The Ultimate Back-to-School Supplies List for Every Age
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Purchasing new school supplies is one of the most fun errands kids and parents get to do together ahead of starting the school year. There’s nothing quite like a fresh box of crayons or a new backpack or lunchbox to get everyone excited for a year of learning! However, the back-to-school supplies list can get pretty lengthy (and complicated!) if you don’t know where to start. To help you get organized, we’ve put together easy back-to-school supplies lists for every grade group.
Depending on their grade, school, and when school starts for them, their supplies list might look a little different. That’s why we put together a comprehensive list of must-haves for kindergarteners, elementary schoolers, junior high students, and high schoolers, just to get you started.
Your specific school’s supply list may include more, but the items below are likely must-haves for your young learner. Browse our lists to keep track of your supplies and make sure your student has everything they need to start the year off right. Then, once school shopping is done, you can focus on your own to-do list tasks, like getting the house organized for a tidy new school year ahead.
Helpful Tools
Every school has different requirements when it comes to school supplies lists. To make it easy, you can use the following tools to help make sure you’re checking off everything you need:
- Walmart Back to School Supply List: Look up your specific school and shop directly for supplies.
- TeacherLists: Digitized shopping lists based on your school and teacher recommendations.
- School Tool Box: Skip shopping and buy one box with everything on your school’s list in a few clicks, shipped right to your door.
Kindergarten School Supply List
Kindergarten is the start of your child’s elementary school career, and it’s an exciting time for them to learn new skills, such as writing their own names, learning the alphabet, reading sight words, and mastering basic addition and subtraction.
- Crayons
- Washable markers
- Glue sticks
- Pencils
- Erasers
- Blunt-tipped scissors
- Notebook
- Folders
- Backpack
- Lunch box
- Wipes
Our Kindergarten Favorites
Elementary School Supply List
Kids’ school needs change so much throughout their time in elementary school, but the following supplies are on the essentials list every year. Since they’ll be using them so often, make sure to note the new supplies they’ll need as they progress through each grade. You can even keep some backups around the house or in their classroom just in case!
- Crayons
- Colored pencils
- Washable markers
- Glue sticks
- Blunt-tipped scissors
- Pencils
- Erasers
- Pencil case
- Ruler
- Folders
- Notebooks
- Backpack
- Lunch box
Our Elementary School Favorites
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Middle School Supply List
Middle school (or “junior high” depending on where you live) is a time of social and emotional growth, as well as the start of greater independence—and plenty of more advanced material to learn. They might be starting lessons in algebra, environmental science, and language arts, and developing their world view and core set of values.
- Planner
- Book covers
- Highlighters
- Notebooks
- Folders
- Erasers
- 3-ring binder
- Loose-leaf paper
- Calculator
- Crayons
- Colored Pencils
- Pens
- Pencils or mechanical pencils
- Pencil case
- Glue sticks or glue
- Ruler
- Graph paper
- Index cards
- Scissors
- Planner
- Locker lock
- Lunch box
- Backpack
Our Middle School Favorites
High School Supply List
High school is where it all gets real before the next phase of life kicks in. They’ll be introduced to subjects such as chemistry, physics, advanced language arts, world history… And on top of all that, they’re also preparing for college by adding extracurriculars to their schedules and taking entrance exams.
- Planner
- Book covers
- Index cards
- Highlighters
- Notebooks
- Folders
- Erasers
- 3-ring binder
- Loose-leaf paper
- Calculator
- Crayons or colored pencils
- Pens
- Pencils or mechanical pencils
- Pencil case
- Glue sticks or glue
- Ruler
- Protractor
- Graph paper
- Sticky notes
- Scissors
- Backpack
- Locker lock
- Locker organizers
Our High School Favorites
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you supposed to buy everything on the school supply list?
It depends. While some schools require all supplies on the list to be bought, others offer suggested donations, “nice-to-have” lists, or community supplies. If you aren’t sure which items are requirements and which are suggestions, call or email your school or teacher so you can be sure you’re buying the right items.
When do school supply lists come out?
Heather Morgan Shott
Heather Morgan Shott is an award-winning consumer news reporter and lifestyle writer with over 20 years of experience. Previously, she was the Vice President of Content and Marketing for the $3.5B Better Homes & Gardens collection at Walmart. Prior to that role, she oversaw digital content strategy for Meredith Corporation's Home Group, which included Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Better Homes & Gardens, and Southern Living. Additionally, Shott was Editor-in-Chief of Evolve Media's parenting vertical and editorial director at XO Group (formerly The Knot). She has held staff editor positions at National Geographic Traveler, Parents.com, Brides.com, and Wine Spectator. She is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work at Hunter College in New York City to become a licensed clinical social worker specializing in perinatal mental health.
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