Back-to-school supplies checklist to help you shop for school supplies
Back-to-school supplies checklist to help you shop for school supplies
We're finding the best backpacks for back to school with *** little help from our Hearse partners at Good Housekeeping. When we test kids' backpacks, we are looking at how durable the fabric is. We're looking at the organization and the compartments and how much you can hold for an appropriate age level. Lexi Sacks has been testing kids' backpacks for over *** decade in Good Housekeeping's textiles lab, and she makes sure kids get in on the decision making too. We want to make sure that they like the designs, that they fit well on their bodies. And that they're comfortable to wear all day. Here are this year's top picks. First, LL Bean's original book pack stood out for being lightweight and durable. It cost about $40 and was named best overall. All the fabric aced are abrasion test. It has padding in the straps and in the back, so it'll be more comfortable to wear against children's bodies. The McKenzie backpack by Pottery Barn Kids was named Best for Elementary School. It starts around $50 and comes in *** variety of styles and sizes. But what's great about this backpack compared to so many others I've tried is the fact that it has these curved straps on the back. The curved shape here is what helps with the ergonomic support, and it also has this chest clip which helps offset some of that weight. There's even *** rolling version, so this is great for kids who prefer to roll it through school rather than carrying it on their backs. And there's also an adaptable. Version which goes on *** wheelchair or *** walker. Columbia's zigzag backpack was named best for middle and high school kids. It's about $60. It can hold such *** large load, which we know is so important, and beyond that, it has good organization inside. So there is this laptop compartment. It is fleece lined and padded to really keep it secure, and it has separate compartments. So that you can organize everything you need to throughout the day. But the most popular pick, it's an oldie but *** goodie. Jan Sports Super break backpack, which costs under $40. The 90s are back and backpacks are no exception to that, so really great for the teens and tweens, lots of different colors, so it comes in really pretty shades for every preference. No matter what backpack you choose for your child, Good Housekeeping recommends paying attention to things like the size, the number of compartments, and the support features. Generally they recommend spending between $30 to $60 for *** good one that will stand the test of time. In Washington, I'm Amy Lou.
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Back-to-school supplies checklist to help you shop for school supplies
There will be a little less spending on school supplies this year across the U.S. That’s according to a survey conducted by the National Retail Federation, which revealed consumer spending will average $858.07, a 2% decrease from last year. With this in mind, we wanted to give parents an assist with a school supplies list for each level of schooling through high school. Our partners at Good Housekeeping are behind these lists, and you can view their supplies list here if you’d like. Use the navigator below to go to the grade level you’d like to view. Mobile app users, click here first.Kindergarten Supplies | Elementary School Supplies: Grade 1- 3 | Elementary School Supplies Grades 4 -5 | Middle School & High School Supplies Kindergarten SuppliesPencil boxAmazon - Pack of four for $10Walmart -Plastic Pencil Box for $1CrayonsAmazon - 4-pack of 24 crayons for $9Walmart - 6-pack of 24 crayons for $9Colored pencilsAmazon - 36-count colored pencils set for $5Walmart - 50-count