School Supplies Buying Guide

Back to school. So many emotions. So much to do.

Without the right supplies, learning can be a challenge.  Luckily, shopping online during this hectic time may be more convenient than going to stores -- no waiting in lines, no empty shelves, and more time to have fun with your kids before they head back to the daily grind.  If you don't like crowds and want discounts, another option besides shopping online is doing some school supplies shopping "off-season," either in the beginning of summer or in the middle of the school year.  In August and September, large office supply stores are not the only option for school supplies; try comparing prices at other stores, such as Walmart.

If your child's school provides a checklist of recommended products, be sure to stick with that, but most large office supply stores have some checklists for classes and/or grades at local schools. Below is a roundup of some common back-to-school goods. Some supplies won't be needed til they're a few years into schooling (like graphing calculators  and protractors ) and others will be less important as the years go on (like construction paper  and glue sticks ). 

Caveat: schools are a breeding ground for germs so don't forget to give your child a pack of tissues  and some hand sanitizer .

Writing Utensils

It's not just No. 2 pencils anymore. The days of blackboards and placing an apple on the teacher's desk are fading into a vague memory. Kids now have a growing list of writing supplies: ballpoint pens, felt-tipped markers, pencils, highlighters, and mechanical pencils. Make sure your little one is well-stocked. Here are some common writing utensils needed in the modern classroom. 

Ballpoint Pens  Nothing beats a classic ballpoint pen for taking notes or doodling little hearts.	No. 2 Pencils  Perfect for filling in Scantrons and doing those ever-so-much-fun math equations. Get personalized  ones with a case  to make the school work a little more interesting.	Highlighters  As long as you own the book, highlighting makes studying a breeze	Felt-Tip Pens  These are great for making corrections or helping notes stand out.	Mechanical Pencils  No more sharpening pencils anymore. Welcome to the wave of the future.

Rubber Erasers  These come in handy when erasing your entire self-portrait sketch because your left eyebrow came out crooked.	Pencil Sharpener  An electric pencil sharpener is great for at home, but make sure you keep a portable  one in your backpack. Some even are two-hole pencil sharpeners	Pencil Case  Whether you're looking for Hello Kitty  for your daughter, a sports case for your son, or a leather case  for your "too-cool-for school" teen, these are essential.	Pencil Refills  Don't waste money buying an entire new pack of mechanical pencils, just get some handy refills.

Paper Goods

These days, being prepared for class demands far more than a folder full of loose leaf. You'll need some other essentials to facilitate the learning process and keep along the way. The standard spiral notebooks  and marble notebooks  are still necessary, but they are no longer simply red, blue, or black. Most companies offer stylish and colorful notebooks now, although beware: style comes at a price. The colorful notebooks are often double the price of the traditional black and white ones! Some products you may overlook but will most certainly need:

• A book for jotting down homework assignments
• Graph paper  for math class
• Index cards  and a holder  for them (grab the largest pack you can find if your child is taking any foreign language classes or learning vocab words!)

Spiral  and Composition Notebooks  For taking notes  or honing your doodle-making skills (preferably the former).	Assignment Notebooks  and Planners  Keep up with due dates and stay organized.	Graph  and Loose Leaf Paper  For keeping your binder stocked and math graphs neat.	Folders  Don't lose any of those important handouts, past tests, or quizzes.	Posterboard  This is great to have for all of those big projects where visual aids  are needed.

Organization Helpers

Teaching a child the importance of organization is no easy feat, but these products are excellent to help younger ones pick up the habit.

• Textbook covers are usually required to prevent any damage to the covers. However, book covers are no longer folded paper bags from the grocery store; now they come in almost any color and pattern imaginable.
• If your child has a locker, don't forget to stock up on locker shelves  and other organizational equipment to him or her find that pesky science book in time for fourth period! Make sure you know the size of the locker before buying shelves. Some lockers are tall and skinny, while others are short and more square-shaped. Photo pockets  are good for neat personalizing.

