No matter how old kids are, school supplies take a beating during the academic year. Backpacks get unceremoniously dumped on the ground, water bottles are thrown around and dinged, and pencils end up sharpened and used until only a nub is left.But if you’re smart about it, you don’t have to replace every single back-to-school essential before school starts each year. That’s because we’ve put countless book bags, lunch boxes, pencils, notebooks, and more through deep and rigorous testing to confirm that they can hold up to the wear and tear that life brings.Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best gear we’ve tested for each age group, from toddlers in pre-kindergarten programs to college seniors just a few months shy of entering the working world. This way, you can start the school year with Wirecutter-approved, age-appropriate gear that will work as hard as you or your kids will.