From the founder of Sticky Monkey Labels
As a mom of three boys and the founder of Sticky Monkey Labels, I've lived through more first days of school than I can count. The ones that go smoothly have one thing in common: preparation. Here's exactly what to pack so your child walks in ready for whatever the day brings.
The first day of school is a big deal — for your child and for you. For younger kids especially — preschoolers, kindergartners, and first-graders — it's exciting and overwhelming in equal measure. A new classroom, a new teacher, new faces, new rules. That's a lot to process all at once.
The best thing you can do to set your child up for a great first day is to make sure they walk in prepared. Not overpacked or stressed — just ready. Here are the 9 essentials that cover everything from keeping them fed and comfortable to making sure their belongings actually come home with them.
Quick Reference: The 9 Essentials
- A backpack they're excited about
- Food, snacks & a labeled water bottle
- A change of clothes — labeled
- Medication and health essentials
- School supplies — labeled and organized
- School stickers and label packs
- A two-pocket folder
- Naptime supplies (Pre-K)
- A small gift for their teacher
1. A Backpack They're Actually Excited to Carry
The backpack is the first thing your child interacts with on the first day — and it matters more than it might seem. A backpack featuring their favorite colors, characters, or designs gives them an immediate talking point with classmates and something to feel ownership over from day one. That small boost of confidence and excitement is worth factoring in when you're choosing one.
Practically speaking, choose a size appropriate for their age — not so large it overwhelms a small child, but roomy enough for a lunchbox, folder, change of clothes, and water bottle. Ergonomic straps and a chest clip make a real difference for younger kids carrying a full bag all day.
2. Food, Snacks & a Labeled Water Bottle
Young children need regular fuel to stay focused and emotionally regulated throughout the school day. Hunger and dehydration make everything harder — concentration, patience, managing big feelings. Send your child with a healthy lunch, snacks for snack time, and a spill-proof water bottle they can access independently.
Reusable containers are a good investment — they're more environmentally friendly, sturdier than disposable packaging, and easier for small hands to open and close. Label each container clearly so your child knows which is morning snack, which is lunch, and which is afternoon snack — and so the containers come home rather than staying in the classroom.
Our Meal Time Labels are waterproof, refrigerator and freezer safe, and designed for exactly this — labeling lunchboxes, containers, and water bottles with your child's name so nothing gets mixed up and everything comes home.
3. A Change of Clothes — Labeled Before It Leaves the House
For younger students — especially preschoolers and kindergartners — accidents happen. Spills, unexpected puddles, a paint project that got enthusiastic. Sending a full change of clothes (underwear, socks, pants, and a top) means your child and their teacher are ready to handle any of it without it becoming a bigger deal than it needs to be.
Pack the spare clothes in a labeled ziplock bag so they stay together and can be identified if they end up in the classroom's spare clothes stash. And label each item individually — a spare shirt that comes out of a bag and gets set aside without a name on it can easily get mixed up with another child's things.
Our clothing labels come in two types to suit every garment:
- Stick-on clothing labels — apply to the garment care tag or tagless imprint area inside the clothing. Instant application, no tools needed. Made from a different material than our waterproof labels, specifically designed for clothing.
- Iron-on labels — bond permanently to iron-safe fabrics using a standard household iron. Completely flat with no bulk or corners that could irritate skin. Survive the school year of washing without peeling or fading.
4. Medication and Health Essentials — With the Right Labels on Everything
If your child has medical needs — allergies, asthma, diabetes, a seizure disorder, or anything requiring medication at school — the first day requires more preparation than just packing a bag. Connect with the school and your child's teacher well before the first day to communicate their specific needs, confirm the school's protocols, and make sure the right people have the right information in writing.
On the labeling side, our medical labels and allergy labels can be applied to medication equipment including EpiPens, inhalers, and other medical items. They can carry your child's name, their condition, and specific administration information — so any adult supervising your child has what they need at a glance, not buried in a file.
5. School Supplies — Labeled and Organized Before Day One
Most schools provide a supply list before the year begins — if yours does, use it. The items on it are what your child's teacher has planned the classroom around, and having the right supplies from day one sets your child up to participate fully from the start.
Common supplies for younger students include pencils, crayons, highlighters, art supplies, notebooks, folders, and a pencil case. Once you've gathered everything, label it all before it leaves the house:
- Pencil labels — yes, label the pencils. A labeled pencil that rolls under a desk comes back to your child. An unlabeled one doesn't. This is especially important for younger children who are still learning to keep track of small items.
- School subject labels — for notebooks and folders, subject labels help children develop organizational habits from the beginning. Knowing which notebook belongs to which subject is a skill that pays off all year.
