Best Back to School Supplies (and Teacher Gifts)
The time to go back to school has crept up on us! You blink, and all of a sudden summer is coming to a close and you have a list of supplies to buy for the next year of school. While my son isn’t in school yet, I still like to pay attention to all the deals that happen around back to school time. I’ve compiled some of my favorite back to school supplies both for kids and for teachers, including a few cute ideas on teacher gifts!
Back to school supplies can really add up when it comes to cost. However, if you shop smart, you can end up saving a lot of money in the long run. Buying larger amounts is one way to save. When you buy 30 glue sticks even though you only need 10, you end up having enough for the next year as well! There are also a lot of deals on supplies, especially when you buy larger amounts so you can save a lot of money on back to school supplies. I found some of the best deals and supplies for back to school and teacher gifts so that you don’t have to!
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Back to School Supplies
Since my son is young, I only really know about supplies for young kids. These are the back to school supplies I found that I absolutely love! Even if you don’t need them for school, they are great to have in the house for crafting and learning. I use many of these with my son who hasn’t even started school yet in preparation for the day that he will start. The more a child is exposed to activities including these back to school supplies, the more prepared they will be when they start school.
Washable Kid’s Paint
Painting is so much fun and even if you don’t need any paint for back to school, I believe that every house with a young child should have some paint! Paint can be useful for school projects or just for fun at home. This non-toxic paint is perfect for learning about mixing colors and honing fine motor skills by using a paint brush.
Ultimate Crayon Collection
Kids and crayons just go hand in hand. This huge box of crayons gives the option of any color a young child could dream of! With this big box, you can take some of the crayons out for back to school and keep some at home for fun there. The possibilities are endless with a giant box of crayons and a child’s imagination.
Colored Pencils
Another way to color and create is colored pencils. They are a great way to introduce how to grip a pencil in a fun, colorful way. These are also a staple for back to school lists.
Construction Paper
Construction paper has endless possibilities for crafting and creating. This is another thing that might not be on your back to school supply list but is so great to have at home. Whether you use it simply for fun, or for adding color to school projects, construction paper is so versatile and useful!
Do a Dot Art Marker Set
I started using these dot markers with my son when he was barely over a year. The look of pride when he was able to figure out how to make a dot on paper with them was priceless! They can be a great way to use paint on school projects while minimizing mess, which makes them a great addition to back to school supply lists.
For another idea on how to do mess-free painting check out Tupperware Painting!
Glue Sticks
It’s amazing how fast a child can go through a glue stick! I thought they would last a lot longer than they did and find that every time I use glue sticks with my son, they disappear really quickly. That’s why a big pack of them is great so that you don’t have to worry about getting more. Plus, when you buy larger amounts, you always save money in the long run, especially because glue sticks are always on back to school supply lists.
Scented Markers
Do you really need scented markers? Probably not. Do you want scented markers? Of course! They are so much fun and really don’t cost that much more than regular ones so why not go for a little extra fun with back to school and get markers that smell better than just chemicals?
Many of these would also make great back to school gifts for teachers. While parents are usually required to buy most supplies for their children themselves, teachers still often like to have extra colored pencils, crayons, construction paper, and glue sticks. These could all be given as back to school teacher gifts as well as completing the long back to school list parents have!
Gifts for Teachers
Teachers are paid way too low in my opinion and on top of that, they often have to buy a lot of their own supplies for the classroom. That’s why the perfect gift for a teacher would include supplies! Some top supplies to give to teachers are:
Box of Ticonderoga #2 Pencils
Highlighters
Colored Pens
Pink Pearl Erasers
Printer Paper
Here are some ideas to present back to school teacher gifts in a creative way.
Wrap gift in a paper that your child decorates with crayons, paint, and/or markers.
Make a “bouquet” of pens or pencils by taping them to the back of construction flower flowers or bunching up some tissue paper and securing it with a rubber band around the pencil.
Create a clever gift tag. For example, if gifting highlighters, “I know having you for a teacher will be the highlight of my year!”
Make a “cake” out of erasers by tying them together in rounds and stacking them to resemble a cake.
A Little Extra
If you want to get some back to school supplies that are a little extra for home, there are a bunch of great discovery and crafting kits. These are great for continuing the learning at home and on weekends.
Alex Discover My Giant Busy Box
This box is great for crafting and as the title says, staying busy. The only limit on what can be created is a child’s imagination!
Science Kits
These were my favorite things to get around back to school as a kid. I would be able to learn about different scientific principles at school and then come home and play with my own kit to explore even more! Here are two kits that I think are great for some extra science learning at home.
Scientific Explorer: My First Mind Blowing Science Kit
Scientific Explorer: POOF Slinky Magic Science
I know back to school can be a stressful time for both parents and kids. Getting all your supplies and being prepared can help to reduce this stress. As a parent, just remember, someone is about to take your child for a good portion of the day and teach them! What an amazing gift that is! So, take a deep breath, say thank you to the teachers, and get ready for back to school.
What are your favorite back to school supplies?
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62 Comments
Jennifer
Thank you for writing about the dot paints. I want to get some for my daughter. Not too messy but so much fun! I remember how excited I got when my dad got paints out like that when I was young. I also loved the scented markers as a child! My first grade teacher used them to grade our papers.
Kat
They are so great! There are so many great supplies that I remember using as a kid and get to have fun with again now that I have kids!
Monica
Great list! Lucky for us my daughters school will be providing supplies this year. For a fee of course, but they do replace anything if it breaks.
Kat
That’s great! I haven’t heard of schools doing that before.
Tina
Love this idea of bringing your teachers gifts – they spend so much of their own money on supplies and are not paid enough, imo.
