School Supplies You May Need at Home

July 28, 2021

It’s the new school year, and you’re frantically trying to get everything on your child’s school supplies list. However, it’s not enough just to get supplies for your child to use at school. From elementary to high school, students have an assortment of home projects and assignments. 

This article will outline the supplies your child may need to complete their projects and homework successfully.

 

Why You Should Keep School Supplies Handy at Home

If you don’t have all the school supplies your child needs at home, they might be at a disadvantage compared to their peers. If you hold off on getting supplies until your child needs them, you might disrupt their workflow and cost them valuable homework time.

Some school supplies, like tape, scissors, and pens, can also be useful items to have around the house. When was the last time you needed to write something down, and you couldn’t find a pen? 

 

What School Supplies Might You Need at Home?

Getting an early start on your child’s school supplies means they’ll be ready to handle any challenges their teachers throw their way.

Read on to learn what supplies your child can have handy when completing assignments at home.

A Computer

As technology improves, students are completing more and more assignments online. Reliable access to a good laptop or home computer with internet access may be essential for your child to keep up with their classes.

Computers can be great tools to help research papers and assignments. Resources like YouTube are also filled with how-to content to help your child review material for their courses.

Printer and Ink

Students may have to complete assignments or homework on their computer and then print them out to bring to class. In this case, a printer can be incredibly useful. Your student may even prefer a wireless printer that allows them to work from anywhere in the house and still print.

Fortunately, there are plenty of brands to choose from when it comes to printers and ink cartridges. Some brands include Canon, Brother, Epson, and HP printers, and they often also sell their own ink, such as HP ink and Canon printer ink.

Pens and Pencils

Students will likely need something to write with. Even if they have digital assignments, they may still want writing utensils like BIC pens to work out equations and take notes, for example. Pens and pencils are easy to lose, so it’s a good idea to have a lot around. Pencil boxesdesk organizers, or plastic drawers can also help your child keep all their writing tools in one place.

You can buy large packs of pens. Ballpoint pens are great for everyday assignments but won’t run on smooth surfaces, while gel pens come in various cool colors. If you want a pen your child can use with their mobile device or tablet, try a stylus pen. If you want to get your child used to working with a pen but still want them to have the flexibility of using a pencil, erasable pens can be a good option.

When it comes to pencils, higher numbers mean harder lead, and smaller numbers mean softer lead. No. 2 pencils are made from lead that is hard enough to make defined lines and soft enough for shading. If your child uses normal pencils, you may want to get a pencil sharpener. Your other option is to get mechanical pencils.

Notebooks and Paper

Every student uses paper to write down notes, work out math problems, or do various other tasks. There are several types of paper your child can use for school. Below is a list of a few types:

Notebooks can help your student keep their thoughts organized. There are several types of composition notebooks you can choose from. Multi-subject notebooks can be an easy way for students to carry all their notes while keeping notes for separate classes separate. Like Blue Sky planners, other notebooks can help your child keep track of their schedule and assignments.

If your student prefers to use loose-leaf paper, you might want to get them a binder to put their notes in. Binder dividers can be useful for keeping material separated by subject or category so that your child can find information quickly. Pocket folders can also be handy ways to keep your kid’s work organized.

A Calculator

Calculators are important tools for students. Elementary students might get by with a basic calculator to check their answers on simple math problems. But older students in junior high or high school may need more functionality. Scientific calculators or graphing calculators with functions like SIN (sine), COS (cosine), and TAN (tangent) are essential for classes like statistics, algebra, and trigonometry.

Use this guide to help find the right calculator for school

A Ruler

Rulers aren’t just for measuring things. Students can also use them to draw straight lines and make straight cuts. Students may need rulers for their classes like geometry, shop, and art. There are several materials rulers can be made of.

A classic plastic or wooden desk ruler will typically be a foot long. Some may have one side measure in inches, while the other side measures centimeters. A steel ruler usually runs from about 6 inches to a foot, but it can be longer. A steel rule is thinner and more accurate than a desk ruler, so it can be ideal for shop projects.

Tape

Students can use tape for several different projects. Scotch tape can be used for things like taping notecards to a dry erase board to organize ideas. In contrast, masking tape can be used for things like creating visual representations of shapes. Masking tape can also come in a variety of colors.

Arts and Crafts School Supplies to Have at Home


Arts and crafts can be a fun, creative outlet for students. Making crafts can be particularly beneficial for young children. It helps them develop their motor skills, understand spatial relationships between objects, and improves their creative problem-solving capabilities.

Crayons and Markers

Coloring can be enjoyable and relaxing for students. It helps children build confidence while exploring their own creativity. Handling writing utensils like crayons and markers also help children increase their finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination.

A basic set of Crayola crayons comes with standard colors like blue, red, and green. But suppose you really want to encourage your child’s imagination. In that case, you can get a big pack of 64 crayons that typically comes with unique colors, like periwinkle, magenta, and macaroni and cheese. Some packs even come with a crayon sharpener. 

Art markers are also cool, creative tools. If you have young children, it might be wise to get washable markers. However, be aware that not all markers are made with very young students in mind, which is why some brands offer washable markers, like Crayola markers.

If your child uses a dry erase calendar to keep track of their schedule, you’ll likely need dry erase markers. However, be mindful of your child’s age and review the product packaging for guidelines.

Scissors

A lot of arts and crafts projects use scissors. Kid scissors (safety scissors) have blunt tips to help young children avoid injuries and tiny handles that make it easier for kids to maneuver. It’s always a good idea to supervise small children when they’re using scissors.

Glue

Younger students will likely use glue for several art projects. You may want to choose a type of glue that’s washable and non-toxic for children. Also, keep in mind that glue can be messy. Spilled glue can leave sticky residue on tables, carpets, and other surfaces, which can be hard to remove. A glue stick might be easier for a child to use and can help limit the risk of accidents.

Arts and Craft Paper

Of course, your child may need craft paper for all the fun masterpieces they’ll be creating for school. Craft paper comes in a variety of colors, textures, and assortments. Depending on the project, your student may need sturdy construction paper or soft tissue paper for their next art project.

 

Replenish Your At-Home School Supplies When Necessary

Learning doesn’t stop at school. Your child will likely have homework throughout their entire academic career. You can help students of any age make the grade at home by anticipating everything they may need on hand.

Take the time to stock up on and maintain all your kid’s school supplies.  The better suited your child is to work from home, the better chance they’ll have to thrive.

About the Author

Paul Montoya is an author, musician, and new father, and teaching runs in his family. One of the biggest influences in his life is his mother. She inspired Paul by instilling in him the importance of creating safer, healthier, and more fun learning environments for every student.

All content provided herein is for educational purposes only. It is provided “as is,” and neither the author nor Office Depot, Inc. warrants the accuracy of the information provided, nor do they assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein.