The ultimate back-to-school shopping list for busy moms

Even though there won’t be any tests or quizzes when school begins, kids take plenty of notes, complete assignments and do in-class exercises. Every student needs at least a few packets of loose-leaf paper for quick notes and doodles. Check with your child’s school to find out if they require college ruled or wide ruled before you fill up your shopping cart — odds are they won’t, but it’s worth being sure.

If you’ve got an older child, they’ll need a personal planner to kick off the school year and keep up with all of their assignments. And while digital is the norm anymore, we still love good old fashioned analog school supplies. Something about physically writing things helps better cement it into memory. Plus, planners help kids learn time management and responsible scheduling, which they can carry with them throughout their academic lives and into college and adulthood. There are a lot to choose from but we’re fond of the customizable options from Posy Planners. The hourly option helps keep the day on track and is a great option for moms (aka Keeper Of All The Things) as well.

Most classes require #2 pencils because they show up easily on test bubble sheets that machines scan and grade. Add them to your child’s school supply list before they sell out at local stores. A great deal on a large pack will likely last through the year.

Teachers grade in red ink pens so their notes stand out as study tools. Your student should use black ink pens that don’t bleed on the paper. Their work will stand out and never smudge if you use a tried-and-true brand that knows how to make a quality pen, like BIC.

Highlighters help students study if they outline notes in different colors. Get your child a pack so they have all the help they need for their study materials. If they’re stressed about the tougher classwork, don’t forget to break the tension with jokes that will put them at ease.

The erasers on the top of pencils won’t last long in classes like calculus or trigonometry. Give your kids a backup by buying packs of big pink erasers. They last much longer and often do a better job of wiping mistakes away.

Whether for classroom use, decompressing on the bus or for studying at home, headphones are a versatile addition to the school shopping list. We’ve tried a lot of kids’ headphones and the BuddyPhones Play+ reign supreme. The sound doesn’t leak and the volume can be limited to protect little ears. We also love the dual wireless/wired capability which keeps them in action even if the battery dies and the fact they can be linked together so two kiddos can listen or watch the same thing together. The included travel bag and stickers for decorating are the icing on the cake!

Notebooks are cute school supplies that students always need. The spiral-bound pages are easy to flip through and lightweight in a backpack. They also help keep things neatly organized since each one can be dedicated to a different class.

Students collect their loose-leaf notes in three-ring binders because they snap everything shut and keep notes safe. Find back-to-school binders that match your child’s personality so they can stack everything safely in their locker without bending or crushing papers.

Most kids love decorating their lockers when they start middle school or junior high. Add locker decorations to your school supply list so they can personalize their storage unit and feel more at home.

If the idea of packing lunches instantly makes your heart sink, we feel you. But a mom’s gotta do what a mom’s gotta do and that likely means throwing your best efforts into a lunch box that keeps things fresh for a few hours. We’ve got a lengthy list of lunch box picks for different needs, but one consistent tried and true comes from L.L. Bean. It’s incredibly durable and easy to clean and is roomy enough for even adult-sized lunches. (That said, its soft construction means it still easily fits into a kid’s backpack.) The tough exterior is made from the same weatherproof fabric as their backpacks (which we also highly recommend) with a zippered mesh pocket that’s great for pre-packaged snacks or a note.

It’s always fun to get a new backpack. Let your kids pick one that matches their size and expresses their personality with characters, colors, or other prints.

Young kids might need help adjusting to virtual school or having fun during in-person classes. Colorful markers are an easy way for them to relax while doodling, and they’ll likely be part of daily assignments for elementary school students.

Did you drink one full glass of water your entire childhood? Probably not. But times have changed and frankly, we much prefer the idea of our kids drinking out of their own water bottles instead of a water fountain everyone can slobber on. Let them pick out whichever one they want and they’ll look forward to using it–and hopefully not lose it the first week. We like the Hydroflask style which is easy to clean and has a consistent track record of our kids closing them properly and not flooding their backpack.

Every teenager needs a calculator when they go back to school. A TI-89 model assists with graphing functions and lasts throughout their academic careers. You won’t have to buy another one if they keep it in its case between classes.