15 Back-to-School To-Do Items You Definitely Don't Want to Forget About

New year, new supplies. If a list isn't already shared with you by your child's school, consider writing a list of your own and bringing it with you so you can ensure nothing is forgotten and you can tackle your back-to-school haul in one easy trip! Some main supplies include:

Pro tip: buy pens, pencils, and paper specifically for homework use.

Kids lose things . . . a lot. Writing your child's name or initials on their supplies will help any lost items be easily returned and avoid any confusion if your kid's composition book gets mixed up with their classmate's.

When buying supplies, make sure you purchase plenty of book covers. From paper to reusable ones, book covers are a necessity in the classroom. If your kid loves to doodle and draw, opt for the paper ones so they can be creative!

Even if your kid hates taking the photos, those "first day of school" snapshots are usually so adorable and funny. If you're making your sign instead of buying, pick up some materials from the store and have a crafting afternoon so your child can add their own unique design.

Pick up a small and thoughtful item to welcome your child's teacher back to the classroom. Some ideas could be chocolate or cookies, a succulent plant, or a decorative item for their desk or the classroom.

Make sure to carve out time to pick up some new clothes for your child for the year ahead. In addition to a few cute outfits, also stock up on essentials like undershirts, underwear, and socks.

Head to your local shoe store or your favorite department store to pick out some comfortable school shoes for your child. From lace-ups to velcro to light-up shoes, the options are endless! Consider asking an associate for help measuring your kid's size since it might surprise you how much they may have grown over the Summer.

Summer is usually more relaxed for families, which means you may have let your kid's hair grow out longer than usual. Ahead of the first day of school, book an appointment to get it cleaned up and looking sharp.

Depending on their age, your child might always be under the supervision of an adult. However, it never hurts for your student to know the lay of the land on their own. Help your child recognize key areas of the school and where they're located, like their classroom, the cafeteria, the playground, the restrooms, and the office.

Whether your child will be taking the bus to and from school, they'll be participating in carpool, or you'll be dropping them off and picking them up, have a conversation about pickup and drop-off areas and times so you and your kids on are on the same page. Also, to ensure you know where to go, do a few practice runs in the days leading up to school.

Kids can get a little rusty when it comes to academics over the Summer months, so plan a mini refresher to ensure they start this school year off on the right foot. You can keep it light and do this in the form of fun games or quizzes, but make sure you're going over some of the key learnings from the previous year and evaluating if there are any areas that might need a little more attention.

Nutrition is crucial for a student's academic performance. Whether you pack lunches yourself, the school provides them, or a combination of the two, making a school lunch schedule will help keep everyone organized. Also, think about what you might need for you child's lunches. Reusable storage containers? Reusable water bottle? Wallet to keep lunch money in? And if you're making their lunches every day, meal prepping ahead of time could save you a ton of hassle.

Head to the grocery store and pick up some healthy after-school snack options for your kid to enjoy once they get home. Healthy options like fruit and granola bars will give them the energy they need to tackle their homework, while still making sure they'll have an appetite for dinner.

The night before your child goes back to school, make sure to pack their backpack with all of the supplies and materials you purchased. They'll need them for the big day ahead! You might want to have your child sit down with you as you pack their backpack so you can show them where everything is stored. This simple task will make the next morning an easy transition out the door.

If your child doesn't wear a uniform, have them pick out an outfit for the first day of school and set everything aside in their bedroom so that the morning of, there's no rush to make any clothing decisions. This will help the focus be on getting them ready and to school on time!