Kindergarten School Supply List
Build student confidence with this budget-friendly 2026 kindergarten list, featuring essential backpacks, notebooks, and classroom extras.
Author
Tess Loucka
Published:
April 2026
Key takeaways
- • Getting the right kindergarten school supplies can make children feel more confident on the first day of school.
- • Kindergarteners should have regular-sized backpacks that they can grow into, rather than mini backpacks that can’t fit normal school supplies.
- • Kindergarten school supplies don’t need to be high-end—shop at discount and second-hand stores to save money.
The transition from pre-school to kindergarten is a big one! Students face harder academic challenges, longer days, and higher social expectations in kindergarten. And on top of that, they may be in a completely new building with all new people.
No wonder the first day of kindergarten often makes students nervous!
Luckily, you can make the unknown a little less scary with a backpack full of all the right school supplies.
Not sure what the kindergarten school supplies list looks like?
If your child’s school hasn’t already provided you with a list, you can use the following kindergarten school supply list to make sure your child has everything they need to make it a great year.
Basic kindergarten supplies needed
Kindergarten School Supply List 2026
- Backpack (the proper size for your student to carry independently)
- A change of clothes
- 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)
- Composition notebooks (wide rule)
- Construction Paper (mixed colors)
- Pencil Case
- Tissues (several packs)
- Hand sanitizer
Table of contents
Helpful extras to make kindergarten easier
Besides the kindergarten school supply list for individual students, teachers often accept helpful extras that make life in the classroom run more smoothly.
Here are our teacher-recommended extras to make kindergarten easier:
- 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)
Where to purchase kindergarten school supplies
You can get kindergarten school supplies from various retailers—online or in person. Explore your local general store for supplies, or take a trip to chain retailers like Walmart, Staples, Office Depot, Target, and Walgreens.
Keep in mind that school supplies can get pricey. Luckily, they don’t have to be perfect. They just need to get the job done!
If you’re checking off your kindergarten school supplies list on a budget, don’t hesitate to check out more affordable options at discount or second-hand stores in your area!
Want to know more about kindergarten expectations? Explore online curricula, math apps, and other kindergarten resources for more information.
About the Author
Tess Loucka
Tess Loucka discovered her passion for writing in high school and has not stopped writing since. Combined with her love of numbers, she became a math and English tutor, focusing on middle- and high-school-level topics. Since graduating from Hunter College, her goal has been to use her writing to spread knowledge and the joy of learning to readers of all ages.