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First day of school gifts for students, from kindergarten to high school

First day of school gifts by age: a read-aloud for nervous kindergartners, name labels, lunch gear and a high school calculator, with school rules in mind.

  • 12 researched picks
  • $7 to $170
  • Updated September 2026
  • By Considered Gifts editorial desk

Before you shop

The first weeks of school pile a lot of new onto a student: a new room, new routines, earlier mornings and, from middle school on, lockers and a different teacher for each subject. Kindergartners are practicing goodbyes and opening their own lunch containers. High schoolers are juggling due dates and early alarms. The gifts that help either calm first-day nerves or remove a small daily friction: gear with their name on it, a lunch they can open, a way to tell time without a phone.

The common mistake is shopping for a generic student instead of this age and this school. A kindergartner and a ninth grader need different things, and every gift has to live with school rules. Education Week counts at least 39 states and DC that require districts to ban or restrict students’ cellphone use. The CDC estimates about two students per classroom have a food allergy. And some supply lists name exact items, down to the calculator model.

Every pick is labeled by grade and age. The list opens with ideas that work across ages, name labels, a first-day photo sign and a backpack, then moves through kindergarten comfort, elementary lunch and time-telling, middle school planners and lockers, and high school gear. A short note on starting college is in the FAQ.

How we chose

  • Matched to an age: each pick is labeled by grade band, from Pre-K through 12th grade, because a kindergartner and a ninth grader need different things.
  • Works within school rules on phones, food allergies and shared supplies, the rules most likely to trip up a well-meant gift.
  • Gets used in the first weeks, at drop-off, lunch, the locker or homework, rather than saved for later.
  • Keepsakes that start a yearly tradition instead of adding clutter.
  • Prices checked on brand or major retailer pages in September 2026.

Quick comparison

All 12 picks at a glance

Jump to any pick for the reasoning, who should skip it, and where to find it.

01Mabel’s Labels Ultimate Back-to-School ComboPre-K to 8th grade (ages 4–14) whose lunch gear and jackets look like everyone else’s$4402Pearhead First Day of School ChalkboardFamilies starting a first-day photo tradition, Pre-K through 12th grade$1003JanSport SuperBreak Plus BackpackGrades 3–12 (ages 8–18) who carry a laptop, books and a water bottle$4504The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, paperbackPre-K to 1st grade (ages 3–7) who are nervous about leaving a parent$1205Bentgo Kids Lunch BoxPre-K to 2nd grade (ages 3–7) who eat a packed lunch and need one lid to open$3006Timex Kids Time Teacher 30mm Silicone Strap WatchKindergarten to 3rd grade (ages 5–9) who are learning to read a clock$5907JLab JBuddies Studio On-Ear Kids Wired HeadphonesKindergarten to 5th grade (ages 6+) whose supply list asks for headphones$1508Wonder by R. J. Palacio, hardcoverGrades 3–7 (ages 8–12), especially kids starting middle school or changing schools$1809Five Star 2026–2027 Weekly/Monthly Large Planner, 8.5 x 11Grades 6–12 (ages 11–18) tracking several teachers’ due dates for the first time$1110Master Lock 1500D Dial Combination PadlockRising 6th to 9th graders (ages 11–14) getting their first school locker$711Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE Graphing CalculatorGrades 9–12 (ages 14–18) heading into algebra, precalculus and AP courses$11112Loftie Clock alarm clock and sound machineHigh schoolers (ages 14–18) who need a wake-up that doesn’t live on their phone$170

The picks

Each gift, and who it suits

  1. Name labelsAbout $44

    Mabel’s Labels Ultimate Back-to-School Combo

    Best for Pre-K to 8th grade (ages 4–14) whose lunch gear and jackets look like everyone else’s

    It puts their name on the things that go missing in a shared classroom: containers, bottles, jackets and shoes. The combo has 126 labels: 40 small rectangle labels for containers and supplies, 70 Tag Mates stick-on clothing labels and 8 pairs of shoe labels. Mabel’s Labels says they’re waterproof, dishwasher safe and laundry safe, and it ships free with no minimum. The clothing labels stick onto care tags, not directly onto fabric, so there’s no ironing or sewing.

