Printable Ultimate Back-to-School Checklist

Planning the new school year doesn’t have to be a chore. Forget juggling lists from every teacher, plus the one you wrote, and the “essentials” your child will be begging for at the store. Use this ultimate back-to-school checklist printable to organize your shopping plans all in one place and get everything you need to send the kids back to school.

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I have been known to make lists of lists. Maybe it’s because I’m a little obsessive about organizing. Do you know what I mean? I feel like if I can get it all down on paper, I can accomplish anything.

There is a lot to do to get everyone ready for back to school. There’s shopping for school supplies and uniforms. Checking out what we already have that we don’t really need to buy again.

Adjusting our routine and planning daily lunch boxes. This list goes on. And becomes a list of lists. If you like this kind of organizing, you will love the printable I just created.

My ultimate back-to-school checklist has everything you need to plan for school on one handy page.

Ultimate back-to-school checklist

I’ve divided my list into three categories, but I didn’t fill them in for you. I know how particular my kids’ school is, so I can only assume that yours is probably the same.

1. School supplies

This is pretty self-explanatory. Just copy over the list that your school or teachers sent. I like to write everything down exactly as they sent it, then “shop at home” to find and check off the things I already have.

Some stuff is pretty indestructible – like rulers and scissors – and can be used every year. Give everything a good wipe down with your favorite cleaning product.

If your school doesn’t provide a list, here are some common supplies to get you started for the first few weeks:

• pencils
• erasers
• pencil sharpener
• notebook paper
• spirals or composition books
• pens
• highlighters
• index cards
• 3-ring binder or folders with brads
• sturdy pencil bag or box
• crayons
• markers
• colored pencils
• ruler

2. Clothes

My kids have to wear uniforms. There are rules for colors, the number of buttons, and length. They’ve become more laid back recently and the kids can wear jeans now.

I try to calculate uniform sets for seven days. When my kids were younger, they kept an extra outfit in the locker for emergencies. Plus, there are weeks when laundry piles up.

Don’t forget to include accessories.

Here’s a list to get you started:

• short-sleeved shirts
• long-sleeved shirts
• pants
• jeans
• cardigan sweater
• underwear
• socks
• tennis shoes
• nice shoes
• belt
• ponytail holders

3. Essentials

This is the “everything else” category. To me, essentials are things you need to have that don’t fit in the other categories. My list includes:

• backpack
• lunch box or lunch bag
• plastic lunch containers
• water bottle
• name labels
• haircut

I love sharing my organizing ideas as much as I love organizing.

The printable has space to write your child’s name and grade, so if you have multiple kids, you won’t go crazy trying to remember whose list you’re looking at.

I recommend making an extra copy to keep in your purse or in the car so that when you’re out shopping for something else and see a great deal, you can check the list to see if it’s something you need before you buy.

Get the printable

This printable is in PDF format and fits on an 8.5×11-inch page.

Can’t see the Gumroad form below? Unsure how to print? For troubleshooting tips and frequently asked questions, read the Printables FAQ Help Guide.

Check out some other fun and creative ideas on One Mama’s Daily Drama:

• 50 After School Snacks for Kids
• Letter Board Quotes for Back to School Photo Ideas
• How to Pack a Lunch Box Tips and Printable Idea List