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Must-have for school (Ages 4–6)
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items Back-to-school season can feel like a juggling act—especially with kids of different ages! To make things a little easier, we’ve put together a go-to list of the must-have items that parents and little learners reach for every year. From classroom es...
Map
Sections
4
Backpacks
Lunchbox & water bottle
Stationary
Clothing
Backpacks
The Jansport SuperBreak remains a standout due to its durability, comfortable padded straps, spacious design, and overall value—priced around $35. Personal experience of how it has survived being dragged across floors!
This classic model offers everything a kindergartner needs—simple, sturdy, and dependable.
This classic model offers everything a kindergartner needs—simple, sturdy, and dependable.
JanSport Backpacks | Walmart Canada
Known for its sturdy construction and smart size for K–3 students. I recommend it for its practical design and long-lasting materials.
Kane Kids
A great option for kindergarteners, noted for its comfort, durability, and light weight. I recommend this for smaller kids.
Fletcher Backpacks
I recommended the LL Bean Jr backpack as it fits a folder and lunch bag easily. I also want to highlight their durability and thoughtful features like name embroidery, external pockets, and ease of cleaning. This is great for older kids.
Trailfinder Backpack, 23L
I recommended this for its vibrant aesthetic, lightweight nylon canvas construction, wide-opening main compartment, and handy water bottle pockets—perfect for preschool to kindergarten.
Ocean & Ground Backpacks
A favorite for its cute designs and personalization options. I appreciate the longevity and stylish appeal.
Mackenzie Backpacks Collection
Lunchbox & water bottle
I praise it for its child-friendly design.
Parents and reviewers like me love its leak-proof build, dishwasher-safe interior tray, and fun, colorful patterns.
Five neat compartments make packing balanced lunches a breeze .
Parents and reviewers like me love its leak-proof build, dishwasher-safe interior tray, and fun, colorful patterns.
Five neat compartments make packing balanced lunches a breeze .
Bentgo® Kids Lunch Box | Bento Box For Kids
I highly rate it for its dual spout design—sip via straw or swig from the spout—and push-button, lockable lid .
Loved by fellow parents for its insulation, leak resistance, and child-friendly layout .
Loved by fellow parents for its insulation, leak resistance, and child-friendly layout .
Kids' Freesip®
A durable, easy to clean, and insulated well for long-term use water bottle. Fellow parent friends have great reviews for it.
Stainless Steel Kids Water Bottles
My family's personal favorite is this, for its simple, push-button straw design that even young kids can manage easily.
Funtainer Collection
It is specifically designed for toddlers and children aged 3+. It includes multiple compartments, with a flexible section for whole fruits and two leak-proof compartments for wet foods like yogurt or dips. Made from durable, BPA-free materials, it's ...
Lightweight Bento Box, Lunch Snack Container with 2 Leak Proof ...
Stationary
This is a Crayola line I love for its washable formula—true to its name, marks wash off skin, clothing, and many surfaces with ease. Its vibrant colors, non-toxic formulation, and ergonomic size make it a go-to choice for young learners. Affordable, ...
Crayola Ultra-Clean Washable Large Crayons, 16 Count ...
Fun, jumbo crayons that offer three colors in one; they’re engaging and easy for little hands to grip.
Jumbo Triangular Crayons
These beeswax crayons have a unique, durable shape (hard to break!) and aroma, appealing to Montessori or natural product fans. I love it for its dual use.
Honeysticks Bath Crayons for Toddlers & Kids - Handmade from Natural ...
This is the go-to choice for many families and educators, that I know. It is celebrated for the vibrant colors and easy cleanup. Multiple expert and parent reviews consistently highlight Crayola's washability and non-toxic formula, perfect for little...
Crayola 10 Ultra-Clean Washable Broad Line Markers ...
Built to last with a guaranteed no-dry cap for up to 30–90 days (depending on color), these chunky, washable markers are a parent's dream for durability. The no-dry durability is a godsend as capping back markers seems to be a herculean task for my k...
BIC Easy Hold XL Magic Marker, 48-Count
Designed for toddlers and kindergarteners, these markers emphasize safety with ventilated caps (to reduce choking hazards), super-washable ink, and eco-friendly materials.
Micador Early Start Besties Marker Mates Baby Barnyard
Frequently cited as a back-to-school essential by fellow parents: "Buy This: Elmer’s glue sticks … No mess, no spills, and they get the job done."
A practical teacher favorite due to its usability: it goes on purple (so kids can see where they’ve applied it, and helps with visual learning) and dries clear.
