As busy parents, can we ever be too ready for back to school season? With three teens in our house, we’re sharing a back-to-school checklist for teens + high school students. Read on, because we are sharing with all of our tips and where you can find everything you need at Walmart. This post is sponsored by Walmart, but all opinions are my own. #Sponsored #Walmart #GoBackBig #BackToSchool
Back To School Checklist For Teens
Yup! Back To School is in full swing, and parents everywhere are in full-on back to school mode. Translation, we’re not going to stop until our kids have everything they need to begin the new school year off on the right foot. As parents of three teenage boys, we’ve done this a time or two, and with all of our years of parenting, we’ve learned that there’s no better place to get school supplies than our local neighborhood Walmart.
You see these three guys; they’re teenagers and teenagers don’t play; you have to step your back-to-school game ALL the way up!
As I mentioned earlier, my wife and I are BTSP (Back To School Pros), and we have the lists from each of the boys and the list of the mandatory materials we received from our boys’ schools. And as soon as we walk through the Walmart doors, we know exactly what we need and where to get it. But that’s not the only reason we shop for back-to-school supplies at Walmart; we also make our yearly school shopping return because everything is priced just right. If there is one thing we like more than the convenience of one-stop shopping, it’s saving money.
Back To School With Teens
Our three teenage boys are dialed-in when it comes to having those must-have items from backpacks, school supplies, clothes, etc. For our family, the new school year is just around the corner, and the one thing we find challenging as parents is going shopping for school supplies with teens. Our boys are a lot different to school shop for as teens, their styles change from year to year, as well as what they need for a new school year. And to top it all off, our boys all have different styles, but we’re pros at working with them on helping them get everything they need.
Our boys love to have the freshest gear, from graphic tees to comfortable and stylish jeans, athletic gear like sweats, and hoodies we can get it all at Walmart.
Not all teens are going to be happy about going back to school, but we involve them in the process. Here are a few of our tips:
- We don’t start shopping for school supplies until after we picked up their syllabus and talked to their teachers. High schoolers don’t need crayons, markers, and glue sticks, but they do have other requirements they need for school.
- We have our teens attend orientation night with us, so they can also get the same requirements from their teachers.
- We sit down and make a list of everything they will need.
- Our teens go with us to pick out their own clothes + shoes. It’s also a great idea to give them a specific allowance and have them go through the store to shop for themselves. This is not only teaching them budgeting skills, but it saves you battle #3453 with your teen(s).
So, when the first day of school arrives, it’s low pressure because mom and dad did all of the necessary back-to-school shopping to make everything easy as pie. Here is our quick reference back-to-school- supplies checklist to make sure your back to school shopping is a success.
Back-to-School Supplies Checklist For Teens
- Back Packs
- Lunch Bag
- Notebooks
- Notebook Paper
- Folders
- 3-Ring Binders
- Pencils + Pencil Sharpener
- Pens
- Mechanical Pencils
- Erasers + Whiteout
- Hand Sanitizer
- Scientific Calculator
- USB Flash Drive
- Highlighters
- 12-inch ruler
- Protractor
- Markers + Highlighters
- Sticky Notes
- Earbuds or headphones
- Computer or tablet + Printer {this is optional- teens can go to the library to work if necessary}
- New shoes
- Clothes
- Gym shorts/Swimming trunks
- Undershirts/Boxers
- Socks
- Water Bottle
- Combination Lock
- Locker Accessories
- Index Cards
So, have you started back-to-school shopping yet? If not, our list is a great place to start. Ready. Set. #GoBackBig with Walmart School Supplies and more. Head over to Walmart.com to begin shopping online and head into the store to grab all the required school supplies!
Royal campbell says
Some great advice. Thank you
JoAnn says
You can get some great deals at Walmart on clothes and school supplies!
Emily says
I’m dreading the days when my kids back to school lists are this long. I’m going to squeeze as much enjoyment as I can that they still only need crayons and markers ?. You’ve definitely made it seem less daunting though.
