Starting kindergarten is a big milestone for both kids and parents. Whether it’s your first time sending a little one to school or you’re a seasoned pro, knowing exactly what school supplies for kindergarten are needed can save you time, money, and stress.
This guide breaks down everything from must-have items to those handy extras that make all the difference—especially with the 2025 kindergarten school supply list in mind.
Kindergarten Supply List for Parents: What to Expect
Every school is slightly different, but most kindergarten supply lists follow the same core basics. If you’re wondering “what school supplies do I need for Kindergarten,” expect to shop for:
- Crayons (preferably 24-pack)
- Washable markers
- Glue sticks (lots of them!)
- Child-safe scissors
- No. 2 pencils
- Erasers
- A wide-ruled composition notebook
- A plastic or cardboard folder
- A pencil box or zippered pouch
- Tissues and disinfectant wipes (for classroom use)
- Hand sanitizer
- Headphones (for classroom tech time)
You’ll also want to label everything with your child’s name—kindergartners can be surprisingly good at misplacing their supplies!
Back to School Kindergarten: What Do Kindergarteners Need for School?
Beyond the basics, there are a few items many parents forget about. These might not appear on your school’s official kindergarten school supply list, but trust us, they’ll come in handy:
- Waterproof backpacks – Rain or shine, a good waterproof backpack protects those precious drawings and assignments. Check out our cute and functional backpack collection for options made just for little learners.
- Spare clothes – Accidents happen, and teachers appreciate having a change of clothes available just in case.
- Reusable water bottles – Staying hydrated is important. Choose a water bottle that’s easy for your child to open and close independently.
- Comfort items – A small stuffed toy or fidget item can help anxious kindergartners settle in.
Kindergarten Learning Materials: Building Strong Foundations
Kindergarten isn’t just about crayons and glue—it’s about developing critical learning skills. Having a few educational items at home can make a big difference:
- Activity books for ages 5–7 – Great for reinforcing what they’re learning in school.
- Early reading materials – Simple books with predictable patterns and sight words.
- Number tracing and letter writing worksheets – Practice at home builds confidence in the classroom.
- Arts and crafts supplies – Encourage creativity with stickers, child-safe paints, and construction paper.
Where to Buy Kindergarten School Supplies
Parents understand better than most that back to school costs can quickly get out of hand. With that in mind, we recommend a mixed approach to purchasing supplies for kindergarten.
When it comes to things like crayons, pencils, erasers, markers, glue and the like, I highly recommend either visiting a discount store like Dollar Tree or waiting until the back to school sales begin (typically in June/July).
The absolute best sales on these items will happen during the summer, and if you can, you should stock up for the entire school year at that time.
However, when it comes to things like backpacks, lunch boxes, clothes, or water bottles, you might find that the best prices often depend on a variety of factors, and sometimes you’ll get a better deal during a holiday season than you will during back to school season.
For tech accessories, we recommend waiting until Black Friday or Cyber Monday, as that is often the time of year when technology products are at their lowest prices.
By now, you’re probably aware that there are sales on kids clothes pretty much every holiday season (or really anytime they can think of an excuse), and we recommend making these purchases whenever necessary, because your little one is growing and will likely need a change of clothes at some point during the school year.
School Supplies List for Kindergarten Classrooms
Some items are considered classroom community supplies, meaning everyone shares:
- Paper towels
- Glue bottles
- Markers
- Disinfectant spray
- Ziploc bags
- Bandages
If you’re wondering what do you need for kindergarten beyond individual supplies, this is it. Many schools also ask for tissue boxes or disinfectant wipes as donations. These small contributions go a long way toward creating a clean, happy classroom.
What Not to Bring to Kindergarten
It’s just as important to know what not to include in your child’s backpack:
- Toys or personal electronics – These can be distracting or get lost.
- Expensive items – Stick to basic versions of everything. That fancy pencil case might not make it home.
- Snacks with allergens – Always double-check with the teacher about classroom allergy policies.
Organizing Your Kindergarten Supply Haul
Before the first day, go through everything with your child. Let them help label their supplies—it builds ownership and excitement.
💡 Bonus Tip: Use a checklist to keep everything organized.
Final Thoughts on Kindergarten Back to School Shopping
Shopping for school supplies should be a fun experience, not a stressful one. With a solid kindergarten school supply list in hand, you’ll be ready to take on the school year confidently. From waterproof backpacks to learning materials for kindergarten success, it’s all about preparation.
🖍️ Need help picking the perfect backpack? Check out our back-to-school gear collection with styles kids and parents love.
☕ Pro Tip for Parents: Don’t forget about yourself! A great planner or insulated mug can make those early morning school runs more manageable.
If you also have a young child heading off to Preschool this year, make sure to read our post covering which preschool supplies you will need to purchase.
