Back-to-School Checklist for Families
Get ready for the first day with to-do lists and school supply lists, as well as a timeline to help you get it all done!
There’s a lot to do when back-to-school time rolls around—it involves so much more than just buying a few supplies and seeing them off on the first day! As a parent, it can feel a little overwhelming and free printable back-to-school checklists can help make it more manageable. Print it out and post it on the fridge, then start tackling the items one by one. When the big day arrives, you’ll find you’ve minimized the stress and maximized the excitement!
Back-to-School Academic and Social Prep
In addition to all the shopping and to-do items on your list, it’s important to be sure your child is prepared academically and socially for the grade they’re entering.
Plan to spend at least a few minutes each day during the summer months reviewing and refreshing the academic skills they’ll need in math, reading, and writing. Perhaps even more importantly, teach and practice key age-appropriate life and social skills.
These articles share insights on the various skills kids need for preschool through second grade and how you can help build them at home:
ABCmouse programs and games are perfect for review and enrichment any time of year! Check out all of our free games for preK to 2nd grade, plus be sure to sign up for a free 30-day trial to explore the full program with your child!
Back to School To-Do Checklist for 2025
✓ One Month Before School Starts
✅ Check school website for back to school information and updates
✅ Confirm the school’s start date and any Meet-the-Teacher or Back-to-School events. Add important dates to your personal calendar.
✅ First Day of School: ________________
✅ Schedule medical appointments and complete any needed medical paperwork for the school. Request a second set of medications to have on hand at school if needed.
✅ Doctor: _______________
✅ Dentist: _______________
✅ Other: ________________
✅ Update or register in the school’s parent portal
✅ Follow school social media pages and register for communication apps
✅ Apply for free/reduced lunch, if needed
✅ Arrange before/after school care, if needed
✅ Review last year’s clothes and shoes and donate what’s outgrown
✅Shop for uniforms or school clothes and shoes
✅ Obtain supply list from school or teacher when available
✅ Watch for back-to-school sales or tax breaks
✅ Explore and budget for school fees (academic and extracurricular)
✅ Start your ABCmouse free trial, and spend 15 minutes daily on academic games and learning
✅ Other: ___________________________________
✅ Other: ___________________________________
Tip: For preschoolers or kindergarteners who are still fine-tuning bathroom habits, this is the time to review skills like asking for permission to use the bathroom, wiping, and hand washing.
✓ Two Weeks Before School Starts
✅ Confirm or arrange transportation (bus info, carpool, walking route, etc.)
✅ Purchase school supplies based on list or needs
✅ Buy new backpack, lunchbox, water bottle or clean existing ones
✅ Schedule back-to-school haircut
✅ Place/Time: __________________________
✅ Label all supplies, clothing, lunchboxes, backpacks, etc.
✅ Discuss any concerns or fears your child has about going back to school. Try reading a few of our Back to School Books to help ease jitters and build excitement for the first day.
✅ Review and practice recommended school safety protocols
✅ Set goals and expectations for the year ahead for your child (and yourself!)
✅ Organize areas of your home that you’ll need to quickly and frequently access, such as hall closets, mudrooms or dropzones, the pantry, and desk or work areas.
✅ Continue spending time daily on academic games or enrichment with ABCmouse or other learning methods
✅ Other: ___________________________________
✅ Other: ___________________________________
Tip: The first few weeks of school are loaded with learning and new experiences for kids, which can leave them especially tired. Having favorite snacks and meals planned can help make the days go more smoothly. Now is a good time to talk to your child about foods or activities they’ll look forward to so you have time to plan for the first week back.
✓ One Week Before School Starts
✅ Confirm school start time and classroom assignment or class schedule
✅ Start and End Times: ________________________
✅ Teacher/Homeroom: _________________________
✅ Attend orientation, open house, or meet-the-teacher events (if scheduled)
✅ Date/Time: ______________________
✅ Test out or confirm transportation routine
✅ Notes: ______________________________________
✅ Review emergency contacts and update school forms if needed
✅ Organize paperwork: physicals, allergy plans, medication forms
✅ Confirm before/after school care arrangements
✅ Update your personal calendar with important school dates
✅ Start practicing the school-year bedtime and morning routine
✅ Set up or refresh homework/study area at home
✅ Decide where you’ll keep important papers that come home from school and create a system to note papers to sign and return to school.