Book Covers  Covers will protect these tomes and help your child distinguish one book from another.	Mini Stapler ,Staple Removers  Has anyone seen my red stapler ? I believe you have my stapler.	Binders ,Hole Punchers ,Dividers  These promote organizational skills. Keep one binder for each class (go retro with a genuine Trapper Keeper !).	Post-Its ,Paper Clips  A simple Post-It or paper clip can keep important pages flagged for quick reference.	Locker Organizer  For what is most likely the messiest area of all.

Tools

QUICK TIP: Invest in a quality classic item just once (a Swingline stapler , a Texas Instruments calculator , a Jansport backpack , etc.) and spend your money on supplies that need a yearly update--notebooks ,writing tools ,planners .

Calculator  Scientific calculators are a must for older students.	Locks  Don't forget this little device on your locker.	Compass Pencil ,Protractor  Don't go to math class without these.	Dictionary ,Thesaurus ,Foreign Language Dictionary  Always keep these handy at home, or try getting pocket-sized ones to use during class.

Arts & Crafts Supplies

Whether it's art class or a special project that begs for an artistic touch, these products are important to have on hand, if you don't already. An art box  will make it easier for storing and carrying supplies. Want some more ideas on art and crafts? Check out our Arts and Crafts Guide .

Construction Paper  No child's project is complete without construction paper.	Washable Markers  Just in case little Timmy decides to showcase his artistic ability on the walls.	Colored Pencils  Perfect for artists of all ages!	Craft Paint   Try to find washable paint so there is less of a mess to clean up.

Crayons  How can you not buy your child a large box of crayons?	Safety Scissors  Great for little ones who are learning how to properly use scissors.	Glue Stick  An essential for making popsicle crafts.	Ruler  Perfect for art projects as well as Geometry class.

At-Home Must-Haves

A special project, a tough paper, the science fair -- who knows when your little one will be thrown a curve ball? Be prepared for those late-night cram sessions and projects.

Ribbon ,Pom Poms ,Glitter ,Pipe Cleaners  That presentation has turned into an artistic venture.	Report Covers  A good paper needs a good cover.	Printer Paper ,Ink Cartridges  Save the trip to a 24-hour printing store.	Storage Bin  Great to keep all these items consolidated and organized.

Electronics and Software

Technology is not just for adults anymore! Keep your kid up-to-date and educated on the latest technology. It's quickly evolving, and important to keep up with.

Netbook  Handwriting notes is becoming obsolete for older students. A netbook is small and portable and great to take to class.	Pen Text Scanner  Roll the pen over the text like you would with a highlighter and then download to your computer for instant notes.	Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop  This ergonomic keyboard has an optical mouse that works on just about any surface. Comfortable for long hours at the desktop computer.	Educational Software A great learning tool for the home. To learn more about this, please see our guide on Educational Software for Children.	Thumb Drive  These neat little devices can store your next presentation or homework assignment. Fits in your pocket and goes right into a USB port.

Backpacks  and Totes

You've got the goods. Next up: How will your little one get them all there? Try these products below. Make sure the backpack is comfortable to wear and is the right size for the course load your child will have. Check out UIHealthCare.com for information on safe backpack loads for children.

Lunch Totes  A step beyond the classic lunchbox, these totes are a bit more fashionable and not as clunky.	Roll Along Backpack  Doubles as a roll along and a backpack.	Laptop Backpacks  Designed to evenly distribute the weight of laptops, notebooks, binders, and books on your child's back to make carrying a bit easier.	Shoulder Bags  Not recommended for real little ones as they may interfere with balance, these totes are better for older, stronger children.

Related Guides

Back to School	School Lunches	Supplies for Teachers	Back-to-School Clothes for Kids

External Links

• About.com: Supplies for grades 10-12.
• iVillage.com: 8 ways to stock up for school.
• Staples.com: School supply list, divided by grades.
• RealSimple.com: Back-to-School 101.

International Resources

For this resource in your home country, please see:
ES: <a href="http://www.shopwiki.es/wiki/Herramientas+educativas+para+ninos">Herramientas educativas para niños</a><BR>