is the perfect time to prepare a mini first aid kit for the school bag, update the allergy action plan, and take inventory of the family first aid kit. Bandages, a few compresses, an emergency card, and an informed child: that's the essential. For a confident start to the school year, discover our first aid kits for individuals — designed here, for families here.

This article is for educational purposes only. In case of emergency, dial 911.