Maryann Appling says
This is so helpful. Working fulltime and helping my special needs son prepare for the new school can be very overwhelming. He’s older now, and before it was just crayons, markers, and glue sticks. Now, he’s needed highlighters, 3 ring binders, and so much more. Not to mention with the latest fashion for the new school year. I really enjoyed reading your blogs. It makes my life a little bit easier ! Thank you!
Erin says
I have 1 teen and 2 in elementary. The younger ones get a list ahead of time but the older one doesn’t find out what he needs until school starts and it drives me crazy! But I definitely stop at Walmart first for the best prices
Brenda Starr Johnson says
These check lists are a mile long for each class but I’m ready!
Carly Wark says
My mom gave me a budget when we were school shopping it helped me alot get the stuff I really liked love this idea!
Heather Gelormino says
Thank you for this info. It’s so hard transitioning from grade school to junior high this year, i was really in the dark as to what to buy. This article was VERY helpful!!!! We also have ALL boys???? Here’s to a great school year??
Courtney Ferden says
I love the idea of giving them an allowance and letting them pick out their own clothes and shoes! I dont have teens yet, but definitely something I’ll keep in mind when the time comes!
Kari Hodge says
Back to school can be so stressful.
Shannon says
I’m still not convinced my kids need new clothes just because school is starting again. I still try to recycle as much as possible from prior year.
Fawn McHenry says
Great advice. I picked up all of the actual school supplies at Walmart this year using their pick up option for the first time and it was great!
Jannie Cha says
Your quick reference back-to-school- supplies checklist is amazing!! Thanks for sharing!
Stephanie says
Appreciate the information! I have one tween and whoa, middle school they seem to need items down to the exact brand, size, or function. We too shopped Walmart, but learned fast that some easy snacks needed to be on our lists, and those too were easy finds at Walmart within their Gluten Free section.
Allison says
I won’t shop for my elementary kids without the list because they are so selective on what they need now. I have left over school supplies from last year because they we not needed.
Raychel says
I agree with giving them a budget. I have 3 boys and one in elementary. One in middle
And one in high school. They all have different needs when it comes to supplies. High school is by far the easiest purchase for us. They need basics so that is nice and easy on the budget. I think the most expensive purchase was graphing notebook this year which was 6.00 not bad at all. We reuse backpacks. From year before we usually give them 2 years with same backpack. We also have our 2 younger boys who are a little rough on their backpacks. We purchased backpacks with lifetime warranties so that’s nice. If they ruin them we return and receive a new one. ?
I enjoy reading how other parents get ready for back to school!
Amy G. says
My son is starting high school. He really does t care about supplies except what kind of pencils he has. He has a preference!
Vicki says
Backpack snacks are also a great idea!!
Janel Smith says
Walmart was an awesome one stop shopping experience for supplies. My son was especially happy to see binders in several different colors, and the fact that they had all the correct size binders he needed in addition to all the other items needed at a great price was a win for me.
Patricia Dye says
These are all great ideas that my family and I can try. Thanks❤️
Danielle Albers says
My last daughter who is in 11th Grade needed a TI-84 Plus CE Color Graphing Calculator. WOZA!! did not realize how expensive that is. Luckily Meijer’s had it on sale for $119.00 (w/tax) and I received a $40.00 catalina. I just turned around and used that on all the necessities for her 6 classes.
Renda King says
I always go to Walmart for back to school supplies. My 2 oldest children are young adults now. I am shopping for my 2 younger children that are in 1st grade and kindergarten.
AMY LOCKE says
Great ideas. We tried to always have a back up at home so that we didn’t pay full price for the items when they lost or were used up.
Tiffany ludy says
Love the tips. I also try to stock up when supplies go on clearance. If we don’t use them that year, we have them for the next. We already started school and my oldest now a freshman still hasn’t gotten a list of items she needs. Thanks for all your advice and knowledge.