A practical teacher favorite due to its usability: it goes on purple (so kids can see where they’ve applied it, and helps with visual learning) and dries clear.
Elmer's Disappearing Purple School Glue Sticks, Washable, 20 g, 3 Count
Designed specifically for young children: it applies blue so application is visible, dries clear, and features a “no-lose” cap that doubles as a pedestal to prevent rolling and lost caps. I love this product design as it really helps the kids, remo...
Non-toxic and washable — ideal for school crafts and young hands.
Non-toxic and washable — ideal for school crafts and young hands.
Crayola Washable Glue Sticks, 2 Count
These are highly rated for beginner scissor users thanks to their spring-action design, which automatically opens after each cut—perfect for developing hand strength and coordination .
Fiskars Training Scissors 3 Pack
Often topping “best of” lists, these scissors are praised for durability, dual-handed design, comfort, and safety—making them a classroom staple. I recommend this for older kids.
Westcott® 5" Antimicrobial Blunt Soft Handle Kids Scissors
Engineered specifically for toddlers and kindergarteners, these feature covered blades that cut paper—but not skin, hair, or clothing—ensuring maximum safety during craft time. Great beginner scissors.
Crayola My First Safety Scissors-3/Pkg
Frequently highlighted as a fan-favorite and top-rated pencil for kindergarteners due to its oversized shape, ease of grip, and smooth writing quality. It holds an impressive 4.8-star average across 32,000 Amazon reviews. Parents noted it “helped tre...
Reviews consistently praise its durability, non-toxic materials, and pre-sharpened convenience.
Reviews consistently praise its durability, non-toxic materials, and pre-sharpened convenience.
My First
A soft 2B lead that delivers dark, clear strokes—helpful for small hands and early writing.
Channie's My First Pencil, Jumbo Barrel Presharpened Wooden 2B, Brown, Set ...
Designed explicitly for toddlers and kindergartners, with a larger-than-standard barrel and thick (3.25 mm) break-resistant lead. Highly rated (4.8) for ease of grip and durability.
Enday Jumbo No 2 Pencils for Preschoolers (24)
classrooms—Crayola's construction paper is known for its vibrant colors, sturdy texture, and reliable performance in cutting, folding, and gluing activities. Widely recommended for art projects and school use.
A highly regarded variant includes the 480-sheet, 2-pack bundle offering 10 vivid colors, praised for reliability and strong value.
A highly regarded variant includes the 480-sheet, 2-pack bundle offering 10 vivid colors, praised for reliability and strong value.
Crayola 480-Count Construction Paper 10 Colors
A classroom staple, recommended by experts with a 5.0-star rating. Teachers love its heavy-duty quality, smooth foldability, and affordability.
The brand is known for vibrant, durable options—often the top classroom-level choice.
The brand is known for vibrant, durable options—often the top classroom-level choice.
Colorations SMARTSTK Construction Paper Pack
Praised for their durability through the school year.
As a mom with decades of back-to-school experience I also favors sturdy plastic folders, for their ability to resist snack spills and help kids stay organized.
As a mom with decades of back-to-school experience I also favors sturdy plastic folders, for their ability to resist snack spills and help kids stay organized.
JAM Paper Heavy Duty Plastic Two-Pocket Mini Folders - 4 1/4 x 9 1/8 - Clear
Reviewed positively by educators and parents for exceptional durability, lasting multiple years even with daily use.
Nicky's Communicator® English - Rochester
Clothing
Designed with pediatric insights, Ten Little shoes promote healthy foot development through flat, flexible soles. A “Fit Finder” ensures proper sizing, making them ultra-parent-friendly. They’re consistently rated as a top choice for schoolwear.
Shoes for Baby & Kids
A long-standing favorite for young learners. Stride Rite’s early designs (e.g. Soft Motion Kylo) target toddler and kindergarten stages with excellent support, traction, and lightweight construction.
Stride Rite
Loved for their fun styles—light-up soles, sparkles, and comfortable padding. Skechers are well-cushioned, structured, and affordably priced, making them a back-to-school staple.
Girls' Toddler & Infant Shoes
Named Best Kids Shoe Overall in a 2025 Forbes test covering toddlers to teens—praised for fit, durability, and podiatric approval.
Kids' Running Shoes - Shop Kids' Sneakers
With affordable, stylish and comfortable styles for all school seasons. A perfect place to replenish school clothes for fast growing kids.
Toddler Girl Clothing
Their durable and stylish clothing for toddlers, that can last a school year is why I shop and recommend this.
Toddler Boys Clothes & Outfits