Kick Off the Next School Year Right With These Essential School Supplies

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You know that time of year: The temperature starts to cool, Instagram is littered with pictures of friends sipping PSLs, and that dreaded school supply list is sent home. Whether you love or hate back-to-school season, one thing is for sure: your child will need the right supplies to set them up for success in their new grade. You'll most definitely need to pick up a few folders and loose-leaf paper, but we have you covered for what your kids will really need for the most productive school year yet. Consider this your ultimate cool back-to-school shopping checklist.

From backpack essentials to new-generation needs, we've rounded up 50 school supplies your kids will actually look forward to using, no matter how they are learning this fall.

Big Capacity Pencil Case

Some students like to have all of their supplies right at their fingertips. Luckily for them, this Easthill jumbo pencil case can hold everything they need, from their rainbow assortment of ink pens to their pads of sticky notes.

It's big enough to keep their supplies handy while compact enough to fit nicely in their backpack or desk. If you need even more options, there are tons of deals for back-to-school supplies for Prime Day.

Erasable Reusable Wirebound Notebook

Your kid will likely run through no fewer than a million notebooks during their lifetime as a student. This year, switch things up with the Rocketbook.

On the outside, it’s a run-of-the-mill black notebook. But once you crack it open, the Rocketbook shines as a bridge between traditional note-taking and technology. After a study session full of note-taking, your student can scan the QR code on the page to upload the notes to their device and then erase the pages to use all over again. Talk about saving the trees!

More: Spruce Up Their Workspace With These Roomy Desks for Kids

Automatic Pencil Sharpener

Despite many schools trading in traditional school materials for tablets and laptops, pencils will always reign supreme! Make sure your student is ready with a sharp pencil, thanks to this automatic, portable pencil sharpener.

2023 Mood Tracker Planner

Help your child manage their busy schedule and their hormonal rollercoaster of emotions with this 2-in-1 planner and journal. The planner features monthly, and weekly calendars for them to jot down their long list of to-dos, as well as weekly journal prompts to keep their mental health in check.

Take Note! Erasable Highlighters

Highlighting is the cornerstone of note-taking, but highlighting the wrong section can ruin everything. Thankfully, Crayola made that the thing of the past with their erasable highlighters. They come in six vibrant colors on one end and a clear eraser tip on the other end.

And if you accidentally highlight the wrong sentence, simply erase it and move right along!

Journal Planner Pens

If you're a note taker or a margin writer, you probably know the magic of a fine-lining pen. This inexpensive set has every color you could imagine, giving your kids multiple avenues for notation.

Retractable Click Pocket White Latex-Free Eraser

I am infuriated on behalf of all millennials that these nifty little tools did not exist when we went to school. Retractable, mechanical erasers. And they work like magic. Just click them as you need more, and boom! No graphite residue on your fingers.

75 Personalized Waterproof Name Labels

Custom labels are a lifesaver for everything from lunch boxes to notebooks. And since it's smart to label absolutely everything, you should buy more of these than you think you need.

These labels are waterproof, dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe, and can go in and out of the fridge.

Stainless Steel Lunch Box Bento

I am a big fan of bento boxes for kids' lunches because they keep your little one's food neat and organized. This is a great set with a traditional bento, plus silverware, four containers, and a lunch box. It's sturdy, steel, and easy to open for little hands.

Binder Ring Flash Cards

It's always a challenge to keep flashcards together since one or two always seem to go missing! Set your kid up for success with these flashcards that are bound together by a binder ring. Simple, yet genius.

Binder Ring Flash Cards

It's always a challenge to keep flashcards together since one or two always seem to go missing! Set your kid up for success with these flashcards that are bound together by a binder ring. Simple, yet genius.

40-Ounce Mug Tumble

There are quite a few insulated mugs on the market, and they can get pretty pricey. But this highly-rated mug is just as good as more well-known brands like Stanley or Yeti and costs about half the price. It holds 40 ounces of beverage and keeps it hot or cold for hours. Every tween and teen should have one.

5TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive

It used to be the case that nothing was certain but death and taxes. Now, it's death, taxes, and lost data. Every so often you should back up your children's computers and iPads to an external hard drive, ensuring that all data is accounted for.

This hard drive is a full 5TB, and reviewers note that it's fast and easy to use.

Wood-Cased, Pre-Sharpened Pencils

I’ve been told by my elementary school teacher sister-in-law that these are the best, most long-lasting pencil you can give your kids, and teachers love to see them in pencil cases. I am a big fan of the pre-sharpened pencil for added ease and convenience.

These pencils have the smoothest glide and they sharpen the easiest. The eraser also lasts longer (in our opinion) than cheaper pencils.

2023-2024 Planner

This planner offers two possibilities: your child could use it for their assignments, or you could use it to keep up with your kids' assignments and appointments.

It's a well-made, comfortably bound planner designed for this school year. There's plenty of space to jot everything down.

Locker Organizer Shelf

Lockers are notoriously messy spaces. Help your teen keep it together and organized with this multiple-section locker organizer. It hooks on the top shelf, hanging down, ready to store all they need.

