Last updated June 2026
Getting ready for back-to-school season? We’ve got you covered with this grade-by-grade school supply list.
While every teacher and school has their own specific requirements for the school supply list, there are plenty of supplies that show up on lists year after year. To help you get a head start, we’ve rounded up the most common school supplies for Kindergarten, Grades 1–3, Grades 4–6, and Grades 7–9.
*It’s important to remember that each teacher, school, and district may have different versions of exactly what’s needed, so it’s always best to check with your teacher.
Kindergarten School Supply Checklist:
What school supplies do kindergarten students need?
Most kindergarten classrooms focus on hands-on learning, crafts, and foundational skills. Teachers often request supplies that can be shared among the class, so always check your teacher’s instructions before labeling classroom materials.
School Supplies Checklist
☐ Crayons
☐ Washable markers
☐ Pencil grip
☐ Paper
☐ Construction paper
☐ Dry-erase markers
☐ Large zip-top storage bags
☐ Tissues
☐ Glue sticks
☐ Liquid glue
☐ Two-pocket folders
☐ Child-safe scissors
☐ Disinfecting wipes
☐ Art smock or oversized shirt
☐ Play-Doh
Personal Items Checklist
These items should always be labelled.
☐ Backpack
☐ Lunch bag or lunch box
☐ Reusable water bottle
☐ Indoor shoes
☐ Headphones (non-Bluetooth)
☐ Change of clothes
☐ Socks
☐ Underwear
☐ Sweater
☐ Sunscreen
☐ Hand sanitizer
☐ Lip balm
Trust us: your kid will lose something.
Kindergarteners are learning a lot this year, but keeping track of their belongings usually isn’t one of them.
Between cubbies, hooks, classrooms, and playgrounds, water bottles, sweaters, lunch bags, and shoes seem to disappear daily. Labeling everything before the first day can save you from replacing the same items over and over again.
Top pick: The Kindergarten Name Label Pack includes labels for shoes, clothing, lunch gear, water bottles, backpacks, and more. Plus, the left-right shoe labels help little learners build independence while getting ready for school.
Shop the Kindergarten Name Label Pack
Grades 1–3 School Supply List
What school supplies do Grades 1–3 students need?
As kids become more independent, their supply lists usually get a little longer. Expect a mix of classroom supplies, personal learning tools, and organizational items.
School Supplies Checklist
☐ 24 pre-sharpened pencils
☐ Eraser
☐ Scissors
☐ Crayons
☐ Coloured pencils
☐ Pencil sharpener
☐ Washable markers
☐ Pocket folders
☐ School glue
☐ Glue sticks
☐ Pencil case
☐ 1-inch binders
☐ Tissues
☐ Dry-erase markers
☐ Composition notebooks
☐ Resealable sandwich bags
☐ Headphones
Personal Items Checklist
☐ Backpack
☐ Lunch bag
☐ Water bottle
☐ Indoor shoes
☐ Gym shoes
☐ Sweater
☐ Hand sanitizer
☐ Lip balm
The lost-and-found gets busy fast.
At this age, kids are becoming more independent, but they’re still easily distracted. One exciting recess game and suddenly their sweater is nowhere to be found.
Labelling lunch containers, water bottles, clothing, and school supplies makes it much easier for teachers to return lost items.
Our pick: The Ultimate Back-to-School Label Pack includes enough labels to cover everything your child takes to school, sports, and activities all year long.
Shop the Ultimate Back-to-School Combo
Grades 4–6 School Supply List
What school supplies do Grades 4–6 students need?
By upper elementary, students are managing more subjects, more homework, and often more extracurricular activities, all of this comes with more stuff, here is their school supply list.
School Supplies Checklist
☐ Pencils
☐ Pens
☐ Erasers
☐ Coloured pencils
☐ Pencil sharpener
☐ Pencil case
☐ Binders
☐ Subject dividers
☐ Composition notebooks
☐ Loose-leaf paper
☐ Dry-erase markers
☐ Index cards
☐ Ruler
☐ Headphones
Personal Items Checklist
☐ Backpack
☐ Water bottle
☐ Lunch bag
☐ Gym shoes
☐ Sweater
☐ Hand sanitizer
They’ll swear they know where everything is. Until they don’t.
Between changing classes, sports practices, clubs, and sleepovers, older elementary kids carry a surprising amount of stuff back and forth every day.
A few labels now can save you from replacing expensive water bottles, hoodies, lunch containers, and school supplies later.
Our pick: The Ultimate Back-to-School Label Pack is perfect for busy tweens with lots of gear moving between home and school.
Shop the Ultimate Back-to-School Combo
Grades 7–9 School Supply List
What school supplies do middle school students need?
Middle school students get more complicated because they move classrooms throughout the day. They’re juggling multiple teachers, lockers, extracurriculars, and increasingly complex coursework.
School Supplies Checklist
☐ Pencils
☐ Pens
☐ Erasers
☐ Coloured pencils
☐ Pencil sharpener
☐ Pencil case
☐ Binders
☐ Subject dividers
☐ Composition notebooks
☐ Index cards
☐ Ruler
☐ Protractor
☐ Agenda or planner
☐ Calculator
☐ Loose-leaf paper
☐ Graph paper
☐ Computer paper
☐ Laptop (if required)
Personal Items Checklist
☐ Backpack
☐ Water bottle
☐ Gym shoes
☐ Combination lock
☐ Locker mirror
☐ Hand sanitizer
☐ Personal care items pouch
The backpack may be bigger, but the disappearing-stuff problem remains.
Middle school students juggle lockers, sports, extracurriculars, electronics, and multiple classrooms every day.
A labelled calculator, charger, hoodie, water bottle, or gym bag has a much better chance of finding its way back home.
Our pick: The Middle School Label Pack was designed specifically for older kids, with more mature designs they’ll actually want to use. 
Shop the Middle School Label Pack
Frequently Asked Questions About School Supply Lists
What school supplies do kindergarten students need?
Most kindergarten students need crayons, markers, glue sticks, folders, tissues, scissors, headphones, a backpack, lunch bag, and reusable water bottle.
What should be labeled for school?
Any item that leaves the classroom or belongs exclusively to your child should be labelled. This includes backpacks, lunch bags, water bottles, shoes, clothing, headphones, pencil cases, and sports equipment.
Do teachers want school supplies labelled?
It depends. Personal belongings should always be labelled. However, some classroom supplies such as crayons, tissues, and glue sticks may be shared, so check with your teacher before labelling them.
What are the most commonly lost school items?
Water bottles, lunch containers, sweaters, hoodies, gym shoes, and headphones are among the most commonly misplaced items throughout the school year.
When should I start back-to-school shopping?
Many families begin shopping in mid-to-late summer, before official school lists are released. Purchasing common essentials early can help spread out costs and avoid sold-out items.
