Kindergarten Essentials: 5 Must-Have Items for Your Little One

It’s so exciting to watch your little one grow up, learn new things, and come into themselves. That’s why entering kindergarten is such a momentous occasion. It’s a big step that can spark a lifelong love of learning and provide the opportunity for your child to make new friends and have new experiences.

This guide will break down all of the items you need for your peanut’s first day of school, from picking out a backpack to selecting the best new outfits.

Selecting your kid’s backpack will be one of your most important decisions. It needs to withstand a lot of travel, jostling, and messy situations, yet be comfortable enough to carry between home and school and spacious enough to hold all of your child’s smaller items.

What’s more, the ideal backpack should allow your child to express their personal sense of style with fun colors and patterns.

To that end, here are a few things to consider if you’re wondering what size backpack is best for kindergarten:¹

• The size – Look for a bag that’s the same width as your child (it should fit comfortably between their shoulders) and about as long as they are (the bottom of the bag should sit just above the waistband of their pants). Anything longer may cause tripping or unnecessary neck and shoulder strain.

• Padding – Look for wide, nicely padded straps, as well as padding along the back to protect your peanut from any pokey objects in their bag, like the corners of books.

• Adjustable straps – Your little bookworm is constantly growing, so you’ll want a backpack that can grow with them. Adjust the straps so that your child can move their arms comfortably without feeling pinched. If there are waist or chest straps, tighten them enough to feel snug but not too tight (for reference, you should be able to slide two fingers between the strap and your child’s body with relative ease).

• Pockets – Built-in slots and compartments allow for easy organization and even weight distribution. Place the heaviest items closest to the back of the bag to avoid strain or discomfort.

• Enjoyment – Your peanut’s backpack should reflect who they are, whether that’s with their favorite color or their favorite character. Including your child in the purchase decision can also help teach autonomy and give them space to express themselves.

Packing your child’s lunch can be a joy, especially when you have a fun, well-organized kid's lunchbox. Here are a few guidelines to help you pick the right one for your kindergartener:

• Size – Look for a lunchbox big enough to hold your peanut’s lunch, plus a few snacks to keep them energized throughout the day. You may also want to consider how your child will carry their lunchbox, which can help you narrow your options. Will it go into their backpack? Clip to the outside? Or will they carry it?

• Durability – Like your child’s backpack, their lunchbox should be able to withstand a lot of action, especially since it’s holding food items. You’ll want a lunchbox with sturdy seams, a tear-resistant outer layer that cleans easily, and a well-insulated inner layer made out of a material like vinyl or aluminum.²

• Seal – You’ll also want a lunchbox that won’t leak in case the soup thermos comes undone or the juice box breaks. An easy way to test the seal is to fill the lunchbox with a quarter cup of water and shake it well.

Fueling your kindergartener is the key to keeping them engaged, happy, and learning. Healthy snack options that can keep them going all day long include:³

• Greek yogurt and berries

• “Ants on a log” (i.e. celery sticks with peanut butter and raisins)

• Trail mix

• Cut up fruit or veggies

The early years of school include plenty of opportunities for hands-on learning, which means plenty of coloring, crafting, and basic writing skills. While your little one's teacher may give out a list of school supplies, ensure your child’s pencil box includes:⁴

• Arts and crafts supplies – Prepare for the flood of artwork coming your way. Your little artist will probably need their own crayons and/or markers (stick to packs of standard colors to start), a smock or an old T-shirt to cover up and avoid messes, glue sticks, and a pair of child-safe scissors.

• Pencils, grips, and erasers – Basic No. 2 pencils are usually preferred, but if their little hands are struggling to hold a pencil, consider adding a few pencil grips or getting them a Jumbo pencil. Don’t forget about extra erasers and a manual pencil sharpener, too.

• Notebooks and paper – Your kindergartener’s teacher will specify the paper they’d prefer, whether lined or construction or just plain printer paper. However, a single notebook with wide lines is always a good option.

• Folders – Help keep your child’s school work, permission slips, and other important papers organized with plastic or sturdy paper folders.

School can be a messy place. These sanitary items can help keep your child (and the rest of your family) healthy and happy. Plus, they can set minds at ease when the unexpected happens: ⁴

• Hand sanitizers and wipes – Limit your child’s exposure to viruses and bacteria by packing antibacterial wipes or liquid hand sanitizer and teaching them to wipe down their desk each day.

• Tissues – Most teachers request a “tissue box donation” from parents to keep their stock topped off at all times in case of tears, sticky fingers, or sneezes.

• A full change of clothes —Teachers may request that their students have a backup outfit available in case their clothing gets soiled.

Both you and your child may have a lot of feelings as the first day of kindergarten gets closer. And that’s okay! Preparing for kindergarten is an important milestone: it’s your child’s first experience in “big kid school,” and maybe the first time they’ve been away from home (and you!) all day.

Preparing your child for their first day of kindergarten can help them feel confident and in control. Not to mention, it can help the two of you grow your communication skills.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Involve your new student in preparations – It’s important that your peanut is involved, especially when it comes to picking their kindergarten essentials. Take them shopping with you and get their input on big purchases like their backpack, lunchbox, and outfits. Let them pick colors and patterns so their items feel more personalized.⁵

• Practice the new routine – Your little bookworm may need a crash course in their new school schedule, especially morning and evening routines. Practicing this schedule a few weeks before school starts can help your child adjust on their own time and take some pressure off you on the first morning (when everyone’s feelings may be heightened).⁶

• Pack the night before – Teaching your little one to pack their bag the night before is a great habit to form early—that way, no one is scrambling in the morning. It may even be helpful to pack their bag a few times before the first day so that you can both learn how everything fits into their backpack.

• Give your child a preview of the first day – It may help ease your kiddo’s anxieties to give them a play-by-play on how their first day will go: what time they’ll get up, how drop-off works, and what time you’ll be there to pick them up at the end of the day. At home, you can familiarize a learning environment through an engaging lesson or learning activity that caters to the unique needs of kindergarteners, like counting activities or color recognition.

Sources: 

¹ Very Well Family. “How to Choose the Right Back-to-School Backpack.”

https://www.verywellfamily.com/choosing-the-right-school-backpack-4064666#toc-finding-the-optimal-fit

² Parents. “The Best Lunch Boxes for Kids to Keep Food Fresh All Day.”

https://www.parents.com/best-lunch-boxes-for-kids-7546672#toc-factors-to-consider-when-buying-a-lunch-box-for-kids

³ Healthline. “28 Healthy Snacks for Kids Will Love.”

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/healthy-snacks-for-kids

⁴ Parents. “Your School Supplies Checklist for Pre-K, Kindergarten, and First Grade.”

https://www.parents.com/kids/education/elementary-school/essential-back-to-school-supplies-for-pre-k-kindergarten-and-first/#toc-extra-supplies-for-kids

⁵ Parents. “8 Ways to Prepare Your Kid for the First Day of Kindergarten.”

https://www.parents.com/kids/education/kindergarten/first-day-of-kindergarten-ways-to-prepare

⁶ Johns Hopkins Medicine. “How to Get Your Child Ready for the First Day of Kindergarten.”

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/how-to-get-your-child-ready-for-the-first-day-of-kindergarten