This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Stride Rite for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
It’s very nearly back to school time and I have some tips for surviving school shopping with a preschooler…
Back to School Shopping with a Preschooler
1. Set a Budget
Try to stick to it as closely as possible by shopping sales, using coupons, etc.
2. Know what you are looking for
Assess your child existing wardrobe, what is lacking? Jeans? Simple t-shirts? Socks? Focus on those. See what WILL still fit from last year, or from the older siblings
3. Choose pieces that mix and match well
Especially if you have an independent child who likes to dress themselves! This gives them their sense of independence but ensures that they always leave the house looking sharp.
4. Start with basics like a great pair of cute shoes
You can conquer the world in a good pair of shoes. Make sure your little one gets the same opportunity. Look for comfort, durability, and of course style too! 
Have you ever had to take a 4-year-old diva back to school shopping? Ever had a root canal? Which one was more fun? I LOVE shopping with my girl because normally she’s into it but some days.. Ugh.. The cotton isn’t cotton-y enough and the pants well, they are pants, evidently that is a bad thing sometimes. Luckily this time she was revved up to go when she heard we were making a trip to Target! I was on a mission- she has been growing like a weed and needed a nice pile of clothes to kick her preschool year off with a bang, in particular a great pair of shoes. A little birdie told me Target and Stride Rite teamed up to create a special line of Stride Rite Shoes called Surprize– adorable, comfortable, and just what you have always expected from Stride Rite Shoes.
Want to grab a pair for your little cutie? You can find them online at Target.com and all US Target locations. Look for these boxes right here in the store -pink and blue beacons to lead you right to the comfy cuteness inside. 
My girl found this cute purple, pink and glittery pair of Surprize for girls. I am so happy with them because not only are they sweet on her feet but they are comfortable so I know she wont complain about wearing them but they are well made and fit well with rubber bottom soles to support and allow natural step and growth. 
They carry sizes to fit from about 6 months old up to about 5 years old in a great variety of styles of Surprize for boys and girls. Here are a few more styles I scoped out for you. 
Check out @StrideRite on all of their social channels for more information!
Which Surprize shoe would your little one love the most? Shop Surprize by Stride Rite
Amy says
My kids tend to get one good pair of sneakers per season and some cheaper ones. They are pretty rough on them so it works out for us.
Krista says
I will be back to school shopping with my preschooler soon. Crazy how fast they grow!
dawn says
your little one is adorable! nice post thanks for the share.
Autumn @Mamachallenge says
These are great tips! It is always important to set a budget to know exactly how much you can spend.
Liz Mays says
Those are the cutest shoes! Shoes are always a good thing to start with for each year of back-to-school shopping.
Shauna says
Great ideas. I have a horrible time at sticking to a budget, but I need to get on it. My girls love to start with shoes 🙂
Lisa Bristol says
I remember how big the backpacks looked on my kids at that age. I am just starting to do our back to school shopping. I want to beat the rush.
Ann Bacciaglia says
I remember Back to school shopping when my kids were this little. They wanted to pick everything out themselves. Time really does fly by. It can be so stressful to get everything on the list.
Kelly Hutchinson says
I love the high quality yet fashionable shoes from Stride Rite. They are a company I feel good about buying from for my family.
Daisy says
That’s so cool that Target carries Stride Rite shoes! They have such awesome shoes. My son had a pair that lastest and held up so well even though he was rough on them. I love when shoes last!
Kathy says
Those are very cute shoes. I have one daughter going to preschool and the other will be going to 1st grade. I’ve already got all their school shopping done and they start school in a month. I can’t believe how fast the summer is going already.
Jeanette says
We had stride rite as his first pair of shoes. I am glad we did that. Now he grows so fast that I can’t keep up with them. LOL
Jenna Wood says
When I was in preschool my mother shopped at Stride Rite, back when there were exclusive stores- now you can find their shoes at many chains. These shoes are so adorable!
Dawn says
I’ve been back to school shopping for years. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s always get the basics under your belt first.
Jennifer says
These are great tips. I’ve never actually had to go back to school shopping. Frankly, from what my sister has told me about it, I’m glad.
Kelsey Apley says
Those are some cute shoes! What a great range of tips for parents who are shopping for back to school!
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
I didn’t do any back to school shopping until my kids were in kindergarten. It wasn’t necessary.