✅ Stock up on breakfast, lunch, and snack items
✅ Plan and shop for at-home meals for first week of school
✅ Pay school fees and fund school lunch account if needed
✅ Plan and launder school outfits or uniforms for the first week
✅ Fill out monthly family calendar and hang in a central location
✅ Print out Back-to-School coloring pages and worksheets as fun and simple activities to help get ready for the big day.
✅ Other: ___________________________________
✅ Other: ___________________________________
Tip: Discuss school routines, such as wake up time and drop off and pick up times with your partner, co-parents, or babysitter to ensure they know daily schedules.
✓ Day Before First Day of School
✅ Lay out clothes for morning
✅ Pack lunch or review procedure for school cafeteria lunch
✅ Pack backpack with supplies
✅ Prepare “First Day of [Grade]” signs for photos
✅ Set alarm clocks (add a few extra minutes to ensure you’re not rushed)
✅ Review morning routine
✅ Verify end-of-day plans for pickup, bus ride, walk home, etc. with your child
✅ Plan for first-day breakfast
✅ Read a back-to-school book at bedtime to reassure or build excitement
✅ Other: ___________________________________
✅ Other: ___________________________________
✓ First Day of School
✅ Get up a little early and follow your morning routine
✅ Eat a good breakfast or remind student of school breakfast procedures
✅ Take some First Day photos
✅ Be ready to leave a little early for bus stop, walk, or drop-off line
✅ Confirm with your student how they will get home at the end of the day
✅ Plan a celebration that evening to mark the special day!
✅ Other: ___________________________________
✅ Other: ___________________________________
Back to School Shopping Checklist for 2025
Tip: Consult your school or teacher for exact requirements before stocking up. Also, check your household office supplies or look through last year’s supplies to see what your child can reuse.
✓ Basic School Supplies
✅ #2 pencils
✅ Pens
✅ Erasers
✅ Highlighters
✅ Crayons or colored pencils
✅ Washable markers
✅ Dry erase markers
✅ Glue sticks or white glue
✅ Scissors
✅ Ruler, protractor, compass
✅ Pencil sharpener
✅ Pencil case or supply box
✅ Spiral notebooks or composition books
✅ Loose-leaf notebook paper (wide or college ruled)
✅ 3-ring binders
✅ Dividers with tabs
✅ Folders
✅ Index cards
✅ Sticky notes
✅ Assignment planner or agenda
✅ Other: ___________________________________
✓ Technology & Accessories
✅ Laptop or tablet for home use (if not provided by school)
✅ Headphones or earbuds (with mic if needed)
✅ USB flash drive
✅ Calculator
✅ Stylus (if using a touchscreen device)
✅ Laptop case or tablet cover (if needed)
✅ Charging cable or portable charger
✅ Other: ___________________________________
✓ Backpacks & Lunch Supplies
✅ Durable backpack
✅ Lunchbox or lunch bag
✅ Reusable water bottle
✅ Ice packs for lunchbox
✅ Meal items and snacks
✅ Reusable sandwich/snack bags or containers
✅ Other: ___________________________________
✓ Clothing & Personal Items
✅ School clothes or uniforms
✅Shoes
✅ PE clothes and/or shoes (sneakers)
✅ Jacket/Coat
✅ Umbrella
✅ Hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes
✅ Tissues (individual packs or boxes)
✅ Personal hygiene products
✅Other: ___________________________________
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Back-to-School Checklist for Families (Free Printable Lists!)
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Back to School Worksheets for Kids
Free printable back-to-school worksheets, coloring pages, and games to ease first-day jitters and help kids connect during the first week of school.
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Back to School Coloring Pages (Free Printables!)
Free printable back-to-school coloring pages to ease into the year—perfect for home or classroom fun!
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Back to School Bingo (Free Printables)
Free printable Back to School Bingo cards to help kids connect and have fun during the first week of school.
