The Back-to-School Hall of Fame
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Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers
Back-to-school shopping has become an end-of-summer event. We should know: There are 13 parents on staff at the Strategist with kids ranging in age from newborn to teenage. Collectively, we have wrangled a lot of school-supplies lists year in and year out. To help make it a little easier to get your own students ready for the upcoming academic year, we've rounded up 100 essential items in every category you can think of — from the best backpacks and indestructible sneakers to the water bottles we buy on repeat — all Strategist approved.
Bulk-Buy Organic T-Shirts
Sports Socks
Uniform Shirt
Uniform Chinos
Tween-Favorite Sneakers
Kid-Size Owala
PlanetBox Rover Stainless-Steel Lunch Box
Matching Lunch Bag
Monogrammable Lunch Bag
Preschooler-Friendly Bento
Stainless-Steel Snack Container
Silicone Snack Bags
Stay-Warm Food Jar
Little-Kid Water Bottle
Eva Chen's Everything Pouches
Jon Klassen's Tape Dispenser
Tape You Can Draw On
Tape You Can Craft With
Art Cart
Supply Caddy
All-Ages Academic Planner
All-Purpose Index Cards
The Only Label Maker
Giant Post-It Pad
Magnetic White Board
Routine Helper
Accurate Thermometer
Purell to Keep by the Door
Photo:
Purell to Keep on Backpacks
Tin Can
Retro Sneakers for Preschoolers
Indestructible Sneakers
No-Tie Sneakers
Low-Top Nikes
High-Top Nikes
Rainy-Day Umbrella
Easy-on Rainboots
Lightweight Rain Jacket
Lightweight Puffer
Down Jacket
School Commuter
Wool Vest for Layering
Fuzzy Neck Warmer
No-Screen Digital Camera
Task Timer
Classic Backpack
Trendy Backpack
Nike Backpack
Junior Backpack
Floral Lunch Bag
No-Mess Crayons
Mini-Markers
Photo:
Paint Markers
Fine-Art Colored Pencils
Sketch Pads
Ream of Paper
Classic No. 2 Pencils
Delightful Pencil Sharpener
Silly Pencil Case
No-Smudge Erasers
Fidget Toy
Photo:
Study-Break Game
Study-Break Book
Weekly News Read
Audio Player and Alarm Clock in One
Fiskars Micro-Tip 5 Inch Scissors
Wacky Scissors
Safety Scissors
Nice-Smelling Hand Sanitizer
Charmed Hand-Sanitizer Cover
Modern Chair
Convertible Table-Chair
Table-Top Book Organizer
Art Cabinet
Magnetic Tape
Classic Notebook
Vellum Paper
Trusty Laminator
Laminator Pouches
Mini-Notepads
Box of Sharpies
Box of Glue Sticks
Hot Glue Gun
Booklet Stapler
No-Mess Wite-Out Tape
Little-Kid Lunch Box
Toddler-Favorite Water Bottle
Hot/Cold Lunch Box
Stay-Cold Water Bottle
Compostable Sandwich Baggies
$9.99 for 50 at Grove Collaborative
Labels for Everything
Homework Folders
Smoothest Gel Pens
Endless Paper Roll
Family Digital Assistant
Classic Crocs
All-Terrain Sandals
Flashy Basketball Shoes
Colorful Joggers
No-Plastic Water Bottle
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here . We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
