1st grade school supply list
Here are the school supplies your 1st grader needs to start the year organized, prepared, and excited to learn!
Author
Katie Wickliff
Published:
July 2025
Key takeaways
- • The right supplies will set 1st graders up for success in their new classrooms.
- • School supplies requirements vary, so use our list as a helpful guide.
- • Involving your 1st grader in school supply shopping is a great way to build excitement.
Starting 1st grade is an important and exciting milestone for kids! Many feel proud to have “graduated” from kindergarten and are eager to take this next step. However, even with some school experience under their belts, it’s normal for 1st graders to feel a little (or a lot!) nervous as they begin a new school year with new teachers, a different classroom, and an unfamiliar routine.
Though it might seem like a small component of starting 1st grade, one way to set kids up for a successful first-grade year is by being prepared with important school supplies they’ll need to hit the ground running.
We’re here to make your back-to-school shopping easier with our guide to 1st grade school supplies. Let’s get started!
Basic first grade supplies needed
The basic 1st grade supplies can vary from school to school, but most classrooms require students to have several important items for writing, coloring, staying organized, and taking care of themselves. These basic supplies help children manage their work and belongings throughout the day, fostering independence– an essential skill for 1st graders to develop.
Having the right school supplies gives students a sense of preparedness, helping them feel confident and ready to take on new challenges. Most schools will have a specific supplies list for parents and caregivers to follow, but this checklist of teacher-recommended essentials will give you a general idea of what school supplies 1st graders need:
1st Grade Supply List
- Backpack (the proper size for your student to carry independently)
- Lunchbox or bag (reusable)
- Pencils (#2, already sharpened)
- Pencil grips
- Erasers (large pink erasers or pencil top)
- Colored Pencils
- Crayons (24 pack)
- Washable Markers
- Dry Erase Markers
- Glue Sticks
- Safety Scissors (child sized, blunt tip)
- Folders (made of a durable plastic material–paper folders tend to rip easily)
- Spiral notebooks (wide rule)
- Composition notebooks (wide rule)
- Construction Paper (mixed colors)
- Pencil Case
- Binder (3-ring)
- Tissues (several packs)
- Hand sanitizer
Helpful extras to make first grade easier
Although having the basic supplies is essential, a few extra items can make your child’s school day run even smoother. Although you should never feel pressured to purchase items that aren’t on your specific school’s list, teachers appreciate anything that improves the overall flow and feeling in their classroom. Here are our teacher-recommended extras to make first grade easier:
- Extra set of clothes (remember to change these out as your child grows)
- Rest mat (or towel, blanket)
- Art smock (or old tee shirt)
- Small whiteboard
- Small pencil sharpener
- Waterbottle
- Sticky notes
- Headphones (child sized)
- Paper towels
- Extra snacks
- Small comfort item (fidget, small stuffed animal, keychain, photo)
Table of contents
Where to purchase 1st grade school supplies
Parents and caregivers have many options when deciding where to buy school supplies. Online retailers like Amazon carry millions of items, making it easy to find everything on your list. If you prefer to shop in-store (and bring your child along to get them excited!), stores like Walmart, Target, Dollar Tree, or Staples offer wide selections at different price points. Many school districts also offer school supply drives or partner with community organizations to provide students with the right materials. Every child deserves to start school prepared!
FAQs
While school supply lists vary, the basic items 1st graders need are generally similar. Materials like pencils, notebooks, crayons, markers, scissors, glue sticks, and erasers are at the top of most lists.
Depending on what each student is required to bring, 1st grade classrooms need a variety of materials to help students learn and grow. Some basic items include: books, art supplies, educational posters, and learning tools like number cubes or educational board games.
First grade consists of learning, growing, and plenty of fun! First graders are curious and excited to learn, so teachers and parents can harness that energy by offering plenty of interactive, hands-on opportunities. Be sure to check out Dreambox Math– a visually engaging, personalized math program that makes learning fun.
Basic school supplies usually include pencils, erasers, crayons, glue sticks, scissors, notebooks, folders, a ruler, and a pencil box or pouch. Students will also need a backpack to keep their work organized. Many classrooms also appreciate tissues, hand sanitizer, cleaning wipes, and paper towels.
About the Author
Katie Wickliff
Katie holds a master’s degree in Education, has over 15 years of education experience as a primary classroom teacher, and is Orton-Gillingham certified tutor. Most importantly, Katie is the mother of two primary school students, ages 8 and 11. She is passionate about maths education and firmly believes that the right tools and support will help every student reach their full potential.
