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Back to school ready at Fort Kinnaird

Get prepped for the new term with Fort Kinnaird’s go-to stores for the essentials, uniform swap shops, arts and crafts, books, lunch boxes plus grooming, haircuts and beauty finds for tweens and teens.

With kids-eat-free offers and special menus, family movies plus really easy parking and public transport, we’re making back-to-school shopping simple. Plan a day out or come back over the holidays to keep them entertained and get organised…

1. The essentials…

From uniform to regulation black shoes and sports kits, we’ve created the ultimate downloadable back-to-school guide so you can tick off the key pieces as you go. Plus, we’ve got Marks & Spencer, Clarks, Office, JD Sports, SportsDirect.com, Skechers, Mountain Warehouse, Primark and schuh kids for everything you need.

Download the back to school checklist

Also, don’t miss the incredible Leith Collective uniform swap shop from 28th June to 16th August where you can donate outgrown school clothes and bags and pick up something in return. (Remember, Scottish councils can offer grants for help with uniform and shoes – find out more here.)

Finally don’t forget: head to Boots Opticians, Specsavers and Vision Express for optician check-ups and pick up kids’ vitamins, antihistamine and more from Boots, Holland & Barrett and Superdrug.

2. Bags, water bottles and lunch boxes

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River Island’s huge totes and shoppers are the go-to bags for teens at the moment (plus their handy Take Back Scheme means you can donate any three items from any brand for a £5 voucher the next time you shop). See also H&M (where you can also recycle for vouchers if you’re a member) and New Look for more carryall inspiration.

TK Maxx, Mountain Warehouse, Smyths Toys and Argos have rucksacks and backpacks for younger children, water bottles and lunch boxes (head to Claire’s for useful collapsible ones, ProCook for stainless steel bottles and JD Sports for sporty designs while Typo always has a massive selection of on-trend designs.)

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3. Grooming and beauty bits for teens

Get stocked up on with natural deodorants, shower gels, vegan and afro hair products and great teen skincare from Boots and Superdrug (CeraVe’s cleansers, moisturisers and toners, Boots’ own range witch hazel and Byoma are inexpensive and good for all skin types).

In need of a back-to-school haircut? You can also get walk-in appointments at Guy & Beard which has junior crews for £13 while Elegance offers washes and cuts for under-10s plus nail and brow treatments for teens (full menu).

4. Kids-eat-for-free and children’s menus to know

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Top tip: join Friday’s Stripes Rewards and kids can eat for free when you order an adult meal. Order from the Little League or Major League sections of the kids’ menu and choose from chicken burger or tenders, hot dog, two sides and a fizzy fruit cooler.

Enjoy lunch with kids’ menus from Pizza Express (doughballs, pizza or pasta with salad, dessert, a Bambicino and activity pack for £7.75); Frankie & Benny’s (from £6.80 for a starter, main, side, drink and dessert); Marks & Spencer (£4 for main with snack and drink) and Nando’s (£5.95 for main, two sides and dessert or drink – bottomless frozen yoghurt anyone?). Keep checking our offers page for special summer kids’ menus too.

On the go? Head to Chaiiwala for lemon iced chaii, toastie and paratha or Greggs for pasties and vegan sausage rolls. Plus, we’re always home to the crowd pleasers with Hotel Chocolat, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut and wagamama.

5. Stationery, books, arts and crafts

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One handy tip for encouraging them to do their homework is to create a home study space they’ll love. If they’ve got an organised pencil case, post-its and highlighters, things are that much more simple – check out the gorgeous stationery at Typo and Primark for younger ones.

For helpful study books and inspired reads, head to Waterstones and WH Smith or for crafting ideas and art supplies such as sketchpads and paints, Hobbycraft are brilliant. Argos and currys are great for tablets, laptops, headphones, calculators and Bluetooth speakers. Pick up this season’s pastel phone cases from H&M.

6. Shopping treats and fun finds

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Smyths Toys have Mini Brands surprises, Play-Doh, Barbies, Butter Cloudz Assortments and Mr and Mrs Potato Head for £10 and under. For tweens and teens, there’s ear piercing at Claire’s while Elegance offers Princess Packages for 3-7 years which include amazing glitter tattoos, nails, tiara and wand… We’ve also got a fun play area for under 10s outside Caffe Nero.

7. Family entertainment

Once you’re all done with the shops, head to the Odeon. Summer movies are still going strong with Barbie (out 21 July), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (out 4 August) and Strays (out 18 August).

Watch this space for new openings coming in 2023.

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Last updated Thursday 8 February, 2024