We won't dwell in detail on essential school supplies, that is, stationery — you'll find relevant items in the specialized section. When necessary, you can proceed to choose a diary and notebooks, pens and rulers, everything needed for drawing, pencil cases, or practical organizers.

1. The most important for school

Excluding stationery and clothing for schoolchildren, we included in the must-have category everything necessary for setting up a workspace, as well as health and nutrition products within the school premises. Let's examine each group in detail.

1.1 Workspace

Essential items for setting up a schoolchild's home workspace.

Schoolchildren of any age need an ergonomic workspace to complete their homework. With remote learning, the child's room practically becomes a classroom. To create a workspace, these items are essential:

  • School desk. This is furniture recommended for all elementary school children. Desks often have adjustable desktop heights and sometimes even adjustable angles. This helps reduce eye and spine strain when writing and drawing. Desks can come in a minimalist or vivid design, often equipped with a hook for a backpack, pull-out drawers, or full organizers for stationery. The package may also include boards, chairs, desk lamps, etc.
  • Desk with electric motor. This is a relatively new type of furniture for setting up an ergonomic workspace. Such desks are often bought by representatives of "sitting" professions — IT specialists, office workers, etc. However, they can also be useful for schoolchildren of different ages, depending on the height adjustment range. By the way, besides the motorized version, there are more affordable desks with manual adjustments available, but they're less convenient to use.
  • Kid's chair. This is an essential addition to a desk or table, also affecting proper posture and preventing potential back problems in children. Many children's computer chairs have a distinctive design and offer extensive adjustment options — seat height and depth, backrest position, armrest location, etc.
  • Desk lamp. An item that is sometimes unjustly forgotten. Lighting affects both vision and productivity. It is best to purchase a lamp with a brightness of at least 400 lumens and a neutral color temperature (from 3000 to 6000 K) that mimics daylight. For children or teenagers working on a computer, it's also worth considering special monitor models: they reduce eye strain. It's important that the chosen child's lamp works without flickering visible to the naked eye, otherwise, it will do more harm than good.

A desk with an electric motor for height adjustment is suitable for both adults and children.

Additional advice on selecting furniture and organizing a school child's workspace:

  • allow the child to participate at least in choosing the design and color of the furniture;
  • it is better to avoid desks with sharp edges, especially if it's furniture for a young schoolchild;
  • avoid the presence of potentially harmful materials, such as MDF or plywood with unsafe formaldehydes;
  • for a short schoolchild or if the seat height adjustment range is limited, it's advisable to purchase a special footrest or foot platform. It will help form correct posture;
  • for right-handers, place the lamp on the left side of the desk, and for left-handers — on the right;
  • for children's chairs with wheels, it's worth buying a special floor protection mat;
  • if stationery organizers do not help avoid mess and chaos in the workspace, then it's advisable to add a chest of drawers, shelf, or cabinet to all the listed furniture.

1.2 For Health

Three essential items for a schoolchild — backpack, water bottle, and lunchbox.

Along with an ergonomic workspace, a student definitely needs the right backpack and accessories that will help energize the brain and body within the school's walls. We can provisionally include these must-have items in the "for health" category. Here's what it includes:

  • Backpack with orthopedic back. This is the optimal choice for a rapidly growing child. Ideally, the back is rigid, but for the student's comfort, soft inserts may be provided. Other mandatory aspects include a weight up to 1 kg without content and the presence of reflective elements that enhance the child's visibility in the dark. For older children and high school students, urban backpacks can be considered, including those with a laptop compartment.
  • Water bottle. Another essential item for a schoolchild. Even if there is a cooler in the classroom, it's better to fill the water bottle from it. To prevent the child from accidentally wetting notebooks and other school supplies, a model with good sealing, such as a reliable screw cap, is needed. An excellent alternative to a bottle during the cold season can be a thermos or a specialized children's version with distinct design and small volume.
  • Lunchbox. A useful accessory even if there is a canteen in the school. For the child, the main aspect is a pleasant design, perhaps with favorite characters from cartoons, movies, or games. Parents' task is to choose a lunchbox made from safe materials, with a reliable latch and suitable capacity. The selection of modern models is vast, even including versions with heating or, conversely, suitable for deep freezing.

Additional tips on selecting items useful for school every day:

  • remember that the weight of a school backpack with content should ideally not exceed 10% of the child's body weight;
  • when choosing plastic bottles and lunchboxes, pay attention to the absence of harmful components, signified, for example, by the phrase "BPA Free";
  • for elementary grades, the optimal bottle or thermos volume is up to 500 ml, and for older children — 750 ml;
  • it's better to avoid glass thermoses for children; the best option is stainless steel;
  • if a child often forgets their belongings, directly in the backpack and/or shoe bag, you can sew in a tracking tag to know where to find them;
  • for a backpack or schoolbag that isn't water-resistant, it's a good idea to purchase a rain cover.
Popular desks with electric motor

2. Technology for productive study

It's becoming increasingly challenging to imagine children's lives without various technical devices. Many of them help schoolchildren and prove to be truly beneficial for studies. However, it all depends on how they are used, otherwise, gadgets could instead distract, interfere, and reduce concentration.

