Okay, so I just got my daughter’s back to school shopping list for the fall, and here’s the thing: It doesn’t look all that thorough. I mean, yes, every back to school list should include pencils and notebooks, but what about all the other important stuff? The stuff they don’t put on the list? After the first few weeks of school, I know there are going to be a lot of trips to Target and orders placed on Amazon, so why not bite the bullet and get it all done ahead of time?
Of course this list has the coolest scented colored pencils and pretty desk calendars, but I’ve thought outside the box and included must-haves like a playful alarm clock, touch-screen laptop, everything you could possibly want on, in, and under your desk, and even some cute clothes and snack ideas. Basically, I want all of the items on this essential back to school supplies list, and I bet you will too.
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101 Essential Back to School Supplies
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Colorful Mouse Pad
Dress up your kid's computer station at home with a fun mouse pad.
Photo: Zazzle
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Bento Box Organizers
Make after-school snacks a little easier to plan with these simple bento box organizers.
Photo: Pottery Barn Kids
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Desktop Pencil Holder
Here's a cute way to keep those pencils in place.
Photo: Amazon
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Scented Colored Pencils
These markers smell sweet without too many fumes!
Photo: Amazon
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Playful Alarm Clock
Make sure everyone is up and at 'em with this adorable alarm clock.
Photo: Modcloth
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Desk Calendar
Buy one for your kid and one for yourself to stay on top of those school events.
Photo: The Container Store
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Cute Tape Dispenser
Add some whimsy to any desk with this adorable tape holder.
Photo: Target
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Cool Lunch Bag
This eco-friendly lunch sack is hard to beat.
Buy itPhoto: Dabba Walla
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Calculator
Make sure your child has a small calculator on hand for tricky problems.
Photo: Zerbee
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Wall Organizers
Keep your kid's schedule (and homework for the night) top of mind by hanging this scheduler in her study area.
Photo: Pottery Barn Kids
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Cute iPhone Case
Help keep your kid's iPhone safe with a fun protector.
Photo: Walmart
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Drawstring Backpack
This floppy backpack can hold smelly gym clothes (and fold neatly into your child's main backpack).
Photo: Amazon
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Character Two-Pocket Folders
Make organizing papers more fun with these cool cartoon folders.
Photo: Amazon
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Touch-Screen Laptop
It's the best of both the tablet and computer worlds.
Photo: Amazon
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Fun File Folders
Organize homework with these fancy (yet inexpensive) folders.
Photo: The Container Store
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Locker Light
This clickable light is the ultimate locker accessory (and it's useful too).
Photo: Amazon
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Locker Magnets
These handy magnets are great to use in lockers, or for hanging up important school notices at home.
Photo: Amazon
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Reusable Snack Bags
These reusable bags are great for snacks that you buy in bulk.
Photo: Target
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Classic Shirts
Short-sleeve shirts are cheap to stock up on during summer sales and easy to layer in the winter.
Photo: GAP
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Winter Coat
A wool coat can't be beat on cold mornings!
Photo: Nordstrom
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Rain Boots
Don't get stuck with the right shoes when it storms; rubber boots will keep her feet nice and dry.
Photo: Target
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Cool Shoes
This shoe works for every outfit for boys and girls of all ages.
Photo: Zappos
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Gym Shoes
Great running shoes for PE class are a must.
Photo: Amazon
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Composition Books
Your kid will use this classic every day.
Photo: Staples
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Pencil Pouch
This pencil pouch will stand out in your kid's messy backpack.
Photo: Amazon
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Academic Planner
There's no excuse for forgetting homework with one of these.
Photo: Staples
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Whimsical Journal
It's perfect for that English class journal—or a private one to keep at home.
Photo: EcoJot
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iPod Shuffle
This small MP3 player will let your kid enjoy her favorite tunes inexpensively.
Photo: Apple
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Personalized Pencils
How cool is it to have a set of pencils with your own name on them?
Photo: Lillian Vernon
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Cool Erasers
Erasing mistakes has never been more fun!
