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
- A regular-sized backpack
A full-sized backpack may look huge on your kindergartener, but they’ll grow into it! Smaller-sized backpacks just don’t fit standard notebooks and folders, making them inconvenient to pack.
- A change of clothes
At this age, students have an easier time getting dirty than staying clean. Whether they have a bathroom accident, spill art supplies on themselves, or drop their lunch on their lap, having a clean change of clothes in their backpack or cubby can be a great comfort for them.
Pack the change of clothes in a Ziploc bag with your child’s name on it. And don’t forget to include undergarments!
- A composition notebook
Notebooks in a kindergarten classroom have to put up with a lot! They get written in, drawn in, glued onto, stapled into, and more. Composition notebooks are much sturdier than other types of notebooks, making them the go-to for kindergarten classrooms.
- Two boxes of pencils and a sharpener
This one is self-explanatory. Students need pencils! They’ll use pencils in nearly every lesson. And for students who want to be super prepared, a sharpener will keep their pencils ready for action.
- A pack of black dry-erase markers
Kindergarteners often spend a lot of time with whiteboards—especially when learning math. That’s why a good pack of dry-erase markers is a must! Keep them black to limit distraction.
- A box of crayons
Kindergarteners use crayons for learning and for play. Any type of thin crayon should do.
- A pencil case
Pencil cases help students keep all their writing utensils in one place for quick and easy access. They also protect backpacks from graphite and ink stains!
Unless your child’s school specifies the type of pencil case they require, any should do. However, hard plastic cases are recommended.
- A four-pack of glue sticks
Kindergarteners do many hands-on projects throughout the year. And whether they’re making a paper bag puppet for art class or designing a poster board for science, they’ll need plenty of glue sticks.
- A scissor
Kindergarteners will use scissors for various projects and classwork. Just make sure you buy a pair of child-safe scissors. Nothing too sharp!
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.
If you’re feeling generous, the following items can be extremely helpful for kindergarteners:
- Pump hand sanitizer – Kindergarteners get sick easily. A good supply of hand sanitizer in the classroom can protect your child and their classmates from germs.
- Tissues – When a child shows up to school with the sniffles, a box of tissues can make them more comfortable while also helping to prevent the spread of germs.
- Paper towel rolls – Kindergarten classrooms get messy! Since young children learn best with their hands, much of the year is spent doing messy, hands-on projects. Paper towels make cleanup easy!
- Gallon Ziploc bags – Teachers often use large Ziploc bags to store learning materials and individual students’ items. A good supply of these can greatly benefit classroom organization and storage.
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.