What's In My Cart? -- Back to School Faves from Amazon
- Leighann Manross
- Aug 1
- 3 min read
It’s that time again — fresh pencils, crisp planners, and that unmistakable smell of new notebooks. Whether you're a parent prepping multiple grade levels or a teacher refreshing your classroom stash, I’ve rounded up our go-to back-to-school faves straight from Amazon. As a mom of a 2nd, 7th, and 11th grader, and a former classroom teacher myself, I’ve learned a thing or two about what supplies actually get used — and loved — year after year.
Here’s what made it into my cart this season (and why you might want to hit “add to cart” too).
**As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn on qualifying purchases.
Backpacks + Lunch Gear
Stylish, sturdy, and functional — these are our go-to picks year after year.
Backpacks with padded straps, laptop sleeves, and room to grow. Perfect for littles and teens. Variety of colors.
Lunchboxes & Bentos that actually keep food cool and don’t fall apart mid-year.
Water Bottles that are leak-proof and don’t come home half full (thank you, straw lids!).
Basic Supplies for Every Age
From primary school to high school, here’s what I buy in bulk (because they always run out!).
Composition Notebooks — wide-ruled for my youngest, college-ruled for my high schooler.
Spiral Notebooks in different colors to keep each subject separate.
Pens & Pencils — mechanical pencils for the older ones, and Ticonderogas (because teachers love them) for the younger grades.
Binders + Folders — sturdy options that hold up past October. Color-coded = organized chaos.
Crayola Variety Pack — markers, crayons, colored pencils. Tried-and-true for projects and creativity.
Fun + Functional Extras
These aren’t just school supplies — they make learning fun and organizing easier.
Brain Teaser Games — perfect for after-school wind-down or brain breaks at school.
Clipboards — I love a classroom set of clipboards we use them often + they can even earn stickers to decorate their board and make it more personalized.
Sticky Notes — shapes, colors, sizes. You can never have too many.
Dry Erase Index Cards — game changer for small groups and classroom activities. These are one of my favorites for my classroom.
Classic Index Cards — still essential for vocabulary, presentations, and notes.
Loose Leaf Paper, Printer Paper, and Cardstock — the trifecta of paper needs in our house and classroom.
Teacher Must-Haves (from a teacher herself!)
If you're stocking a classroom or gifting your child's teacher, these items are chef’s kiss.
Flair Pens — color-coding, grading, or planning. Every teacher’s obsession.
Day Designer Planner — THE ONLY PLANNER I use as a teacher and keep buying year after year for the last 5 years, keeps me sane with daily layouts and plenty of space to brain dump.
Grade-Level Specific Picks
Because every grade has a different rhythm.
For My 2nd Grader
Crayola everything
Pencils + pencil grips
Folders + water bottle
For My 7th Grader
1.5” binders with dividers
Pens/Pencils
Durable lunchbox
For My 11th Grader
Digital Academic planner + Mechanical Pencil Kit
Minimalist backpack
Wireless mouse + laptop stand for homework days
💡Final Tips
Order early to avoid the August shipping rush
Grab extras for mid-year replenishing (you’ll thank yourself!)
Label everything — yes, even the pencils
I hope this gives you a head start on your own back-to-school prep! Be sure to check my [Amazon storefront or links below] for the exact items in our cart this year. Let’s make this school year the smoothest (and most stylish) one yet!
✨ What’s in your cart? Tag me on Instagram @yourhandle with your back-to-school finds!
Comments