Magnetic Hooks Heavy Duty

These are great for inside locker doors that can hold coats, purses, lunch bags, and pretty much everything your kiddo totes to school. They're heavy-duty and don't rust or flake — and they're great for at-home organizing needs as well.

FriXion Clicker Retractable Erasable Gel Pens

Life is full of mistakes, but that doesn't mean it also has to be boring. These erasable gel pens will give your kid a motivating boost to take detailed notes in class and while studying — without worrying about scratching out their mistakes.

Lap Desk

We get it — sometimes your kid wants to be in bed while working. This lap desk, equipped with a light and drink holder, is perfect for doing homework while lounging. It's perfect for homework on the go or anywhere in the house.

Wite-Out Mini Twist Correction Tape

We're all guilty of making mistakes — especially while in school. This set of Wite-Out is every student's savior when it comes to fixing permanent paper errors. The convenient twist-top will keep your kid's correction tape from drying out or getting tangled in the war zone that is their school lockers.

USB Touch LED Desk Lamp

Your kids won't beleaf that this plant look-alike is a desk lamp. Make learning about photosynthesis and Earth science extra fun while also shining the perfect amount of light on your little students when they're up late working on school projects.

Make Your Mark Laptop Sleeve

If your kiddo is fortunate enough to have their own laptop, it should be protected. Available in 13” or 15” sizes, this lightweight and water-resistant neoprene case comes in a variety of fun prints and colors and are lined with a fuzzy cushion inside. Best of all, for a $10 fee, you can add a name, initials, word, or phrase of your choice!

Inspirational Pencils

Everyone needs a little reminder that they are on the right track. We love the inspirational quotes on these bright blue pencils. Your child will appreciate the bump in confidence, too!

As an added bonus, these pencils are totally Insta-ready, which your kid will absolutely love.

Kindle Paperwhite Kids

Everyone loves a Kindle — even kids. Your kiddo will have an entire library of books in the palm of their hand with the Kindle Kids Edition. Free of distracting ads and apps, your little one can get lost in one adventure after another.

With features like a built-in dictionary, intuitive parental controls, and access to hundreds of titles with a 1-year trial of Amazon's Free Time, you and your kid will be obsessed with this Kindle.

My very reluctant reader got a chance to try out the Kindle Kid Edition, and while getting him to read consistently is still a challenge, the device allows us to track his progress and encourages him to discover titles that he loves.

Magnetic Dry-Erase Whiteboard

This adorable dry-erase board set is an easy way to help your kid stay on track with things like remembering project deadlines or homework due dates. The set comes with four markers and four bright magnets so your tween can jot all of their important to-do's.

Wireless Charging Station

Your teen is Tweeting and pop lockin' on TikTok all day. With all their scrolling and content creation, this wireless charging dek will be the perfect desk accessory to keep all of their devices charged up. It has the added benefit of clearing up desk space as well.

Vertical Resettable Word Combo Lock

When your kid needs to grab a book from their locker, they shouldn't feel like they're trying to crack open a safe holding the Heart of the Ocean diamond inside. Ditch the number locks and make life simple for your little student with this word-combination vertical lock.

Compass Set

Equip your kid with everything they might need with this 15-piece school supplies set. Whether they're measuring, drawing, or graphing, this set will have them covered to be the star of their math class — or at least pass!

All-in-One Wireless Color Printer

Trick out your student's at-home homework station with their very own personal printer. The HP Envy 6055e is equipped with every function they could ever imagine — from copying and scanning to wireless- and photo-printing.

M570 Wireless Trackball Mouse

Tech is progressively becoming a major part of education. Give your kid a good foundation to rest their hands on while they are surfing the web with this ergonomic mouse. With a trackball on the side, your child doesn't have to move the mouse around a pad for precise clicks.

Glasses Wax for Slipping Glasses

When my 7-year-old got his first pair of glasses, he'd constantly take them off because he said they were slipping down his nose and it was distracting. As a glasses wearer myself, I know how annoying that is.

The SpecStick Glasses Wax is a beeswax-based product that slides onto the sides of their nose to keep their glasses from slipping down. They might actually want to keep them on now!

Washable Clear Glue (3-Pack)

Remember that goopy, white mess that you were subjected to as a kid? Spare your kids with this two-pack of Elmer's washable, clear glue. The clear formula makes it essential for making homemade glitter glue or quick project touch-ups.

Washable Clear Glue

Remember that goopy, white mess that you were subjected to as a kid? Spare your kids with this two-pack of Elmer's washable, clear glue. The clear formula makes it essential for making homemade glitter glue or quick project touch-ups.

iPad Case Smart Case Cover

If your student has a tablet, we have you covered! These top-rated, fourth-generation smart cases are designed with premium leather and a soft microfiber interior that keeps screens clean. The folding front cover also conveniently allows your student to transition from typing to viewing in seconds.

