What School Supplies Does a Primary School Student Need? Full Checklist for Parents Preparing school supplies for a primary school child isn't just about buying enough books, pens and a backpack. Parents also need to choose the right items for each grade, suited to the child's age, safe to use, and not bought on impulse. In this guide, Westlink walks parents through the essential supply categories, a grade-by-grade checklist, and key things to watch for before shopping for the new school year. School supplies for primary school students What School Supplies Does a Primary School Student Need? Before shopping, it helps to understand the main categories of primary school supplies. This makes it easier to plan for the start of the year — or top up mid-term — without over-buying or missing essentials. Primary school supplies to prepare Books and Writing Materials This group is used in almost every lesson and includes textbooks, workbooks, squared exercise books, notebooks and scrap notebooks. Since each school has its own requirements for notebook type and quantity, parents should check the teacher's list before buying. Pens, Pencils and Basic Stationery This group changes by grade. Grade 1 students should use wooden 2B pencils and purple ink pens, which suit the early stages of handwriting and help children control hand pressure better than mechanical pencils. From Grade 2–3, children can move on to fountain pens or ink pens, depending on the teacher's requirements. Parents should also prepare a pencil sharpener, an eraser and a 15–20cm ruler. Art and Craft Supplies This group includes wax crayons, paintbrushes, watercolours, craft paper, round-tipped scissors and glue sticks. These are typically used for hands-on, creative and project work, especially within the IB PYP. Parents should prioritise products with a clear origin that meet international safety standards such as EN71 or ASTM D-4236, particularly for children's paints. Storage and Organisation This group includes a backpack, pencil case and document folder, helping a child keep their things organised and build independence. For a backpack, choose one with padded straps, good back support, and an empty weight of around 600–800g to reduce strain on posture and the spine. A pencil case should have just one or two compartments — too many extra pockets can distract a child while studying. Primary School Supplies Checklist by Grade To avoid buying too little or too much, parents can use the grade-by-grade checklist below before preparing supplies for their child. Comparison of supply priorities by grade Grade 1 School Supplies Grade 1 is when a child moves from kindergarten into a schedule-based environment with homework and note-taking. When preparing supplies for Grade 1, prioritise simplicity, ease of use, and items suited to the early stages of handwriting. Parents can also set up an alphabet chart and number chart at their child's home study corner to support revision. Essential supplies for Grade 1 include: Wooden 2B pencils: 3–5 A handheld pencil sharpener Soft erasers that won't tear paper: 2 4- or 5-square grid-ruled exercise books: 10–12, but wait for the school's exact requirements A small chalkboard and dust-free chalk A 15cm plastic ruler with clear markings A simple, single-compartment pencil case A lightweight, well-fitted backpack under 800g empty A 12-colour wax crayon set for art class Parents shouldn't buy a fountain pen, compass, set square or calculator too early — these usually aren't needed in the first year. Grade 2–3 Supplies as Children Move to Ink Pens By Grade 2–3, a child's handwriting starts to take a clearer shape. Many public primary schools have students switch from pencil to ink in the second semester of Grade 2 or early Grade 3. Bilingual and international schools may follow different timelines, so check with the teacher before buying. Compared with Grade 1, the supply set for this stage should add: 1–2 handwriting-practice fountain pens plus spare ink A purple ink pen or gel pen for note-taking Lined notebooks for subjects other than Vietnamese A 20cm ruler for basic geometry A watercolour set or paintbrushes for art class A small notebook for the child to practise note-taking and track to-dos This is also the stage when children can start packing their own bag. A pencil case with two small compartments makes it easier for them to sort pens from coloured pencils. Advanced supplies for Grade 2 and 3 students Grade 4–5 Supplies: The Advanced Stage In the final two years of primary school, especially Grade 5, children start working with geometry, writing longer pieces, and taking part in more group activities. Supplies need to be adjusted to match these new demands. The list to prepare includes: A full ruler set: 30cm ruler, set square, protractor A basic compass for learning circles Blue and red pens for note-taking and colour-coding A ring binder to keep revision outlines, especially in Grade 5's second semester 96–120 page notebooks for subjects with heavier homework A simple planner or notebook for tracking schoolwork For Grade 5 students preparing to move up to secondary school, parents can add a dedicated study notebook to help build systematic note-taking skills before starting Grade 6. How School Supply Needs Differ by School Type Most checklists found online are written for public school students. However, supply needs can vary quite a bit depending on the type of school. Understanding these differences helps parents save money and avoid buying the wrong items. Public Schools Public school students need the full traditional checklist: textbooks, grid-ruled exercise books, purple ink pens, a