Grab this FREE Back To School Checklist to help you and your family get prepared for Back To School. Be sure to check out all the tips to help survive the Back To School season. While this post is sponsored by ¡Yo Quiero! our desire to help families and students is our own!

Ultimate Back To School Checklist

When the back to school season rolls around, it can feel like a time of great anticipation. Parents everywhere are counting down the days until their children can finally return to class and get ahead on their assignments. But before your child even sets foot in a classroom, they need to have all of their essential supplies ready and waiting. And so do you.

Ultimate Back To School Checklist Printable

When you start thinking of all of the school supplies and clothes you need to buy for each child, it can become overwhelming. As you keep adding things to your cart and are watching those dollar signs add up, you may consider skipping a thing or two or not buying things off of the Teacher Wish List. I ask you to not do that, please. Remember that for every supply that is missing or not available for a student, that teacher will most likely go and purchase them with their own money. Many teachers do not get reimbursed. 

Free Ultimate Back To School Checklist Printable

Ok, let’s get ready for back to school, shall we? I have a list of back to school essentials, tips for preparing for back to school, PLUS a free back to school checklist printable for you all…so, get ready to tackle the back to school season…with our help! We got you!

Free Back To School Checklist Printable

Here are the essential back to school checklist items that every student should have on hand when they start the new school year

Pens and pencils

Every student needs a supply of pens and pencils for classwork, homework, and drawings. Pens and pencils also come in handy for doodling and drawing during free time.

Notebook, binders and scrap paper 

Keeping a large supply of notebooks and loose leaf paper on hand to use throughout the school year is an absolute necessity. There’s nothing worse than having to run to the store to get paper for homework that is due in the morning.

Computer 

It’s crazy, but true! Thankfully some schools have the ability to loan out technology if you don’t have access to them at home. Talk to your school if this is something you may need for the upcoming back to school year. Anymore a computer is a necessity for students of all ages. For elementary and high school students, a computer is necessary for completing school assignments. For college students, a computer is necessary for research and completing assignments. In addition to being necessary for completing school work, a computer is also great for entertainment purposes. Students can play games, watch movies and TV shows, and listen to music on their computers. A computer can also be used to keep in touch with friends and family members online.

Calculator

Be sure to look at the school supply list to see if there is a special calculator your child needs. The one my son needed was different from the one my daughter needed and they are only 2 years apart in high school! This is also an expensive purchase, make sure to tell your kids to take care of it.

Art supplies 

While most students need notebooks, pencils, and other typical school items, many also need art supplies. In order for students to be successful in school, it is important that they have access to a variety of materials that allow them to express themselves creatively. Art supplies can help students learn new skills and develop their creativity. They can also be used to improve problem-solving abilities and critical thinking skills. Some of the most popular items include paints, brushes, markers, and paper. It is important to select supplies that are age-appropriate and safe for use.

Back To School Checklist Printable

Backpack 

I will admit, I forget about this one every other year or so. Sometimes the kids can get away with the one from the year before, sometimes that one is completely destroyed! Be sure to a backpack is on your school supply list.

A backpack should be big enough to fit a student’s textbooks, laptop, and other necessary items. It is important to choose a backpack that is comfortable to wear. The straps should be adjustable so that the backpack can be fitted to the child’s body size.

Air buds/Air pods/Headphones 

Headphones are a necessary tool for any student, whether in middle school or college. They allow students to focus on their work without disruption and can even help improve grades. In addition, they provide a way for students to personalize their learning experience.

Hand sanitizer and hygiene products 

When school starts, so does the spread of germs. From shared desks and textbooks to cafeteria food and playgrounds, kids are constantly in contact with all sorts of bacteria. To help prevent the spread of illness, it’s important for students to have access to hand sanitizer and other hygiene products.

Hand sanitizer is a great way to kill germs on the go. It’s easy to keep in your backpack and doesn’t require any water or soap. Just a few seconds of rubbing is all it takes to disinfect your hands. Sanitizers that contain alcohol are the most effective at killing bacteria.

My daughter likes to keep her feminine products and a small travel-size deodorant in a cute little bag in her backpack.

Refillable water bottle 

As the new school year quickly approaches, parents are scrambling to buy their children all of the supplies they will need for classes. One item that should be at the top of your child’s list is a refillable water bottle. Drinking plenty of water is important for keeping your body hydrated and functioning properly. When you’re dehydrated, you can’t focus as well in class and you may feel tired and irritable. Most schools don’t have drinking fountains that dispense cold water, so having a refillable water bottle is essential for staying cool and hydrated during hot days.

Best Back To School Checklist Printable

Snacks 

When the bell rings signaling the end of the day, it’s finally time to go home. You gather your things and head out the door, but before you can make it more than a few steps, you realize your stomach is growling. It’s been a long day and you’re STARVING! That’s why one of the most important things to have when going back to school is a backpack filled with snacks. Students need snacks to get them through the long days and help them focus in class. Without snacks, students can easily become cranky and lose focus.

