The school bell is about to ring; it’s back to school shopping time. Well aware of the worry circulating among parents, we understand the reason is none other than the lengthy shopping list for your children this season. But no more stressful sprint through crowded stores. With a little pre-planning and the right checklist, you can turn chaos into calm and get your kids ready for school without breaking a sweat.
Dear parents, we have developed this guide to cover everything your child needs for school. So, grab your coffee and let’s make back-to-school shopping easier and even a little fun.
Back To School Shopping in Pakistan - A Complete Checklist
When it comes to back-to-school shopping, having a checklist is the most important step. It saves you time, keeps you organized, and helps you avoid last-minute panic over a forgotten item.
Every grade level comes with its own set of needs, but some common essentials consistently appear on the list. From clothing and stationery to hygiene items and lunch gear, this all-in-one checklist ensures you don’t miss a thing.
Let’s break it down so you can shop smart and stress less, with this back to school checklist.
Clothing & Accessories
Comfortable uniforms, quality school shoes, and everyday basics like socks and hats are the essentials to start the checklist. Don’t forget seasonal items like sunglasses or caps for outdoor activities. With the right wardrobe, your child will feel confident and ready to learn. Here’s a breakdown of what to add to the checklist:
- School Uniforms: All the schools in Pakistan require uniforms for children. Make sure you check the dress code guidelines before buying. Buy at least 3–4 sets to avoid doing laundry midweek. Many brands offer back to school clothes Pakistan with the newest stock for your kids, promising a fresh start to the new school year.
- Casual Kids Clothes (For Kindergarten): If your child is not required to wear a uniform, look for soft, breathable fabrics and fits that will keep your child comfortable throughout the day.
- School Shoes: Comfortable black and white, breathable material shoes are a must for school days. Consider options made from leather for younger children.
- Sneakers: Shop for breathable materials to keep kids comfortable during sports activities. White sneakers can get dirty easily, so purchase cleaners for them too.
- Socks: Since socks get dirty or lost easily, it's smart to buy them in bulk. It is advisable to go for cotton socks and sober colors for your kids so that they’ll enjoy wearing them too.
- Hats & Sunglasses: Protection from the sun is important, so buy hats and sunglasses for your wards. They will keep your children safe from the scorching heat and sunburns.
Stationery & School Supplies
Stationery and school supplies form the backbone of every student's daily routine. Having the right tools helps children stay organized and focused. You won't be worrying last minute if you get the stationery items early. And it allows kids to start the year with confidence and excitement. Here’s your complete checklist:
- Bags/Backpacks: Choose school backpacks that are comfy and easy to carry. You can even go for school bags online shopping, as there are many good online bag brands with reasonable prices. Colorful bags are a good eye-catcher for kids.
- Writing Tools: Get the needed writing tools like pens, pencils, remover, etc., for everyday use. Don’t forget the erasers and highlighters to help your child stay organized. Get these items in bundles, as these are the most used items of the school year.
- Measurement Tools: A ruler is a must-have for measurement purposes. Get different unit rulers, in different colors, to get your child hooked on measuring accurately.
- Paper Supplies: Buy the required notebooks, folders, and binders to keep everything in order. Loose-leaf paper and index cards also help in assignments, so get some of these as well.
- Adhesives and Cutting Tools: Get some glue sticks, including clear and double-sided tape for different needs. Make sure to choose age-appropriate scissors with blunt tips for safety.
- Math Tools: A calculator is essential for older students in maths. A complete geometry set, having a compass, protractor, etc, helps with the accuracy in work.
- Organization Essentials: Binders and color-coded dividers help the children find their notes easily. A pencil case keeps all their writing tools in one place. These things are necessary for the bag. Also, pencil cases for teenage girls come in a lot of beautiful, trendy patterns; get the most trending one for them.
Lunch & Snacks Essentials
Packing yummy meals will keep them energized and healthy throughout the day. With a lunchbox and water bottle, etc., you can keep the food fresh for your child. Essentials include:
- Lunchbox or Bento Box: Pick a lunchbox or bento box that won't leak so that the food doesn’t get mixed up or leak out.
