10 Back To School Essentials You Won’t Find On A List

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You’ve checked off the notebooks, pencils, folders, glue sticks, and everything else on the official school supply list. But what about the things kids actually need once the school year gets underway?

Some of the most useful back-to-school essentials aren’t included on the list the teacher sends home. They’re the little extras that help with spills, forgotten items, messy backpacks, and those inevitable “I need this tomorrow!” moments. Before the first day arrives, consider adding these seven practical extras to your back-to-school preparations.

1. A Water Bottle Cover

Here’s an old trick that’s surprisingly practical: slip a clean sock over your child’s water bottle.

It may sound strange, but the fabric helps absorb condensation from a cold water bottle instead of letting moisture collect on desks, books, and papers. You can also purchase a reusable water bottle sleeve if you want something designed specifically for the job. Either way, keeping condensation contained can help prevent soggy papers and damp backpacks.

2. A Small Emergency Pouch

Put together a small zippered pouch with a few everyday items your child might unexpectedly need during the school day.

Depending on your child’s age and school rules, this could include tissues, bandages, lip balm, hair ties, a comb, or other personal-care basics. Keep the pouch small so it doesn’t take up much room in a backpack, and check it occasionally to see what needs replacing.

3. A Family Photo or Note From Home

For younger kids, especially those starting preschool or kindergarten, being away from home for an entire school day can be a big adjustment.

Tuck a small family photo into a backpack or lunch box where your child can find it when they’re missing home. You could also slip an encouraging handwritten note into their lunch. It doesn’t have to be elaborate—a simple “Have a great day!” or “Love you!” can be a welcome surprise.

4. Hand Sanitizer

A small bottle of hand sanitizer can be a useful addition to a backpack, especially when kids don’t have easy access to soap and water.

Choose a travel-size bottle that’s easy to open and unlikely to leak. A silicone holder that clips to the outside of a backpack can also help keep it within reach without taking up space inside. Remind younger kids how to use hand sanitizer properly, and check your school’s rules before sending it since individual classroom policies may vary.

5. A Stain-Removal Pen or Wipes

Lunch spills, markers, grass, and mystery stains seem to find school clothes eventually.

For older kids who can use one appropriately, a portable stain-removal pen can help tackle a spill before it has hours to set. For younger children, stain-removal wipes may be another option to keep at home for treating clothes as soon as they come through the door.

6. A Zipper Pouch for Small Items

Loose items have an amazing ability to disappear into the bottom of a backpack.

A small zippered pouch gives kids one place to keep extra pencils, erasers, earbuds, charging cords, lunch money, or other little necessities. This differs from a regular pencil case because it can serve as a catchall for miscellaneous items that don’t have another designated place.

7. Backup School Supplies at Home

You don’t necessarily need to send every extra supply to school on the first day.

Create a small school-supply station at home with extra pencils, paper, glue sticks, poster board, markers, index cards, and other frequently requested items. When your child announces at 8 p.m. that they need supplies for a project due tomorrow, you’ll be glad you have a few basics tucked away.

And before buying extras, check what you already have left from last year. You may be surprised by how many usable supplies are hiding in desks, closets, and drawers.

Bonus: 3 More Back-to-School Essentials

Those seven back-to-school essentials are a great place to start, but a few more little extras can make busy school days easier. Here are three bonus items worth considering.

8. An Extra Charging Cable

For older students who use school-approved tablets, laptops, or other devices, having an extra compatible charging cable can be helpful.

If possible, designate one charger for school or the backpack and another for home. That’s one less item your child has to remember to pack every morning. Label chargers with your child’s name when permitted.

9. Reusable Utensils

If your child regularly packs lunch, a small set of reusable utensils can prevent the morning scramble for a fork or spoon.

Keep the set inside the lunch bag so it’s always available. Just make checking for it part of your normal lunch-box cleanup at the end of the day. Always follow your school’s rules regarding what students are permitted to bring.

10. A Backpack ID Tag

Backpacks can look remarkably similar when they’re lined up in a classroom or piled together after an activity.

Add an identification tag or another easy-to-recognize marker so your child can quickly spot their bag. For privacy, avoid displaying unnecessary personal information prominently on the outside of a child’s backpack. Follow your school’s recommendations for labeling belongings.

Don’t Forget the Back-to-School Basics

Not every family will need every item on this list. The best back-to-school essentials are the ones that solve the little problems your child is most likely to encounter.

Think about your child’s age, daily routine, lunch arrangements, activities, and school rules when deciding what to pack. You may also want to wait until the first week of school before buying too many extras. Once the year gets underway, you’ll have a much better idea of what your child actually uses.

Still getting ready for the new school year? Check out our 10 Ways to Save on Back-to-School Shopping for practical ways to stretch your school-shopping budget.

Kids can also personalize some of their new school supplies with our 10 Easy DIY Notebook Ideas for Back to School, featuring glitter, washi tape, stickers, doodles, and more.