colored pencils set for $8Washable markersAmazon - 40-count markers box for $15Walmart - 10-count markers box for $3No. 2 pencilsAmazon - Box of 30 for $4.50Walmart - Box of 24 for $4.50Pencil gripsAmazon - Box of 12 for $6Walmart - Box of 12 for $8Pencil sharpener Amazon - Pack of 4 sharpeners for $5.50Walmart - Pack of 3 twist-and-sharp sharpeners for $7Glue sticksAmazon - Box of 30 glue sticks for $6.29Walmart - Box of 30 glue sticks for $9ErasersAmazon - Pack of 12 for $6.99Walmart - Pack of 12 for $9.50Blunt-tipped scissorsAmazon - Pack of three for $9.89Walmart - Pack of two for $1.57Plastic foldersAmazon - Pack of 12 for $11.50Walmart - Pack of six for $12.77Wide-ruled notebook or padAmazon - Pack of five composition notebooks for $15Walmart - Pack of six spiral notebooks for $9TissuesAmazon - Eight family boxes that have 124 tissues per box for $13Walmart - Six boxes that have 120 tissues per box for $10BackpackAmazon - 2-in-1 backpack and insulated lunch bag for $35Walmart - Paw Patrol backpack for $18Assorted construction paperAmazon - 240 count of construction paper for $16Walmart - 240 count of construction paper for $6Lunchbox or bagAmazon - Bentgo Kids lunch box for $30Walmart - Bento lunch box for $8Elementary School Supplies: Grades 1 -3 Pencil boxAmazon - Pencil case for $8Walmart - Pencil case for $11CrayonsAmazon - 4-pack of 24 crayons for $8Walmart - 6-pack of 24 crayons for $9Colored pencilsAmazon - 36-count colored pencils set for $5Walmart - 50-count colored pencils set for $8Washable markersAmazon - 40-count markers box for $15Walmart - 10-count markers box for $3No. 2 pencilsAmazon - Box of 30 for $4.50Walmart - Box of 24 for $4.50Pencil gripsAmazon - Box of 12 for $6Walmart - Box of 12 for $8Pencil sharpenerAmazon - Personal electric pencil sharpener for $16Walmart - Electric pencil sharpener for $25Glue sticksAmazon - Box of 30 glue sticks for $6Walmart - Box of 30 glue sticks for $9ErasersAmazon - Pack of 12 for $7Walmart - Pack of 12 for $9.50Index cardsAmazon - 300 count for $5Walmart - 300 count of assorted colors for $4Blunt-tipped scissorsAmazon - Pack of three for $9.89Walmart - Pack of two for $1.57Plastic foldersAmazon - Pack of 12 for $11.50Walmart - Pack of six for $12.77Wide-ruled notebook or padAmazon - Pack of 12 for $28Walmart - Pack of 2 for $6TissuesAmazon - Eight family boxes that have 124 tissues per box for $13Walmart - Six boxes that have 120 tissues per box for $10BackpackAmazon - Super Mario backpack for $25Walmart - Star Wars backpack with lunch tote bag for $23Assorted construction paperAmazon - 240 count of construction paper for $16Walmart - 240 count of construction paper for $6Lunchbox or bagAmazon - Bentgo Kids lunch box for $30Walmart - Bento lunch box for $8RulerAmazon - Pack of seven rulers for $6Walmart - Pack of four rulers for $8Elementary School Supplies: Grades 4 - 5Pencil pouchAmazon - Pencil case for $8Walmart - Pencil pouch for $6No. 2 pencilsAmazon - Box of 30 for $3Walmart - Box of 24 for $4Pencil sharpenerAmazon - Personal electric pencil sharpener for $17Walmart - Electric pencil sharpener for $25HighlightersAmazon - Pack of 12 Sharpie highlighters for $10Walmart - Pack of 12 Sharpie highlighters for $7Washable markersAmazon - 40-count markers box for $15Walmart - 10-count markers box for $3ErasersAmazon - Pack of 12 for $7Walmart - Pack of 12 for $9.50Personal organizer/calendarAmazon - Planner for $8Walmart - Planner for $11Three-ring binderAmazon - Pack of four binders for $20Walmart - Pack of four binders for $18Three-hole-punchAmazon - Three-hole punch with a 10-sheet capacity for $11Walmart - Three-hole punch with a 10-sheet capacity for $14Loose-leaf paper or spiral notebooksAmazon - Pack of six Five Star spiral notebooks for $18Walmart - Five Star paper