I've been wondering about this too. They look like some kind of wrapped gifts, but I don't know what they are supposed to be. Like Jenna said, here the traditional gift is an apple, though really most kids head off to their first day with the box of kleenex and roll of paper towels they are required to provide!
I think it is called a Schultuete, This is what I got from Googlehttp://fanzone50.com/Oberstein/schultueteHistory.htmlI'm sure some of our German Playmofriends will answer this better than I can though. Elaine