Back to School Shopping List 2026

A practical, grade-by-grade checklist covering everything your student needs — from pencils to laptops — without overspending on things they won't actually use.

School Supplies

Buy these first — they're needed day one and most teachers send a specific list home before school starts. When in doubt, go generic until you see the teacher's list.

Elementary School (K–5)

• Backpack (sized for their body, not adult-sized)
• Wide-ruled composition notebooks or spiral notebooks
• Pencils — buy a large pack, they disappear fast
• Crayons, colored pencils, washable markers
• Scissors (child-safe), glue sticks, ruler
• Pencil pouch or box
• Folders with pockets (usually color-coded by subject)
• Reusable water bottle
• Lunch box or bag

Middle School (6–8)

• Backpack with laptop compartment if school issues devices
• College-ruled notebooks or a 3-ring binder with dividers
• Blue and black pens, pencils, highlighters
• Scientific calculator (Texas Instruments TI-30 is the standard)
• Earbuds or headphones for classwork
• Planner or agenda book
• Index cards for studying
• Hand sanitizer, tissues (many teachers request these)

High School (9–12)

• Sturdy backpack — this takes real daily abuse
• Chromebook, laptop, or tablet (check school policy)
• Graphing calculator — TI-84 is required by most math teachers
• College-ruled notebooks or digital note-taking setup
• Highlighters in multiple colors for different subjects
• USB-C or USB-A hub if using a laptop
• Planner (paper or digital — doesn't matter, just use one)
• Flash drive for backup

College

• Laptop — Windows or Mac, whatever you're comfortable with
• External hard drive or cloud storage subscription
• Blue light glasses if you're screen-heavy
• Wireless earbuds for lectures and the library
• Portable phone charger
• Mini desk fan and power strip with surge protector (dorm essential)
• Notebooks and pens — some professors ban laptops in class
• Printer access (campus library is fine; skip buying one)

Back to School Clothing

Don't buy a full wardrobe before school starts. Kids' tastes change fast and you won't know what's actually comfortable until they're wearing it five days a week. Buy enough for 1–2 weeks and fill in from there.

The core list for any grade

• 5–7 everyday tops (t-shirts, henleys, or button-downs)
• 3–4 bottoms (jeans, khakis, or joggers — whatever fits the dress code)
• 1–2 nicer outfits for presentations, picture day, etc.
• A hoodie or light jacket for cold classrooms
• A waterproof outer layer for rain
• Comfortable, school-appropriate sneakers — one pair that can go all day
• Enough socks and underwear that laundry isn't urgent every three days

Check the dress code first

Many schools have specific rules about colors, logos, collar styles, and shoe types. Read the handbook before buying anything — especially for middle and high school. Some private schools require uniforms and your shopping list looks completely different.

Budget Tips

• Shop the sales tax holiday — most states run one in July or August specifically for school supplies and clothing. Check your state's dates.
• Don't buy everything at once — wait for the teacher's supply list before buying notebooks, folders, or anything color-specific.
• Dollar stores for consumables — pencils, glue sticks, composition notebooks, and folders are perfectly fine from the dollar store.
• Buy clothing staples, not trends — a solid pair of jeans and a neutral hoodie outlast anything printed with a character or logo.
• Skip the tech upgrades — unless a laptop is genuinely needed this year, don't buy one just because school is starting.