Back-to-school season offers chance to build routines and family traditions

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Marianne Szymanski, founder and president of Toy Tips, joined us on Monday, Aug. 4 with some special back-to-school tips for families preparing for the upcoming school year.

Szymanski said the weeks before school are a good time to establish routines, create study areas and promote health and safety. She recommends introducing hands-on learning toys, rotating new food options into school lunches and encouraging kids to try extracurricular activities.

Among her featured toys that can serve those purposes were the NEX Interactive Cube and Playmobil Action Heroes sets, along with family-friendly items like the Fritaire air fryer, the Parker Pen, Challenge butter cubes, Recyco Swedish dishcloths and YIPES hand wipes.

Szymanski said tools like these can help families organize, reduce stress and create lasting habits as students return to classrooms.