Jump to:

Backpacks and lunch bags and pencils — oh my! Getting all of those fresh school supplies ready for a new school year can add up quick. According to global data company Statista, last back-to-school season, families in the United States spent a total of 41.5 billion dollars on school shopping — which averaged about $890 per household. Why so high? While the figure does include school supplies, it also factors in clothing and, more importantly, electronics and accessories that are increasingly necessary as schools take more and more advantage of digital technology in the classroom.

One way to ensure that you will not save money on school supplies for this year? Doing it all the night before, when you're at the mercy of whatever is left in stock. With the first day of school rapidly approaching, you can consult these lists of the best back-to-school supplies for every grade for the 2024/2025 school year.

Of course, each school typically provides a specific checklist for your child's grade, so be sure to review that — but these essentials are likely to be included, since they're the most-asked-for school supplies for elementary school, middle school, high school and college.

Kindergarten Supplies

After those momentous first-day-of-school photos are taken, it's time to send them off to begin their learning journey. These supplies will get them started on the right foot. (And just make sure you have the supplies you need, too — maybe get an extra set of those tissues.)

school shopping listspinterest

Elementary School Supplies: Grades 1– 3

Kindergarten supplies mostly have to look cute. Elementary school supplies have to take care of business as little students become young scholars.

school shopping listspinterest

Elementary School Supplies: Grades 4 – 5

As they get into the upper elementary years, the real work begins. They'll need supplies that support them through the bigger projects, help them study for those harder tests and keep them going day to day.

school shopping listspinterest
Donate These Back-to-School Supplies to the Classroom (You'll Make a Teacher Happy)
Multi-Purpose Wipes
Clorox Multi-Purpose Wipes
$17 at Amazon
Credit: Clorox
On Sale
Hand Sanitizer
Purell Hand Sanitizer
Now 24% Off
$11 at Amazon
Credit: Purell
Paper Towels
Amazon Basics Paper Towels
$23 at Amazon
Credit: Amazon Basics
Facial Tissues
Kleenex Facial Tissues
$25 at Amazon$15 at Walmart
Credit: Kleenex

Middle School & High School Supplies

Middle school is a huge step! Some students will be changing classes or using lockers for the first time, meaning they need different supplies for each of their individual subjects. And yet, middle school students are not as practiced with keeping everything organized, so they need durable supplies that will last, even after being crammed into desk drawers or the bottoms of backpacks. And high schoolers are certain to need a refresh for their notebooks and binders.

school shopping lists

College Supplies

By the time they get to college, the need more than they can fit in a backpack. In addition to all the supplies they use in class, if they're boarding they also need to bring everything they need to live on their own, including all the stuff they need to cook, clean and do laundry. Note: If they're living on campus, check the housing rules before you go shopping — some appliances may be prohibited in dorms. And one last supply that's good to have on-hand? A gift card that'll help them get anything they didn't realize they needed. (Like extra chargers. Always the extra chargers.)

school shopping listspinterest

Academic Supplies

Cleaning Supplies

Dorm Furnishings

Dorm Supplies

Toiletries

Looking for more tech items a college student might need? Check out these Good Housekeeping guides: Best Laptops for Students | Best Macbooks | Best Tablets | Best Smart Notebooks | Best Wireless Speakers | Best Computer Monitors | Best TV Brands | Best Handheld Vacuum

How to Donate to a Classroom

Look, we've never met a teacher who would say no to a tote bag full of supplies or a gift card to help out when the tissues and paper towels start running low. But if you have the means and want to go the extra mile in supporting teachers, DonorsChoose makes it easy. Teachers sign up for specific projects they're looking to fund, be it active seating for a classroom, a set of ukuleles for a music room or a sensory path for a hallway. Donors can then give to those projects directly. You can search by teacher, by school or by area. It's especially rewarding knowing exactly how the funds are going to be used.

Where to Get School Supplies for Free

When you browse the lists, you can see how easily it all adds up. For families or school districts that are struggling to get it all, as your school to apply to organizations like The Kids in Need Foundation, which helps students in under-resourced schools. There might also be local backpack drives and other supply-donation events; contact your local school district for more information.

Headshot of Marisa LaScala
Marisa LaScala
Senior Parenting & Relationships Editor

Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.