Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Stages

NewFolks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The 6 back to school supplies your first grader needs

Jennifer Passmore
By

The first day of school can be bittersweet. After having a full summer of family adventures and fun, it is time for kids to move on to the next grade and go back to school for another year. But it’s an exciting time, too. The kids are going into a new grade and will meet new friends and teachers. First grade is a special grade to enter into since kids transition from kindergarten to “big kid” school. When looking for back-to-school supplies for your first grader, there are a few that are more essential than others.

Supplies for school

Pencils

The number one item that children need for school is, of course, pencils. You can stick to the wonderful traditional Ticonderoga #2 pencils from Target. Kids will also probably need colored pencils, especially for art class or creative time. This Crayola Colored Pencil Set from Walmart gives your child 50 pencils in various beautiful colors. One more thing to consider, since they are in first grade and still learning how to write, is pencil grips. These Mlife Pencil Grips, in a pack of 10, are a good choice.

Recommended Videos

Girl With Backpack

A good backpack

Your newly minted first-grader definitely needs a backpack that will help them to express their personality. For example, if your child loves “Paw Patrol” and is all about saving the day, this “Paw Patrol Movie” Backpack from Walmart is a wonderful option for your child. It’s large enough to keep everything they need to tote books and work back and forth to school. Similarly, this “Peppa Pig” Backpack from Amazon is sturdy, and your child will love it if they enjoy watching the popular show. It is lightweight and perfect for a first grader.

Safety scissors

Children need to learn to use scissors since they’ll likely be doing a lot of art projects. Safety scissors typically have a blunt tip to avoid any injuries while using them. These TRU RED™ Kids Blunt Tip Stainless Steel Scissors are a great place to start when it comes to using scissors. They are made with stainless steel for durability and can be used by either right or left-handed children.

Notebook or composition book

There is no doubt that a notebook or two will be needed, especially as children learn to practice their writing. Some teachers don’t mind regular notebooks, like this up & up™ Wide Ruled 1 Subject Notebook, which is great for helping children to reach their writing goals. Other teachers would rather have their students use a composition book, especially as a journal. The Office Depot® Brand Fashion Composition Notebook allows kids to have cute designed composition books for their studies.

Folders

It would be a good idea to grab a couple of folders for your child, as this will be the primary way that they transport papers and homework to and from school. You may want to get ones for different subjects. You can contact your child’s teacher to find out how many are needed. If you need more than two, the JAM 6pk Heavy Duty 3 Hole Punch 2 Pocket Paper Folder comes with six different colored folders, so your child can choose their favorite. If you are just looking for one folder, this Homework Folder from Scholastic is just the thing to bring homework home.

Girl In School With Pencil Case
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Pencil box/organizer

To make sure that your children’s pencils, pens, and other art supplies do not get lost, getting them a pencil box will help them keep all of their supplies in one place. Usually, teachers let children leave pencil boxes on their desks. Plus, they have plenty of cute ones out there that would be perfect for your first grader. For instance, this Vaultz Metal Pencil Box in “Painted Puppy” will hold all of your child’s pencils, and will also bring them joy when they look at it.

As your little one enters the first grade, it is a time to celebrate, have fun, and enjoy learning about new things every day. With these supplies, they will tackle first grade like a champ. The products listed above are a great place to start when putting together your child’s back-to-school supplies.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Jennifer Passmore
Jennifer Passmore
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jennifer has written two books on how to deal with living with chronic illness using the power of positivity. She has written…
How to teach a child to swim: Methods you need to know
Tips for teaching your child to swim when they are ready to learn
Adult teaching child to swim in a pool.

While watching your child jump into any open water could be a bit, parents don't want their child to be afraid of the water. Swimming is a fun activity that helps promote a healthy lifestyle, a great way to stay cool in the hot summer months, to get indoor exercise during the winter, and it's a life skill to have. Typically, the recommended age for lessons is 4, but there's really no incorrect age for how to teach a child to swim.

Swimming is an important lesson to learn for your kid’s enjoyment and especially for their safety. We'll share great methods and fun ideas on how to teach a child to swim so they'll become strong, happy, and confident fish in the water.

Read more
4-year-old birthday party ideas: 7 low-stress themes your child will love
Throw a preschool party that rocks with these 4-year-old birthday party themes
Boy is excited for his fourth birthday

Congratulations! Your little one is turning 4. This is such an exciting age and so much fun to plan an exciting birthday celebration for. Preschoolers are curious, have a great deal of energy, and love to play. When putting together a fabulous fourth birthday party, you'll need to have an engaging theme, but you also don’t want to overload yourself with added stress. Thankfully, soon-to-be 4-year-olds have a wealth of interests to choose an inviting theme from.

Whether you're hosting at home or holding the party at a venue, the theme sets the tone for the party’s decor, cake, and goodie bags. To avoid giving yourself extra anxiety, pick a theme that’s easy to implement, easy on the budget, and of course, one that kids will be excited about. There are quite a few 4-year-old birthday party ideas that are super fun for the kiddos and low-stress for you.

Read more
Baby’s first haircut: Everything you need to know to get through this milestone without tears
How to handle your baby's first haircut
Baby getting a haircut

The first year of your child's life is filled with exciting, milestone moments, from their first smile to crawling for the first time to taking their first steps. For most parents, that first haircut is another milestone that can be just as exciting and a bit emotional, too. The notion of cutting your baby's hair for the first time can bring both parents and baby to tears.

Whether you choose to trim your baby's hair yourself or take them to a trusted professional, a baby's first haircut can be an emotional time for everyone. If your little one is ready for their first haircut, we've got some tricks and tips to help make the experience enjoyable for everyone involved.

Read more