    Skip it if
    Their class pools shared supplies, or they’re in high school and carry little that needs a name.
    Before you buy
    Bag tags aren’t included; Mabel’s Labels sells them separately for $8.50. Some families print only a first name and last initial.
    See it at Mabel’s LabelsOr compare prices on
    Google Shopping

  2. Photo keepsake signAbout $10

    Pearhead First Day of School Chalkboard

    Best for Families starting a first-day photo tradition, Pre-K through 12th grade

    It starts a tradition they’ll repeat every year: the same sign in the same spot on each first day. The double-sided chalkboard has fill-in areas for grade, age and the date, plus space for personal details, measures 11.6 by 14.2 inches and comes with white chalk. It erases for reuse year after year, so one $9.99 sign can cover Pre-K through senior year. Add a short letter written the night before and file it with the photo; by graduation the stack tells the story.

    Skip it if
    They’re a teenager who would rather skip the photo, or your family already has a sign it uses.
    Before you buy
    Use regular chalk only; Pearhead warns not to use chalk markers, which can stain the board.
    See it at PearheadOr compare prices on
    Google Shopping

  3. BackpackAbout $45

    JanSport SuperBreak Plus Backpack

    Best for Grades 3–12 (ages 8–18) who carry a laptop, books and a water bottle

    It carries a full school day, laptop included, without being oversized. The SuperBreak Plus holds 26 liters and has a padded sleeve for a 15-inch laptop, a side bottle pocket, a front organizer pocket and adjustable padded shoulder straps, and it weighs 14 ounces empty. JanSport covers defects in materials and workmanship, including zippers and seams, with a limited lifetime warranty. The AAP says a loaded backpack should never weigh more than 10% to 20% of a child’s body weight, so a light pack helps.

    Skip it if
    They’re in kindergarten or first grade, where a 16.5-inch pack is a lot of bag, or they need a rolling backpack.
    Before you buy
    Solid colors were $45 at JanSport in September 2026, embroidered versions $55, with some colors marked down. The AAP advises using both shoulder straps.
    See it at JanSportOr compare prices on
    Google Shopping

  4. Picture bookAbout $12

    The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, paperback

    Best for Pre-K to 1st grade (ages 3–7) who are nervous about leaving a parent

    It gives a nervous child words for the first goodbye. Chester Raccoon is afraid to start school until his mother shares a family secret, and Tanglewood describes the story as reassurance of a parent’s love during times of separation, from preschool to camp. Published in 1993, it’s recommended for ages 3 to 7; the paperback is $11.99, and most editions include stickers. Reading it the week before school gives them a ritual to lean on at drop-off.

    Skip it if
    They’re past second grade, or they’re excited about school rather than anxious.
    Before you buy
    A Spanish edition is available in hardcover for $18.99, and the $28.95 Big Book edition suits a kindergarten teacher’s read-aloud.
    See it at tanglewoodbooks.comOr compare prices on
    Google Shopping

  5. Bento lunch boxAbout $30

    Bentgo Kids Lunch Box

    Best for Pre-K to 2nd grade (ages 3–7) who eat a packed lunch and need one lid to open

    It gives them a lunch they can open and eat on their own, with one lid instead of a bag of small containers. The Bentgo Kids has five compartments holding 2.4 cups in total under a leak-proof lid, and Bentgo says yogurt, applesauce or hummus can sit next to crackers without spills. The tray comes out for the top rack of the dishwasher, and the materials are free of PFAS, BPA, vinyl, lead and PVC. Bentgo designs it for ages 3 to 7.

    Skip it if
    They buy school lunch, or they’re older and need more food than 2.4 cups holds.
    Before you buy
    Check the class snack and lunch rules before packing anything with nuts; the CDC estimates about two students per classroom have food allergies.
    See it at BentgoOr compare prices on
    Google Shopping

  6. Kids’ analog watchAbout $59

    Timex Kids Time Teacher 30mm Silicone Strap Watch

    Best for Kindergarten to 3rd grade (ages 5–9) who are learning to read a clock

    It lets them check the time themselves, and practice reading a clock face, without a screen. The Time Teacher has easy-to-read numbers and time-teaching hour and minute hands, a 30 mm resin case with a crown protector, an acrylic crystal and an adjustable silicone strap for 5.3- to 7.5-inch wrists. It’s water resistant to 30 meters, which Timex says covers hand-washing and splashes. With so many schools restricting phones, a plain analog watch is a simple way to know when recess ends.