Kat
Totally! I think it’s important to show appreciation.
Catherine McGuinness
Oh goodness, I remember going to Target with my mum for all the craft supplies!
Kat
It’s fun!
Heidi F Erickson
These are so fun and papreciative!
Kat
Thank you!
Hannah Kliza
Although we home school, we use similar supplies for our educational needs. This is a good checklist for those school time must haves.
Kat
Thank you!
T.M. Brown
Excellent supply list! I’m sure every teacher reading this is full of gratitude right now!
Kat
I hope so!
Lorna @ Gin & Lemonade
I used to love shopping for school supplies, still do. However, my daughter starts first grade next year. Somehow, I can wait.
Kat
Haha, I get it! No need to grow up too fast. However, you can always take advantage of some deals to have supplies for your house!
Stacey
Good ideas! I teach high school, so I don’t get to put out lists. I usually end up buying paper, pens, Kleenex, and Expo markers for my room. I just did school supplies for my eight-year-old. We have one week off left!
Kat
Crazy how soon the school year starts!
Annette
Great list of school supplies WITH the links!! Now that is the EASY button!!! You’ll be grabbing those supplies for your son before you know it. 🙂
Kat
I already like to buy them for the home! He loves using glue sticks.
Stephanie
Some really great ideas. As a former first grade teacher I loved getting school supplies.
Kat
I’m sure! Especially with first graders, I’m sure they go through things quickly!
Christa
I love back to school shopping! I think teacher’s gifts are a wonderful, thoughtful idea.
Kat
There are so many fun supplies to get!
Katie
What a cute way to creatively present the teacher’s gift. This makes boring school supplies much more fun!
Kat
Thanks! The idea is to be helpful and useful!
Jennifer
These look like awesome resources. I miss having little ones to purchase these items for! At least I will be able to buy them for grandbabies soon!
Kat
There you go! Always another generation.
Eileen
Yes, all my pencils go missing after day one! I’d love for someone to buy me some!
Kat
It’s the perfect gift! Teachers need all the help we can give.
Ina @ Crafty For Home
I always wondering if the kids actually need dozens of pencils, my kids only use two pencils for the whole year for writing purpose, and they still have it until now, but for the crafting supply to use at home, I am on it, lol
Kat
I know I used to break pencils all the time! The pencils depends on the kid, but the crafting supplies in bulk is always a good idea!
Sarah
Love those ideas and the teacher gifts are on point. I usually give goody bags filled with those or like items at the beginning of the year and for most holidays in addition to baked treats. My kids’ teachers have been incredible and it’s the least I can do!
Kat
I think it’s great to show our appreciation!
Tricia Snow
GReat tipes
Kat
Thank you
Clarissa
Such a good reminder to those of us with kiddos heading back to school. I like to stock up on some of the stuff for our home at this time, too. Great article!
Kat
Thank you! It’s the perfect time for stocking up!
Candice
I love back to school sales. I may or may not be telling my husband I don’t have anything for the kids in my “stash” so I can buy extra for the teachers to give out to the kids who don’t have anything;)
Kat
That’s a great idea! I think giving some to kids who can’t afford and teachers that should have to buy them is a great idea.
gail
Makes me want to color!!
Kat
I know! I could use half these supplies for myself!
Jocelyn
Great list! I’m thinking I need to get the Do a Dot kit for my daughter who’s not yet in school. She would love it, and she would feel like she’s not missing out so much.
Kat
It’s a great kit! Kids can start using it when they are so young as well.
Pam
Great deals! My husband is a teacher so we always pick up a few extras for his classroom.
Kat
Perfect! Buying in bulk helps save you money too!
Melissa Parcel
Great ideas, my kids are in college, so most of it doesn’t apply to me anymore 🙂 Cool to see all of the new things that are out now.
Kat
It’s amazing how many new school supplies have been created throughout the years!
Samantha
One of my obsessions is school supplies. I have a tub of them and even walk through the local office supply store just to see if there are any deals! Ok maybe I need therapy. 😳
Kat
That’s great! Amazon often has some great deals. I love craft supplies, which in a way is the same thing!
Rachel Newlon
This is one of those times that I am THANKFUL my kids are all out of school! I don’t miss having to spend an arm and a leg on supplies!
Kat
It’s crazy how much it can cost! Hunting for deals is key!
Lexi
These are such good ideas! My little one isn’t in school yet but we need some of these to create with!
Kat
Mine isn’t in school yet either, but I use a lot of these at home for fun and for learning!
Nikki
All great ideas! Even though I don’t have little kids in school anymore I do belong to a couple Non Profits that collect school supplies for kids in our local schools so I do still get to shop. Any ideas for gifts for teachers is great also. The groups I work with get many of the kids together before the holidays to make “homemade” gifts for family, friends and teachers. As I’ve said many times I’m not crafty so I stick to the supply shopping..lol
Kat
That’s great that you still contribute!
Natalie
We have that big craft box and love it! What a great idea to give that as a teacher gift !
Kat
Thanks!
Maria@everydaymomsquad.com
I love the teacher gift idea, they need and deserve it!! I love the crafts and science kits for home, such a good idea! The washable paint is amazing! My kids play with it at home all the time and I don’t even care if they get it on clothes or the kitchen table because it cleans up SO well.
Kat
I agree! I’ve used a few different washable paints and that’s the easiest one to clean!
Tiara
I’m glad I don’t have to do school supply shopping just yet. The lists are getting longer and longer with a lot of cities decreasing school funding.
Kat
It’s so sad. I don’t have to either but the deals they have at this time are great for crafting supplies at home!