The Ultimate Back to School Checklist: Everything You Need for a Successful Start

Back-to-school shopping is a thrilling rife of passage, but it can also be tedious. A new backpack, lunch kit, school supplies, kicks, and clothes– you need to stock up on too many things ahead of school to ensure the first day is smooth sailing. 

While this yearly ritual is no doubt fun, it can, at some point or the other, overwhelm parents. Whether it’s another year of class for your kid or you’ll be sending them for the first time, this back-to-school checklist will help you get started. 

Here we’ve rounded up seven essential things you need to do ahead of school for a stress-free session. Dive in, then! 

Related: Back To School Outfit Haul: 5 Cute & Comfy Outfits From Target

Back-to-School Checklist for Parents: 7 Things You Need to Do to Have a Stress-Free Season

Getting ready for kids to go back to school can be overwhelming for parents, especially after a long vacation. But don’t worry, for this checklist will help you get ready before school, so you won’t feel overwhelmed at the Eleventh hour. 

1. Visit the Doctor

Visiting the doctor will be a sound decision two weeks before school starts. Make sure to take them to an eye doctor, a dentist, and a pediatrician for a thorough checkup. Doing so ahead of the first bell will minimize the need to pull them out of school once the session starts. Don’t forget to take specialty appointments if your child suffers from health conditions like asthma or allergies. 

2. Get Each Teacher a Small “Thank You” Gift

Though not necessary, getting a small “thank you” gift for each teacher will be a nice gesture. 

Teachers leave no stone unturned (literally) to help students thrive and succeed, which is why their work doesn’t end with the dismissal of classes. And let’s be honest, dealing with children is never easy. So, why not appreciate their hard work by giving them a small, meaningful gift?

Personalized tumblers or t-shirts make for an excellent gift for teachers. But if you wish to give something more special, an appreciation gift set featuring a greeting card and candle with other goodies will be the best bet. 

Also Read: 5 Thoughtful September Birthday Gift Ideas Your Person Will Love

3. Shop for School Clothes

If your kid has outgrown most of their clothing, shopping for them a few weeks before school starts will spare you from the hassle of last-minute shopping.  

Before you head out for shopping, make a list of the inventories they’ve outgrown. Doing so will make sure you don’t waste money on items your kids don’t need. 

Checklist of Essential Back-to-School Outfits

• Two sweatshirts
• Five pants
• Five shirts
• Five shorts
• Seven pairs of socks
• Two to three pairs of underwear

Remember that kids play hard at school. That means their clothes will inevitably be stained, which is why you should purchase affordable and quality clothing. Also, do not make the mistake of shopping for fall clothes during summer. That’s because your kid will outgrow them by the time it’s cold outside. Seriously, children grow too fast! 

4. Stock on Essential Supplies

You’ll only regret not buying school supplies during the break. Not only will you be able to grab them at a steal, but you will also save yourself from the hassle of rushing to the stationery store every now and then. 

Whatever your purchase, more or less, depends on the grade your child is in. However, here’s a quick rundown of the essential supplies your child will need on their first day at school:

• Backpack
• Colored pencils
• Notebooks
• Pencil
• Markers
• Pens
• Folders
• Erasers
• Glue sticks
• Scissors
• Highlighters

Source: Maddie’s School Supply Collection on Carrot

It may be obvious, but it’s worthy of mention: reuse stationery items that are in usable condition. As nice as it is to buy your child a new set of colored pencils, it’s not necessary—the old set containing half-used pencils works as well as the new one. 

Kids in high school won’t need markers or glue sticks. Instead, they’ll need index cards, highlighters, and other things, so make sure you get them. 

Also Read: Household Supplies Checklist: Everything You Need For A Well-Stocked Home

5. Stock up on Lunch Box Containers

School mornings are already stressful, and we’re sure you wouldn’t want to make them more stressful because you don’t have the right lunchbox containers. As essential as clothing and school supplies are, so are lunch box containers. 

Unless you want your child to munch on school lunch, you should stock up on lunch box containers before the session begins. Though having a water bottle and a lunch box is more than enough, here are a bunch of options that you can consider while shopping:

• Bento boxes
• Smoothie pouches
• Ice packs
• Popsicle bags for yogurt
• Sandwich cutters for kids who don’t like crusts
• Sauce containers
• Thermos containers

6. Brush up Basic Reading, Writing, and Math Skills

Sure, binge-watching The Snoopy Show and CoComelon will keep your child entertained throughout the break. But, the contribution of these shows to your kid’s education is zero. 

To prepare your child for school, you must freshen up their basic learning skills. Print worksheets and make them read books to improve their writing, reading, and mathematical skills. 

7. Prepare Breakfast Ahead of Time to Reduce Morning Stress

Parents with cranky children will agree that mornings on school days are anything but pleasant. And nothing’s quite challenging like dealing with kids throwing tantrums. So, why not make your mornings simpler by preparing breakfasts ahead of time on weekends? 

While instant oatmeals with chia seed makes for a nutritious breakfast, homemade pancakes and muffins are great, too. All you need to do is to heat these grab-and-go meals in the oven, put them in the lunchbox, and hand it over to your kids. 

Organize Your Back-to-School Checklist With Carrot for a Stress-Free Year 

Source: Walmart’s School Supplies on Carrot

As exciting as it may sound, back-to-school time is challenging. That’s because it’s that time of the year when you have to revamp your kid’s wardrobe, declutter items no longer needed, and stock up on school supplies for the rest of the year. 

It may sound simple, but it’s too much of a task. But you need not be overwhelmed, as Carrot can help make the year stress-free. 

It lets you organize all the items you want for your kids in neat shoppable collections that you can share, bookmark, and save for later. Be it the bento lunchbox or gender-neutral button-ups, you aren’t going to lose track of anything you find online. 

Carrot also notifies customers about price drops on products on their wish list. That way, you can purchase things that you don’t need right away, like fall clothes or shoes, at a lower cost when they are on sale. Besides money, you’ll save yourself from buyer’s remorse. 

In need of inspiration? No worries; you’ll find plenty of back-to-school collections from your fav influencers.