Back-to-school means it's time to buy a new crop of school supplies, but every age and grade requires something slightly different. And while every school and teacher may have additional items not found here, or perhaps they don't require things that are included here, this school supplies list for grades kindergarten through fourth is a great place to start your school supply shopping, and it's organized by grade for easy navigation. Don't forget a backpack, lunchbox and water bottle, and your school-bound child will be set up for success!

Kids with backpacks running into school

©Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com

Basic School Supplies List for Kindergarten

  • Pencil box
  • Markers
  • Crayons
  • Colored pencils
  • Glue sticks
  • #2 pencils
  • Rubber eraser
  • Pencil-top erasers
  • Blunt-tip scissors
  • Wide-rule composition books
  • 3-prong pocket folders
  • Kleenex
  • Clorox wipes

MWT Tip: You can often find supply kits that are already built. Places like Teacher Tailored Kits and even Amazon have grade-appropriate kits already built. Here is the kindergarten kit on Amazon.

Basic School Supplies List for First Grade

  • Pencil box
  • Markers
  • Crayons
  • Colored pencils
  • Glue sticks
  • #2 pencils
  • Rubber eraser
  • Pencil-top erasers
  • Blunt-tip scissors
  • 12-inch ruler
  • Wide-rule spiral notebook
  • Wide-rule composition books
  • 3-prong pocket folders
  • Kleenex
  • Clorox wipes

You can find the Amazon pre-built first grade box here.

Basic School Supplies List for Second Grade

  • 3-prong pocket folders
  • Wide-ruled notebook paper
  • Wide-ruled spiral notebooks
  • Wide-ruled composition notebook
  • Crayons
  • Colored pencils
  • Glue sticks
  • Pencil box or pouch
  • Pink erasers
  • Pencils
  • Pencil-top erasers
  • Blunt-tip scissors
  • Kleenex
  • Clorox wipes

You can find the Amazon pre-built second grade box here.

Little boy with glasses holding a backpack in front of a chalkboard.

©Sharomka/Shutterstock.com

Basic School Supplies List for Third Grade

  • Pencils
  • Pens
  • Crayons
  • Markers
  • Colored pencils
  • Highlighters
  • Glue sticks
  • Pencil box or pouch
  • Composition notebooks
  • Spiral-bound notebooks
  • Index cards
  • 12-inch ruler
  • Scissors
  • Erasers
  • Pencil-top erasers
  • 3-prong pocket folders
  • Kleenex
  • Clorox wipes

You can find the Amazon pre-built third grade box here.

Basic School Supplies List for Fourth Grade

  • Crayons
  • Markers
  • Colored pencils
  • #2 pencils
  • Erasers
  • Pencil-top erasers
  • Pens
  • Dry-erase markers
  • Highlighters
  • Black Sharpie
  • Pencil box or pouch
  • 3-prong pocket folders
  • 1-inch binder
  • Wide-ruled spiral notebooks
  • Wide-ruled composition notebooks
  • Wide-ruled notebook paper
  • Index cards
  • Dividers
  • Scissors
  • 12-inch ruler
  • Kleenex
  • Clorox wipes

You can find the Amazon pre-built box for fourth grade here.

©Carlos Caetano/Shutterstock.com

About the Author

Follow Me On:

LinkedIn Logo