    Skip it if
    They already read an analog clock easily, or they wear a school-approved device that tells time.
    Before you buy
    For a slip-on elastic fabric strap, Timex’s Time Machines 29mm watches cost $49.
    See it at TimexOr compare prices on
    Google Shopping

  7. Kids’ headphonesAbout $15

    JLab JBuddies Studio On-Ear Kids Wired Headphones

    Best for Kindergarten to 5th grade (ages 6+) whose supply list asks for headphones

    It gives them their own pair for classroom computer time, one of the supplies teachers end up buying: an educator in AdoptAClassroom.org’s 2025 survey listed headphones among their out-of-pocket purchases. The JBuddies Studio limits volume to 85 dB, plugs into a 3.5 mm jack with a 90-degree connector, and has an in-line mic, memory foam cushions and a folding design that fits in a backpack. JLab designs it for ages 6 and up and backs it with a 2-year limited warranty.

    Skip it if
    Their school supplies headphones, or their device has only USB-C; JLab sells a Type-C version of the JBuddies Studio.
    Before you buy
    Put a name label on the headband; classroom headphones tend to look alike. Target listed them at $14.99 in September 2026.
    See it at target.comOr compare prices on
    Google Shopping

  8. Middle-grade novelAbout $18

    Wonder by R. J. Palacio, hardcover

    Best for Grades 3–7 (ages 8–12), especially kids starting middle school or changing schools

    It’s a story about walking into a new school, told from several sides. August Pullman, a fifth grader with a facial difference, attends a mainstream school, Beecher Prep, for the first time, and the narration shifts among Auggie, his classmates, his sister and others. Penguin Random House lists it for ages 8 to 12 and reports more than 16 million copies sold; it inspired the Choose Kind movement. For a child facing a new school, it opens an easy conversation about the first weeks.

    Skip it if
    They’ve already read it or seen the movie and didn’t connect with it.
    Before you buy
    The hardcover is $17.99 at Penguin Random House. Reading it together, a chapter a night, fits the first month of school.
    See it at penguinrandomhouse.comOr compare prices on
    Google Shopping

  9. Student plannerAbout $11

    Five Star 2026–2027 Weekly/Monthly Large Planner, 8.5 x 11

    Best for Grades 6–12 (ages 11–18) tracking several teachers’ due dates for the first time

    It gives them one place to track assignments once they have a different teacher for each subject. The 2026–2027 large planner runs from July 2026 to June 2027, with weekly spreads that fit up to eight subjects, tabbed monthly calendars, a class schedule page and water-resistant plastic covers, and Five Star guarantees it will last all year. A paper planner also sidesteps phone rules: Education Week counts at least 39 states and DC requiring districts to restrict student cellphone use.

    Skip it if
    Their school issues a required planner, or they track everything in an online class system they check daily.
    Before you buy
    At $10.99 at Target, it pairs well with a pack of good pens as a small gift for a new middle schooler.
    See it at target.comOr compare prices on
    Google Shopping

  10. Locker lockAbout $7

    Master Lock 1500D Dial Combination Padlock

    Best for Rising 6th to 9th graders (ages 11–14) getting their first school locker

    It lets them practice a combination lock at home before they have to open one between classes. The 1500D is Master Lock’s 1-7/8-inch dial padlock with a stainless steel cover, a hardened steel shackle and a three-digit preset combination that comes in the package, and Target lists it for school and gym lockers. Master Lock backs it with a limited lifetime warranty. A few practice rounds at the kitchen table make the first trip to the locker less stressful.

    Skip it if
    Their school assigns lockers with built-in locks or issues its own locks.
    Before you buy
    The combination can’t be changed, so photograph the card and keep a copy at home. Target listed it at $6.99 in September 2026.
    See it at target.comOr compare prices on
    Google Shopping

  11. Graphing calculatorAbout $111

    Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE Graphing Calculator

    Best for Grades 9–12 (ages 14–18) heading into algebra, precalculus and AP courses

    It’s a calculator they can carry from their first high school math class to test day. Texas Instruments says the TI-84 Plus CE is approved for the PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, ACT, AP exams and the IB Diploma Programme. It has a rechargeable battery, a backlit full-color screen and a body 30% slimmer than the older TI-84 Plus, and it adds split-screen views and built-in graphing and statistics apps. A basic scientific calculator can’t graph, which matters once graphing homework starts.

