What to Pack for The 1st Day of Kindergarten
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As the first day of kindergarten approaches, it’s natural to feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. I get it, because I feel it too. As the fall school year approaches, we’re getting ready to send our oldest off to kindergarten, more specifically, what to pack for kindergarten so he can have a wildly fun and exciting first day of school. With the help of some of my best mom and teacher friends, I’ve gathered some helpful tips to help ease my worries, and hopefully, they can ease yours too.
Packing for kindergarten is more than just organizing supplies; it’s about preparing your child for a day filled with new experiences. Think of it as equipping them with practical and emotional support tools. Essentials like water bottles labeled with your child’s name, a nutritious snack, and a cozy sweater can make all the difference.
Remember, the goal is to help your little one feel comfortable and ready to take on their new adventure. As you pack, take a moment to share your excitement and reassure them—they’ve got this, and so do you! A great option is to include them in the packing together.
What to Pack for Kindergarten so Your Child Can Have a Successful 1st Day
From practical items like a durable backpack and labeled school supplies to comfort items like a favorite book or a small photo of the family, each item plays a role in helping your child feel prepared and secure. We’ll also share tips on how to personalize these essentials to make sure they stay safe at school. Be sure to read through the entire list to ensure you don’t miss any crucial details that can make your child’s first day a smooth and joyful experience.
First, You’ll Need a Backpack
When it comes to backpacks for kindergarteners, not all are created equal. Choosing the right size is crucial—small, lightweight backpacks are ideal for their first time, ensuring they’re not too heavy to tote around.
Fun designs featuring favorite characters and vibrant colors can make the backpack an exciting part of the school season, fostering a sense of pride. It’s also a great idea to include custom labels for their water bottle, lunch box, and pencil case to keep track of their belongings.
Practical features in a backpack like compartments for glue sticks, supplies, a water bottle, a complete change of clothes, and hand sanitizer go a long way in making their first day smooth. Below, you’ll find our favorite backpacks for your kindergartener’s first day. Each pick combines durability and delightful designs, with spaces for essential items like lunch containers, bento boxes, and most importantly, a water bottle. Be sure to check out our recommendations and find the backpack that will make their first day a memorable and successful start!
for Disney Lovers
This Simple Modern Disney Backpack for Boys & Girls is perfect for all the Disney lovers out there! With many of their favorite characters on the design, including a water bottle holder, front pocket, and easy-to-clean material — you can’t go wrong with this backpack!
Adaptive Backpacks
This 17″ Adaptive Backpack by Cat & Jack features a single top port + 2 bottom ports along with a laptop sleeve opening for tube access. It can be easily attached to a wheelchair and comes in a variety of colors and designs.
Mini Backpacks (11″)
These backpacks are perfect for preschoolers or TK children but could be too small for Kindergarteners. Be sure to double check with your child’s teacher.
Trendy Clear Backpacks
This durable PVC plastic backpack is durable and built to last! Plus, if your child is into all the trendy looks, this backpack will mak them smile ear to ear as they head into Kindergarten.
For Dinosaur Lovers
Calling our little dino lovers, this backpack is great because it has room to store a water bottle, has a small compartment for misc. items, and is big enough for papers and folders to fit inside.
For Unicorn Lovers
If your little one can’t get enough unicorn, rainbows, and adorable mythical magic — this backpack is perfect for their first year in Kindergarten!
Then, You’ll Need a Lunch Box
Choosing the best lunch box for your kiddo involves balancing functionality and fun. Of course, we want them to love it, but we also want it to store lots of healthy snacks and good food. You’ll find various sizes, from compact containers for small snacks to larger ones that can hold full meals.
Personally, I like to look for lunch boxes with easy-to-open lids and compartments for separating foods, which can make lunchtime more enjoyable and organized for your little one. Fun designs featuring popular characters, bright colors, and unique patterns can add a touch of excitement to their school day, making lunch something to look forward to. And don’t forget a special little lunch note to brighten their day!
Below, you’ll find our favorite lunch boxes for little ones, designed to be practical and appealing. From insulated options to those with multiple compartments, these lunch boxes are the perfect picks for a successful start to their school journey:
Best for hot or cold meals: The OmieBox
This insulated Bento box contains a leakproof thermos container allowing you to pack hot or warm foods for your little one along with cool foods all in one lunchbox!
