What are the back to school essentials for kids?

The new school year always seems to arrive faster than expected. One minute the kids are mid-summer, the next you're staring down a booklist and wondering what you actually need to buy before the first day of term. The good news is that getting your children ready for school doesn't have to be stressful or expensive it just takes a clear checklist and a bit of early planning.

Back to school essentials every child needs come down to four things - writing tools, somewhere to keep their notes, a bag to carry it all, and a way to eat and drink through the school day. Everything else builds on top of that.

You don't need to panic-buy the whole stationery aisle to get this right. Most of what ends up in the trolley is repeat purchases of the same four categories it just feels bigger than it is when you're standing in a shop with a list in one hand and a kid pulling you toward the glitter pens. At Low Cost Office, we put together this checklist based on what actually gets used through the year, not just what looks good on a shelf, so you can shop once, shop smart, and stop second-guessing what's worth buying.

Back to School Essentials at a Glance

The back to school essentials for kids include school stationery (copybooks, refill pads, pens and pencils), a sturdy school bag, a lunchbox and water bottle, a pencil case, folders and binders to stay organised, and any tech or uniform items on the school list. Primary school children need the basics like copies, pencils and colouring supplies, while secondary school students need a wider stationery kit, a calculator, a maths set and more storage for handouts.

Here's a quick scannable list of the must-haves before day one:

• Copybooks, refill pads and project books
• Pens, pencils, erasers and a sharpener
• Highlighters, markers and colouring pencils
• Pencil case, folders and ring binders
• Maths set, geometry kit and calculator (secondary)
• Glue sticks and scissors
• School bag, lunchbox and water bottle
• Name labels for clothes and supplies

Before You Start Your Back to School Shopping

A little preparation goes a long way during back to school season. These three steps will save you time, money and a few last-minute panics.

1. Check the school's booklist and supply list first

Every school is different, so always start with the official booklist and stationery requirements before buying anything. Some primary schools provide shared classroom supplies like glue and scissors, while secondary schools often have subject-specific requirements that change from year to year. Printing the list out and ticking items off as you go is the easiest way to avoid buying duplicates or forgetting something for the first day of term.

2. Set a budget and buy in bulk where you can

Back to school supplies add up quickly, especially if you have more than one child. Setting a budget before you shop keeps spending in check, and buying stationery in value packs or in bulk is one of the simplest ways to cut the cost per item. Copybooks, refill pads, pens and pencils all get used up through the year, so stocking up early on multipacks works out far cheaper than topping up piece by piece in October.

3. Shop online early to beat the September rush

The shelves in physical shops thin out fast once the back to school rush begins, and the items you need most are often the first to sell out. Shopping online early means you get the full range, the best prices and your supplies delivered straight to your door — no queues, no car park, no "they were out of A4 copies." At Low Cost Office, free delivery on orders over €75 (excl. VAT) and next-day delivery nationwide make it easy to get everything sorted in a few clicks.

Stationery Essentials Every Child Needs

Stationery is the heart of any back to school checklist. Whether your child is starting junior infants or heading into the Leaving Cert, these are the school stationery essentials that should be on every list.

1. Copybooks, refill pads and project books

Copybooks are the workhorse of the school bag. Stock up on a mix of lined copies, sums copies and larger project books to cover every subject. For older students, A4 refill pads and a hardback notebook or two are essential for note-taking and homework. Buying copybooks in bulk packs at the start of the year means you won't be caught short mid-term.

2. Pens, pencils and erasers

Every child needs a reliable supply of pens and pencils and they have a habit of disappearing, so multipacks are your friend. Trusted brands like Bic keep things smooth and smudge-free, while a good eraser, a sharpener and a few HB pencils round out the basics for younger children. Secondary students will want blue, black, red and green pens for colour-coding notes.

3. Highlighters, markers and colouring supplies

Highlighters and markers help students organise notes and make revision easier, while colouring pencils, crayons and felt-tip markers are a primary school staple for projects and creative work. A set of highlighters in a few different colours is one of those small but genuinely useful back to school supplies that gets used all year.

4. Maths set, calculator and geometry kit

As children move into senior primary and secondary school, a maths set becomes essential. A geometry kit with a compass, protractor and set squares, paired with a scientific calculator, covers maths, science and technical subjects. Check the school's requirements, as some specify a particular calculator model for state exams.

