The earlier you start your back to school shopping the more your savings can add up. However, if you’re going to be shopping early you might not have your class specific supply list for your child.
In this instance having a generic list of items that your child will need based on grade can come in handy.
Here are some back to school shopping lists by grade.
Back to School Shopping list for Kindergarten
Here are the items that your kindergartener will be most likely required to have:
- A pack of Washable Markers
- 24 or 48 ct. Crayons (My Kindergartener had to have 4 packs of 24 count crayons last year.)
- Glue Sticks
- A Supply Box
- 2 Pencils
- Kid Friendly, Blunt Tip Scissors (My Kindergartener was require to have Fiskars scissors.)
- A Pencil Sharpener
- Erasers
- Boxes of Tissues
- Clorox Wipes
- A Book Bag
Shopping list for Grades 1-3
Here are the supplies that your first through third grader are most likely to need:
- 2 Pencils
- A Pencil Sharpener
- Erasers
- Notebooks or Notebook Paper
- Folders
- A Ruler
- Washable Markers
- Colored Pencils
- A Supply Box
- Ball Point Pens
- Tissues
- Clorox Wipes
- A Book Bag
Shopping list for Grades 4-5
Here are the supplies that fourth and fifth graders are most likely to need:
- A Three Ring Binder
- A Three Hole Puncher
- Folders
- 2 Pencils
- A Pencil Sharpener
- Erasers
- Ball Point Pens
- Notebooks
- A Ruler
- Colored Pencils
- A Calculator
- A Book Bag
Shopping list for Junior High and High School
Here are the items that your Junior High and High School students will most likely need:
- Three Ring Binders
- Three Whole Punch
- 2 Pencils
- A Pencil Sharpener
- Ball Point Pens
- A Scientific Calculator
- A Protractor
- A Ruler
- Highlighters
- A Combination Lock
- A Flash Drive
- A Webster’s Dictionary
- A Thesaurus
- A Book Bag/Lunch Box
Shopping List for College Students
- Three Ring Binders
- Three Whole Punchers
- Notebooks
- 2 Pencils
- A Pencil Sharpener
- Erasers
- Ball Point Pens
- A Scientific Calculator
- A Computer
- A Printer
- A Tablet
- A Flash Drive
- Ink Cartridges for the Printer
- A Package of Permanent Markers
- A Package of Highlighters
- A Book Bag
And if your college student will be staying in the dorms here are some dorm essentials she might need:
- A Mini Fridge
- A Shower Caddy
- Pillow cases, sheets, and a blanket
- Pillows
- An Alarm Clock
- A Bulletin Board or White Board
- Clothes Hangers
- A Pair of Flip Flops for the Shower
- Personal Care Items
- A Microwave
- A Coffee Maker
- Kitchen Utensils
Back to School Shopping Tips
If you want to get the best deals on back to school shopping then you need to start watching for clothing sales now. It’s also smart to strategically stock up throughout the year as you prices drop on certain items. You can find more strategies for getting the biggest bang for your buck when it comes to back to school shopping here.
The best time to buy back to school supplies is right before school begins as each major retailer will compete to get your business!
Alexa Mason is a freelance writer and wanna be internet entrepreneur. She is also a newly single mom to two beautiful little girls. She chronicles her journey as a single mom trying to make it big at www.singlemomsincome.com.