for $3.25Plastic foldersAmazon - Pack of 12 for $11.50Walmart - Pack of six for $12.77GlueAmazon - Box of 30 glue sticks for $7Walmart - Box of 30 glue sticks for $9 CalculatorAmazon - Scientific calculator for $10Walmart - Scientific calculator for $10Blue or black ballpoint pensAmazon - Pack of 24 black retractable pens for $10Walmart - Pack of 60 ballpoint pens for $7Book coversAmazon - Pack of three for $10Walmart - Stretchable book cover for $13Index cardsAmazon - 300 count for $5Walmart - 300 count of assorted colors for $4RulerAmazon - Pack of seven rulers for $5Walmart - Pack of four rulers for $8Subject dividersAmazon - Pack of eight tabs for $7Walmart - Pack of eight tabs for $5BackpackAmazon - Jansport backpack for $32Walmart - Eastsport backpack for $19Lunchbox or bagAmazon - Bentgo Kids lunch box for $30Walmart - Bento lunch box for $8 Middle School and High School SuppliesPencil pouchAmazon - Pencil case for $8Walmart - Pencil pouch for $6 Blue or black ballpoint pensAmazon - Box of 36 blue and black pens for $8Walmart - Box of 36 blue and black pens for $11No. 2 pencilsAmazon - Box of 30 for $4Walmart - Box of 24 for $4Pencil sharpenerAmazon - Personal electric pencil sharpener for $15Walmart - Electric pencil sharpener for $25HighlightersAmazon - Pack of 12 Sharpie highlighters for $10Walmart - Pack of 12 Sharpie highlighters for $7Permanent markersAmazon - Pack of five for $5Walmart - Pack of five for $5ErasersAmazon - Pack of 12 for $7Walmart - Pack of 12 for $9.50Personal organizer/calendarAmazon - Planner for $5.50Walmart - Planner for $11Three-ring binderAmazon - Pack of four binders for $20Walmart - Pack of four binders for $18Three-hole-punchAmazon - Three-hole punch with a 10-sheet capacity for $11Walmart - Three-hole punch with a 10-sheet capacity for $14Loose-leaf paper or spiral notebooksAmazon - Pack of six Five Star spiral notebooks for $18Walmart - Five Star paper for $3.25 Graph paperAmazon - Pack of 80 sheets for $9Walmart - Pack of 55 sheets for $8White-outAmazon - Pack of four for $6Walmart - Pack of four for $5ProtractorAmazon - Protractor for $5Walmart - Protractor and 12-inch metal compass for $7 RulerAmazon - Pack of seven rulers for $5Walmart - Pack of four rulers for $8 ScissorsAmazon - Pair of scissors (2) for $10Walmart - Pair of scissors for $7Graphing calculatorAmazon - Texas Instruments TI-84 graphing calculator (refurbished) for $95Walmart - Texas Instruments TI-84 graphing calculator for $85Combination lockAmazon - Pack of two combination locks for $8Walmart - Pack of one Master Lock combination lock for $6Book coversAmazon - Pack of three for $10Walmart - Stretchable book cover for $13 Plastic foldersAmazon - Pack of four for $10Walmart - Pack of six for $12.77 GlueAmazon - Box of 30 glue sticks for $6Walmart - Box of 30 glue sticks for $9Post-it NotesAmazon - Pack of 8 for $9Walmart - Pack of 8 for $9Subject dividersAmazon - Pack of eight tabs for $6Walmart - Pack of eight tabs for $6Index cardsAmazon - 300 count for $6Walmart - 300 count of assorted colors for $4BackpackAmazon - Backpack for $18Walmart - JanSport backpack for $31Lunchbox or bagAmazon - Lunch bag for $14Walmart - Lunch bag for $10
There will be a little less spending on school supplies this year across the U.S. That’s according to a survey conducted by the National Retail Federation, which revealed consumer spending will average $858.07, a 2% decrease from last year.
With this in mind, we wanted to give parents an assist with a school supplies list for each level of schooling through high school. Our partners at are behind these lists, and you can if you’d like.
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Use the navigator below to go to the grade level you’d like to view. Mobile app users, click here first.