5. Pencil cases, folders and ring binders

Organisation is half the battle during the school year. A roomy pencil case keeps the small stuff together, while folders, ring binders, display books and document wallets keep handouts, worksheets and notes from ending up crumpled at the bottom of the bag. For secondary students juggling multiple subjects, a folder or binder per subject is a genuine game-changer.

6. Glue, scissors and the classroom extras

Round out the stationery list with the bits that are easy to forget: glue sticks (Pritt is a classroom favourite), child-safe scissors, sticky notes, sticky labels and a roll of sticky-back plastic for covering copies and books. These small extras come up again and again throughout the term, so it's worth having spares at home.

School Bags, Lunchboxes and Daily Items

Beyond stationery, your child needs the right gear to get through the school day. A well-made school bag with padded straps and good back support is worth investing in, especially for secondary students carrying heavier books between classes. A leak-proof lunchbox and a durable, refillable water bottle are daily essentials, and a smaller tote or gym bag is handy for PE days and after-school activities. Labelling everything clearly will save you replacing "lost" items by Halloween.

Tech and Home Study Essentials

Homework and study increasingly happen on screens and at the kitchen table, so a few tech essentials make the school year run more smoothly. A home printer is invaluable for printing worksheets, project materials and revision notes and keeping spare printer ink and a ream of printer paper on hand means you're never stuck the night before a deadline. A USB or flash drive is still useful for school projects and assignments, and a sturdy desk setup with good lighting helps create a focused study space at home. These are the back to school essentials that are easy to overlook but make a real difference once term is in full swing.

Primary School Essentials Checklist

For younger children starting or returning to primary school, keep it simple. The primary school essentials list usually includes:

• Copybooks and a homework journal
• HB pencils, erasers, sharpener and a pencil case
• Colouring pencils, crayons and markers
• Child-safe scissors and glue sticks
• A small school bag and a labelled lunchbox and water bottle
• A4 plastic folder or wallet for letters and homework
• Name labels for everything

Secondary School Essentials Checklist

Secondary school students need a more substantial stationery kit to handle multiple subjects, more note-taking and exam prep. The secondary school essentials list typically includes:

• Pens in several colours, plus pencils and erasers
• A4 refill pads, hardback notebooks and subject copybooks
• Highlighters and markers for revision
• A maths set, geometry kit and scientific calculator
• Ring binders, dividers and display books for each subject
• A sturdy, supportive school bag
• A USB drive for assignments and projects
• A homework diary or planner to track deadlines

How to Save Money on Back to School Supplies?

Back to school shopping is one of the bigger expenses of the year for Irish families, but there are plenty of ways to keep costs down without cutting corners on quality.

• Buy in bulk - Value packs of copybooks, pens and refill pads work out cheaper per item and last well into the school year.
• Shop online for the lowest prices: Online suppliers often beat high-street prices, and you can compare easily. Low Cost Office has been one of Ireland's cheapest online stationery suppliers since 2012, stocking trusted brands like Bic, Pukka, Tiger and Pritt.
• Reuse what you can: Check last year's pencil case and folders before buying new often the basics just need topping up.
• Make the most of free delivery: Combining your order to qualify for free delivery over €75 (excl. VAT) saves on postage, and next-day nationwide delivery means no last-minute shop dashes.
• Support Irish-owned: Buying from a 100% Irish-owned supplier keeps your spend local while still getting you the best value.

Ready to tick off your list? Browse the full range of back to school supplies at Low Cost Office Ireland's lowest prices with national wide delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What stationery does my child need for school?

Most children need copybooks, refill pads, pens, pencils, erasers, a sharpener, highlighters, colouring supplies, glue, scissors and a pencil case. Secondary students also need a maths set, a scientific calculator, ring binders and folders for each subject. Always check the school's official stationery list, as requirements vary between primary and secondary schools.

2. When should I start back to school shopping?

It's best to start your back to school shopping in early-to-mid August, before the September rush. Shopping early means a wider choice of supplies, better prices and no risk of popular items selling out. Ordering online early also gives you time for delivery without any last-minute stress.

3. Where can I buy affordable school supplies in Ireland?

You can buy affordable back to school supplies online from Irish-owned suppliers like Low Cost Office, which offers low prices on copybooks, stationery, pens and tech essentials, with free delivery on orders over €75 (excl. VAT) and next-day delivery nationwide.