Headphones, laptop, and other gadgets to enhance a student's productivity.
Important! We did not include smartphones as essential school purchases. For many children at this age, a mobile phone is already a familiar tool and not a necessity. Moreover, in many schools, smartphones are banned (at least in classrooms), so below we'll talk about other technology to boost a student's productivity:
  • Tablet. This is a useful device for a variety of educational tasks, including organizing video conferences during remote classes. A tablet also allows for comfortable viewing of educational videos, reading, creating or editing presentations, and using educational applications like Duolingo. It's worth considering models with a stylus or compatible with it. They allow for drawing and performing other operations that may be difficult with finger touches. Overall, a tablet can be useful for both elementary and high school students, but parents should also be mindful of potential distractions from games, social media, etc.
  • Laptop or personal computer. This is a more functional alternative to a tablet, often needed in high school — for writing essays, implementing complex academic projects and presentations, text processing, etc. For strictly school tasks, non-gaming laptops in the budget price range can be considered, although children often dream of gaming solutions. Good battery life, lightweight, and a durable design are encouraged. As an alternative to a regular computer with a bulky system unit, you can look into all-in-ones and nettops. The former combines a screen and system unit in one body, and the latter are highly portable without a monitor.
  • Printer or MFP (Multi-Function Printer). A useful piece of equipment for middle and high school students. Printers can print essays, presentations, and academic projects, templates for crafts, test assignments, etc. MFPs not only allow printing but also copying, digitizing study materials or books, and scanning various documents and completed notebook assignments.
  • Noice-cancelling headphones. This is a helpful accessory that allows for concentration on studies in noisy environments like travel, public spaces. Headphones can help focus at home, including during online lessons. Alternatives to noise-canceling versions are over-ear models with larger ear cushions. Parents shouldn't forget that in-ear headphones are not recommended for children due to potential harm to hearing, and active noise cancellation reduces a child's safety on the street — as they might not hear a car, bicycle, scooter, etc.
  • E-book reader. This is an excellent gadget for reading and working with dictionaries. Unlike tablets and smartphones, e-readers have minimized distractions, providing a screen that's safe for the eyes, much like reading a page in a book, with good battery life.
  • Smartwatches. These are not always essential school devices, but if your school prohibits phones, smartwatches can be a suitable alternative. For younger schoolchildren, you can look into special models with a GPS beacon. These are so-called kids' smartwatches, mainly for parental peace of mind. Full-fledged wrist devices, however, provide children with various functions. For instance, smartwatches with a SIM card serve as a phone alternative. Modern models allow for monitoring physical activity to prevent prolonged sitting, performing breathing exercises for relaxation and concentration.

Tips on selecting and buying technology for students:

  • many children are savvy with gadgets or at least aware of popular trends and top manufacturers, so involve them in the selection process if possible, so the child is satisfied with the purchase;
  • if you do not want to buy a tablet first and then a laptop, consider looking for transformer models or tablet laptops;
  • to prevent eye strain from a laptop or PC monitor, look for models with TÜV Rheinland certification;
  • regarding headphones, choose models for children with a maximum volume of up to 85 dB, recommended for hearing protection;
  • if a child shows a knack for drawing and design, a graphics tablet can be purchased as an addition to a laptop or PC;
  • when purchasing any expensive technology for children, it's preferable to select devices with high impact resistance and good water protection and to acquire protective accessories for them — cases, screen films, etc.

For teenagers who love to draw, it's advisable to buy a graphics tablet.
Popular Children's Computer Chairs

3. Bonus to must-have school items

As a practically essential addition to school gadgets, highlight a power bank. A model with a capacity of 10,000 mAh allows you to fully charge a smartphone or tablet, as well as smartwatches and headphones, around once. A portable battery with a large capacity supporting Power Delivery technology can significantly extend the laptop's battery life away from power outlets.

Among other less obvious but also useful devices for a schoolchild, we can highlight the following:

  • various types of GPS trackers, if the child doesn't have a smartphone or smartwatch at school. For tracking location, you can use both the aforementioned tracking tags and universal models;
  • USB drive or external SSD. Both accessories are usually needed once the child has a laptop or PC. For data transfer, you can also consider alternative devices like a simple card reader or universal models with a USB hub;
  • Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Wireless manipulators are suitable for working with laptops and desktop PCs, and they can also enhance convenience when interacting with a tablet;
  • Gadget chargers. These are almost essential accessories for children who own several gadgets. If there is a shortage of outlets in the child's room, it's advisable to consider purchasing chargers with two or three ports, such as a GAN-model. And if the child's gadgets support wireless charging, wireless stands or platforms can help eliminate cable clutter on the workspace;
  • Webcam. An important addition to a stationary PC for online lessons and remote study with tutors;
  • Laptop stand. Another additional accessory that may prove very useful. Modern stands can compensate for the lack of an ergonomic computer desk, increasing comfort when working on a laptop.

A Bluetooth keyboard enhances workspace ergonomics and simplifies text work on a tablet.

Note that a schoolchild may also need many other items or accessories, ranging from a good router or signal amplifier if internet speed issues arise, to air humidifiers, children's bicycles, or even an electric scooter. The latter allows high school students to quickly reach school without parental help or public transportation. However, it's not a must-have for everyone and isn't exactly meant solely for school.

Popular backpacks with orthopedic back

4. Conclusion: shopping lists by age

In conclusion, we offer general shopping lists for September 1st linked to different children's age groups:

  • For a first-grader or elementary school student, a desk, computer chair or stool, desk lamp, schoolbag, small water bottle or thermos, lunchbox, and children's smartwatches (or tracking tag in the backpack) are recommended, possibly a tablet and headphones.
  • For a middle school student, it's worth purchasing a desk or an electric motor-enabled table, computer chair, lamp, backpack, 750 ml water bottle, lunchbox, tablet (perhaps with a stylus) or even a laptop, headphones, smartwatches, and book lovers, an e-reader.
  • For a high school student, a motorized desk and computer chair (for example, a gaming chair), urban backpack, water bottle, PC or laptop, smartwatches, headphones, and possibly a printer or MFP are encouraged. Additionally, an e-reader, graphics tablet, and various additional accessories like a power bank, chargers, and different computer peripherals can prove useful.

Happy shopping and good luck with your studies!