Summer is a perfect time to go out and purchase school supplies as shopping lists come out from local school districts.
But back-to-school shopping costs can quickly rack up, with new requirements every year, especially if you have multiple school-aged kids.
To combat this wallet-crunching phenomenon, Metrokids has figured out how to get the items you need while spending under $200.
The List
Taken from the list given to fourth-grade parents for the 2023-2024 school year at Lombardy Elementary in Wilmington, Delaware, this list provides a good example for what parents can expect to purchase this upcoming school year.
Recommended Supplies
Backpack (no wheels!)
4 one-subject notebooks (no labels)
5 Pocket folders, at least two with prongs inside (no labels)
1 Pair of child-sized scissors
Pencil sharpener w/ cover
1 pencil case/bag
Crayola markers or Crayons
Earbuds/headphones for personal use
To complete this list in a way that can be replicated by parents across the region, these products are found on Amazon and fit the needs of students while coming affordably no matter where you live.
Items
Backpack: VIDOSCLA Color-blocking Sports Kids Backpack, Middle Schoolbag Elementary Student Bookbag for Girls & Boys – $20.89
This backpack provides flexibility for students of various ages to carry what they need for school and includes a space to hold water bottles.
Notebooks: Mead Spiral Notebook, 6 Pack, 1-Subject, Wide Ruled Paper, 7-1/2” x 10-1/2”, 70 Sheets per Notebook – $9.99
These multicolored spiral notebooks are classic school supplies that can be used for multiple subjects throughout the school year.
Pocket Folders: KTRIO Plastic Pocket Folders with Prongs, 5 Pack of Letter Size folders- $6.99
A large selection of three-pronged pocket folders to fit everything within and provide durability.
Scissors: Kids Scissors, iBayam 5” Kid Scissors with Cover-$8.99
These scissors provide a mix of cutting ability and safety for younger children using them for in-class projects.
Pencil Sharpener: Manual 4PCS Colorful Compact Dual Holes Pencil Sharpener with Lid for Kids & Adults, Portable for School Office – $4.99
A small and easy to store manual pencil sharpener that can take care of dull or broken points on the fly during class.
Crayola Products: Crayola Classic Bundle: 3 Items – Crayons (24 Count), Broad Line Markers (10 Count), Colored Pencils (12 Count) – $9.95
This pack of markers, crayons and colored pencils fulfills all areas of colorful needs for projects, notetaking and art class.
Pencil Case: 2 pack of Three-Ring Binder Zipper Pencil Pouches– $5.99
Two cheap pencil cases that can fit within a three-ring binder for convenience as they are carried around during the school day, with plenty of space for all the supplies needed for lessons.
Headphones: Amazon Basics In Ear Wired Headphones, Earbuds with Microphone, 51.18 x 0.79 x 0.51 inches, Black -$7.99
A simple pair of wire headphones that can connect to computers and other devices for a personalized listening experience during the school day.
In total these items ring up to $75.78 with shipping and other fees not included, making shopping for back to school this year an affordable endeavor, and leaving plenty of room for purchasing extra supplies to potentially donate to teachers as well.
Even with these suggestions, it pays to shop around and find the cheapest prices and highest-quality items that suit your child’s preferences and needs.
