The first day of school is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to gear up with the essentials! Whether your child is starting kindergarten or heading into high school, having the right supplies can make all the difference in setting them up for a successful year. From practical tools to fun extras that build confidence and organization, here’s our list of 15 Essential Back to School Items on Amazon for every student.

Starting a new school year well-equipped is about much more than just having the latest trendy backpack or colorful pens—it’s about setting your child up for success, confidence, and smooth learning every day.

Every student’s needs are unique, so tailor your back-to-school shopping list to fit your child’s grade level, learning style, and interests. The right supplies help create a positive, organized, and stress-free start to the school year!

In this post, you’ll find a list of 15 Essential Back to School Items on Amazon

15 Essential Back to School Items on Amazon

Durable Backpack

A sturdy, comfortable backpack is at the top of the list. Look for one with padded straps, multiple compartments, and enough space to carry books, folders, lunch, and a water bottle. Bonus points for fun colors or patterns that your child loves!

Sticky Notes

Sticky notes are perfect for jotting down quick reminders, homework tasks, or important dates. They can be placed on desks, notebooks, or planners to keep crucial information visible and top of mind.

Students can use sticky notes to flag important textbook pages, bookmark study materials, or add extra notes without writing directly on books or handouts.

Notebooks 

The spiral binding allows the notebook to lie flat or fold back on itself, making it comfortable to write on either side of the page—whether at a desk, on a bus, or even on the floor!

With plenty of pages, spiral notebooks are ideal for taking class notes, doing homework, journaling, or working through problems in subjects like math or science.

Students can use different spiral notebooks for different subjects, keeping all notes and assignments for that class in one place. Color-coded notebooks make it easy to grab the right one quickly.

Pens

Pens allow for smooth, clear writing, making them perfect for taking notes, completing worksheets, and filling out forms. Writing with a pen often helps with memory retention compared to typing.

Many teachers require students to use pens for final assignments or exams because pen marks are permanent and neat, which makes grading easier and reduces the chance of errors.

Highighters

Highlighting key points in textbooks, notes, or worksheets helps students quickly identify the most important information. This makes studying and reviewing much easier and more efficient.

Using a highlighter encourages students to actively engage with their reading material rather than passively skimming. This helps improve comprehension and retention of information.

Lined Writing Pads

The lines help students write neatly and keep their thoughts organized on the page. This is especially helpful for younger children who are still developing handwriting skills.

Lined notepads are great for capturing homework assignments, reminders, or ideas during class. Having a designated place to write down these quick notes helps students stay on top of their work.

Whether it’s practicing spelling words, writing paragraphs, or brainstorming essay ideas, lined notepads give students plenty of space to draft and revise before turning in final work.

 Binders

Binders make it easy to sort and store handouts, worksheets, notes, and homework by subject or unit. With dividers and pocket folders, everything has its place—and that means less crumpled or lost work.

One large binder with dividers can be used for several subjects, or students can keep smaller binders for each class. Either way, binders help streamline schoolwork and make transitions between classes smoother.

Binders are super versatile! Students can add lined paper, graph paper, plastic sleeves, calendars, checklists, or class syllabi. Personalizing the binder setup helps them stay organized in a way that works best for them.

XL Pencil Case

A pencil case holds all the small essentials—pencils, pens, erasers, sharpeners, markers, highlighters—in one easy-to-carry spot. No more digging through backpacks or desks for that one missing item.

When students have a designated space for their tools, they’re more likely to take care of them. A pencil case helps teach kids how to stay organized and be responsible for their belongings.

Having supplies ready and within reach means less time wasted searching for what they need—and more time focused on learning. It helps transitions between activities go more smoothly too.

 Composition Books

While there are many notebook styles out there, composition notebooks remain a tried-and-true favorite for students of all ages. With their sturdy design and simple layout, they’re perfect for daily classroom use.

Composition notebooks are built to last. With their thick covers and sewn or stitched bindings, they can handle being tossed in backpacks or carried around all day without falling apart or losing pages.

Something my son loves about these books is that unlike spiral notebooks, composition notebooks don’t have metal bindings that bend or tear. Their pages are securely bound, which helps prevent lost notes, ripped-out assignments, or loose sheets falling out over time.

Colored Pencils

Colored pencils aren’t just for art class—they’re a versatile and essential tool for students of all ages. From creative projects to note-taking, having a good set of colored pencils can brighten any school day.

Whether it’s drawing, coloring, or decorating a project, colored pencils give kids a way to express themselves creatively. Creativity isn’t just for art class—it helps students think outside the box and engage more deeply with their work.

Water Bottle

Among all the notebooks and pencils, one of the most important back-to-school items is also one of the simplest: a reusable water bottle. It may not go in a pencil pouch, but it plays a key role in your child’s focus, health, and overall school day success.

Dehydration can lead to fatigue, headaches, and trouble concentrating. Having water readily available helps kids stay alert, energized, and focused—especially during long school days or after recess and gym class.

File Folders

Folders might not be the flashiest school supply, but they’re one of the most useful tools for helping kids (and parents!) stay organized throughout the school year.

From homework assignments and permission slips to study guides and artwork, kids bring home a lot of paper. Folders help keep everything in order and prevent crumpled, torn, or lost documents.

 Pencil Cup 

A pencil cup might seem simple, but it’s a small item that makes a big impact on your child’s organization and productivity—especially for at-home study spaces.

 Laptop Case

With more schools incorporating technology into everyday learning, many students are now carrying laptops or tablets to and from school. Whether it’s a school-issued Chromebook or a personal device, a A pencil cup might seem simple, but it’s a small item that makes a big impact on your child’s organization and productivity—especially for at-home study spaces is a must-have for protecting one of your child’s most valuable (and expensive) school tools.

Beats Studio Pro

Headphones might not be the first thing you think of when school supply shopping—but they’ve quickly become one of the most useful and versatile items for students of all ages. Many classrooms now incorporate digital tools, online assignments, and educational videos. Headphones help students stay focused on their work without being distracted by surrounding noise—or distracting others.

Background noise can make it hard for some kids to concentrate, especially in busy classrooms or during independent work time. Headphones provide a more focused learning experience, which is especially helpful for students with ADHD, sensory sensitivities, or anxiety.

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Investing in the right school supplies is investing in your child’s education and well-being. It’s about creating an environment where they can thrive, learn effectively, and feel confident every step of the way.

Back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With this list, you can check off the essentials, add a few personal touches, and feel good knowing your child is prepared to start the year strong. Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy, and exciting school year!

Check out our Best-Selling Etsy Printable

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Meagan

Hi! I’m Meagan and I’m a 41 year old mom of a high energy almost 9 year old, happily navigating my way through the little boy years. I’ve been married for 14 years. I met my husband over 20 years ago in high school; we got married 10 years later after graduating from the University of South Florida. I currently help run a family business with my parents while blogging about my life and love of DIY projects!

When I’m not at a kids sports game, I enjoy spending time with my family on a beach anywhere. I also love decorating and organizing, fun DIY projects, bargain shopping, and eating out or in! I also love Barbecue anything and a good show or movie on Netflix.