It’s that time of year again: out with the grilling tools and citronella candles, in with the towers of notebooks and pencils. That means game over for legions of school-age gamers who have been in beast mode for the past two months. Time to pack your bag, set your alarm, put down your controller, and get to work.
Is it any wonder the first day of school hits so hard? Not this time. We’ve rounded up some of the coolest clothing, room decor, and gadgets to ease the transition back to the classroom. It turns out the new school year doesn’t have to be the end of the game if you have the right strategy. Start here.
Pac-Man Ghost Hunt Wall Art
Enhance your pinned fan art with this retro-style eye-catcher.
A gift for all ages, the Pottery Barn Teen Pac-Man Ghost Chase Wall Light is a cheeky neon reminder that we never outgrow the classics. The light plugs right into the wall, making it easy to take anywhere, even at 40 inches wide. And best of all, it’s a guaranteed conversation starter: Guess who just got ghosted?!
See it at Pottery Barn for $199 – G/O Media may receive a commission
Nintendo Switch Travel Bag
Did you know that the average student lugs around over 20 pounds in their backpack? You might as well wedge your gear between two granite slabs. Don’t even think about going to school without putting your Switch (or Switch Lite) in a sturdy case that protects your hardware from hard knocks. We like the Super Icon for its slightly punky checkerboard motif, convenient carrying handle, and modest price tag. But what we like most is what it signals to other Princess Toadstools: Your kart or mine?
See it on My Nintendo Store for $19.99 – G/O Media may receive a commission
SPONSORED BY MILESTONE
Monster Jam Showdown
Even the best student needs a break sometimes, and your gaming-loving kids will love this one. The official Monster Jam video game is here – Monster Jam Showdown! Get behind the wheel of the most iconic trucks of all time and show
your skills in 10 exciting arcade racing game modes. Whether you prefer offline or online, freestyle or head-to-head, stadiums or off-road environments, there’s something for everyone. The ground will shake in Monster Jam Showdown – available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC.
See it at GameStop for $49.99 – G/O Media may receive a commission
PlayStation Portal Remote Player
If we didn’t know better, we’d say the PlayStation Portal is out to dethrone the driver’s license as the ultimate symbol of teen freedom. This snazzy little handheld lets you play your favorite PS5 games on any screen in the house, and stream games directly from your console over Wi-Fi. That means you can keep playing while someone else hogs the big screen. No more jostling with your roommates for screen time. No more crowding out annoying siblings. With a crisp 1080p display and all the haptic wizardry of the built-in DualSense controller, the Portal delivers the authentic PS5 experience in a tiny package, letting you do whatever you want, wherever you want.
See it on Amazon for $199 – G/O Media may receive a commission
Frigidaire Light Up Mini Fridge
Nothing says victory like the mini fridge being reliably within arm’s reach so you can quench your thirst without taking your eyes off the screen. But if you do, you’ll be downright wowed by the Jetsons vibe of the Frigidaire Light Up Mini-Fridge, a compact 3-pound mini fridge that comes in four cool colors—white, blue, stealth (black), and purplehaze (our favorite, of course). The fridge is as functional as it is cool—it holds up to 6 cans and keeps them frosty. Not cold. Not cool. But really frosty. Yes, the LED lights are over the top, but in the middle of the night when it’s pitch black and you’re craving cold water, you’ll be thankful for DJ Frigidaire’s glow.
See it on Amazon for $39.99 – G/O Media may receive a commission
X-Wing Cosplay Mini Backpack
Pro tip: Teach your kids about the Force when they’re young and impressionable. Start with the gear. Case in point: Watch with Obi-Wan pride as your little one rolls into preschool with this traffic-shattering mini backpack made from vegan leather and styled after the iconic helmets of the Rebel Alliance. Big enough for the lunchbox, water bottle, and the many birthday party invitations that are sure to follow.
See it at Funko for $40 – G/O Media may receive a commission
Gunnar blue light filter glasses
As any serious gamer can attest, hours of intense gaming puts a lot of strain on the eyes and leads to headaches and insomnia, which in turn can negatively affect your academic performance. Avoid the gaming hangover with Gunnar’s Fallout Vault 33 prescription glasses, inspired by the iconic Fallout video game series. The amber lenses filter out harsh blue light, reducing digital eye strain and fatigue during long gaming sessions. They’re lightweight and flexible, so they won’t pinch your temples when you’re wearing a headset. Best of all, the frames, which can be fitted with prescription lenses, feature a cool, retro-futuristic design that rivals anything you’d get from any luxury manufacturer. Eyes on the price!
See it at Gunnar for $249 – G/O Media may receive a commission
7-Eleven + Tetris Player One T-Shirt
The first day of school look is everything, so wear a T-shirt that signals to your teachers and classmates what matters most to you: video games and Slurpees, in that order. We love the Player One T-shirt, part of 7-Eleven’s clever, well-designed 7Collection merchandise line, which includes collaborations with Tetris and Green Day, as well as smartly designed apparel inspired by auto racing, golf, and (of course) the beloved Slurpee. (The woven retro golf button-down shirt might single-handedly revive the ironic T-shirt trend.) Only available online, and you’d better hurry: These limited-edition winners are selling out fast.
See it at 7collection for $21 – G/O Media may receive a commission
Stanley Reverb Collection
You’ve resisted long enough, but it’s time to give up. We’ve finally found the Stanley model guaranteed to win the heart of even the toughest drinking opponents: the Stanley Reverb. A favorite of the Target chain, the capsule collection of blockbuster water tumblers comes in four bold hues – white, black, blue and pink. Each one features contrasting lids and straws and is decorated with curved neon lines inspired by (you guessed it) guitar reverb. They’re loud and proud, designed to stand out and be coveted. The collection comes in 30 oz. and 40 oz. sizes, as well as a more conventional model with a flip-top lid and straw. The perfect accessory for your next Elden Ring marathon.
See it at Stanley for $45 – G/O Media may receive a commission
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