Savvy School Supply Shopping

Aug 17, 2025 | Education

Savvy School Supply Shopping

Back-to-School shopping marks a fresh start. There's something special about new clothes, new shoes, new markers, and new notebooks that signals growth and change. More than January 1st, a new school year can feel like anything's possible.

Back-to-School Shopping Mantras

To make the most of your shopping trip and keep supplies lasting through the year, here are five key principles:

A list is a lifeline. Most schools provide a supply list for the upcoming year. Don't go shopping without one. Better yet, involve your child in creating the list. They know what their classmates use, which colours they prefer, and what their teacher will actually allow. This ensures they're happy with what you buy and more likely to take care of it.
Take stock of existing essentials. Before you shop, look around your house. You'll likely find lined paper, coloured pencils, coloured pens, and sharpeners already on hand. Pull these out and check them off your list. New consumables like pens, markers, and notebooks will need replacing, but items like pencil cases, sharpeners, binders, and folders can usually be reused. If you spot great sales this year, consider stocking up for next year too.
You get what you pay for. Cheaper pencils break when you sharpen them because the wood has dried out. Dollar store supplies often need replacing within weeks. Watch for sales at office supply stores where better-quality products cost more upfront but last longer and save money overall.
Set a spending cap. Once you know what you already have, create a budget for what's left to buy. Involve your child in this process and make it reasonable. Let them earn extra spending money for school supplies through chores if they want something fancy. When kids understand that money is earned and limited, they take better care of their supplies.
Label everything. A label can mean the difference between buying pencils weekly and making your September shopping haul last all year. Whether you use a label maker, purchase labels, or use a permanent marker, labelled supplies find their way home.

Most of all, make it fun. The first day of school marks a new beginning. Starting the year off right with positive memories of shopping together and labelling together can make back-to-school one of the best times of the year.

Supply List Recommendations

Pencils: Purchase at least 20. Don't buy from dollar stores. Label every single one.
Pencil Sharpener: Buy one good one. Look for durable options like Staedtler with a compartment for shavings and a quality blade.
Erasers: Choose white vinyl erasers that you can label easily. They last longer than pink or coloured erasers.
Pens: A few blue or black pens with accent colours are enough. Cheaper pens run out of ink faster. Find a brand that feels right.
Crayons, pencil crayons, and markers: Keep these well supplied. Buy good brands like Crayola or Laurentian for brighter colours and longer-lasting quality.
Glue: Elmer's is the best brand. Cheap brands dry out fast and don't stick well. Glue sticks work best, with liquid glue for occasional use.
Pencil Cases: Choose a sturdy one, or buy two (one for pencils and pens, another for pencil crayons and markers).
Paper: A student shouldn't need more than one 200-sheet package per school year. Watch for sales but don't overbuy.
Binders: Buy sturdy binders with D-rings (they don't curl pages) and hole reinforcements. Zippered binders with accordion folders work for kids who lose loose sheets, but they take up backpack space.
Report folders (duotangs): Stock up when they're on sale. Buy multiple colours so you have the right one for each project.
Extras: Mini-staplers, binder-sized hole punches, and fancy pens are fun but not always necessary. They can quickly use up your budget.
Labels: Whether you use a label maker, Mabel's Labels* (which support school fundraisers), or a permanent marker, labelling is key.