30 Back to School Essentials You Need!

This post contains affiliate links.

These 30 Back To School Essentials might not be the most obvious selections, but they are life-changing. Be prepared for the first day of school with these family, car and school supplies.

Who’s ready for back to school? Me! Me! Meeeeeee!

You too? Sure, the mornings are early and the evenings are busy. But routine? And a quiet house? Priceless. The only thing I dread each year (besides getting up before the sun rises) is back to school shopping.

Dragging my kids through crowded aisles while looking for a three-pronged-two-folder-green-plastic-binder-thingy is not my cup o’ tea. Ya know? So, I do my shopping for back to school essentials online. This way I avoid fighting my fellow moms for the last wide-ruled spiral notebook in the store, and I can also shop around for the best deals and coolest products.

With four kids heading back to school this year, you can bet I’m getting well versed in collecting the best back to school essentials. I’ve curated some of the best for you. It takes a few years of sharpening pencils the night before the first day of school to realize that (1) you need to buy pre-sharpened Ticonderoga pencils, because they really are the best, and (2) an electronic pencil sharpener is actually something you need in the house.

You’re welcome. Now get shopping momma! It’s go time. See you at the spa after the first day of drop-off!

Family Back To School Essentials

Family Agenda – With a family is six, every day looks different. Keep each kids’s (and your) schedule on track with this weekly family agenda.

Clothes Organizer (with pockets) – My kids are THE WORST at picking out their own clothes, and I’m too tired to help them in the morning. Streamline the process by organizing their clothes for the week in advance.

Clothes Organizer (with bins) – Same concept as above. Get one for each kid. You’ll thank yourself when Spirit Week comes along and each kid needs to wear the teachers’ favorite colors. Just why?

Lunchbox Notes – Sometimes I get mushy. And when I do, I like to slip in a little note to let my kids know I love ’em. These make that easier. Especially at 6am.

Electric Pencil Sharpener – As mentioned above, you only need to sharpen 20 pencils before the first day of school once before you realize you need one of these.

Reusable Sandwich and Snack Bags – Trying to cut down on single-use plastics? These cute designs encourage little ones to grab for these reusable snack bags.

Bento-style Lunch Box – Everything (even healthy foods) look more appealing when organized in these cute little bento boxes!

Homework Station – Having a consistent place to focus on homework will help your little one stay on task.

Homework Caddy – Keep all of your school supplies corralled in one place with this functional homework caddy.

TAB Notebook – Organize your thoughts in this conveniently tabbed notebook. Meal plans, vacations, and shopping lists are all easy to find.

Art Organizer – I like to hang most of my kids art and enjoy it for awhile… before it hits the can. (Don’t hate!) But, there are some pieces we like to keep. I have a binder like this one for that.

Kleenex Hand Towels – These disposable hand towels mean less germ-sharing.

Classroom Back To School Essentials

Ticonderoga Pencils – Teachers love them, and so do I. Not only do they come pre-sharpened(!!!), but they are less prone to breaking.

Guerilla Calculator Protector – Once you cough up the $ for that TI-84 graphing calculator, you may as well protect it.

Pineapple USB Flash Drive – Sure, this wasn’t on our supply list when we were kids, but they are now. I like this pineapple one – it’s less likely to get lost in the shuffle!

Herschel Backpack – LOVE these vintage-meets-modern backpacks.

Limited Volume Headphones – Protect your kids’ ears and your sanity with these headphones that are also designed to not get tangled. Triple win!

EASTHILL Big Capacity Pencil Pen Case (girly) – The perfect place to stash….everything.

Homecube Pencil Case Big Capacity (gender neutral) – Because guys should be organized too.

Sharpie, Paper Mate, Expo – Writing Essentials Kit – Stock up on the essentials with this complete Sharpie, pen and market set.

ID Lanyards – Our school charges the student when they lose their ID. A lanyard ensures they always have it, and their ID doesn’t get lost.

DesignWorks Ink Bound Personal Journal, White Marble – Because it’s pretty.

Carpool Back To School Essentials

Back Seat Organizer – Keep supplies at the ready with this chic leather-like back seat car organizer.

Unicorn Umbrella – My kids aren’t wearing raincoats these days, so a cute umbrella is always a good backup.

Shark Umbrella – Baby shark do do do-do-do-do…..

Sanitizer Wipes – Get in my car, wipe your hands. It’s the back-to-school mantra.

Swell Water Bottle (in Paraga) – Stay hydrated in that long car pool line with a chic Swell Water Bottle.

“I used to be cool” Bumper Sticker – It’s’ true.

Diaper Supply Caddy – If errands keep you out longer than planned or that carpool line wraps around the school, you just might need diaper supplies for little ones still in diapers.

Cell Phone Air Vent Car Mount – I like to have easy access to my phone and air-vent phone mounts are the only ones I’ve had success with.

*************************

Did I cover it all? Let me know what I missed! Get more back to school inspiration with our Geometric Pencil Jar tutorial and these cute Personalized Homework Kits.