The kids are heading back to school soon, and so are the teachers. Between buying essentials like crayons and paper to stocking up on bright and colorful decor for your classroom, things can start to add up quickly.
Luckily, if you’re a teacher who’s still shopping for classroom essentials before the year starts, we’ve compiled a list of everything you need here. Or, if you’re a parent looking to surprise your child’s teacher with a cool classroom gift, you’ll find plenty of options in our list. Shop these back-to-school classroom essentials that will help prepare you for the craziness of the first week of school.
Classroom Essentials for 2024
Keurig K-Mini Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker
As a teacher, you’re going to need your early morning coffee, and maybe even a midday pick me up. Add this Keurig K-Mini coffee maker to your desk to brew fresh cups of coffee daily. Just add fresh water and a K-Cup pod and watch the machine brew between 6 to 12 ounces of coffee in seconds. This is the perfect back-to-school classroom essential for teachers who love their daily cup of joe, but don’t have time to stop by a coffee shop every morning. It’s also on sale for 40% off on Amazon right now, so grab it while the savings are here!
Stanley Quencher Stainless Steel Tumbler
You’ll never be thirsty when carrying this Stanley Quencher Stainless Steel Tumbler. If you missed out on the Stanley Cup craze and weren’t able to snag yourself one in your favorite color, you can now get one (or a few) from Amazon. Whether you’re sipping iced tea, coffee, matcha, water or juice, this cup keeps your drink hot or cold for hours. It has a handle for easy carrying and a straw and seal for quick and easy sipping.
Kleenex Professional Facial Tissues
Stocking up on tissue boxes is a must-have for classrooms, especially for those winter months when kids start getting sick with colds or the flu. These tissues are absorbent and soft, and they won’t irritate the skin or face. Grab this pack of 12 to get you and your students through the school year.
Johnson & Johnson All-Purpose First Aid Kit
Even though students have the nursing office at their disposal at most schools, having a first aid kit in your classroom still comes in handy. Mishaps can easily happen with tools like scissors, staplers or even paper, so having this ready-to-use kit is essential for the school year. It comes with plenty of Band-Aids, hand cleansing wipes, Tylenol and more. Keep this kit by your desk, and if your classroom has a bathroom, store one there, too.
Puncuntex Beige Throw Blanket
For those days where the classroom gets a bit chilly, it’s a good idea to have a few blankets around for yourself and your students. This lightweight blanket is soft, cozy and warm, and it’s perfect for days in the classroom where the kids are reading, watching a movie or doing work while you’re grading papers and assignments.
OrganiHaus Cute Basket for Rainbow Classroom Decor
Need a colorful and cute basket for storing items in your classroom? This basket doubles as decor and can be used to store blankets, pillows, snacks and school supplies. This rainbow patterned basket is perfect for teachers of young kids, and it’s available in different patterns and solid colors, as well.
Amazon Basics – Laptop Stand for Desk
Anyone who spends a good portion of their work day on the computer knows how essential a laptop stand is. For teachers, this stand will come in handy for grading papers, planning lessons and any other type of computer work. And since this stand offers up to seven inches of height adjustment, you can say goodbye to poor posture and neck pain.
Humble Crew Forever Kids Supersized Bookshelf
Need a place to store all of the books you’re going to read to your students? Create a cute little reading nook in your classroom with this colorful bookshelf. It’s perfect for teachers who read to their students, especially those in elementary school, and you can store up to three books per row on this shelf.
Play-Doh Modeling Compound 24-Pack Case of Colors
Need a fun activity for your students? Pull out this Play-Doh set for fun, squishy adventures. It includes 24 containers of Play-Doh in various colors, so you’ll have plenty to last the whole school year. Your students can shape, mold and mix the dough for different arts and crafts (or just for fun!).
Small Hands Change The World Wall Stickers
Encourage your students with some colorful and fun wall art. This wall sticker is perfect for kids who love to paint, draw and learn. As the sticker says, small hands do, in fact, change the world, and your kids will be inspired to learn every day after seeing this when they walk into the classroom.
Phomemo Label Maker Machine
For teachers, a label maker is a must-have classroom purchase. We love this Phomemo model for labeling desks, chairs, supplies, shelves, walls and more. There’s a variety of designs, fonts, symbols and frames to choose from, and it’s wireless and portable as well. Choose from five different colors on Amazon, and get it while it’s 48% off today.
Elmer’s CrayonPro Electric Crayon Sharpener
If your students frequently use crayons for coloring and writing, you know they can get dull really easily. Luckily, this Elmer’s crayon sharpener brings them back to life and sharpens them for easy coloring. It’s also 26% off on Amazon right now, so grab one before the school year starts.
Furinno Turn-N-Tube 3-Tier Compact Multipurpose Shelf
Store all of your classroom essentials and supplies on this compact multipurpose shelf. It has three levels worth of storage space, and it’s easy to assemble and sturdy on flat surfaces. It also comes in over 20 colors and designs, so you can pick one that matches your classroom decor. Best of all, it’s 67% off on Amazon right now.
TeeTurtle – The Original Reversible Octopus Plushie
This reversible octopus plushie is a fun and creative way to communicate with your class, and it comes in a variety of colors to fit your classroom aesthetic. Just flip the octopus inside out to let your students know your mood, or use it as a tool for when your class gets the right or wrong answers to questions.
Sproutbrite Educational Posters for Toddlers
If you teach preschool or kindergarten, your kids will love learning about numbers, shapes, time and more with these posters. They’re colorful, essential for learning, and an easy way to brighten up your classroom. Plus, they’re 14% off on Amazon right now.
