This post contains sponsored inclusions of Staples and Next, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
Preschool Packing List: Everything I’m Buying for My Toddler’s First Day
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This summer, my toddler attended camp for the first time. And as any mom sending her child off into the world, I was fully unprepared. The night before her first day, I frantically ran around the house looking for all the items I suddenly realized she would need for her first day away from home. I grabbed an old backpack of mine, scribbled her name on her clothes in Sharpie, and sent her on her way. At drop-off, I saw all the other little preschool kids with their adorable backpacks. Right then, I promised myself I’d do better by the time the school year officially started with a full-blown preschool packing list. To ensure you don’t end up in the same frenzy, I’m sharing everything I’m buying for my toddler’s first day of preschool.
Despite having a hand-me-down adult backpack, my daughter loved camp. And now, I’m so excited to get her ready for her first day of preschool. Thankfully, with camp as a practice round, I now know how to prepare my child for school. I have been gathering all the necessities to make sure she has a great first day.
If you’ve got a toddler heading off to school for the first time, there are a few things they will need, plus some nice-to-haves as well. Read on for a general preschool packing list, plus everything I’m buying for my child’s first day of preschoolthis year.
Use the checklist below as a helpful guide for what you’ll likely need to pack for your little one’s first day of preschool. Of course, be sure to ask your specific school for anything else your child may need for a successful day.
Backpack
Lunch box (+ snacks)
Water bottle
Nap mat (+ comfort item)
Waterproof labels
Indoor shoes (if required)
Extra set of clothes
Jacket
Extra socks & underwear
Wet bag
Diapers & wipes (if needed)
Sunscreen
Medication (if needed)
What I’m Buying for Preschool
Here, I’m sharing the specific items I’m purchasing ahead of my daughter’s first day of preschool. Some of these products are part of the packing list above. But a few others—like an alarm clock and label printer—are extras I’m buying to be prepared for the first day and beyond.
If your LO is already obsessed with Bluey, this 5-piece backpack set is an easy way to get them excited for their first day. It comes with a backpack, lunch box, pencil case, and water bottle, so you can check off multiple items on your packing list in just one purchase.
Leaving home for a long period of the day for the first time can be hard for some kids (and parents). I’m getting matching keychains with a family photo to put on her backpack—mine on my keys—so that anytime we miss each other during the day, we both can take a quick look and find comfort during this time apart.
My favorite feature of this lunch box is that it has a built-in ice pack to keep her food nice and cool until lunchtime. I can’t guarantee I’ll be making elaborate bento-style lunches all year, but this box is giving me some serious creativity goals. I love that it has compartments for a full meal and is far less wasteful than individual plastic bags for snacks.
This water bottle will be perfect to toss in my child’s backpack for a day at school. I like that it has a flip-up straw to minimize spills and germs because I’m sure this bottle will spend plenty of time being dropped on the ground. Plus, her drink will stay cool all day long!
Though it’s dependent on their age, most kids take one nap per day while at preschool.
“This adorable roll-up mat is from a small, women-owned business and is fantastic quality compared to others we’ve had.” —Allyson Trammell, Editor-in-Chief of The Everygirl
If you’re looking for an option that easily attaches to a nap cot, this comfy (and super cute!) nap mat comes with an attached pillow and blanket. And there’s an option to personalize it with your kiddo’s name.
I’ve been told to label literally everything my child is taking to preschool, or else things will get lost in the sea of kids. I ordered this easy-to-use label maker, and it’s been one of the best preschool investments.
Another great option is this personalized waterproof name stamp. Stamp clothes, books, backpacks, and more, and your little one’s belongings will easily make it out of the lost and found pile.
You can never have too many basic tees when you’re sending a toddler to preschool. This colorful five-pack makes getting dressed easy, gives you plenty of backup options for messy days, and is made from soft cotton that’s comfortable enough for all-day play.
I’m all about matching sets for busy school mornings—they take the guesswork out of getting dressed while still looking put together. Since this pack comes with two complete outfits, it’s an easy way to stock up on preschool-ready clothes without having to mix and match.
Be prepared for rainy days with this adorable rain jacket for kids. My kids love any opportunity to jump in a puddle, and at least they’ll be dry (for the most part) with this handy jacket.
It will be fall before we know it. Before the cooler weather comes in, snag Quince’s lightweight down hooded puffer jacket that they can easily stuff in a backpack.
Kids need comfortable shoes for adventuring out of the house, and this easy-to-put-on pair will be perfect for school. And if your school requires a pair of “indoor shoes,” this option works great because of its non-skid soles.
Velcro sneakers are a preschool staple because they’re easy for little ones to put on and take off all by themselves. These are comfortable enough for a full day of running, climbing, and playing, plus they’re durable enough to handle everything the school year throws their way.
Earlier in my parenting experience, I purchased adorable socks with different colors and patterns. Two years later, I realize that was a big mistake because every morning, I’m running around looking for matching socks (rarely do I end up finding any). I finally caved and now have this huge set of basic socks to make mornings just a tiny bit easier.
Accidents happen at preschool. Even if your child is potty trained, it’s a good idea to send them off with an extra pair (or two) of underwear in case they’re needed during the day.
And speaking of accidents and general messiness, a reusable wet bag like this one is a must-have backpack item, so teachers have somewhere waterproof to throw wet, soiled, or stained clothing when your little one inevitably needs to change outfits.
It’s always a good idea to pack sunscreen to protect your little one when they’re having some fun in the sun. But make it easy by filling this sunscreen applicator with your go-to kids’ sunscreen. They’ll easily be able to apply it to their skin independently.
Getting a routine down for the school year is key, and Skylight’s new Skylight Buddy has already been a hit with moms. This nifty device allows parents to outline their kid’s chores, routines, and more, so littles can have a smoother morning and evening on those busy weekdays. Plus, there’s an alarm clock and sound machine feature! Wondering whether or not this purchase is worth it? Read our Editor-in-Chief’s Skylight Buddy Review here.
Heading to school on time and getting a good night’s rest will be easier with a white noise alarm clock that displays the time, along with a sun and moon that indicate when it’s day or night.
The Everygirl Media Group has brought valuable content to our readers for 12+ years. In 2018, The Everymom set out to ensure that all moms know they’re not alone. If you find yourself seeking advice on how to style the latest fashion trend or searching for the best kid-friendly coffee table, we have the answers. And if you’re wondering what’s actually worth it from a sale or looking for a review of the hottest new kids’ product, we’ve got that covered too. From our annual Registry Awards and beloved holiday gift guides to the shopping round-ups you find on our site every day, The Everymom commerce team is well-versed in sifting through thousands of products to curate a digestible list for you. We combine our own experience with in-depth research to bring you a selection that meets our high standards for both fashion and function.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amanda Shapin Michelson, Former Editor
Amanda is a writer specializing in health, wellness, and motherhood. She recently wrote the book Pregnancy Hacks, sharing tips to comfortably get through the major ups and downs of pregnancy. She currently works for Babylist and lives in Maryland with her husband, kids Millie, Ezra, and Sloane, and pup Ollie.
As the Associate Editor, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, editing freelance articles, and more. With Patty’s passion for writing, experience as a mother of two, and expertise as a pediatric nurse, she brings a thoughtful and informative perspective to The Everymom.
This post contains sponsored inclusions of Staples and Next, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