6. School Label Packs — Cover Everything in One Order
Rather than hunting for individual labels for each category of item, our school label packs bring everything together so you can label the whole kit at once — school supplies, lunchbox, water bottle, backpack, and clothing — without multiple separate orders.
Designed for younger students or children with a lot of supplies to keep track of. Covers clothing, shoes, lunchboxes, backpacks, water bottles, and school supplies in one comprehensive pack.
A streamlined option for older students or those who don't have as many items to label. Covers the key essentials without unnecessary extras.
For school uniforms, sports uniforms, jackets, sweatshirts, and anything else your child might leave on the playground or in the gym. Works on blanket rolls and naptime items too.
7. A Two-Pocket Folder
Even if it's not on the school supply list, a two-pocket folder is worth including for any age. For younger students, it gives them a designated place to carry papers to and from school without them getting crumpled at the bottom of a backpack. It also becomes the natural home for teacher-to-parent communication — notes, newsletters, permission slips — which makes staying on top of school correspondence much easier for everyone.
Label it clearly with their name and, for older students, their teacher's name and classroom number. A labeled folder that gets left behind gets returned. An unlabeled one stays in the lost and found.
8. Naptime Supplies — For Pre-K Students
Preschool and Pre-K days are big and tiring for small people. After a morning of new experiences, social interaction, and active play, naptime is a genuine necessity — not just a nice-to-have. Make sure your child has what they need to actually rest: a small blanket roll or sleep mat, and a comfort item if the school allows it.
Blanket rolls especially have a habit of getting mixed up in a room full of Pre-K children. Label the blanket and its carrying bag with a clothing label so it comes home for washing each week and goes back to the right child every day. A labeled comfort item like a small stuffed animal is also more likely to be returned if it's set down and forgotten during the afternoon rush.
9. A Small Gift for Their Teacher
This one is optional but meaningful. The first day of school is a high-emotion day for teachers too — they're meeting twenty new children and families all at once, managing the logistics of the first day, and working hard to make every child feel welcome and safe. A small, thoughtful gift from your child to their teacher is a lovely way to start the year on a warm note and help your child feel like they've already made a positive connection.
It doesn't need to be expensive. A gift card to a coffee shop, a small plant, or a handwritten card from your child goes a long way. Our Party Label Packs offer 9 customizable labels your child can personalize for their teacher — a thoughtful gift your child can be proud of choosing themselves. And when it's time for a class party later in the year, you can come back and customize a pack for each classmate.
The Bottom Line: Prepared Kids Have Better First Days
A child who walks into their first day knowing their bag has everything they need — snacks, a change of clothes, their labeled supplies — is a child who can focus on the exciting parts of the day rather than the stressful ones. Organization isn't just about keeping things tidy. At this age, it's about building confidence and independence one small habit at a time.
Browse our full range at Sticky Monkey Labels — including school label packs, clothing labels, meal time labels, and allergy and medical labels. Have questions? We're always happy to help — get in touch or call us at 1-888-780-7734.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I pack in my child's backpack for the first day of school?
At minimum: a labeled lunchbox with food and a water bottle, a change of clothes, any required school supplies, a two-pocket folder for papers, and any medication or health items your child needs. For Pre-K students, add naptime supplies. Label everything before it goes in the bag — labeled items come home, unlabeled ones often don't.
How do I label my child's school supplies?
For clothing, use stick-on clothing labels (on care tags or tagless imprint areas) or iron-on labels for iron-safe fabrics. For hard items like lunchboxes, water bottles, and backpacks, use waterproof name labels. For pencils, we carry pencil-specific labels. For notebooks and folders, subject labels help with organization. Our school label packs bundle the most commonly needed types together in one order.
Can I split a label pack between two children?
Yes — any of our label packs can be split across multiple names. When ordering, type "Split" in the name field and list the names in the Special Request field. We'll divide the pack evenly between the names entered. It's the most cost-effective way to get labels for multiple children in a single order.
What labels work best for school uniforms?
For iron-safe uniform fabrics, iron-on labels are the most durable option — they bond permanently to the fabric, lie completely flat, and survive repeated washing without peeling. For uniforms that aren't iron-safe, or for quick application, stick-on clothing labels applied to the care tag or tagless imprint area work well. Both are laundry-safe and available in our school label packs.
How do I handle my child's allergies at school?
Contact the school before the first day — not during drop-off — to communicate your child's allergies and confirm the school's protocols. Label all relevant items including lunchboxes and medication with our allergy labels and provide written medical information to both the classroom teacher and the school office. Labels are your backup — advance communication with the school is the primary safeguard.