Top 10 School Essentials to Bring to Open House That Teachers Will Love (From a Busy Mom Who’s Been There!) Leave a comment
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If you’re a busy mom like me, you know Open House night isn’t just about meeting the teacher and checking out the classroom—it’s also the perfect time to stock your child’s teacher up with the supplies they’ll actually need throughout the year.
This year, I had double the excitement (and double the prep) with two of my kids starting at the same school—one going into Kindergarten and one heading into 3rd grade. My youngest wasn’t starting school yet, so she was along for the ride, eating goldfish crackers and making herself at home in both classrooms.
Before we left for Open House, I decided to skip the generic “one box of crayons and a pack of pencils” shopping list and bring extra supplies I know teachers run out of way too quickly. The smile on both of their teachers’ faces when I walked in with my bags told me I’d hit the jackpot.
Here’s my list of Top 10 Items Teachers Love at Open House—all based on my own experience (plus a fun bonus item at the end).
1. Copy Paper 📄
Teachers go through copy paper like I go through coffee—fast. Between newsletters, worksheets, and art projects, it disappears in no time. Bringing an extra ream (or two) at Open House means your teacher won’t be scrambling mid-year.
2. Glue Sticks ✏️
If you’ve ever seen 25 kindergartners working on a craft, you know glue sticks are gone in a week. These are like gold in the classroom.
Shop Bulk Glue Sticks on Amazon
3. Clorox Wipes 🧼
Let’s be real—kids are adorable, but they’re also little germ factories. Clorox wipes help teachers keep desks, doorknobs, and shared supplies clean and germ-free.
4. Tissue Boxes 🤧
Cold season hits hard in schools, and nobody wants to send their child to the tissue-less corner. Bringing tissues means teachers can keep little noses happy without dipping into their own wallets.
5. Hand Sanitizer ✋
Between recess, art projects, and snack time, hand sanitizer is a must. I like the pump bottle style so it’s easy for kids to use.
6. Dry Erase Markers (Erasable Board Markers) 🖊️
Teachers use dry erase boards every single day, and the markers dry out quickly. Bonus points if you bring fun colors.
Shop Dry Erase Markers on Amazon
7. Crayons 🖍️
New crayons are like magic—everyone wants them. They’re great for replacing broken or missing colors during the year.
8. 1-Subject Notebooks 📓
Perfect for journals, spelling words, or math practice. A simple but highly appreciated supply.
9. Colorful Folders 📁
Teachers love using these for organization—one color for homework, another for classwork, and so on.
Shop Colorful Folders on Amazon
10. Pencils ✏️
You can never have enough pencils in an elementary classroom. Pre-sharpened ones are an absolute win for teachers.
🎉 Bonus: Snacks for Snack Time!
Some schools ask for community snacks for kids who might forget theirs, or for special treat days. I brought Goldfish crackers, pretzels, and fruit snacks—the teachers appreciated having extras ready to go.
My Open House Takeaway
Walking into each classroom with my supply bags felt like I was handing over a little bit of peace of mind to the teachers. They were so grateful—and I know I just made their first few months a little easier. Plus, it showed my kids that supporting their teachers is just as important as doing their homework.
So next time you head to Open House, go beyond the list—bring the extras teachers truly need. They’ll remember it, your kids will see the value in helping, and you’ll start the school year off on the right foot.
