Only a few more months of summer remain to us, and soon our elementary students will be going back to school. As parents, the daunting task of back to school shopping looms just over the horizon. Back to school shopping can be a tedious task so give yourself a head start with these top ten essential back to school supplies for elementary students.
#1 Backpack
Your elementary student will need something to carry all of his new back to school supplies back and forth from school. So make sure to include a backpack on your back to school shopping list. There are hundreds of different backpacks out there, and it may seem difficult to find the perfect one for your elementary student. To help you pick out the perfect backpack, here are some things to keep in mind. Backpacks can receive a lot of wear throughout the school year so be sure to look for a durable backpack during your back to school shopping. You want your elementary student’s backpack to last the entire school year. Also make sure the backpack you choose comes with plenty of pockets and space for your student to store all of their new back to school supplies in. I recommend an Eastport brand backpack for your elementary school student. Eastport makes durable, stylish backpacks, that are sure to last a long time. They even have clear and mesh backpacks in case your student’s school requires them. And for the Eco-friendly, they have a collection of natural backpacks which are 100% biodegradable and completely environmentally safe.
#2 Pencils, Pens, and Writing Utensils
Every elementary school student will be required to write, probably on a daily basis. Some form of writing utensil is the next essential supply for your back to school shopping list. There are different writing utensils to choose from. Standard wooden pencils, mechanical pencils, ball point pens, gel pens, and others. I would suggest pencils over any type of pen for your elementary school student. Pencils are easier to erase and fix mistakes your elementary student may make, and pencils are easier to clean up just in case your student decides to write somewhere they shouldn’t. I would also suggest mechanical pencils over the standard wooden pencils because they do not require sharpening. If you do decide to go with wooden pencils during your back to school shopping, it’s a good idea to pick up a pencil sharpener for your elementary student as well. Preferably one with a plastic compartment to catch the shavings, as these make less of a mess.
#3 Crayons, Markers, and Colored Pencils
Your elementary school student will undoubtedly have to do a project requiring crayons, or colored pencils, and these should be included on every elementary student’s back to school list. I usually prefer crayons or colored pencils over markers. Markers tend to be more messy. If you do buy markers during your back to school shopping, look for washable markers. These are easier to clean up, just in case. Every back to school isle should carry crayons or colored pencils, both are great options. Keep in mind that colored pencils have a nice point for coloring and drawing, but require frequent sharpening Whereas crayons don’t need to be sharpened.
#4 Scissors, and Glue sticks
Scissors and glue will often be required in many elementary school classrooms, and are a good item to add next to crayons on your back to school list. For scissors, I would suggest looking for blunt tip, plastic safety scissors. These are safer for your elementary school student, and some elementary schools may require safety scissors, having banned pointed metal ones. There are two main types of glue products on the back to school shelf; liquid glue, and glue sticks. I usually go for the glue sticks as these are easier to use, and make less of a mess. Liquid glue will run, and some elementary school students tend to use more than is necessary.
#5 Pencil/Crayon Boxes
What better way for your elementary school student to store their pencils, crayons, and other art supplies than a nifty little pencil box. When you’re doing your back to school shopping for pencils and crayons, don’t forget to grab a pencil box. These make a great place for your elementary student to store their back to school supplies. There are both hard boxes, and pouches with three holes in them to fit inside a binder. Kids always seem to be losing their pencils and crayons, so buy them somewhere to keep them and prevent yourself from having to buy more later in the school year.
#6 Notebooks
Elementary students go through notebooks like candy, and most teachers want your student to have one notebook for each subject. Don’t forget to add these to your back to school shopping list. It’s a good idea to get different color notebooks, that way your elementary student can have a different color for each subject. I suggest looking for wide ruled notebooks with perforated pages. The perforated pages make it easy for your elementary student to tear out pages they need to turn in, and the wide rule is easier for most elementary students to write on compared to the college ruled notebooks.
#7 Agenda/Planner
An agenda, or student planner is a great way to keep track of homework and future events such as field trips or parent-teacher conferences. If your student’s elementary school does not already provide these, it is a good idea to pick one up during your back to school shopping. There are both weekly and monthly planners out there, generally a weekly planner will probably be better, but try to find one that includes both weekly and monthly sections. The weekly pages are great for recording homework, and the monthly are the perfect place to write down events taking place in the future.
#8 Binder
Your elementary school student will need a place to store their new notebooks and other supplies. Binders make an excellent place to organize these, and keep them all together. Most any three ring binder will do the job, but I suggest looking for a sturdy looking one with extra pockets on the inside. Binders can take a lot of abuse, so finding a durable one is a good idea. Five-Star makes excellent binders, and their products tend to last a long time. Don’t forget to add a binder to you back to school supply list.
#9 Lunchbox
If your elementary school student will be taking a lunch to school everyday, a lunchbox is essential for your back to school shopping list. A lunchbox may even save you money down the road by not having to buy paper bags. Look for a lunchbox with plenty of room to hold a sandwich and a snack, you don’t want to be trying to squeeze everything into too small a space. Many lunchboxes also feature art showing some of your elementary students favorite cartoon and television characters. Also look for s lunchbox durable enough to make the trip back and forth to school everyday, you don’t want it to wear out half way through the school year.
#10 Snow Pants, and Winter Jackets
Many elementary schools allow the students to go outside for recess at least once a day. If you live in a region that gets a lot of snow, it’s a good idea to get snow pants and a good winter jacket for your elementary school student. Look for a pair of snow pants that will be easy for your elementary student to take on and off at school. And for a jacket, you want something that will be mostly waterproof. You don’t want your elementary school student going through the school day with wet clothes after coming in from recess. Don’t forget that your student will need a good pair of waterproof gloves and boots as well. There’s nothing worse than making snowballs with your bare hands, or walking around in soggy socks.
It wont be long, and the big yellow school buses will be coming around in the morning to take our kids to school. Remember these top ten essential back to school supplies, and give yourself a head start on your back to school shopping, and your elementary student a good start at the upcoming school year.
