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What鈥檚 the smart way to shop for school supplies? Eliminate the guesswork by getting a list from your child鈥檚 teacher ahead of time or waiting until school starts to find out what鈥檚 actually required. The teacher may recommend specific brands, sizes, or quantities, but even if the list isn鈥檛 available, you can still take advantage of back-to-school supply sales (many states offer 鈥渢ax-free days” https://taxadmin.org/2025-sales-tax-holidays/ during this season) by sticking to the basic supplies recommended below. And remember, you can鈥檛 go wrong with tools that help kids get — and stay — organized. Looking for discount school supplies? Search online and off-season 鈥� a little too late when everything is on sale or earlier in the year. Discount school supplies are also often available at places like dollar stores or community thrift stores.

Basic supplies

  • No. 2 pencils
  • Mechanical pencils
  • Colored pencils
  • Pencil sharpener (manual with a top to collect shavings)
  • Large pink eraser
  • Ballpoint pens, both blue and black (also get a few red, purple or green ink ones, too, because some teachers have students do peer editing.)
  • Highlighters
  • Sticky Notes, 3 x 3 inches, assorted bright colors
  • Spiral-bound or composition notebooks, at least three
  • Binder dividers
  • Dictionary and Thesaurus (especially if your child doesn鈥檛 have a dedicated computer.)
  • Loose-leaf notebook paper (Teachers can be picky about paper. Some middle schools ask that students use the college-ruled variety.)
  • Ruler with English and metric measurements
  • Headphones or earbuds to cancel out distracting noises during study times. Check with the teacher and school to ensure they are permitted. Ideal for kids with attention difficulties.

Organizational helpers

  • A few three-ring binders (Some teachers require that a binder be used exclusively for their class.)
  • A three-hole punch (a regular one or one that fits in a three-ring binder)
  • A pencil case that fits in a binder
  • Binder dividers (The kinds with pockets are good for loose papers.)
  • Pocket folders
  • Folders that fit in binders
  • Small notebook to record assignments
  • Calendar for scheduling assignments
  • Sturdy, supportive backpack (Some schools do not permit rolling backpacks because of space considerations, so check with your school before considering this option.)
  • Combination locks (If school lockers do not have built-in locks, one for the hallway and one for the gym.)

Study aids

  • Index cards, ruled and unruled (These are great for making flash cards.)
  • Highlighters
  • Calculator or mobile phone. Check with the math teacher to get an affordable recommended product. Your child doesn’t need an expensive calculator with far more functions than they will use. Graphing calculators cost more, and they might be required by eighth grade. Also, ask the teacher what their policy is on mobile phones that have calculators, and determine whether your child will use it responsibly.
  • Protractor (Middle school students may need one as early as sixth grade.)

Craft materials

  • Drawing paper
  • Construction paper
  • Glue sticks
  • Four-ounce bottle of white glue
  • Scotch tape
  • Stapler
  • Scissors
  • Watercolor paints
  • Water-based markers

Computer supplies

  • Printer paper
  • Ink cartridges
  • USB Flash Drive for storage and backup

Back-to-school nice to haves

  • Stainless steel water bottle. (To be extra safe, you might want to avoid plastic bottles that contain bisphenol A, a hormone-disrupting chemical linked to such health problems as heart disease and diabetes.)
  • Locker organizer (and other locker accessories).

See the school supplies lists for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade and high school, too.