Complete Back-to-School Shopping List for 1st Grade

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Starting first grade brings excitement — and a pile of supplies. This roundup covers essential, widely available products families and teachers commonly ask for on 1st-grade lists. For each item you’ll find who it’s best for and why it’s a helpful pick, plus a short buying-advice section to make decisions easier.

1. Crayola Crayons (24-count)

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Who it’s best for: most first graders who are practicing coloring, drawing, and fine motor control. Why: Crayola crayons are sturdy, come in a compact count that fits a child’s needs, and the familiar wax texture is forgiving for early makers.

2. Crayola Ultra-Clean Washable Markers

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Who it’s best for: kids who love bold color and crafting projects where ink will be used on paper or hands. Why: These washable markers are designed to rinse from skin and many fabrics more easily than permanent markers, which helps reduce staining anxiety at home and in class.

3. Ticonderoga #2 Pencils

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Who it’s best for: children learning to form letters and write sentences. Why: Ticonderoga #2 pencils are widely used for their consistent graphite, ease of sharpening, and familiar hex shape that helps younger hands hold the pencil comfortably.

4. Elmer's Washable School Glue

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Who it’s best for: craft-heavy classrooms and parents supervising projects at home. Why: Elmer’s washable glue is non-toxic, dries clear, and washes from most fabrics — a practical choice for gluing paper, lightweight collage materials, and simple craft assembly.

5. Fiskars Kids Scissors

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Who it’s best for: children who are beginning to cut along lines and shape-snip paper. Why: Fiskars makes child-sized scissors with blunt tips and ergonomic handles, which help small hands control cutting safely while learning scissor skills.

6. Mead Primary Journal

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Who it’s best for: early writers who need extra help with letter formation and spacing. Why: Primary journals are formatted with a drawing space and wide-ruled lines (often including a dotted midline) to support emerging handwriting and simple storytelling exercises.

7. Smead Two-Pocket Folders

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Who it’s best for: students who need a simple way to bring work back and forth between school and home. Why: Durable two-pocket folders in bright colors make it easy to sort homework, completed work, and notes; plastic versions resist tearing and hold up in backpacks.

8. JanSport SuperBreak Backpack

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Who it’s best for: families looking for a dependable, no-fuss backpack for daily use. Why: The SuperBreak is known for a simple design, a roomy main compartment and an exterior pocket for small items — a practical choice for carrying folders, a lunchbox, and a sweater.

Practical buying advice

When you shop, focus on fit and durability rather than brand bells and whistles. For pencils and scissors, choose sizes made for small hands; for glue and markers, prioritize washable and non-toxic labels. Buy a few extras of consumables such as pencils, crayons, and glue sticks — first graders use supplies quickly. If your school asks for specific items (a particular color folder or an exact journal type), follow that guidance first, then supplement with the general items above.

Label personal items — backpacks, water bottles, lunchboxes, and jackets — to avoid mix-ups. Also check teacher communications: some classrooms request communal supplies (like tissues or hand sanitizer) while others want everything labeled and individually supplied. Finally, involve your child where possible: choosing a favorite color or pattern helps them feel ready and excited for the year ahead.