chalkboard, chalk, and a basic art set. The homeroom teacher usually announces the exact number of notebooks and type of pen needed at the start-of-year parent meeting. Wait for this official list before buying in bulk. Bilingual Schools Bilingual school students typically use two parallel sets of notebooks — one for the Vietnamese curriculum, one for the English curriculum. They also need more textbooks, since Science, Maths and Social Studies are taught in English as well. Parents should prepare an extra document folder to help their child keep the two curriculums' materials separate. International Schools Students at international schools following curriculums such as the IB PYP typically need fewer traditional supplies. The inquiry-based learning approach makes little use of chalkboards and chalk, relying instead on a personal inquiry journal, a reading log, and plenty of craft materials for project-based learning. Some international schools in Hanoi also provide a welcome supply kit for students at the start of the year. 5 Supply-Buying Criteria Parents Often Overlook Having a full set of supplies matters, but choosing the right item for each purpose is what actually keeps a child safe and effective while studying. Here are five criteria worth keeping in mind when shopping at the start of the year, to avoid buying the wrong item, replacing things mid-term, or affecting your child's health. Certified, Safe Materials Since children regularly use crayons, glue and scissors, prioritise products with safe materials and a clear origin. For paints and modelling clay in particular, check for certifications such as EN71-3 (the European standard) or ASTM D-4236 (the US standard). Avoid unbranded or unlabelled products, and anything with a strong chemical smell. Age- and Skill-Appropriate School supplies should suit a child's age and dexterity, to keep them safe, easy to use, and to prevent poor writing posture. Grade 1–3 students should use small, round-tipped scissors, while Grade 4–5 students can move to larger ones. Choose a basic, easily adjustable compass, and pencils that fit a child's hand comfortably so they hold them correctly and don't tire quickly while writing. Protecting the Spine When Choosing a Backpack According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), a backpack shouldn't weigh more than 10–15% of a child's body weight. For example, a 22kg Grade 1 student's backpack, fully loaded, should weigh around 2.5–3kg. Choose a backpack with wide, padded straps, good back support, and a chest or waist strap if needed. Avoid single-strap bags or crossbody bags, which can affect posture and put strain on the spine. Choosing a backpack that protects a child's spine Supporting Fine Motor Skills Through Holding, Sharpening and Cutting Primary school supplies also help develop fine motor skills through the actions of holding a pencil, sharpening it, and cutting paper. Hexagonal wooden pencils give a firmer grip than round ones. For Grade 1–2 students, a handheld pencil sharpener is better than an electric one, as it helps build small hand muscles. Spring-assisted scissors suit Grade 1, with a move to regular scissors from Grade 3 onward. Durable and Easy to Maintain A cheap item isn't necessarily a saving if it breaks quickly and needs replacing. For example, a VND 200,000 backpack that falls apart after a few months can end up costing more than a VND 500,000 one that lasts two years. Look for a backpack with basic water-resistant fabric, sturdy stitching on the straps and base, and a durable zip. For pencil cases, avoid ones with too many spring-loaded compartments, as these parts tend to fail first. Where to Buy Reliable School Supplies Parents can buy primary school supplies at bookshops, supermarkets, e-commerce platforms, or stationery shops near the school. Each channel suits a different kind of shopping need. Major bookshops such as Fahasa, Phuong Nam and Nha Nam: parents can check paper quality, backpack comfort and pencil case sturdiness in person before buying. Staff are usually familiar with local public schools' requirements. Every early August, many bookshops offer back-to-school bundles at around 10–20% off. Supermarkets such as Aeon Mall, Lotte Mart and Coopmart: convenient for buying multiple items in one trip — from stationery to sportswear and shoes. Supermarket supply bundles tend to be reasonably priced, though brand choice is more limited. E-commerce platforms such as Shopee Mall, Tiki Trading and Lazada: useful for buying a specific brand, such as Thien Long, Hong Ha, Deli, Pentel or Stabilo. Stick to official brand stores, read reviews with real photos, and avoid unusually cheap listings, which are more likely to be old stock or counterfeit. Stationery shops near the school: handy for urgent top-ups during the school year. These shops usually stock exactly the notebooks, pens and tools each school requires, so parents don't have to guess. Supply kits provided by the school: for international school students, some schools prepare a starter kit of books and basic stationery at the beginning of the year, taking some of the pressure off parents during the first week. Preparing primary school supplies the right way helps parents avoid over- or under-buying, and choose products that genuinely suit their child. Before shopping, check the list against the teacher's requirements, and prioritise supplies that are safe and easy to use. At Westlink International School Hanoi, primary students follow the IB PYP curriculum through an inquiry-based learning approach — helping them build independence through simple everyday tasks, like organising their own supplies.
