May the Force be with you, and don't forget your homework

As your little Padawan goes back to school, you've got a long list of supplies: Lightsaber, translator droid, nerf sandwich, and a schoolbus that can make the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs. Oh, I'm sorry, did you just figure out that I'm the resident CMP Star Wars geek?

But you don't have to be a Jedi to know that Star Wars can make the school year fun and is showing up in all sorts of surprising places.

 

I'm convinced kids will jump higher than the ears on a gundark with the fantastic Star Wars sneakers from Stride Rite. I mean, they look like Chucks and have the Millennium Falcon on the side. In proper Yoda fashion, I ask you What not to love is? If the Captain Rex shoes are more your kid's style, be sure to grab them now; word is they're nearly sold out everywhere and won't be back on shelves until November.

Williams-Sonoma has a whole new line of goodies including Star Wars sandwich cutters that will render your enemies--I mean, sandwiches--helpless and crustless. I also like the pack of four Star Wars cookie cutters (right) for when you want to nibble some Vader with extra frosting.

And of course you'll want to check out the environmentally friendly, appliqued Star Wars lunch bags from Pottery Barn Kids that are currently featured in our handy Back to School Shopping Guide. The designs really are subtle and graphic, on a nice neutral color palate--more so than what you'd expect with a licensed lunch box.

Star Wars for back to school? I have a good feeling about this.~Grand Moff Delilah

Find more cool essentials for the school year in the Cool Mom Picks 2010 Back to School Shopping Guide.

Find More: Backpacks, Lunchboxes + Bags for Kids, Big Brands Doing Cool Things, Doodads and Random Bits of Coolness, Kids Shoes