- Water Bottle: Choose a water bottle for kids that is made of stainless steel to keep your child’s drinks cool throughout the day. Kids water bottles for school come in a lot of shapes and designs. Better ask your child about what type or color of water bottle they want. This way, they will feel included.
- Thermos: A thermos is perfect for packing warm meals like soups, pasta, or leftovers. We all know how much these kids love leftovers.
- Ice Packs: Ice packs are an addition to your child's lunchbox. They help keep fruits, yogurt, and other food items cool and fresh until lunchtime. This will make the kids enjoy the meal.
Hygiene & Toiletries
Hygiene and toiletries are just as important as books and pencils. Fill their backpacks with hand sanitizer, tissues, wet wipes, and deodorant for older children. A small first aid kit can also come in handy during the school day. Here’s a small list:
- Hand Sanitizer: Go for child-friendly hand sanitizers that are gentle on the skin and have good scents.
- Wet Wipes: Choose options suitable for your child’s skin type, and pack travel-sized packs that easily fit in lunchboxes or backpacks.
- Tissues: Keep a few packets in the pockets of the bag and their uniforms/clothes. So that they can easily get their hands on the tissues whenever needed.
- Deodorant: Sprays and roll-ons are very important, especially in summer, as children get sweaty and can smell unpleasant. This will keep them fresh and blooming.
- Small First Aid Kit: Band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and blister pads should be packed in the bag pockets for emergency purposes. We are all aware of how clumsy children can be.
Personal & Miscellaneous Items
Personal items like PE gear, face masks, etc., are also necessary to add to our checklist. For your adventurous and sporty kids, pack a good pair of sunglasses or a cap for outdoor and sports activities. These extras can make a big difference in your child’s comfort at school. Here are some of the miscellaneous items you can add to your checklist:
- Sports Gear (For PE): Make sure your child has breathable t-shirts, comfortable shorts or tracksuits, and well-fitted trainers for PE. Don’t forget to throw in extra pairs of sports socks to keep them fresh and ready for every game.
- Face Masks (If required): Keep a pack of masks ready for them, for whenever they feel the necessity to wear one.
- ID Tags or Name Labels: Label uniforms, bags, bottles, and supplies to avoid mix-ups and losing items.
Art Supplies
Art supplies bring out creativity and are needed for class projects and artwork. The basics, like sketch pads, glue sticks, and scissors, should be bought. An art smock or an old shirt helps keep their clothes paint-free during creative time. Here’s what they might need:
- Drawing Tools: Get colored pencils for fine details, crayons, and markers.
- Painting Tools: Watercolors are perfect for school art projects; a variety of paintbrush sizes and a paint tray allow kids to experiment freely.
- Paper & Cutting Tools: Add some sketch pads and colorful construction paper. Safety scissors are a must for younger children.
- Adhesives: Glue sticks are neat and easy for younger kids, whereas liquid glue offers a stronger hold for bigger crafts. Don’t forget to buy tape.
- Extras: Stamps and ink pads add a creative touch to arts and crafts. An art smock or an old oversized shirt is also a must to protect school uniforms from paint splashes.
Budgeting Tips for Smart Shopping in Pakistan
Back-to-school shopping can be hard, both on your schedule and your wallet. But smart planning can ease it out a bit. Back to school supplies Pakistan have many available discounts, ready for you to avail, and you can even get some gift vouchers. Here are some tips for you:
- Make a list and stick to it. Get what’s needed and skip the rest.
- You may already have unused notebooks, pens, etc. at home, so buy only those things that are not available at home.
- Time your shopping for sale days, so that you can avail of special discounts.
Conclusion
We hope that this list has eased many of your worries regarding the back to school shopping on your mind. Just remember to be wise and sharp while shopping so that you get the right stuff and do not overspend. We wish you all the best for your child’s new school year. Have a great summer.
