September is just around the corner, and if you're anything like most parents, the back-to-school rush can feel overwhelming. New uniforms, new teachers, new routines — and a mountain of things to remember. The good news? A handful of well-chosen printables can make the whole transition smoother for you and your children.
Here are the back-to-school essentials every parent should print before September — all available as instant downloads so you can have them ready in minutes.
1. A Daily Routine Chart
One of the biggest challenges at the start of term is getting back into a structured routine after the summer holidays. A visual daily routine chart helps children know exactly what's expected of them — from getting dressed in the morning to packing their bag the night before.
For younger children especially, seeing the routine laid out step by step reduces arguments and morning meltdowns. The NHS recommends consistent bedtime and morning routines to help children feel secure and sleep better. Our kids' daily planners are designed with this in mind — clear, colourful, and easy for little ones to follow independently. Choose the design that suits your child best: the sporty Football Kids Daily Planner or the cheerful Heart Kids Daily Planner — both are instant downloads, ready to print in minutes.
2. A Weekly Homework Planner
As children move into KS2, homework becomes a regular fixture. A dedicated homework planner helps them track what's due, when it needs to be handed in, and how long each task might take. It also builds brilliant independent study habits early.
Oxford Owl is a fantastic free resource from Oxford University Press with reading and activity support by age group — well worth bookmarking alongside your child's homework planner. We have a few great options to choose from: the classic Lovely Homework Planner for Kids, or the roar-some Dinosaur Homework Planner — perfect for little dino fans. Both are printable, reusable, and ready to download instantly. Browse our full range of printable planners to find one that suits your child's age and style.
3. A School Year Calendar
Term dates, inset days, parents' evenings, school trips — it all adds up. Printing a school year calendar and sticking it somewhere visible (the fridge, a family noticeboard) means nothing gets missed. You can check your school's specific term dates on GOV.UK and fill them in before September.
4. A Morning Checklist
"Have you got your PE kit?" "Where's your reading book?" Sound familiar? A simple morning checklist — printed and laminated if you want it to last — gives children ownership of their own preparation. They tick off each item before leaving the house, and you get a calmer morning.
Key items to include: school bag, water bottle, lunchbox, reading book, homework, PE kit (on relevant days), and any permission slips or money. Pair your checklist with one of our kids' daily planners to keep the whole day on track — choose from the Football Kids Daily Planner, the Heart Kids Daily Planner, or browse the full kids' planners collection.
5. A Reading Log
Most primary schools encourage daily reading at home, and many ask children to record what they've read. A printable reading log makes this easy — children can note the book title, author, pages read, and a quick rating or comment.
The National Literacy Trust's family zone has brilliant free tips on encouraging reading at home — a great companion to a printed reading log. Our kids' activity pages include reading and learning tasks perfect for this.
6. A Feelings Check-In Sheet
Starting a new school year — especially moving to a new class or school — can bring up a lot of emotions for children. A simple feelings check-in sheet gives them a way to express how they're feeling each day, which opens up conversations and helps you spot if something's worrying them.
Young Minds has excellent guidance for parents on supporting children's mental health during transitions like starting a new school year. A visual feelings prompt can make all the difference for children who find it hard to articulate their emotions verbally.
7. A Goal-Setting Sheet
September is the perfect time for a fresh start. Encourage your child to set one or two simple goals for the new school year — it could be reading a certain number of books, learning their times tables, or making a new friend. Writing goals down makes them feel real and gives children something to work towards.
Our kids' planners include goal-setting pages designed to be motivating and age-appropriate.
8. A Parent Organiser
It's not just the children who need to get organised — parents do too. A printable parent organiser with space for term dates, contact numbers, after-school activity schedules, and weekly meal planning can be a genuine lifesaver during the busy school term.
Keep it in the kitchen or on a family noticeboard and update it as the term progresses. Browse our family planners and organisers for options that work for the whole household.
Get Everything in One Go: Kids Learning Bundle
Want to get fully prepared for school without hunting for individual resources? Our Kids Learning Bundle covers Pre-School to Year 4 with a comprehensive set of printable worksheets — everything you need to support learning at home from day one. It's the easiest way to hit the ground running in September.
Don't Forget: It's Not All About Work!
Getting organised for school is important — but so is making sure children have time to switch off, unwind, and just be kids. After a busy school day, creative downtime is brilliant for reducing stress and recharging little minds.
Colouring is one of the simplest and most effective ways for children (and adults!) to relax. It's screen-free, calming, and genuinely enjoyable. Browse our printable colouring book collection — perfect for after-school wind-down time, rainy afternoons, or just a quiet moment in a busy week. Print as many copies as you like and keep a stack ready for whenever they're needed. 🖍️
Tips for Getting the Most From Your Printables
- Print on 80gsm paper or above for a quality finish — see our guide on the best paper for printing at home. Which? also has up-to-date reviews of the best home printers if you're due an upgrade.
- Laminate checklists and routine charts so children can use a dry-wipe marker and reuse them all year.
- Involve your child in choosing and setting up their planner — they're far more likely to use it if they feel ownership over it.
- Keep it visible — a planner in a drawer is a planner that doesn't get used. Stick it on the fridge, a noticeboard, or their bedroom door.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age are these printables suitable for?
Most of our back-to-school printables are designed for primary school age children (4–11), with some suitable for secondary school too. Each product listing includes the recommended age range.
Can I print these at home?
Yes — all our printables are instant downloads in PDF format, designed to be printed at home on a standard A4 printer. For best results, use 80gsm paper or above. Read our full guide on how to download and print a PDF at home.
Do I need any special software to open the files?
No — our printables are PDF files that open in any standard PDF viewer, including Adobe Acrobat Reader (free to download) and most web browsers.
Can I use these in a classroom?
Our printables are licensed for personal and home use. If you're a teacher looking for classroom resources, please get in touch and we can discuss licensing options.
What if I need help with my order?
We're always happy to help — just visit our contact page and we'll get back to you as quickly as possible.
0 comments