Silly Scents 12-Count Markers

Every elementary student nose to pick up a set of markers for school, but why not switch it up with these silly scented ones? They'll be wide-eyed when they realize the markers smell like some of their favorite treats like marshmallow, cotton candy, and even tropical punch!

3 Wireless Charger and Sanitizer

Sorry to break it to you, but your kid's smartphone — you know, the one you have to peel out of their fingers — is steeped in germs (even poop). With Qi technology to charge Apple and Android devices, this little wireless box uses UV light to kill up to 99.99% of germs that linger on your kid's cell.

Small enough to fit in their backpack, locker, or desk, your child's phone can be germ-free all day long.

Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Getting your kids to drink enough water throughout the day may seem like a challenge enough on its own, but these stylish S'well stainless steel water bottles make hydration #goals.

The double-wall insulation keeps drinks icy-cold, and the bottle stays condensation-free. All of which, of course, means no more destroyed notebooks!

First Aid Travel Kit

Accidents happen, and your kid should always be prepared. Add this Welly First Aid kit to their backpack or locker for quick access to bandages and ointments. Complete with hand sanitizer packets, burn gel, cut ointment, and bandages, they will have a quick nurse station at their fingertips.

Monster Big Pencil Case

Leave no pen behind with this jumbo, monster-faced pencil kit. Zip the monster's 9.8-inch mouth to safely secure all your child's school essentials, like pens, pencils, and erasers.

theFube Fidget Cube

If your child suffers from anxiety or a sensory-processing disorder, you know that focusing during the school day can be a struggle. This 12-sided fidget dodecagon is equipped with multiple triggers for your child to play with when they need to release some pent-up energy.

6 Colorful Decorative Paper Edge Scissor Set

There's nothing like that wave of panic that washes over you as a parent when your child asks for help on their school project that is due in 24 hours or less (and you have nothing on hand but a sprinkle of glitter).

BoostCare Kids Headphones

Yes, these headphones are absolutely adorable, and the cat ear detail is irresistible. But that's not why we included them as a school must-have. These headphones deliver crisp, clear sound without blowing out your kid's eardrums, thanks to adjustable travel and study modes.

Your kids can rock out to their favorite jams during the school commute without damaging their sensitive ears.

Cassette Tape Dispenser Pen Holder

Kids connect to music the way adults connect with bedtime after a long day. Adorn your little music lover's desk with this stylish retro cassette tape dispenser that also doubles as a pen holder.

Super Sticky Notes

You can never go wrong with old-school sticky notes. Jot down your to-do list, or use them as makeshift bookmarks. This pack of six pads is sure to last them through the semester.

Vintage Laptop Backpack

The more that schools embrace the technology wave, the less your kid will see the need for old-school supplies like backpacks. The Modoker Laptop Backpack falls somewhere in the middle of these two worlds.

Classic backpack features like padded straps, side pockets, and inner compartments are accompanied by a slot for your kid's tablet or laptop as well as a charger port for their beloved phone.

More: Kids Backpacks That are Oh So Cute

Freezable Lunch Bag with Zip Closure

For some kids, school lunch is equivalent to eating slices of cardboard. But for some parents, packing a lunch that will stay cool throughout the day is too big of a challenge to tackle daily.

The Packit Freezable Lunch Bag uses a patented technology that promises to keep your child's food cool throughout the school day. Pop the empty bag in the freezer the night before, and you're all set.

Freezable Lunch Bag with Zip Closure

For some kids, school lunch is equivalent to eating slices of cardboard. But for some parents, packing a lunch that will stay cool throughout the day is too big of a challenge to tackle daily.

The Packit Freezable Lunch Bag uses a patented technology that promises to keep your child's food cool throughout the school day. Pop the empty bag in the freezer the night before, and you're all set.

Arrow Flags

If they have the option to resell their books at the end of the year, pick up these colorful Post-It flags. The tabs can serve as temporary bookmarks or study reminders rather than writing notes with pens and highlighters.

Multicultural Crayons

Add inclusivity to your child's artwork this school year with a pack of multicultural crayons from Crayola. The set comes with eight different shades to help your little artist accurately recreate the people that they see in the world.

Spiral Notebooks (6-Pack)

The one-subject notebooks always seem to be on the top of back-to-school shopping lists. Pick up this super affordable pack of six spiral-bound ones, so your student has a different one to take to each class.

Gold Metallic Stapler

Small enough to fit in your kid's backpack or locker but cute enough that they won't forget it in fifth-period biology, this gold metallic mini stapler will come in handy the entire school year.

Mini Highlighters

These highlighters may be mini, but don’t worry — they’re just as bright as their full-size competitors. Complete with an ergonomic triangular grip, these small study buddies can be a huge help.

Mini Highlighters

These highlighters may be mini, but don’t worry — they’re just as bright as their full-size competitors. Complete with an ergonomic triangular grip, these small study buddies can be a huge help.

Permanent Fine-Point Markers

Sharpie markers are a classroom, student, and all-around office classic. These fine-point Sharpie markers are more versatile for your little student but have the same, classic Sharpie effect.

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