Back to school shopping can be a nightmare. Would buying six pairs of jeans too many? Would buying three be too few? Find out what you really need to buy for the back to school season with this printable shopping list:
Clothes – Your kids’ needs will vary according to their age, gender, and how frequently you do laundry, as well as whether they have to wear uniforms in school. Generally, you’ll want to have:
- 3-5 pairs of jeans
- 4-5 short-sleeved tops
- 2-4 long-sleeved tops
- 3-5 hoodies
- 2-4 sweaters
- 2-4 pairs of slacks and/or skirts
- 5-7 pairs of socks and/or leggings/tights
- 7 pairs of underwear
Shoes - Again, how many pairs of shoes your kids need, and what kind, will vary with their activity level and your school's dress policies. Generally your kids will need:
- Sneakers
- Casual/Dress shoes
- Flip flops/sandals/slip-on shoes
Accessories - Remember that many states offering tax free weekend events for the back to school shopping season stipulate that accessories are not tax free, so you'll want to check with the laws in your state. Some of the accessories you may need to purchase include:
- 1 backpack
- 1 belt
- Ponytail holders and/or hair clips
Outerwear - What types of coats, and how many, will depend largely on the climate where you live. In general, most children need each of the following outerwear items:
- Rain coat
- Wind breaker or fleece jacket
- Winter coat
- Rain boots
- Snow boots
- Gloves or mittens
- Winter hat
Back to School Supplies – Contact your child’s school for a specific list of the items you’ll need to purchase. Generally, you can expect to buy:
- 2-5 Spiral notebooks
- 5-10 pencils
- 5-10 pens
- Colored pencils
- Crayons
- Markers
- Scissors
- Glue or glue sticks
- Binder
- 2-5 Folders
School Donations – Many teachers ask for donations during the back to school shopping season, such as:
- Tissues
- Hand sanitizer
Lunch Items – Now is the time to begin stocking up on the items you’ll be packing in your kids’ lunches, including:
- A lunch box
- 2 freezer packs (to keep items cold)
- Juice boxes
- Sandwich ingredients
- Snack items
- Convenient fruits/vegetables (like grapes and baby carrots)
- Yogurts
