If you are looking for a back to school checklist, look no further. This printable is sure to help keep you organized and on top of your back-to-school preparations.
The new school year always sneaks up on me. To keep myself organized and ensure I have got everything done and ready, I created a back to school checklist. This checklist is for parents to ensure they have all the necessities done to start the new school year.
On this checklist, you will find items you may need to buy and tasks you need to complete before the kiddos head back to the classroom. For example, buying and labeling school supplies, getting haircuts, and buying school clothes, to name a few.
If you prefer to create your own back to school checklist, I also have a blank list for you to write in your own items.
This post is all about a back to school checklist.
Back to School Checklist
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This back to school checklist is separated into two groups: things to buy and things to do.
Things to Buy
1. Backpack
Inspect your child’s old backpack and see if they are in need of a new one or not. Is the zipper still working, and will it be large enough for their new grade and supplies?
2. Lunch Box
If your child takes a lunch from home every day, they may be in need of a new lunch box. If they regularly take school lunch, you may still want to pick up some brown paper bags for field trip lunches.
3. Ice Packs
If your child takes a lunch, they may also need ice packs. Somehow, I swear we lose ice packs throughout the year (really not sure how this happens), so I always stock up before the new school year.
Bentgo Ice Lunch Chillers
4. Lunch Containers
Another item for a packed lunch that you may need is storage containers. I love these twist cap ones because it is easy for my littles to get off and twist back on, so food does not spill in their lunchbox.
OXO Good Grips
Ziploc Twist ‘n Loc
5. School Supplies
Check on your child’s school website for a school supply list. This will be specific to their school and grade.
6. Water Bottle
Your kiddo will need a water bottle every day, so check if they are in need of a new one or if their water bottle from last year is still holding up.
Owala Water Bottle
Hydro Flask Kids Water Bottle
7. New Shoes
Has your child’s foot grown since last school year? If your child’s feet grow as fast as my kids’ seem to grow, then chances are you may need to get them some new shoes to start the year. If they play a fall sport, see if they need new cleats or tennis shoes.
8. New Clothes
Time to go through your child’s closet and see what fits and what they may need more of and take them school clothes shopping!
9. Snacks/Lunch Food
Time to stock up the pantry with snacks and lunch foods. If you send a snack to school with your child each day, you may want to pick up some allergy-friendly ones, such as these Made Good bites, just in case they have a classmate with an allergy.
Things to Do
In addition to buying items for the new school year, there are also some important things you need to get done.
1. Schedule Doctor Appointments
Call your child’s pediatrician and schedule their yearly check-up. If your child plans to play a sport in the fall, they may even need a physical in order to play.
2. Schedule Dentist Appointments
Just like their yearly doctor checkup, call and see when they are due for their next teeth cleaning. If you can get them in before the school year starts, that is one less day they have to miss.
3. Refill Medications to Keep at School
If your child takes a medication and will need it at school, make sure to get it refilled before the school year starts.
4. Label School Supplies
Once you’ve purchased all of your child’s school supplies, you’ll need to label them. I like to order sticker labels from Etsy that have my child’s name on them to speed this process up. If you do not want to buy labels, you can also just write their name on tape or blank labels and stick them to their supplies.
5. Add Money to Your Child’s Lunch Account
Time to log in to your child’s school account and check their lunch balance. If their account is low, make sure to load money onto it so they are set for the first week of school.
6. Sign up for Fall Sports
Does your child like to play a sport in the fall such as volleyball, cross country, football or softball? If so, make sure you get them signed up before the deadline. They may also need a physical in order to play so make sure to look into that when signing them up.
7. Fill Out School Forms
At the start of every school year, we get loads of paperwork to fill out for our kiddos. Check online to see if all of your paperwork is up to date, and if any documents are needed for submission such as immunization records or other health forms. It is so much easier to get it done during the summer than the chaotic first week back to school.
8. Get Haircuts
It is almost back to school, which means school pictures are right around the corner. This is a great time to get the kids a haircut.
9. Figure Out After School Care
If you are going to be in need of after-school care, it is best to start figuring that out now. Many programs that offer care after school oftentimes fill up fast.
Blank Checklist
If you like to write your own more specific list of things to buy and things to do, I’ve also included a printable in which you can do that.
Printable Back to School Checklist
Here is the free back-to-school checklist printable for you to download and print!
This Post Was All About A Back To School Checklist
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