Elementary School Supply Lists by Grade

Elementary school supply lists follow a predictable pattern. In the early grades, the focus is on oversized crayons, glue sticks, and a change of clothes. By the upper grades, the list shifts toward binders, loose-leaf paper, and organizational tools that support multiple subjects and homework.

Exact requirements vary by school and by teacher, but the grade-by-grade breakdown below covers the items that appear most often from kindergarten through fifth grade. Use it as a general reference, then confirm the details on the list your school provides.

Why Supply Lists Change From Grade to Grade

Three things drive the differences between grade levels:

• Fine motor development. Younger children need thicker pencils and crayons that are easier to grip. Older students can handle standard sizes and pens.
• Academic workload. As subjects multiply, students need ways to separate and carry materials, such as binders, folders, and dividers.
• Independence. Upper-grade students are expected to track their own assignments, so planners, highlighters, and labeled folders become standard.

Core Supplies Found on Almost Every List

No matter the grade, certain basics show up year after year:

• Pencils and erasers
• Crayons or colored pencils
• Glue sticks
• Blunt-tip or pointed scissors
• Pocket folders
• Spiral or composition notebooks
• A pencil case or pouch
• A backpack
• Headphones or earbuds for devices
• Facial tissues, disinfecting wipes, and hand sanitizer

Many schools also ask for a refillable water bottle and a reusable lunch bag. Label these items clearly with your child’s name.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten lists are heavy on consumables because young children use supplies quickly and share many items as a class.

• Thick or chunky pencils
• Large crayons (often 8 to 16 count)
• Washable markers
• Large glue sticks
• Blunt-tip safety scissors
• Dry-erase markers and a small whiteboard for letter practice
• Play dough or modeling clay
• A rest mat or small towel for quiet time
• A full change of clothes in a labeled bag
• One or two pocket folders

Because kindergarteners lose things easily, buying an extra set of crayons and glue sticks to keep at home is often practical.

First Grade

First grade lists are similar to kindergarten but add a few academic tools as reading and writing take center stage.

• Standard pencils and pencil-top erasers
• Crayons, usually a 24-count box
• Glue sticks and one bottle of liquid glue
• Blunt-tip scissors
• Several two-pocket folders in different colors
• Wide-ruled composition notebooks
• Dry-erase markers
• Headphones or earbuds
• An art smock or oversized old shirt

Second Grade

Second grade introduces more color-coded organization and early math tools.

• Pencils, erasers, and a handheld sharpener with a cover
• Colored pencils
• Highlighters
• A one-inch three-ring binder
• Wide-ruled spiral notebooks
• Index cards for math and vocabulary practice
• Sticky notes
• A ruler marked in inches and centimeters
• Headphones or earbuds

Third Grade

Third grade typically marks the move toward subject-based binders and more independent note-taking.

• Wide-ruled notebooks or composition books for each subject
• A binder with tab dividers
• Colored pencils and markers
• Highlighters
• Sticky notes and index cards
• Multiplication flashcards
• A basic four-function calculator, if requested
• Headphones or earbuds
• Book covers or a reusable fabric cover

Fourth Grade

Fourth graders manage more paper, so the list leans toward binders, dividers, and writing tools for longer assignments.

• Loose-leaf wide-ruled paper
• A one- to two-inch binder with subject dividers
• Blue or black pens and one red pen for correcting
• Highlighters in several colors
• Colored pencils
• Grid or graph paper for math
• Index cards and sticky notes
• A zippered pencil pouch that fits in a binder
• Headphones or earbuds

Fifth Grade

Fifth grade lists often resemble middle school lists. Organization and portability matter more than ever.

• Wide-ruled or college-ruled paper, depending on the school
• A large binder or a system of subject binders
• Pens, pencils, and a generous supply of lead or refills
• Highlighters
• Graph paper
• A geometry set with a ruler, protractor, and compass
• A basic calculator
• Index cards and sticky notes
• A student planner or agenda
• A flash drive for digital assignments, if requested
• A combination lock and locker accessories, if lockers are used

Supplies for Special Classes

Beyond the homeroom list, many schools request items for art, music, physical education, and the library:

• Art: a smock, sketchbook, and sometimes a set of brushes or drawing pencils
• Music: a folder for sheet music; instrument supplies if your child joins the band or orchestra
• Physical education: sneakers with non-marking soles and a change of socks
• Library: a reusable book bag to protect borrowed books

Shared Classroom Supplies

Many teachers pool certain items for the whole class rather than having each child keep their own. Commonly requested shared items include:

• Facial tissues
• Disinfecting wipes
• Hand sanitizer
• Paper towels
• Zip-top bags in assorted sizes
• Extra glue sticks and dry-erase markers
• Snacks for classroom celebrations

If your budget is limited, prioritize personal items your child uses daily and check with the teacher about which shared items matter most.

Tips for Shopping the List Efficiently

1. Read the list twice. Note quantities, sizes, and any specific colors requested for folders or notebooks.
2. Shop at home first. Reuse last year’s binders, scissors, rulers, and pencil cases if they are still in good shape.
3. Buy consumables in bulk. Pencils, glue sticks, and erasers disappear quickly, so extras save repeat trips.
4. Label everything. Write your child’s name on folders, notebooks, pencil cases, headphones, and water bottles.
5. Wait on specialty items. If a teacher has not yet specified a brand or style, hold off on calculators, planners, or binders until the first week.
6. Split purchases with other families. Buying multi-packs and dividing them can lower the cost for everyone.

What If the List Is Not Available Yet

Many schools post grade-level lists in the weeks before classes start, and individual teachers sometimes send their own version during the first days of school. If you are shopping early, buy the core supplies that appear on nearly every list, then fill in the rest once you have the official version. Keep receipts in case an item needs to be exchanged.

The Bottom Line

Elementary supply lists grow with your child. Kindergarten and first grade emphasize simple, chunky tools and lots of consumables. Grades two and three add color coding and early organization. Grades four and five shift toward binders, dividers, planners, and math equipment. Sticking to the core list, labeling everything, and reusing what still works will keep your back-to-school shopping simple and manageable.

For more practical guidance on routines, home organization, and everyday questions, explore the other helpful guides available on the site.