Kindergarten Supplies | Elementary School Supplies: Grade 1- 3 | Elementary School Supplies Grades 4 -5 | Middle School & High School Supplies
Kindergarten Supplies
- Pencil box
- - Pack of four for $10
- -Plastic Pencil Box for $1
- Crayons
- - 4-pack of 24 crayons for $9
- - 6-pack of 24 crayons for $9
- Colored pencils
- - 36-count colored pencils set for $5
- - 50-count colored pencils set for $8
- Washable markers
- - 40-count markers box for $15
- - 10-count markers box for $3
- No. 2 pencils
- - Box of 30 for $4.50
- - Box of 24 for $4.50
- Pencil grips
- - Box of 12 for $6
- - Box of 12 for $8
- Pencil sharpener
- - Pack of 4 sharpeners for $5.50
- - Pack of 3 twist-and-sharp sharpeners for $7
- Glue sticks
- - Box of 30 glue sticks for $6.29
- - Box of 30 glue sticks for $9
- Erasers
- - Pack of 12 for $6.99
- - Pack of 12 for $9.50
- Blunt-tipped scissors
- - Pack of three for $9.89
- - Pack of two for $1.57
- Plastic folders
- - Pack of 12 for $11.50
- - Pack of six for $12.77
- Wide-ruled notebook or pad
- - Pack of five composition notebooks for $15
- - Pack of six spiral notebooks for $9
- Tissues
- - Eight family boxes that have 124 tissues per box for $13
- - Six boxes that have 120 tissues per box for $10
- Backpack
- - 2-in-1 backpack and insulated lunch bag for $35
- - Paw Patrol backpack for $18
- Assorted construction paper
- - 240 count of construction paper for $16
- - 240 count of construction paper for $6
- Lunchbox or bag
- - Bentgo Kids lunch box for $30
- - Bento lunch box for $8
Elementary School Supplies: Grades 1 -3
- Pencil box
- - Pencil case for $8
- - Pencil case for $11
- Crayons
- - 4-pack of 24 crayons for $8
- - 6-pack of 24 crayons for $9
- Colored pencils
- - 36-count colored pencils set for $5
- - 50-count colored pencils set for $8
- Washable markers
- - 40-count markers box for $15
- - 10-count markers box for $3
- No. 2 pencils
- - Box of 30 for $4.50
- - Box of 24 for $4.50
- Pencil grips
- - Box of 12 for $6
- - Box of 12 for $8
- Pencil sharpener
- - Personal electric pencil sharpener for $16
- - Electric pencil sharpener for $25
- Glue sticks
- - Box of 30 glue sticks for $6
- - Box of 30 glue sticks for $9
- Erasers
- - Pack of 12 for $7
- - Pack of 12 for $9.50
- Index cards
- - 300 count for $5
- - 300 count of assorted colors for $4
- Blunt-tipped scissors
- - Pack of three for $9.89
- - Pack of two for $1.57
- Plastic folders
- - Pack of 12 for $11.50
- - Pack of six for $12.77
- Wide-ruled notebook or pad
- - Pack of 12 for $28
- - Pack of 2 for $6
- Tissues
- - Eight family boxes that have 124 tissues per box for $13
- - Six boxes that have 120 tissues per box for $10
- Backpack
- - Super Mario backpack for $25
- - Star Wars backpack with lunch tote bag for $23
- Assorted construction paper
- - 240 count of construction paper for $16
- - 240 count of construction paper for $6
- Lunchbox or bag
- - Bentgo Kids lunch box for $30
- - Bento lunch box for $8
- Ruler
- - Pack of seven rulers for $6
- - Pack of four rulers for $8
Elementary School Supplies: Grades 4 - 5
- Pencil pouch
- - Pencil case for $8
- - Pencil pouch for $6
- No. 2 pencils
- - Box of 30 for $3
- - Box of 24 for $4
- Pencil sharpener
- - Personal electric pencil sharpener for $17
- - Electric pencil sharpener for $25
- Highlighters
- - Pack of 12 Sharpie highlighters for $10
- - Pack of 12 Sharpie highlighters for $7
- Washable markers
- - 40-count markers box for $15
