10 School Supplies Every Parent Forgets To Buy
- Amanda Jones
- Aug 3
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 9
You've conquered the school supply list like a champion. Notebooks? Check. Colored pencils? Got 'em. Glue sticks? You bought twelve. But three weeks into the school year, you're making another Target run because your child needs something that wasn't on any list, or you completely overlooked that one tiny item buried in the middle of 47 other supplies.
Been there? You're definitely not alone. I've compiled the supplies that consistently catch families off guard. 10 School Supplies Every Parent Forgets To Buy
## 1. Extra Batteries (AA and AAA)
Why you forget: They're not glamorous, and they're easy to assume you have at home.
Why you need them: Calculators die during math tests. Computer mice stop working during typing class. That interactive learning toy your child brings for show-and-tell suddenly goes silent.
Pro tip: Buy a small battery pack and keep it in your child's backpack or desk. Many teachers keep classroom supplies, but batteries are often the exception.
## 2. Hand Sanitizer (Personal Size)
Why you forget: It feels like something the school should provide.
Why you need them: While most classrooms have dispensers, having a personal bottle means your child can sanitize before snacks, after bathroom breaks, or anytime they feel the need. Plus, it teaches personal hygiene responsibility.
Reality check: Buy the clip-on kind that attaches to backpacks. The pump bottles always end up forgotten in lockers or desks.
## 3. Comfortable Headphones (Not Earbuds)
Why you forget: It's not always clearly specified on supply lists, or it says "headphones" without details.
Why you need them: Computer labs, online learning programs, and educational videos are daily activities. Cheap earbuds hurt little ears and break easily. Over-ear headphones designed for kids are worth the investment.
Parent wisdom: Look for volume-limiting headphones designed for children. Your child's hearing (and your sanity during homework time) will thank you.
## 4. Pencil Sharpener (Personal, Handheld)
Why you forget: There are sharpeners mounted on classroom walls, right?
Why you need them: Classroom sharpeners are often broken, create long lines, or become social gathering spots that distract from learning. A personal sharpener means your child can stay focused and keep working.
Teacher insider tip: Get one with a shavings compartment. Nobody wants pencil shavings scattered across their desk or floor.
## 5. Backup Lunch Box or Brown Bags
Why you forget: You bought the perfect lunch box with matching water bottle. You're set!
Why you need them: Lunch boxes get forgotten at school, left on the bus, or occasionally need a thorough cleaning that takes overnight. Having backup options prevents the morning panic when the regular lunch box is nowhere to be found.
Smart solution: Keep a stash of brown paper bags and a basic insulated bag as backups. They don't need to be fancy, just functional.
## 6. Extra Underwear and Socks (K-2nd Grade Especially)
Why you forget: Your child is potty trained and past accidents... mostly.
Why you need them: Playground puddles, lunch spills, and the occasional "I waited too long" moment happen to the best of kids. Having a change of clothes in their backpack saves embarrassment and nurse's office calls.
Grade-level reality: Even 2nd graders sometimes have accidents when they're really focused on something else. Pack them in a labeled gallon bag and hope you never need them.
## 7. Labels (More Than You Think You Need)
Why you forget: You labeled the obvious stuff - folders, notebooks, lunch box.
Why you need them: Everything goes missing in elementary school. Water bottles, jackets, library books, random pencils, hair ties, the small eraser that fell out of the pencil box - if it's not labeled, it's lost forever.
Labeling hack: Get clear packing tape to put over paper labels on items that get washed or handled frequently. Waterproof labels are worth the extra cost for water bottles and lunch containers.
## 8. Comfortable Slippers or Indoor Shoes
Why you forget: This requirement often comes as a surprise in the first week of school.
Why you need them: Many classrooms have "shoes off" policies during reading time or floor activities. Some schools require indoor shoes to keep outdoor dirt off classroom carpets.
Practical advice: Skip the cute but impractical slippers. Get slip-on shoes with rubber soles that can handle classroom floors and playground emergencies.
## 9. Extra Hair Ties and Bobby Pins
Why you forget: Hair accessories seem like a morning routine item, not a school supply.
Why you need them: Hair ties break, get lost, or become trading currency among elementary students. Kids with longer hair need backups for PE, art class, or when the morning style just isn't working.
Parent reality: Even if your child has short hair, having a few extras makes you the hero parent when their friend needs one. Keep them in a small bag in the backpack's front pocket.
## 10. A "Sick Day" Kit
Why you forget: Nobody plans for their child to feel unwell at school.
Why you need them: A small bag with tissues, throat lozenges (if age-appropriate), and any medications your child might need saves multiple trips to the nurse's office and helps them feel more comfortable.
What to include: Travel-size tissues, any daily medications, emergency contact cards, and maybe a small comfort item. Check with your school's medication policy first.
## The Real Talk
Here's what no parent tells you: you're going to forget something anyway. Even with this list, there will be that one random item your child's teacher mentions in passing that becomes suddenly essential.
The good news? Every parent is figuring it out as they go. That mom who seems to have everything together? She's probably just really good at Amazon Prime same-day delivery.
## Your Action Plan
**Before school starts:**
- Print this list and check it against your child's supply list
- Buy a few extras of the small items (batteries, hair ties, labels)
- Set up a "school supply station" at home for mid-year restocking
**First week of school:**
- Ask your child what other kids have that might be useful
- Check with teachers about classroom-specific needs
- Join parent Facebook groups for last-minute supply intel
**Throughout the year:**
- Keep a running list of items that run out first
- Stock up during back-to-school sales for mid-year replacements
- Remember that being prepared is great, but being flexible is essential
The most important supply you can't buy? A sense of humor about the whole process. Because trust me, there will always be something.
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*What school supply caught you off guard this year? Share your "oops" moments in the comments - we've all been there!*
Back to school tip: Buy in bulk during back-to-school sales, then store extras for later in the year.
Many parents make the mistake of only buying what their kids need right at the start of school. Instead, stock up on essentials like pencils, pens, notebooks, glue sticks, and tissues when they're at their lowest prices (often 50-90% off during late July and August sales). Store the extras in a designated bin at home.
This strategy saves you money and eliminates those mid-year scrambles when your child suddenly needs supplies for a project, or when the school sends home requests for classroom donations. You'll pay back-to-school sale prices instead of regular retail prices throughout the year.
Welcome to Designs by Mandy!
I'm Amanda, a designer dedicated to providing valuable tips, tools, strategies, and worksheets for children. To learn more about me or explore my website, click the link below.
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