Beyond the Backpack: Top 9 Things Kids Really Need this School Year

YMCA Staff
A YMCA staff member helps a child enter a classroom while a parent waves goodbye

Experts say kids need both tangible supplies and intangible traits to thrive this school year.

CHICAGO (July 20, 2026) – As students prepare for a new school year, many parents focus on stocking up on notebooks, pencils, and lunchboxes. But experts say children need more than just supplies to succeed; they also need curiosity, confidence, kindness, creativity, resilience, and positivity to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Here’s a research-backed take on the top 9 things every child actually needs for back-to-school:

  1. Backpack + Curiosity – Carry books and an eagerness to explore new ideas.
  2. Notebook + Confidence – Write homework and thoughts without hesitation.
  3. Lunchbox + Kindness – Pack lunch and share smiles with classmates.
  4. Pencils + Creativity – Sketch, doodle, and solve problems imaginatively.
  5. Water Bottle + Resilience – Stay hydrated and bounce back from setbacks.
  6. Sneakers + Energy – Run, jump, and stay active while engaged.
  7. Planner + Organization – Track assignments and manage time efficiently.
  8. Calculator + Problem Solving – Crunch the numbers, and tackle problems step by step.
  9. Markers + Positivity – The ultimate accessories that make everything better (and brighter!)

Research supports the importance of these non-tangible traits for child development. Curiosity fosters learning and problem-solving; confidence and resilience help children navigate challenges; kindness and generosity enhance social-emotional skills; and focus, organization, and positivity contribute to overall well-being and academic success.

“Supplies are important, but the skills and traits children bring to the classroom can make an even bigger difference,” said Curtis Lemieux, Director of Youth Development Strategy at YMCA of the USA. “Programs that nurture curiosity, creativity, and kindness help kids thrive in school and life.”

While schools provide structure and instruction, after-school programs and enrichment activities offer additional opportunities for children to cultivate these traits in engaging, hands-on ways. From group projects and sports to arts and leadership programs, children practice skills that help them succeed academically, socially, and personally.

Organizations, like the YMCA, offer a variety of afterschool programming at locations across the country. For more information on afterschool programs near you, visit ymca.org/find-your-y.

About the Y
Driven by its founding mission, the Y has served as a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community for more than 175 years. The Y empowers everyone, no matter who they are or where they’re from, by ensuring access to resources, relationships, and opportunities for all to learn, grow and thrive. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives and generations, the Y’s goal is to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment and demonstrate the importance of connections in and across 10,000 communities nationwide. Learn more at ymca.org.