Photo: Graphite
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DIY Pencil Case
Or, if you're feeling crafty, make your own eye-popping pencil holder.
Get step-by-step DIY instructions
Photo: Momtastic
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Colorful Binders
These colorful polka dot and patterned binders will keep papers organized and easy to find.
Photo: Target
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Word Processing Software
Because your kid will be using it for years to come.
Photo: Office Depot
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Binder Clips
Some stacks of paper need more than a paper clip; in those cases, these binder clips will come in handy.
Photo: The Container Store
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Cool Pencil Sharpeners
Make sure those #2 pencils are always sharp with these portable sharpeners.
Photo: U.S. School Supply
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DIY Book Covers
You don't need to spend lots of money on book covers from the store when you can make your own at home.
Get step-by-step DIY instructions
Photo: Momtastic
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Laptop Sleeve
Keep that brand new laptop scratch free in your kid's backpack.
Photo: Zazzle
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Quirky USB Drive
Jump drives are the floppy disks of your childhood. Buy them in bulk because they will be lost.
Photo: Gadgetsin
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Creative Paper Clips
Why use regular paper clips to keep things organized when you can use fancy number clips instead?
Photo: Fancy
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DIY Pencil Toppers
Add fun flair (on the cheap) to your kid's pencils.
Get step-by-step DIY instructions
Photo: Momtastic
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Crayola Crayons, 64-Count
Every child should start the year with a giant box of fresh crayons.
Photo: OfficeMax
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Freezer Packs
Keep your child's lunch nice and cool with these playful reusable ice packs.
Photo: Pottery Barn Kids
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Locker Padlock
Make it easy for your child to identify their gym locker with these great padlocks.
Photo: MasterLock
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Great Homework Desk
This stylish desk will help take some of the pain out of homework time.
Photo: Pottery Barn Kids
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Task Chair
Pair a comfy chair with a great desk for homework time.
Photo: OfficeDepot
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Laptop Light
Now here's a bright idea that will come in very handy!
Photo: Bed Bath & Beyond
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Push Pins
Pick up some colorful push pins to go with your child's scheduler.
Photo: Auntie Moo's
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Desk Organizer
Keep your kid's desk at home neat (and stocked with homework essentials) with this organizer.
Photo: The Container Store
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Chalkboard Globe
Studying geography has never been more fun.
Photo: Land of Nod
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Colored Chalk
To use on the chalkboard globe, of course.
Photo: Staples
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Electric Wall Charger
Keep the juice flowing in all of those electric devices with this portable charger.
Photo: Amazon
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Kindle E-Reader
Keep your child reading day after day with an e-reader. You can fill it up with books from the local library or ones that you purchase.
Photo: Amazon
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Kindle Cover
Keep that e-reader clean (and fun to carry around) with this Harry Potter cover.
Photo: Nerd Approved
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Translucent Boxes
Organize homework-area pencils, paper clips, and more using these inexpensive containers.
Photo: Staples
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Portable Desk
This sturdy work surface will let her get a change of scenery when she needs a break from her desk.
Photo: Amazon
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Cool Clipboard
Homework should be finished the night before, but clipboards come in handy when there's more to do in the car or on the bus.
Photo: Staples
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Washable Markers
The ink from these markers will wash off every non-paper surface, making after-school craft clean-up a snap.
Photo: Target
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Highlighters
Summarizing text is much more fun when you've got bright highlighters to play with!
Photo: Walmart
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Kids Scissors
These scissors are fun to use and extra safe.
Photo: Office Depot
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Wooden Ruler
This classic wooden ruler is so much sturdier than the flimsy plastic ones.
Photo: Office Depot
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Mini Stapler
Help her keep her papers organized and together with this handy stapler.
Photo: Office Depot
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Gel Ink Pens
The ink in these pens won't smudge or smear.
Photo: Office Depot
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Colored Construction Paper
Be prepared for any art project with a pack of this stuff.
Photo: Quill
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Neon Page Markers
These colorful page markers mean no more school books with folded-over pages.
Photo: Staples
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Index Cards
The days of creating flashcards will continue through college, so stock up now for the entire school year.
