The Ultimate Back-To-School Checklist (And Where To Find What You Need Near You)

Back-to-school shopping has a way of starting with one or two items and somehow ending with a cart full of notebooks, sneakers, lunch containers, headphones and things you didn't even realize your child needed until you saw them on the supply list.

Whether you're getting a preschooler ready for their very first day, helping a middle schooler gear up for a new year or sending a college student off to campus, a little planning can go a long way. Taking stock of what you already have, shopping by category instead of aisle and thinking beyond the classroom can help make those final weeks before school starts feel a lot less hectic.

While every school and every student is different, this checklist covers many of the essentials families often find themselves buying before the first bell rings.

Start With The School Supply List

Before you buy anything, check your school's official supply list. Many classrooms have specific requirements, and teachers often ask for different brands, sizes or quantities depending on the grade.

Once you know what's required, take a few minutes to look through closets, desks and junk drawers before heading to the store. You may already have plenty of unused notebooks, pencils or folders tucked away from last year.

For most students, the basics include:

• Notebooks and composition books
• Folders and binders
• Loose-leaf paper
• Pencils, pens and highlighters
• Crayons, markers or colored pencils
• Glue sticks, scissors and rulers
• Pencil cases
• Calculators or graph paper, if required
• Tissues, disinfecting wipes or hand sanitizer if requested by the teacher

If you're shopping for more than one child, it can help to organize supplies by student as soon as you get home. It'll save time — and a few disagreements — the night before school starts.

Refresh The Everyday Essentials

School supplies are only part of the picture.

Back-to-school season is also when many families replace the items kids use every day. Backpacks wear out. Lunch boxes disappear. Water bottles somehow never seem to make it home.

It's also worth checking whether last year's shoes still fit, jackets zip comfortably and gym clothes haven't suddenly become two sizes too small over the summer.

Depending on your child's age, you may also want to pick up:

• A backpack
• Lunch box or insulated lunch bag
• Reusable water bottle
• Sneakers and everyday school clothes
• Gym clothes or athletic shoes
• Rain gear or a lightweight jacket
• Labels for backpacks, lunch containers and water bottles

Make Sure Technology Is Ready To Go

Technology is part of the school day for students of nearly every age.

Before classes begin, charge school-issued devices, install any required updates and make sure chargers still work. If your child uses headphones or earbuds in class, test those, too. Replacing a worn charging cable or cracked tablet case now is usually much easier than dealing with it during the first week of school.

Older students may also need calculators, laptops or other technology depending on their classes.

Preparing For Dorm Life?

Heading to college usually means shopping for much more than notebooks and pens.

Along with classroom supplies, many students need bedding, towels, storage bins, laundry baskets, shower caddies, cleaning supplies, desk lamps and power strips that meet residence hall guidelines. If they'll be sharing a room, checking with roommates before shopping can help avoid buying doubles of larger items.

Take Care Of The Little Things

Some of the most helpful back-to-school preparations don't involve shopping at all.

Now is a great time to label backpacks and water bottles, restock pantry staples for easy lunches, update emergency contacts, review school calendars and add important dates to your family's schedule. If your child is starting a new school, driving the route or walking the campus ahead of time can also help ease those first-day jitters.

The goal isn't to have every detail perfectly planned. It's simply to start the school year feeling a little more organized and a little less rushed.

Ready To Start Shopping?

Below, enter your ZIP code and choose the categories you're shopping for — from school supplies and backpacks to kids' clothing, dorm essentials, sports gear and tech — to find nearby stores that carry what you need.

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