It is time for back to school and school resumption shopping as the vacation is rapidly coming to an end. LagosMums has compiled a shopping list to serve as a guide as you prepare the children to go back to school. The list is broken down across what is absolutely needed and the other little things that pop up and sometimes leaves you scrambling (e.g. character costumes).
Before you start shopping, carrying out an audit and determining what your children need first is useful. Secondly, ask the school for a list of what will be required in the new term so you can plan ahead.
School Supplies
Nursery School (Ages 3-5)
- Clothing:
- Comfortable, easy-to-wear clothes
- Extra set of clothes (in case of accidents)
- Weather-appropriate outerwear (raincoat, jacket, sweater)
- Velcro shoes (for easy wear)
- Socks
- Sun hats
- PE outfit and tennis shoes
- Swimwear: swimsuits, swimming trunks, swim goggles, flip flops, swim towel, swimming cap, swimming bag
- Small-size lotion for after swimming or a tub of Mentholatum
- Floaters/noodles
- Costumes (for special days like costume or career day)
- Tights (black, white, and pink)
- Plain white and black tee shirts
- Red attire for Valentine’s Day or Love Day
- Backpack:
- Small, lightweight backpack with a name tag
- Stationery:
- Crayons (jumbo-sized/triangular-shaped are recommended as they learn to hold and write.
- Jumbo-sized pencils (triangular shaped recommended)
- Jumbo-sized pencil sharpener
- Safety scissors (blunt-tipped)
- Glue sticks
- Erasers
- Colouring books
- Construction paper
- Plastic folders
- Feeding:
- Lunch bag
- Thermos-style lunch box for hot foods
- Flask/Water bottle
- Cutlery
- Napkin
- Bibs
- Health:
- Special medication if needed for School Nurse
- Hand sanitizers
- Tissues
- Wet wipes
- Miscellaneous:
- Painting apron
- Nap mat or blanket (if naps are part of the routine)
- Personalised labels for clothes and other items
- Empty cartons, shoe boxes, and cereal boxes (for artwork)
- Small comfort toy (if allowed)
Primary School (Ages 6-11)
- Clothing:
- School uniform or dress code-compliant clothes
- Comfortable shoes
- Socks
- Weather-appropriate outerwear (jacket, sweater)
- PE outfit and tennis shoes
- Swimwear: swimsuits, swimming trunks, swim goggles, flip flops, swim towel, swimming cap, swimming bag
- Small-size lotion for after swimming or a tub of Mentholatum for those who get cold easily
- Floaters/noodles
- Costumes (for special days like costume or career day)
- Tights (black, white, and pink)
- Plain white and black tee shirts
- Red attire for Valentine’s Day or Love Day
- Backpack:
- Medium-sized backpack with multiple compartments
- Stationery:
- Pencils (jumbo-sized for younger children, regular for older)
- Pencil sharpener (jumbo-sized sharpener for younger children)
- Pens
- Colored pencils
- Highlighters
- Erasers
- Glue sticks
- Safety scissors (blunt-tipped)
- Plastic folders or binders
- Notebooks (lined and blank)
- Ruler
- Crayons
- Pencil case
- Calculator (basic)
- Math set
- Index cards
- Sticky notes
- Technology:
- USB flash drive (for older children)
- Tablet or laptop (if required by the school)
- Headphones or earbuds
- Feeding:
- Lunch bag
- Thermos-style lunch box for hot foods
- Flask/Water bottle
- Reusable snack bags or containers
- Cutlery
- Napkin
- Health:
- Special medication if needed for School Nurse
- Hand sanitisers
- Tissues
- Sunscreen
- Miscellaneous:
- Homework planner/diary
- Reading books (for pleasure)
- Art supplies (optional: paints, sketchbooks)
- Sports equipment (if participating in school sports)
- Painting apron
- Personalised labels for clothes and other items
- Empty cartons, shoe boxes, and cereal boxes (for artwork)
Secondary School (Ages 12-18)
- Clothing:
- School uniform or dress code-compliant clothes
- Sports attire (PE outfit, tennis shoes)
- Weather-appropriate outerwear (jacket, sweater)
- Socks
- School shoes
- Swimwear: swimsuits, swimming trunks, swim goggles, flip flops, swim towel, swimming cap, swimming bag
- Small-size lotion for after swimming or a tub of Mentholatum
- Costumes (for special days like costume or career day)
- Tights (black, white, and pink)
- Plain white and black tee shirts
- Red attire for Valentine’s Day or Love Day
- Backpack:
- Large, durable backpack with multiple compartments
- Stationery:
- Mechanical pencils or regular pencils
- Pencil sharpener
- Pens (blue, black, red)
- Colored pencils
- Highlighters
- Erasers
- Glue sticks
- Scissors
- Plastic folders or binders
- Notebooks (subject-specific, lined, and grid)
- Ruler
- Calculator (scientific or graphing, depending on math level)
- Math set
- Sticky notes
- Index cards
- Pencil case
- Permanent markers
- Technology:
- Laptop or Chromebook (as required by the school)
- USB flash drive
- Headphones or earbuds
- External hard drive or cloud storage subscription (for backups)
- Feeding:
- Lunch bag
- Thermos-style lunch box for hot foods
- Flask/Water bottle
- Reusable snack bags or containers
- Cutlery
- Napkin
- Health:
- Special medication if needed for School Nurse
- Hand sanitizers
- Tissues
- Deodorant
- Sunscreen
- Miscellaneous:
- Academic planner
- Study guides or reference books (as per subjects)
- Locker organizer
- PE or gym bag with necessary sports gear
- Specialist items (e.g., ballet outfit, karate uniform, football and sports kits)
- Art supplies (optional: sketchpads, paints, depending on elective subjects)
- Reading books (for personal reading)
- ID holder or lanyard
- Personalised labels for clothes and other items
- Empty cartons, shoe boxes, and cereal boxes (for artwork)
Visit Jumia Back to School to start shopping! Click Here for School supplies
Other/Extras for all Ages
- Personalised labels for clothes and other items: Many items get lost during the school year, and labelling items help to trace them.
- Painting apron: To keep clothes clean during art activities.
- Costumes: Plan now before costume or career days come up.
- Specialist items: Confirm what extracurricular activities students will participate in (e.g., a ballet outfit, karate uniform, football and sports kits).
- Tights (black, white, and pink): There is usually a need for this at least once in the school year.
- Plain white and black tee shirts: Always needed for various activities.
- Red attire for Valentine’s Day (or Love Day) in School: Some schools have specific days where students wear red.
- Empty cartons, shoe boxes, and cereal boxes: These are usually requested for artwork, so keep your empty boxes.
Some online stores for Back to school deals are Jumia and Amazon
Read Also [ Five Back to School Essentials for Kids ]
