Skip to main content Skip to header navigation

How to shop for essential school supplies

It’s that time of year again! Whether your kids are first-timers or old-schoolers, shopping for supplies need not be hectic or complicated. With a little foresight and planning your student will be ready for that first day with no worries. Here are some tips for getting the essential supplies for school.

Backpack
How to…

shop for
school supplies

It’s that time of year again! Whether your kids are first-timers or old-schoolers, shopping for supplies need not be hectic or complicated. With a little foresight and planning your student will be ready for that first day with no worries. Here are some tips for getting the essential supplies for school.

Step 1: Shop around

Every supplier wants to get on the back-to-school bandwagon, so do your homework. School supply ads start showing up in mid-summer, so it’s easy to start your shopping strategy early. Store websites have online ads as well, and often supply coupons or other incentives.

Step 2: Don’t hesitate

Procrastination may leave slim pickings, so don’t wait to start gathering supplies ahead of time. You don’t want to find yourself pounding the pavement at a mega-store searching for that ever-elusive ruler at the 11th hour. Some store websites have a “shop by grade” feature you can use to get most of the items you will need ahead of time.

markersStep 3: Stock up

School supply essentials like paper, pencils, markers and crayons often need to be replenished during the year. Overbuying those items now, then storing them for later can be save money, especially if you need them after the school supply specials and frenzy have cooled.

Step 4: Check it twice

Usually your student will bring home a list of needed items on the first day of school. Check this list for items you have not yet purchased. As your child advances in school, supply needs get more complicated and shopping will need to be adjusted accordingly. Also, often included on the list are anti-bacterial soaps, tissues or anti-bacterial wipes that the whole classroom will use throughout the school year.

Step 5: Pack it up

Let your child be involved in selecting a backpack he or she can be excited about. Loading it up with supplies together for that all-important first day can help calm your child’s nervous anticipation about the new school year and learn a valuable lesson about being prepared.

More back-to-school tips

Back-to-school to-dos
Back-to-school kids’ fashions
Back-to-school nutrition basics

Leave a Comment