    Skip it if
    Their school lends calculators, or the math teacher’s supply list names a different model.
    Before you buy
    TI’s newer TI-84 Evo ($116 at Target) adds USB-C, a faster processor and a simplified keypad. Ask which model the math teacher uses before buying.
    See it at target.comOr compare prices on
    Google Shopping

  12. Phone-free alarm clockAbout $170

    Loftie Clock alarm clock and sound machine

    Best for High schoolers (ages 14–18) who need a wake-up that doesn’t live on their phone

    It moves the alarm off their phone, which makes it easier to leave the phone charging outside the bedroom. The Loftie Clock has a two-phase alarm, a gentle sound first and a full wake-up 3, 6 or 9 minutes later, plus more than 100 sleep sounds with no subscription, a built-in nightlight and a sleep timer. It works without Wi-Fi. The AAP advises moving to earlier bedtimes a week or two before school starts and keeping bedtime consistent, and a phone-free nightstand helps with both.

    Skip it if
    They already wake up on time without a fight, or $170 is more than you want to spend on a clock.
    Before you buy
    Loftie listed it at $169.99, down from $199.99, in September 2026, with a 30-night trial and a 1-year warranty. Stock was running low, so check colors.
    See it at LoftieOr compare prices on
    Google Shopping

Before you buy

Where this gift can go wrong

  • Phone accessories and gadgets meant for class. At least 39 states and DC require districts to ban or restrict student cellphone use, per Education Week’s July 2026 count; check the school’s policy first.
  • Snacks with nuts for sharing. The CDC estimates about 1 in 13 children have food allergies, and peanuts and tree nuts are among the eight foods behind most serious reactions. Follow the class snack rules.
  • An oversized, overloaded backpack. The AAP says a loaded pack should never weigh more than 10% to 20% of a child’s body weight and recommends wide, padded straps worn on both shoulders.
  • Name labels on supplies the class shares. If the supply list says items are pooled, leave them plain and save the labels for lunch gear, clothes and bottles.
  • Buying a specific calculator, planner or headphones before the supply list arrives. If the list names a model, get that one.

Useful answers

Questions people ask

What is a good first day of school gift for a kindergartner?

Something that eases the goodbye and something that helps them manage on their own. A picture book like The Kissing Hand, read the week before, gives them a ritual for drop-off, and name labels and a one-lid lunch box help with the practical side. The AAP also suggests visiting the new school or classroom before the first day and pointing out the fun parts of starting school.

Can kids bring phones or gadgets to school?

Often not during the school day. Education Week counts at least 39 states and DC that require districts to ban or restrict students’ cellphone use at school, so check the district’s policy before buying a gadget meant for class. An analog watch, a paper planner and wired headphones for classroom computers avoid the question.

How do you start a first-day photo tradition?

Pick one spot, like the front door, and take the photo there every year with the same sign. Pearhead’s reusable chalkboard has fill-in spaces for grade, age and date and is made for Pre-K through high school. Some families also write a short letter each first day and keep it with the photo, then hand over the stack at graduation.

What about a student starting college?

Wait for the college’s housing packing list before buying bedding, appliances or decor, since dorm rules differ by school. A few picks here carry over: the JanSport’s padded 15-inch laptop sleeve, a TI-84 Plus CE they already know, and the Loftie Clock, which gives them an alarm that isn’t their phone. A letter from home tucked into the first box they unpack costs nothing.

Research record

What we read

The sources that shaped this list, beyond the product pages linked with each pick. Last reviewed September 2026.

01American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org): Back to School Tipshealthychildren.org02CDC: Food Allergies in Schoolscdc.gov03Education Week: Which states ban or restrict cellphones in schoolsedweek.org04Texas Instruments: TI-84 Plus CE features and exam approvalseducation.ti.com

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