Best leakproof lunch box: Bentgo Kids’ Leakproof Lunch Box
Send your kiddo to school knowing their lunch will be safe and secure without any messes or spills thanks to this highly-rated, leakproof lunchbox! Plus, it comes in all kinds of designs and colors!
Good for the planet: Salelign 4 Pack Wheat Straw Lunch Boxes for Kids
Keep the planet in mind and your little ones’ lunches ready to go with these eco-friendly Bento lunch boxes. We love the 3-compartment design so foods can be easily separated and that they’re made from 100% BPA-free wheat straw material.
Best with a fun design: Fit & Fresh Kids’ Baylee Charm Lunch Box
If you don’t need a lunchbox with a bunch of compartments or fancy thermos containers — this lunch box from Fit & Fresh Kids’ features such a fun design because it can hold charms! It comes in different colors and is fun to deck out in your child’s favorite little charms.
Most affordable lunch box: Kids’ Lunch Tote – Pillowfort™
Pillowfort’s basic lunch bag is all you’ll need for your little one for those easy grab-and-go lunches. You can never go wrong with a basic, and very affordable lunch bag.
A Water Bottle
Hydration is absolutely important for our little ones who will likely spend a lot of time running around and having a blast in kindergarten so here are our best tips to choosing a water bottle that will last them all year long. Leakproof options are a must to prevent spills and messes in their backpack or at school. So, be sure to look for bottles with leakproof or secure lids and easy-to-use spouts or straws.
The other thing to consider is what type of material you want the bottle to be made of. Typically, plastic and stainless steel are the two most common options you’ll find. Stainless steel options are durable and can keep drinks cold longer, while BPA-free plastic bottles are lightweight, but both come in some fun designs.
So, here are our favorite toddler water bottles (and the ones my husband and I use for our own kids):
Best Leakproof Water Bottle: Simple Modern
We LOVE and use Simple Modern’s stainless steel water bottles for both of our children. Not only are they leakproof, but they’re incredibly durable! I can’t tell you how many times my kids have dropped these and they take the hit without any damage to the bottle. Plus, they have a vacuum-insulated design and will keep your child’s drink cold or hot.
Best Plastic Water Bottle: CamelBak
Nothing beats the Camelback. These plastic water bottles are perfect for kindergarteners because they’re leak-proof when open and spill-proof when closed. They’re also made with 50% recycled material and are BPA, BPS, and BPF free.
Possibly, a Pencil Case
Some kindergarten classes will request you bring a pencil case for your child to store their arts and crafts while others will not. Be sure to double-check your child’s classroom supply list so you don’t purchase anything unnecessarily.
Basic School Supplies
Many times you’ll be asked to bring some school supplies which you can buy based on the list of supplies your child’s teacher gives you. Usually, it includes items like crayons, glue sticks, scissors, colored pencils, and possibly, hand sanitizer.
Backup Clothes
Kindergarteners will do lots of fun crafts and activities at school, sometimes it might get messy and they need a backup change of clothing. Your child could also have an accident at school because sometimes accidents happen, so it’s always a good idea to pack a backup set of clothing for your child to stay at school in their cubby or backpack.
Custom Labels
Labeling your child’s belongings for school is essential to keep track of their items and prevent loss. There are several brands known for making durable, stylish labels that are perfect for kids. Companies like Teddy’s Labels and Name Bubbles offer customizable options that can withstand daily wear and tear. Items that should be labeled include backpacks, lunch boxes, water bottles, pencil cases, and clothing.
Labeling these essentials not only helps teachers and caregivers but also fosters your child’s sense of responsibility to be able to identify and find their belongings.
Sensory Support Items
As a parent of a child who is autistic, my number one goal with ANY new start or transition is to help him feel safe and supported.
Schools can be loud, so sometimes it looks like a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. Some situations are simply difficult for young children, so using a fidget toy can help calm their nerves.
And sometimes they just need a little reminder that we are always there with them, which is where a personalized keychain like this one came in so helpful for our son whenever he would miss us at preschool.
Preparing for your kindergartener’s first day of school is a big deal, but with all the preparation you’ve done to make sure they have everything they need, it’ll make this transition a smooth one. So, here’s to sending our little ones off to school well-prepared and extra loved as they brave a new adventure.
