"We knowâit feels like weâre finally ready to enjoy summer with plenty of travel and fun activities underway. The time to take a well-deserved deep breath for getting through another successful school year. But before we crack open that first summer beach read it hits us: back-to-school is right around the corner.
We know all too well how quickly the summer days go byâeven if they are some of the longest of the year (make it make sense!). As much as we want to put off thinking about everything that back to school entails, our future selves might actually thank us if we get a head start. As busy parents, itâs important for us to make our everyday tasks as effortless as possible, especially this time of year. Nailing down a routine is crucial for curbing our stress levels during the busy days at the beginning of the school year.
Many schools send out things like reading lists and the crucial school supplies list in mid-summer. Weâre doing you one better because we know how much we deserve to feel ready for the year. Plus, if the last few years have taught us anything, itâs that weâll do whatever it takes to make sure that our kids not only have the things they need for back to school but that they feel safe and confident about getting back into the classroom.
Thatâs why weâve put together the ultimate back-to-school preparation checklist for parents. The best part? Weâve broken it up into chunks of time in the summer to complete them. This way, hopefully all parents feel less overwhelmed and are ready to have the best school year possible. Plus, download and save our free downloadable checklist for added convenience!
The Ultimate Back-to-School Preparation Checklist
1+ Month Before School Starts
These are the tasks that will either require more advanced notice, or that can be completed without outside input.
Schedule Any Doctorâs Appointments
Many schools ask that children have physicals before getting back in the classroom. Whether this be for extracurricular activities, or just routine vaccines or eye exams, get this on the calendar as soon as you can. You wonât want to be scrambling too close to school deadlines. While youâre there, be sure to:
- Order a second set of any prescriptions to keep at school: Getting a refill of any prescriptions your kiddos need to have on hand will give you both peace of mind. Contact your doctor or pharmacy a few weeks before school begins to make sure theyâre ready to go for the first day of school.
- Get copies of medical forms needed: Lots of schools will request things like vaccine records and their latest physical information. Get these files ready to have on hand when needed.
Audit Previous Yearsâ Supplies
Before embarking on the school supply hunting trip, go through what you already have. Chances are your little ones still probably have scissors, a ruler, book covers, colored pencils, etc. that can be reused.
Practice Any Necessary Potty Training
This wouldnât be a well-rounded back-to-school preparation checklist if we didnât include a few things parents might not have thought of. For parents of soon-to-be preschoolers and kindergarteners, now would be the time to start practicing things like wiping on their own so theyâre ready when the time comes.
2-4 Weeks Before School Starts
Make a List of Meal Ideas
Thereâs nothing harder to deal with than going into the first days of the school year not either not knowing what to pack for lunches, or to make for dinner. Instead of wrestling with the responses to âWhat do you want for dinner?â start a list of meal ideas to refer back to.
Organize Your Home
Even though the kids will be out of the house more during the school year, there are things to do around the house that will make things easier once school starts.
- Set up a homework/study spot: This will especially come in handy for our middle and high school students but can be beneficial for elementary school kids getting into the homework habit as well. Maybe itâs time for them to get their first desk, or thereâs a nook in the living room you can put some school supplies like notebook paper to get them ready to study.
- Start a filing system for yourself: Inevitably, kiddos will come home from school with lots of things. The fun stuff like artwork, pictures, and awards will come home with things like event flyers and informational handouts. Set up a filing system that makes storing and finding these items when you need them simple.
Review the School Calendar
Just when we thought nothing could beat the busyness of our summer calendars, weâre handed the school calendar. There are a few things you can do to make all of the upcoming events feel less overwhelming:
- Add all of the important school dates into your personal calendar: This way you know when you need to take any PTO for work, or when youâll need to source and schedule additional childcare. When it comes to these things, the sooner the better!
- Sit down with your partner/co-parent: Have a conversation about weekly schedules, pick-up/drop-off needs, and extracurriculars. Having a plan set in place for these needs will make all the difference when the time comes.
