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15 essential items to bring in your sub bag of tricks for a successful day of substitute teaching (updated for 2025-26)
What should I have in my substitute teacher bag?
When you're a substitute teacher, you need to be prepared for anything. That means having the right supplies in your substitute teacher bag of tricks for any situation. It also means being organized and making sure that everything is easy to find.
Here are some easy tips for packing the perfect substitute teacher bag.
Choose the perfect substitute teacher bag.
The best substitute teacher bags are roomy enough to carry essentials, but not so bulky that they're hard to carry. You want a bag with plenty of pockets so that everything has its place.
If you're going to be carrying around a lot of stuff, consider using a backpack or a tote bag with an organizer insert. Organizer inserts cost around $15 on Amazon.
First, pack the must-have sub bag essentials.
- A notebook
- Pens, pencils, and a highlighter
- Spare lesson plans
Carry things that will keep you comfortable.
Here are some items that can be included:
- Water bottle
- Lunch and snacks (allergy friendly)
- Extra clothes like a jacket (in case something gets dirty or you need to go outside)
Bring items that can be used as impromptu rewards.
When you're in a new classroom it's important to keep the kids calm and engaged. One way you can do this is by using an impromptu reward system. This means that when students have been behaving properly, they will receive an item that will encourage them to continue being well-behaved.
Here are some ideas for rewards:
- Stickers (that are appropriate for the age group)
- Mechanical pencils
- Erasers
- Coloring books can be a great choice for younger students
Be prepared with time-filling activities.
If you find yourself with an unexpected break in the day, be prepared to keep students engaged with games, time filler activities, or even a book that you can read aloud.
Some time filler examples:
- Worksheets of math problems
- Brainteasers
- Games, like “20 Questions”
- Writing prompts
- Brain break activities
- Engaging morning meeting activities
Games and activities will vary widely depending on the grade. Here are 8 time-filling writing activities that elementary students will love and some of our favorite activities for when you have no lesson plans.
Try name tag stickers and bring sticky notes.
Name tag stickers are a quick, easy way to remember what students' names are without having to constantly refer back to your seating chart or roll sheet—and they're perfect for when you're trying to keep track of multiple students with similar names. Sheets of 100+ name tag stickers cost around $4 on Amazon.
You'll also want some sticky notes handy so you can leave messages for the teacher. These notes will help make sure the teacher knows what went on in the classroom while they were gone.
Pack miscellaneous and emergency supplies.
You might be tempted to ignore the idea of packing emergency supplies because you're not sure what's going to happen. But a little preparation can go a long way in calming your nerves, and it'll also ensure that your students are safe as well.
- Hand sanitizer
- Tissues
- Sunglasses (if you need to go outside)
- Cough drops
- Headache relief
All of these items are small but can make a big difference when you need them most.
Checklist: 15 must-have items for your sub bag of tricks.
- Notebook
- Pens and pencils and a highlighter
- Spare lesson plans
- Water bottle
- Lunch and snacks
- Extra clothes
- Impromptu rewards
- Games, activities, or a read-aloud book
- Name tag stickers
- Sticky notes
- Hand sanitizer
- Tissues
- Sunglasses
- Cough drops
- Headache relief What’s New for the 2025–2026 School Year? As more schools incorporate tech, flexible scheduling, and new safety protocols, you may want to update your sub bag to reflect the latest classroom needs: Make sure your bag reflects these changes—having tech-ready supplies can help you stand out in today’s classrooms.
You’re ready to substitute teach!
Now that you know what to bring as a substitute teacher, are you ready to find your first substitute teaching assignment?
Register with HelloSubs and gain access to some of the best pre-K to grade 12 jobs across the country.
At HelloSubs you can choose your own assignments, work when you want, and get paid every Friday. Apply up to become a substitute teacher today!