Back to school in Canada comes with its own list. Beyond the pencils and binders, there are indoor shoes, splash pants, and, by November, a mountain of mitts, toques and snow pants that all look the same in a hallway. This back-to-school labelling checklist covers what Canadian families typically need to label, grade by grade, plus a few tips to get it done in one evening.
Why labelling saves you money
Most lost items aren’t really lost. They’re sitting in the lost-and-found with no name on them. Schools often donate unclaimed items at the end of each term, so an unlabelled hoodie can be gone for good within a few months. A clear name label is the simplest way to get things back.
The everyday essentials (every grade)
- Backpack: a label inside and a bag tag outside
- Water bottle: a waterproof, dishwasher-safe label
- Lunch box, containers and lids: waterproof labels on each piece
- Indoor shoes: shoe labels inside both shoes (many Canadian schools require a separate pair)
- Hoodies, sweaters and jackets: iron-on labels on the care tag
- Gym clothes and gym shoes
Kindergarten
Kindergarten kids can’t always read yet, so labels with an icon beside the name help them recognize their own things. Label:
- A full change of clothes, including socks and underwear
- Indoor shoes, with left and right labels if your child is still learning which is which
- Nap mat or blanket, if your program has quiet time
- Snack containers and water bottle
- Art smock
Elementary school
- Pencils, crayons and markers: slim labels that wrap around thin items
- Glue sticks, scissors, rulers and erasers
- Binders, duotangs, folders and notebooks
- Pencil case
- Library book bag
- Headphones for classroom devices
Check before labelling supplies: some classrooms collect supplies into a shared bin, and teachers may ask you not to label those items.
Middle school
Older kids lose fewer small items but more expensive ones. Focus on:
- Calculator and geometry set
- Phone case and charger, if allowed at school
- Sports uniforms and equipment
- Locker items and gym bag
A subtle label in a style they like goes a long way at this age. Signature name stickers, cut to the shape of the name, are popular with older kids.
The Canadian winter list
This is where labelling really pays off. By December, hallways are full of identical black snow pants and navy mitts. Label:
- Winter coat (inside the collar)
- Snow pants (inside the waistband)
- Mitts and gloves (both of them)
- Toques and neck warmers
- Winter boots (inside, on both boots)
- Splash pants and rain jacket for spring and fall
How to label everything in one evening
- Gather everything in one place and sort it into fabric, hard surfaces, shoes and small supplies.
- Wash new clothes first, then do all the iron-on labels in one batch.
- Apply waterproof labels to clean, dry bottles and containers.
- Wrap pencil labels around pencils and markers while watching a show.
- Keep a few spare labels for the things that get replaced mid-year.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important thing to label for school?
Anything that travels between home and school: backpacks, water bottles, lunch gear, indoor shoes and outerwear. These are the items most often found in the lost-and-found.
Should I label winter clothes?
Yes, especially mitts, toques and snow pants. They look alike in a busy hallway, and they’re the items most often left behind in winter.
Do kindergarten kids need labels with pictures?
Icons help a lot. Children who can’t read yet can still recognize their own picture, so a name plus an icon helps them find their things.
When should I order back-to-school labels?
Early August is ideal, so labels arrive and are applied before the first day. BunnyTagz ships free across Canada.
One order for the whole list
The Back-to-School Name Labels Combo Pack includes waterproof, clothing and shoe labels in one order. Add pencil thin labels for supplies, and see everything on our school labels page. Every BunnyTagz order ships free across Canada.
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