What to Label for School: A Complete Parent Checklist
A simple checklist of school items to label, from the bag and water bottle to books, clothes and handkerchiefs, plus when to use a bag tag instead.
The water bottle stays behind on the bus. The sweater comes home from PE belonging to someone else. Most school days, at least one thing goes missing or gets mixed up.
Children carry a lot every day, from water bottles and lunch boxes to notebooks and bags. If you are wondering what to label for school, start with the things your child carries daily. A name on each one makes it easy to identify and avoids needless mix-ups.
The short answer Label the school bag, water bottle, lunch box, books and notebooks, pencil box, school clothes and handkerchief. Use name labels on most items and a personalised bag tag on the school bag, and start with whatever your child is most likely to lose.
What to label for school: the 7 essentials
1. School bag
A school bag is one of the most important things to label. When several children have similar bags, a personalised bag tag or name label makes your child's bag much easier to recognise.
2. Water bottle
Water bottles often get left behind in classrooms, buses and playgrounds. A name makes it easier for your child and the teacher to identify the bottle.
3. Lunch box
Whether it is a regular lunch box or a bento lunch box, a name label stops it getting mixed up with another child's.
4. Books and notebooks
Children carry several books and notebooks every day. A name makes them easier to find if they are misplaced. You can label:
- School books
- Subject notebooks
- Drawing books
- Activity books
- Workbooks
5. Pencil box
Pencil boxes are easily left on desks or swapped with a classmate's. A small name label makes it easy to identify.
6. School clothes
Sweaters, jackets and sports uniforms are often left behind at school. Clothes stickers or name labels help identify them quickly.
7. Handkerchief
Handkerchiefs are small and easy to lose. A name helps make sure it comes back to your child.
Quick name label checklist
Before your child goes to school, run through these school items to label:
- School bag
- Water bottle
- Lunch box
- Books
- Notebooks
- Pencil box
- School uniform
- Sweater or jacket
- Handkerchief
- Activity items
Where to start You do not need to label everything your child owns. Begin with what they carry to school regularly and are most likely to lose or mix up.
Name labels or bag tags?
Use both, depending on the item.
Name labels work well on books, bottles, lunch boxes, pencil boxes and clothes. A personalised bag tag suits the school bag, because it makes the bag easy to spot.
58% off
35% offSmall labels, fewer lost things
A simple name label makes a big difference to how well children keep track of their belongings. Label the everyday essentials first and help your child recognise their things at school.
Browse personalised name stickers and labels or transparent name labels.
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Frequently asked questions
What school items should I label first?
Start with the things your child carries every day and is most likely to lose: school bag, water bottle, lunch box, books and pencil box.
What should be on a school name label checklist?
School bag, water bottle, lunch box, books, notebooks, pencil box, school uniform, sweater or jacket, handkerchief and activity items.
Should I use name labels or a bag tag on the school bag?
A personalised bag tag is ideal for the school bag because it is easy to spot. Name labels suit books, bottles, lunch boxes, pencil boxes and clothes.
How do I label school clothes?
Use clothes stickers or name labels on sweaters, jackets and sports uniforms, which are the items most often left behind.
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