Go Shopping for School Supplies and Clothes
Since we canât get out of it, we may as well get it done. Plus, we know youâll never hear the end of it if itâs put off too long and all the good supplies are gone. As soon as you get that school supplies list, make time to get out there and shop. Donât forget things that wonât make it on the listâsee our list of back-to-school essentials belowâlike water bottles, lunch boxes, a school backpack, new shoes, and any uniforms. Be sure to label everything, especially for younger kids prone to leaving things on the playground.
1 Week Before School Starts
Practice the Morning Routine
Hear us out, itâs not a bad idea to practice your morning routine before the first week of school. Practice things like waking up early, putting on shoes, and leaving the house in a timely manner. It will make doing so in real-time so much easier if a routine is already established.
Create a Morning Checklist
We love our checklists here at The Everymomâalong with our back-to-school preparation checklist, we recommend crafting a morning checklist. Thereâs nothing more anxiety-inducing than frantically trying to leave the house knowing that youâve forgotten to do something. Think about what exactly needs to happen to get everyone out of the door each morning and write these things down to refer back to.
Schedule Them a Haircut
Use the first day of school as the perfect reason for kids to get a haircut. Theyâll be looking fresh in time for the first day of schoolâand the cut might even last until school picture day.
Review School Safety Protocols
Reviewing the school drop-off or bus policy will make sure everyoneâs ready to get to and from school safely. It also doesnât hurt to request the safety policies from your school and decide how much information to share with your kids. Reviewing them together can give them an opportunity to ask questions in a comfortable setting and add confidence when leaving the house.
Attend a Teacher Meet-and-Greet
You know the first day of school is getting near when the class list frenzy begins. If your childâs school offers a teacher meet-and-greet visit, plan to attend to get them familiar with the people and places where theyâll be spending plenty of time during the upcoming year.
Plan the First Day of School Outfit
Make sure their favorite fit is clean and ready to go. Consider laying it out together the night before so they feel extra readyâand excitedâfor the first day of school.
Download Our Printable Back to School Preparation Checklist
Back-to-School Essentials Shopping List
To round out the ultimate back-to-school preparation checklist, we wanted to call out some of the back-to-school essentials that usually donât have a spot on the school supplies list.
Backpacks
A backpack is a must-have that likely wonât make it onto the school supplies list. Plus, of all the supplies, thereâs nothing quite as exciting for a little one than getting a new backpack that perfectly fit their personality for that year (or at least a few weeks). Be sure to check out our full list of the best backpacks for kids.
Lunch Boxes
Even kiddos who eat hot school lunches can benefit from having a lunch box on hand, especially for special days that include fields trips. Looking for more lunch boxes and accessories? Shop our full shopping round-up here!
Water Bottles
Ensure theyâre always hydrated with a durable, convenient, and leak-proof water bottle. We know it sounds impossible, be we promise, quality water bottles for kids are out there!
Back-to-School Clothes & Shoes
Start putting together your back-to-school clothes shopping list in advance so youâre ready to tackle all of the sales as they pop up, including new school shoes.
Several colors available
Available in sizes C11-J6
Donât forget new Jibbitz for a new school year!
Home Organization Items
Remaining organized throughout the end of summer and the school year will make all the difference. Use these products to get your home ready for whatever the school year has in store.
Bin and folders sold separatelyâwe recommend this XL tote from The Container Store.
Name Labels
Keep their new back-to-school gear out of the lost and found with name labels for their coats, water bottles, and more.
First Day of School Photo Props
While these arenât âessential,â they are fun additions to the time-honored tradition of taking pictures on the first day of school.
Brett Nicole Hayden, Editorial Assistant
As the Editorial Assistant, Brett works with the editors of The Everymom on the content creation process by updating stories, sourcing images and graphics, and pitching and contributing her own articles. Her favorite topics to write about are culture, relationships, and living. Sheâs also The Everymomâs resident baby names and family movies expert!