School supply list by age
Each school sends its own list, and on top of that, there’s another list no one writes: what gets lost, broken, or needs replacing in November. This is the second list.
See all Back to School Labeling supplies with the nameSchool supplies are divided into two groups: consumables, which are used up and need replacing during the year—pencils, erasers, notebooks—and durable items, bought once per year or every few years—backpack, pencil case, bottle, lunchbox. Labeling only makes sense for the latter.
What’s extra on the list and what’s missing
School supply lists usually cover consumables well but fall short on everything else. No one includes “a second bottle for extracurriculars” or “a bag for wet items,” and both are needed from the first week.
The opposite also happens: three-zippered pencil cases are bought for preschool when a flat one is enough, and large backpacks “to last,” which is exactly what makes the child carry too much.
Recommended Selection
Children’s School and Nursery Backpack (0-6 years)
from €14.95
School Backpack
from €19.95
350ml Stainless Steel Thermo Bottle
from €15.95
Personalized Silicone Lunchbox (Medium - Square)
from €16.95
Avengers Pencil Case - Avengers Multi-zippered Case
from €6.95
Personalized Ruler
from €5.95
Why it works
Nursery (1-3 years)
Backpack 24-30 cm, change of clothes bag with double compartment, dirty clothes bag, labeled cup, and bib. Everything labeled, because none of this comes back on its own.
Preschool (3-6 years)
Backpack 30-36 cm, flat pencil case, 350 ml bottle, lunchbox, and snack bag. This is when having your own umbrella starts to become necessary.
Primary (6-12 years)
Backpack 38-45 cm, multi-zippered pencil case, 500 ml bottle, ruler, and a second bag for extracurricular activities.
What needs replacing in November
Elastics, pencils, and glue run out. The bottle and lunchbox get lost. Having a replacement halfway through the first term is realistic.
Comparison
| Daycare | Preschool | Primary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backpack | 24-30 cm | 30-36 cm | 38-45 cm |
| Bottle | Not yet | 350 ml | 500 ml |
| Pencil case | No | Flat | All-in-one case |
| Lunchbox | No | Small | Medium |
| Change of clothes bag | Yes | Sometimes | No |
Frequently asked questions
What should be marked with the name and what not?
Durable items: backpack, pencil case, bottle, lunchbox, cup, umbrella, and coat. Consumables are not worth it because they are used up in weeks and need replacing.
When is it best to buy school supplies?
Durable items can be bought earlier, as soon as the stage is known. Consumables are better to wait for the school's list, because each school requests specific brands and formats.
Is a second bottle necessary?
If there are extracurricular activities, yes. The school one stays in the backpack and ends up forgotten there on the day of the afternoon activity.
How much material is lost in a normal school year?
There is no reliable figure we can give you, but from what families tell us, small and unmarked items — elastics, rulers, cups — disappear first. Marking the durable items changes that balance quite a bit.
Is last year's backpack still usable?
If it still fits the age range size and the seams are intact, yes. The real reason to change it is usually that it has become too short, not that it is broken.
Start with the durable
Backpack, bottle, lunchbox, and pencil case. And with the name on it.
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