School bag checklist: what goes in the school bag?

School bag checklist

Your child’s school bag should always be packed carefully so that it does not forget any necessary materials or its own food, such as lunch. Here we have put together a checklist for you with things that belong in every school bag:

pencil case

In order for your child to be able to paint and write at school, they need a pencil case in their school bag . The pencil case for a child in the first school year definitely includes:

• soft pencils
• An eraser
• a sharpener
• colored pencils
• felt pens
• a ruler

school books

Many schools organize bulk orders or lend out the textbooks your child needs. Sometimes you have to take care of getting all the books yourself.

You should wrap all textbooks in dust jackets or foil to protect them from dirt or spills and to help them last longer. Sometimes the class teachers also ask for differently colored covers for the individual subjects.

Make sure your child only packs the books they really need in their school bag. Otherwise the school bag will quickly become too heavy. It may also be possible to leave particularly heavy books at school. All school books should be labeled with your child’s name.

notebooks and folders

As a rule, your child needs a notebook and an arithmetic notebook in his school bag, in which writing lines or boxes are drawn for the first school year. But the class teacher will certainly have more detailed information for you, for example how big the booklet should be or whether it needs a margin.

In addition, your child will probably need several folders or folders in different colors for the different subjects so that they can file worksheets. It is best to label all notebooks and folders with their names.

Notebook for homework

So that your child can write down their homework properly every day, you should put a notebook in their school bag. Then it will be easier for your child to keep track of what they have to do at home and you can also check that your child is not forgetting anything.

gym bag

For physical education, your child needs a gym bag in which to pack sportswear. It should take light, comfortable pants, a T-shirt and a pair of sports shoes. Sometimes the children are allowed to take part in physical education classes barefoot. That’s why you should wait for the recommendations of the sports teacher.

Often there is a small cavity under the flap in your child’s school bag, which is intended for the gym bag. So your child can put it in their school bag and doesn’t have to wear their sportswear separately. You should also put name tags on your sports gear so that they don’t get lost or mixed up so easily.

Materials for art classes

For art class materials, you should ask about the class teacher’s wishes. The following things are usually required:

• Glue
• scissors
• drawing pad
• paintbox
• Paint brush
• crayons
• sponge
• rag
• painter’s smock

Your child does not need to pack these things in their school bag every day. It is often possible to deposit them at school.

break snack

Your child will surely be hungry during the break from all the learning. To ensure that your child’s brain is sufficiently supplied with nutrients, you can put a healthy snack in their school bag, for example a sandwich, fruit, vegetables or a few nuts. You can find tips on the subject of snacks in our article “How your child likes their lunch break”.

It is best to pack the food in a practical  lunch box , so that it is well received at school and the school books in the school bag do not get dirty. A drinking bottle that you fill up fresh every day should not be missing in your child’s school bag.