Making Back to School Simple, Stress-Free, and Actually Fun

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Can you believe it’s already that time again?! Back-to-school season always sneaks up on me, but I honestly love the fresh start and routine that comes with it. Whether your kiddos are heading to preschool or middle school—or you’re juggling a whole crew of ages like I am—I've rounded up my favorite tips, tricks, and must-haves to make the transition as smooth (and fun!) as possible this year.

Plus, I’ve got a free printable checklist you can grab below so you don’t miss a single thing while you’re prepping. Let’s dive in!

Back-to-School Prep Tips That Actually Help

• Start your routines early. About 1–2 weeks before school starts, we start moving bedtime back into school mode and waking up just a little earlier. Trust me—it helps avoid the chaos that first Monday morning.

• Create a drop zone. Set up a simple system near your entryway with hooks for backpacks, a tray for lunchboxes, and a cubby or basket for shoes. It’s a lifesaver after long school days.

• Practice independence. If your kiddo is starting a new grade or school, let them practice opening lunch containers, water bottles, or even packing their own backpack with you. It builds confidence and saves time later.

• Make mornings easier with a visual schedule. Especially for younger kids, having a simple checklist with pictures for “brush teeth,” “get dressed,” “pack backpack,” etc. can cut down on the morning reminders (and frustration!).

School Supplies Must-Haves

Here's what I always make sure we have on hand.

• No. 2 pencils (Ticonderoga is our top choice)

• Crayons, markers, and colored pencils

• Big erasers and pencil cap erasers

• Pencil sharpener

• Mechanical pencils for older kids

• Highlighters in multiple colors

• Dry erase markers (for both classroom and home use)

• Rulers and protractors

• Glue sticks and liquid glue

• Kid-safe scissors

• Wide-ruled and college-ruled notebooks

• Composition books

• Folders

• 3-ring binders and tab dividers

• Index cards and sticky notes

• Lined paper

• Zippered pencil pouches or supply boxes

• Water bottles that don’t leak

• Headphones for tech time or computer lab

• Flash drives (great for middle and high schoolers)

• Backpack with compartments for folders and tech

• Lunchbox

• Pens

• Extra set of clothes (for younger kiddos)

• Hand sanitizer, tissues, and disinfecting wipes for class donations

• Planner or assignment notebook (depending on age)

• Calculator

Keep in mind, your school’s supply list might look a little different, but these basics are our staples year after year.

College Student Must-Haves

If you’ve got a college kid heading off to campus (or commuting!), the checklist shifts a bit. We’ve helped our older kids prep for dorm life, and these are the tried-and-true essentials they always come back to:

• A durable backpack or laptop bag

• Laptop and charger

• Reusable water bottle and travel coffee mug

• Headphones or noise-canceling earbuds

• Storage bins or organizers for small spaces

• Command hooks and wall-safe decor for dorms

• Laundry basket and detergent pods

• Shower caddy

• Healthy snacks and a stash of grab-and-go meals (like oatmeal cups or granola bars)

• Planner

I also recommend putting together a little “home away from home” care package—think snacks, photos, cozy socks, and a handwritten note. It makes move-in day a little

more special (and a little less teary).

Outfit Inspo + Clothing Checklist

I don’t know about your kids, but mine get so excited to pick out their first-day outfits. I’ll be sharing a fun outfit inspo graphic you can save or print, but here’s a simple list to make sure you’re covered for the school year:

• Comfy basics (tees, leggings, joggers)

• Mix-and-match layers (hoodies, zip-ups, cardigans)

• 2–3 pairs of school-approved shoes

• Socks and undies (restock these now!)

• One “special” outfit for school picture day

• Rain gear: boots and jacket

Like these inspo outfits? Shop them here!

Easy Lunches + Snack Ideas (That Kids Will Actually Eat)

Raise your hand if packing lunches sometimes feels like a full-time job. I’ve learned to keep things super simple, especially during those first few weeks back when everything feels a little chaotic. Here are a few go-tos in our house:

Lunchbox Winners:

• Turkey and cheese roll ups, cucumber slices, and pretzels

• Hummus and chicken, baby carrots, apple slices

• Pizza Puffs

• DIY lunchables: crackers, deli meat, cheese, fruit

Snack Drawer Favorites:

• Granola bars

• Fruit leather

• Popcorn

• Trail mix

• Yogurt tubes (frozen the night before)

• Cheese sticks

Grab Your Free Printable Checklist

I created this printable Back-to-School Checklist to keep everything organized—supplies, clothes, gear, and extras. You can print it out and check things off as you go, or keep it on your phone while shopping.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE BACK-TO-SCHOOL CHECKLIST

Back-to-school doesn’t have to be overwhelming—it can actually be fun, especially when we’re feeling prepped and ready. I hope this post helps you feel excited, organized, and maybe even a little nostalgic about the smell of fresh crayons and sharpened pencils.

Got any go-to tips of your own? Let me know in the comments. 

Happy back-to-school!

Looking for even more back-to-school ideas? 

You can check out my other helpful blog posts here:

• Back to School Tips, Tricks, and Must-Haves for Every Age Group

• Back to School Essentials + Free Printable Checklist

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