Photo: Staples
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Glue Sticks
Cut back on the glue mess with these sticks that won't drip.
Photo: Staples
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Washable No-Run Glue
If your child prefers bottles (instead of sticks) of glue, use this washable formula.
Photo: Amazon
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Dry Erase Markers
Keep a few of these dry erase markers on hand for school projects.
Photo: Amazon
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Paper Pouches
These pouches are the ideal way to keep homework organized in backpacks and binders.
Photo: The Container Store
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Math Tool Kit
This nifty plastic kit will keep your kid's math tools organized when school isn't in session.
Photo: Amazon
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Erasable Dividers
These erasable tabs take the hassle out of labeling dividers.
Photo: Amazon
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Paper Protectors
Keep important school papers safe with these heavyweight sheet protectors.
Photo: Amazon
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Powerhouse Backpack
Protect their little backs with a backpack on wheels, like this superhero one.
Photo: Pottery Barn Kids
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Headphones
Chances are your child will use a computer or tablet for homework; keep him focused with his own headphones.
Photo: Amazon
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Report Covers
Because your child will have book reports all year long.
Photo: Amazon
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Correction Tape
This tape is easier and less messy than Wite Out for correcting mistakes made in ink.
Photo: Staples
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Trapper Keeper
The ultimate binder from the eighties is back and just as awesome!
Photo: Kmart
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Doodling Pens
Make it easy for your kids to doodle and write fun notes to their friends (after class, of course).
Photo: Target
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Printer Paper
Printer ink is a commodity, so expect to do most of your child's paper printing at home.
Photo: Amazon
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Graphing Calculator
This gadget is a must for more advanced math classes.
Photo: Office Depot
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Cute Post-it Notes
These sticky notes are fun and functional.
Photo: Amazon
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Washi Tape
This fun paper tape is great for crafts.
Photo: Walmart
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Artist Smock
Protect your kid's clothes during art class with a bold smock.
Photo: Amazon
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Three-Hole Punch
Keep papers organized into binders with this easy-to-use hole punch.
Photo: Amazon
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Inkjet Printer
Your kid can print documents and make copies with this gadget.
Photo: Amazon
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Sanitizing Wipes
Help prevent cold and flu by tucking these wipes in her backpack (and encouraging her to use them lots!).
Photo: Amazon
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Labels
These labels will help ensure that your kid's school gear makes it back home.
Photo: Namebubbles
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Love Notes
These personalized lunch box notes will brighten his day.
Photo: Personalization Mail
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Kid-Sized Umbrella
Be prepared for the first rainy school day with the cutest umbrella in the class.
Photo: Amazon
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Jeans
These Levi's will last through rough and tumble days at recess.
Photo: Macy's
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Zip-up Hoodie
Every kid needs a hoodie or two to go between indoors and outdoors on a fall day.
Photo: Gap
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Fall Jacket
A lightweight jacket is perfect for those chilly fall days (and nights).
Photo: Disney Store
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Socks
Socks will be lost, misplaced, and mangled throughout the year, so start with a giant stockpile in the fall.
Photo: Old Navy
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Watch
Help kids learn to keep time and to keep on time with their own watch.
Photo: Amazon
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Clothing Stamp
Mark your kid's clothes with this ink stamp to keep items from getting lost.
Photo: Laundry Stamp
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On-the-Go Snacks
Send your kids to school with high-protein, low-sugar snacks.
Photo: Amazon
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Nature Box
You'll always have a cabinet stocked with healthy treats for after-school snacks with a snack delivery subscription.
Photo: Nature Box
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Water Bottles
These reusable water bottles mean you don't have to buy one-time-use plastic water bottles anymore.
Photo: Pottery Barn Kids
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Basic Skills Worksheets
Have your kids brush up on basic skills with these worksheets.
Photo: Dollar Tree
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Art Easel
Give your kid an artistic outlet when he gets home from a day of serious schoolwork.
Photo: IKEA
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Photo Box
Store school mementos in this box, and then make scrapbooks at the end of the year.
Photo: Amazon