- - 10-count markers box for $3
- Erasers
- - Pack of 12 for $7
- - Pack of 12 for $9.50
- Personal organizer/calendar
- - Planner for $8
- - Planner for $11
- Three-ring binder
- - Pack of four binders for $20
- - Pack of four binders for $18
- Three-hole-punch
- - Three-hole punch with a 10-sheet capacity for $11
- - Three-hole punch with a 10-sheet capacity for $14
- Loose-leaf paper or spiral notebooks
- - Pack of six Five Star spiral notebooks for $18
- - Five Star paper for $3.25
- Plastic folders
- - Pack of 12 for $11.50
- - Pack of six for $12.77
- Glue
- - Box of 30 glue sticks for $7
- - Box of 30 glue sticks for $9
- Calculator
- - Scientific calculator for $10
- - Scientific calculator for $10
- Blue or black ballpoint pens
- - Pack of 24 black retractable pens for $10
- - Pack of 60 ballpoint pens for $7
- Book covers
- - Pack of three for $10
- - Stretchable book cover for $13
- Index cards
- - 300 count for $5
- - 300 count of assorted colors for $4
- Ruler
- - Pack of seven rulers for $5
- - Pack of four rulers for $8
- Subject dividers
- - Pack of eight tabs for $7
- - Pack of eight tabs for $5
- Backpack
- - Jansport backpack for $32
- - Eastsport backpack for $19
- Lunchbox or bag
- - Bentgo Kids lunch box for $30
- - Bento lunch box for $8
Middle School and High School Supplies
- Pencil pouch
- - Pencil case for $8
- - Pencil pouch for $6
- Blue or black ballpoint pens
- - Box of 36 blue and black pens for $8
- - Box of 36 blue and black pens for $11
- No. 2 pencils
- - Box of 30 for $4
- - Box of 24 for $4
- Pencil sharpener
- - Personal electric pencil sharpener for $15
- - Electric pencil sharpener for $25
- Highlighters
- - Pack of 12 Sharpie highlighters for $10
- - Pack of 12 Sharpie highlighters for $7
- Permanent markers
- - Pack of five for $5
- - Pack of five for $5
- Erasers
- - Pack of 12 for $7
- - Pack of 12 for $9.50
- Personal organizer/calendar
- - Planner for $5.50
- - Planner for $11
- Three-ring binder
- - Pack of four binders for $20
- - Pack of four binders for $18
- Three-hole-punch
- - Three-hole punch with a 10-sheet capacity for $11
- - Three-hole punch with a 10-sheet capacity for $14
- Loose-leaf paper or spiral notebooks
- - Pack of six Five Star spiral notebooks for $18
- - Five Star paper for $3.25
- Graph paper
- - Pack of 80 sheets for $9
- - Pack of 55 sheets for $8
- White-out
- - Pack of four for $6
- - Pack of four for $5
- Protractor
- - Protractor for $5
- - Protractor and 12-inch metal compass for $7
- Ruler
- - Pack of seven rulers for $5
- - Pack of four rulers for $8
- Scissors
- - Pair of scissors (2) for $10
- - Pair of scissors for $7
- Graphing calculator
- - Texas Instruments TI-84 graphing calculator (refurbished) for $95
- - Texas Instruments TI-84 graphing calculator for $85
- Combination lock
- - Pack of two combination locks for $8
- - Pack of one Master Lock combination lock for $6
- Book covers
- - Pack of three for $10
- - Stretchable book cover for $13
- Plastic folders
- - Pack of four for $10
- - Pack of six for $12.77
- Glue
- - Box of 30 glue sticks for $6
- - Box of 30 glue sticks for $9
- Post-it Notes
- - Pack of 8 for $9
- - Pack of 8 for $9
- Subject dividers
- - Pack of eight tabs for $6
- - Pack of eight tabs for $6
- Index cards
- - 300 count for $6
- - 300 count of assorted colors for $4
- Backpack
- - Backpack for $18
- - JanSport backpack for $31
- Lunchbox or bag
- - Lunch bag for $14
- - Lunch bag for $10
