The Ultimate Guide to Labelling Everything for School & Daycare (2026 Edition)

The complete checklist every parent needs, updated for 2026.

Starting school, daycare, or kinder in 2026? One thing hasn’t changed: everything needs a label. From water bottles to art smocks, teachers rely on clear, durable name labels to keep items organised, reduce lost property, and help kids become more independent.

Whether you’re new to the school routine or prepping your little one for daycare, this guide will help you label every essential item the right way, without stress.

🎒 Why Labelling Matters More Than Ever in 2026

Teachers agree: clear, consistent labels make classrooms run smoother.

Here’s why:

• Kids lose things — constantly

• Teachers need quick visual identification

• Daycare requires EVERYTHING labelled, even socks

• Clear labels encourage independence

• Matching sets help kids recognise their belongings faster

• Saves you money by avoiding lost items

At Sticksy, we design easy-to-use, editable printables and stickers so parents can label everything in minutes.

📘 What You Need to Label for School & Daycare (2026 Checklist)

Here’s the official 2026 parent-friendly list:

1. Bottles & Drinkware

• Water bottles

• Sippy cups

• Milk bottles (for babies)

Best to use:
→ 40–60mm name labels, waterproof sticker paper

2. Lunch Items

• Lunchbox

• Snack containers

• Ice packs

• Thermos containers

• Cutlery sets

Best to use:
→ 40–60mm name labels or slim pencil labels for cutlery

3. School Stationery

• Pencils

• Textas

• Crayons

• Markers

• Rulers

• Notebooks

• Pencil cases

Best to use:
→ 45×12mm slim pencil labels (72 per sheet)
→ Name labels for larger items

4. Clothing & Wearables

• Hats

• Jackets

• Shoes

• Socks

• Bags

• Jumpers

• Beanies

Best to use:
→ Bag tags
→ Name labels for soles of shoes and hat brims

5. Backpacks & Bags

• School bag

• Kinder bag

• Sports bag

• Library bag

• Dance/tumbling/swim bag

Best to use:
→ Editable bag tags with hole punch guide
→ Larger name labels for inside pockets

6. Daycare Items

• Bedding

• Sleep sheets

• Comforters

• Formula containers

• Wet bag

• Sunscreen

Best to use:
→ Name labels + bag tags
→ Waterproof labels for bottles

🖨️ How to Print Your Own Labels at Home

DIY is HUGE for 2026. Parents love saving money AND having cute matching sets.

Use:

• A4 waterproof vinyl sticker paper

• Print at 100% scale

• Set printer to “Best” or “Photo” mode

• Cut with scissors or a precision trimmer

Sticksy templates are fully editable in Canva, so printing at home is easy, affordable, and customisable.

✨ The Best Types of Labels for 2026

Here’s what parents are choosing this year:

✔ Pencil Labels (45×12mm)

Perfect for:
Pencils, textas, crayons, rulers, stationary bundles.

✔ Name Labels (40–60mm)

Perfect for:
Bottles, lunchboxes, containers, notebooks.

✔ Bag Tags (Editable in Canva)

Perfect for:
Backpacks, daycare bags, library bags, sports bags.

✔ Seasonal Labels

Perfect for:
Christmas, birthday gifts, teacher sets.

💡 Pro Tip: Keep Everything Matching

Kids recognise their belongings MUCH faster when:

✔ colours match
✔ icons match
✔ fonts match
✔ bags + labels share a theme

This is why Sticksy designs coordinated pastel sets (rainbows, animals, unicorns, dinos, etc.).
It helps kids feel confident and stay organised.

🏁 Final Thoughts

Labelling everything for school and daycare doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right templates, cute designs, and a clear checklist, you can organise everything your child needs in just a few minutes.

Sticksy makes it simple with:

✔ editable Canva templates
✔ matching pastel sets
✔ instant downloads
✔ unlimited personal printing

Explore our full range of Editable Printables, Pencil Labels, Name Labels, and Bag Tags to set your child up for an organised, stress-free 2026.