As the summer holidays gradually creep to a close, the return to school looms. One minute your kids are enjoying lazy mornings and ice creams, and the next you’re wondering where on earth their PE kit and book bag have disappeared to.
A little preparation can make the back-to-school rush much easier. Whether you’re getting ready for a child starting their first day or you’re replacing everything they somehow managed to lose last year, this back-to-school checklist covers the essentials to help make the return to school a little less stressful.
Back to school checklist of school essentials
Every child will have their own different needs for the year ahead, and every school will have their own expectations of what students should come prepared with (and rules on what not to bring too), so we’ve pulled together a list of everything you might need.
Just take a quick look at the school’s information to save you from buying a whole load of things you don’t actually need.
-
1
Back-to-school stationery
Pens, pencils, coloured pencils, rubbers, sharpeners, rulers, pencil cases and notebooks.
-
2
School uniform
Shoes, shirts, trousers, skirts, dresses, jumpers, cardigans, socks and tights. Don’t forget to check if things still fit from last year!
-
3
School bags and accessories
A sturdy school bag for starters, and a pencil case, water bottle, lunch bag and umbrella.
-
4
PE kit
T-shirt, shorts or sports leggings, trainers, a sweatshirt and a kit bag. Perhaps football boots, ballet shoes and weatherproof clothing too?
-
5
Other bits and bobs your kids might need at school
Art supplies, musical instruments, scientific calculators, geometry sets and sturdy subject folders can all come in handy.
Tips for back-to-school shopping
Check your school’s uniform and equipment list first
Before you start shopping, find the latest list from your child’s school. It should tell you exactly what they’ll need, including any rules around colours, styles, footwear and equipment.
This is particularly important if your child is starting a new school, as uniform requirements can vary from one to the next.
Take stock before you shop
Before you buy anything, raid the cupboards, wardrobes and that mysterious pile in their bedroom that’s accumulated over the holidays.
You may already have plenty of perfectly usable pens, notebooks and stationery. Check uniform and PE kit for fit and condition, too. A little bit of detective work could save you buying things you already own.
Set a back-to-school budget
It’s easy for a few small purchases to snowball into a large bill, so setting a spending cap before you start shopping means you’ll prioritise the essentials and not go overboard on all the little extras.
Label everything
School children have a remarkable talent for losing things, so put your child’s name on anything they take to school, particularly uniform and reusable items. It makes lost property much easier to reunite with its rightful owner.
Let kids choose a few items
Letting your child choose some of their new things can make them more enthusiastic about getting ready for the return to school. You don’t have to hand over complete shopping (and spending) control, but a pencil case, water bottle and lunch bag is a good opportunity to let their personality shine.
The night before the first day back to school
Once the shopping is done, the final step is making sure everyone is ready to get out of the door in the morning.
Lay out the uniform with the shoes, pack the school bag and prepare the PE kit. Fill the water bottle and get the lunch box ready. It’s also worth checking what time you need to leave and whether there are any first-day arrangements you need to know about.
Most importantly, make sure everyone gets a decent night’s sleep. The first morning back is much easier when nobody’s looking for a lost book at 07:45.