Top Back To School Checklist Printable

There are many different types of snacks that students can bring with them to school. Fresh fruit is always delicious. My kiddos love guacamole with vegetables or pretzels/chips for dipping, which is are a great option because it provides energy and nutrition. It’s important for students to have healthy snacks available so they can stay focused in class. I know my kids can use all the help they can when it comes to staying focused 😉 Ok, let’s be honest…I do too. So, while you or the kids are prepping snacks for school, don’t forget about getting some ready for you too. And don’t forget to have after-school snacks ready to go too!

Clothing

Kids grow fast, so back to school time is the perfect time to purge their closet! I know it seems like a daunting task, but when it’s 10 minutes before it’s time to leave in the morning and your child is screaming “I don’t have any clothes” hopefully being organized and prepared ahead of time will help.

Here are some tips for sorting through your child’s closet (and yours!)

  • Start by sorting through the clothes and separating them into two piles: “keep” and “donate.”
  • If the piece of clothing hasn’t been worn in several months (expect seasonal pieces), chances are they won’t worn in the future.
  • Have your child be honest with you when sorting through their clothes. If there’s something that they don’t like or that doesn’t fit well, get rid of it.
  • Learn where you can donate your unwanted clothing. Pro tip: When you do donate your clothes, make sure to get a receipt so that you can claim the tax deduction.

Now that you have some of the essential back to school supplies, let’s talk about some of the essentials that need to take place in order to survive the back to school season. Don’t forget to grab the FREE Ultimate Back To School Checklist below.

Printable Back To School Checklist

Create A Meal Plan 

You all know our love for meal-planning. We are firm believers that prepping meals promotes healthier eating, reduces food waste and just makes life a bit easier. Grab our FREE Printable Meal Planner to help make meal time a little easier at your house. 

Meal planning isn’t just for dinner though, school mornings go a lot smoother when you know what exactly is going into those lunch boxes too. 

When deciding what foods to put in your child’s lunch box, it’s important to ask them what they like. This may seem obvious, but what my kids’ like and don’t like changes on a regular basis. Knowing what they like helps save on food waste, on your grocery budget and on any disagreements that may pop-up in the morning. One thing that is always in our refrigerator is ¡Yo Quiero! Mini Guacamole Cups, they are great for adding to lunches for dipping and scooping, but they are also perfect for a nutritious after-school snack. Oh….and for dinner 🙂 

Need some lunch box inspiration? We all do! That’s why we have over 70 lunch box ideas here!

Best Printable Back To School Checklist

Here are a few of our favorites:

And don’t forget about breakfast! Have breakfast planned out for the week, even if it’s just having their favorite cereal and milk ready to go. Sometimes we are really ahead of the game and do some breakfast meal prep, freezer smoothie packs are delicious and super easy to customize and the kids actually make these Freezer Friendly Breakfast Burritos on a regular basis. Avocado Toast is also super easy to make for those busy mornings.

Do A Drive-By

Even if it’s the 3rd year your child will be at the same school, there is just something that’s comforting about knowing exactly where you are going on the first day of school. Be sure to look out for communications from the school on Meet The Teacher Day and school orientations.

BTS Checklist

Schedule Haircuts

Kids like to look and feel their best too! Remember to schedule those haircuts in advance though, every parent in the neighborhood will be doing last minute haircuts too. As you can see, my son is in desperate need of a haircut…at the moment he is refusing to get one until after Senior pictures…lord help me 😉

Schedule Doctor Appointments

Different immunizations are required at different ages, physicals may be required…it’s best to call in the beginning of summer to see what your child may or may not need. Then schedule those appointments! Getting them in before school starts means you don’t have to pull them out of school to go and you aren’t rushing around at the last minute. 

Update Your Calendars

One of my favorite things about summer is not having to worry about all the activities that fill up our calendar during the school year. But all good things must come to an end….Start updating those calendars sooner than later.

Line up childcare

If you’ll need someone’s help to pick up the kids from school, walk them home from the bus or get them to after-school sports, it’s best to start planning that before the school year starts. At least start having those conversations so that friends and family are expecting the call when the time comes.

I know that seems like a lot…and it is….but that’s exactly why I made this FREE printable for you guys! Print it, put it on the refrigerator, save it to your phone, whatever you have to do. It will help you stay on track so that you can have the most successful back to school season yet!

Wait, before you go…grab this Back To School Checklist, I promise it’ll help with all the stuff going on!

back to school checklist PDF printable

Now, go grab yourself some guacamole and veggies (or chips and queso…we are equal opportunity dip-and-snackers!), take a deep breathe and realize YOU GOT THIS.

Ultimate BTS Checklist

What is one thing that is on your Back To School Checklist? Have you ever forgotten anything big…like a backpack too?