Back-to-school shopping seems like it gets more complicated every year. Notebook, pencil, and backpack? Not even the tip of the iceberg. But how much stuff does your 6-year-old really need? Answer: Slightly less than those commercials are trying to sell you, but more than you might guess. And before you buy anything, always check with your kid’s teacher to see if there are any special requirements or restrictions. Here, our definitive back-to-school list for parents of grade schoolers.
Back to School Checklist For Kids in Grades 1-3
- 24-pack of crayons (amazon.com, $11)
- Dry erase marker, fine tip, black (amazon.com, $15 for 12-pack)
- Pink eraser (amazon.com, $6 for 6-pack)
- Two-pocket folders in multiple colors (amazon.com, $16 for box of 50 folders)
- Multiple wide-ruled notebooks (amazon.com, $9 for 55-pack)
- Glue stick (amazon.com, $6.50)
- Blunt-tipped kid scissors (amazon.com, $4.60)
- Washable markers, broad tip, 8-color pack (amazon.com, $6)
- Washable markers, fine tip, 10-color pack (amazon.com, $5)
- #2 pencils, 12-pack (amazon.com, $13)
- Portable pencil sharpener (amazon.com, $16 for 3-pack)
- Lunch box with a snap-shut or zip-closure lid (amazon.com, $10)
- Tissue pack (amazon.com, $1 for pack of 15 sheets)
- Ruler (amazon.com, $3)
- Index cards (staples.com, $.75 for 100 cards)
- Backpack (amazon.com, $16)
For Kids Grades 4-6, add the following:
- Calculator (amazon.com, $8)
- 3-ring binder (staples.com, $11.50)
- Binder paper (staples.com, $1 for 120 sheets)
- Binder subject dividers (amazon.com, $1.70 for 5)
- Black or blue ballpoint pens (amazon.com, $7.50 for 12-pack)
- Three-subject spiral notebooks (amazon.com, $10 for 2)