Angie says
I like the idea of kids helping with shopping and staying on budget.
Amanda Guthrie says
Great tips for back to school. Thank you!!
Sharde’ Burton says
Walmart online and pick up in store is great! Also helps to make sure you are picking up extra items! ?
KyLee Dickinson says
Man, looking at that supply list I’m not complaining about the 10 packs crayons, Clorox wipes and tissues that I have to get for my 4 kiddos! Three teen supplies seems a lot more costly!
Brooklynn Kennedy says
I couldn’t not imagine having to buy so many supplies for three teens. I thought only having 1 in school was tough enough.
Sandy says
Thanks for the helpful tips.
Teri Rhadigan says
Giving teens a specific allowance is a MUST! I know my parents did it with me as a kid! ?
Lesley Hartzler says
Some great advice! I always use the great back to school sales to get some extra reusable water bottles too because my kids are always misplacing them!
Wendy Campbell says
Great article. I am always surprised at how much kids still need in high school. I remember going back to school with a few notebooks and pens.
Shannon Smith says
Great ideas! Thank you for sharing!
Ashley says
Great informational piece although I have awhile yet before my kids have a supply list anywhere near as long as this but was a great read
Amy says
Great ideas and tips!
Hope Swank says
I agree that it’s a great lesson for the kids to have a budget and a list of what they need and let them pick out the items. They can decide where corners can be cut to make sure everything is purchased.
Kim F says
My kids are still in elementary but these tips are helpful no matter what. We didn’t the majority of to school supply shopping at Walmart. The rest on amazon!!
Patricia Stacer says
Great advice for back to school shopping!!
Karri says
Backpack snacks are great idea especially for kids involved in sports and that stay after school!!!
Nicole Radford says
My son is still young and in elementary so I buy supplies year round when I find them on sale, it helps a lot!
Jessica g. says
These are great tips! Back to school time can be stressful. With the planning that you mentioned it relieves some of that stress and you can actually enjoy the bonding time spent in preparation.
Michele Ebmeyer says
Great tips. I’m thankful my son is still in elementary school.
Monica Bethuy says
My boys are all grown, however I passed the list & tips on to my son for my G’kids : D
D says
I think what kids need most is parents that love them……your boys clearly are good in that area!!!
Nicole C. says
This is a great list. We like to shop for standard things like you listed early in the summer when they have full stock and run good deals. Walmart is great because they usually have better prices and selection than some of the smaller local stores. I think giving them an allowance is a great idea I will utilize when my children get older because it teaches them budgeting and accountability.
Stephanie VanKoughnet says
I love your helpful tips. Im dreading the high school lists my sons are already long enough in 5th grade.
Deb Kidle says
Great info and checklist. My kids are way beyond the age of back to school, but I remember the stress very well of making sure they had everything they needed before the first day of school.
Charyl says
I like the idea of incorporating budgeting into the BTS process with teens. It’s a good life skill.
Mindy LaPointe says
Back to school?! It seems too soon. We have all our supplies and are ready to go. Thanks for these great tips!
melly adams says
I love/hate that my son is so easy to shop for back to school. hes like nah I don’t care about new clothes, I don’t need new shoes…but sometimes its infuriating because you want to get him something nice and new and hes like meh….LOL
Erin S says
Great tips. I still have a few years until my kids are teens but great advice for the future.
D says
Great read. You are awesome.
Navidad says
Rather than traditional binders, my kids prefer the hybrid notebinders. They’re pretty sturdy, and fit better in their backpacks.
Deb Haas says
My tip…stick to the list. Teachers say that other items are distractions and a waste of money.
Toniah Bryant says
This year I waited until the teachers gave a list of what was needed. I lucked out because I had everything at home and didnt need to go school supply shopping. I reused notebooks that didnt get much use and found pencils never sharpened and re-purposed folders. Im sure I wont get this lucky next year.