It’s that time of year again: summer is winding down and you’re getting ready to send the kids back to school. Of course back to school time also comes with a lot of shopping, and your wallet may not appreciate it. Lucky for you, we’ve put together the perfect list of back to school shopping items that are budget friendly and still high-quality. Help them get ahead in every subject, from art to science, and while you’re at it pick up a little something to keep yourself organized, too. Your kids will head back to school excited about all their new goodies, and you can rest easy knowing that you got some seriously good deals and gave them the best. So let’s start doing some back-to-school shopping. Before you know it you’ll be done, the kids will be out of the house, and you’ll have a bit of peace and quiet again.
Unleash Their Creativity
These dot markers are a great way to start introducing your little ones to art, and they even come with fun stencils to use.
The reviews say “Not only do you get a lot of bright colors, you get stencils! No leaking which was such a plus! I bought another set for my daughter to have at her house.”
This Chemistry Kit Is Their Intro to STEM
This chemistry kit comes with tons of at-home experiments for your kiddo to try out: they’ll learn and have a blast.
The reviews say, “We have tried several science kits and this one has been the best. I bought it because it comes with space to journal about the experiments, and my daughter loves to journal. It also comes with pencils and a sharpener, and chalk to label and draw your experiments. The experiments are designed for a little older kid, so they are more interesting than your basic ”watch baking soda and vinegar make bubbles” experiments. My 10 year old can do them herself and then shows them to me. I actually learned something from her with this kit. I would recommend this for any tween who likes science.”
This Weighted Stuffed Animal Is Great for Calming Nerves
If you have a little one who’s a little bit anxious, this weighted stuffed animal is a great way to help them stay calm. The lamb can come to school and sit on kiddo’s lap, providing good pressure that helps keep little bodies calm.
These Headphones Are Perfect for Small Ears
If your kid is still doing anything virtually, a solid pair of headphones is essential. This set is built for the younger set, and is super comfortable.
The reviews say “I purchased two pairs of headphones. The blue ones and the unicorn ones. My kids love them! They work so well for their online schooling and I am obsessed with the fact that they can plug them into each other and listen to the same thing…i.e. watch the same thing without fighting or me having to listen to silly things all day! I also really like that they fold up when not in use. Makes them much easier to take with us in tiny backpacks (which my 8yo is obsessed with).”
Start Their Learning Early with Toddler Flashcards
If your kiddo isn’t quite old enough for school yet, but wants to get in on the back to school action, these flashcards are perfect for them. They’ll learn colors, animals, shapes, and numbers.
The reviews say “Best tool for my baby’s cognitive learning. I have a 3 month old and we have been using this since she was 8 weeks every morning after her feed in bed as a morning exercise. Now 4 weeks in she’s grabbing the cards, trying to imitate sounds and more importantly she moves her head to follow each card. She truly loves them.”
Help Them Learn All Day Long
Want to incorporate learning into every part of their day? These placemats help them pick up a few extra facts during mealtimes.
The reviews say “I like these particular ones because they are durable and I can clean them before she eats. They are very easy to clean using a wipe or a cloth. The back of them is fantastic because it does not move around on the table (unlike most educational placemats). They are also good for using with modeling clay or crafts.”
Keep Yourself Organized with the Ideal Planner
Wondering how you’re going to keep everyone on the same page this school year? Grab yourself this The Master Plan organizer to keep track of meals, activities, and school. It’s got space to track every member of your family, no matter how busy it gets.
Sneak Math into Fun with Boom Goes the Dynamite
This card game is a great way to support your child’s math skills, because it subtly teaches while they play.
The reviews say “So much fun! Easy to learn. Great for ages 8-108. Very quick. I purchased this because I was gifted this company’s other game 3up 3down and was so pleased with it. They have a video demonstration for each game on their website, which is extremely helpful for people who need to visualize gameplay to learn. Will continue to support this company. Very high quality products.”
This Lunchbox Has Everything They’ll Need
Worried about what you’ll send with them for lunch? This lunchbox is sure to inspire you. It comes with a stainless steel fork and spoon, three reusable ice packs for extra cooling, a thermos, and three food containers that all fit neatly inside. You won’t find a nicer lunchbox anywhere.
These Enamel Pins Let Them Personalize Their Bag
These cute little pins are one of my favorite ways to give my kids a little treat during back-to-school shopping. It lets them personalize their bag, but costs less than $15.
The reviews say “I bought these pins to decorate my daughter’s backpack, she is going to primary next year. And they are adorable! Such a great statement for her backpack! Can’t wait for her to see it!”
This Wall Art Is Perfect for Anyone Heading Off to College
Maybe back to school is a little different this year and you have a kid heading off to college. If that’s the case, this set of six aesthetic travel posters is a great way to send them off in style. They’re perfect for dorm rooms, and your new collegiate kid will love them.
Make It Cute
These kawaii patches are beyond cute, and you can use them on backpacks or clothing to add some extra personality. They’re super easy to use: all you have to do is iron them on, and suddenly you have a custom, personalized piece.
They’ll Love These Sandwich Cutouts
Want to make school lunches a bit more exciting this year? Just use these sandwich cutouts!
The reviews say “We ordered these because we wanted the dinosaur cutter. They’re well made and just sharp enough to cut sandwiches without being so sharp kids can’t use them. Exactly what we wanted!”
Crayons Are a School Year Must-Have
Every school kid needs some art supplies before they head off for their first day, so don’t send them on their way without this bulk set of crayons. You’ll never run out again.
Get Them Moving
Just because school is about learning doesn’t mean you should forget about helping them stay active. These playground balls are a great way to make recess fun.
The reviews say “These are old-school playground balls. I got them for my daughter and she kicks, throws, and dribbles them, and leaves them outside all the time. They hold up well and since they are bright, I can find them under bushes and outdoor furniture.”
Add Some Fun to Their Ice Packs
Kids don’t have a way to put their lunch in a refrigerator during school hours, so if you’re sending anything that needs to stay cold you should probably invest in some lunch box ice packs. They’ll especially appreciate it if you go for these ones that come in fun shapes and colors.
Get Them Reading
Do you have a kid who will read until the sun goes down and forget to turn on lights? Use this clip on book light to ensure they aren’t hurting their eyes.
The reviews say “This light is amazing. It offers various light levels and light qualities AND the ability to recharge its batteries. Unheard of! It’s easy to clip on your book and the neck of the light is stiff enough to bend it into any position and stay there. Glocusent has taken the book light into the 21st century. Bravo!”
They Can Explore Physics
Some of the best toys are the ones that are fun while still letting kids explore the world around them and learn about how it works. That’s why you’ll love this marble run, which lets kids explore physics and see how they can manipulate the marble as it rolls.
These Flash Cards Teach the Presidents
If this school year is going to include some American history, you don’t want to get started without these president flashcards.
The reviews say “Cards are great quality. Will definitely last through all our kids. Lots of good information on the cards”
Create an Educational Environment
Want to add more ways to learn into their everyday? Snap up these educational posters that cover all kinds of topics.
The reviews say, “There isn’t a set quite like these on Amazon and the information and how it’s broken down is what made the difference in making the decision to buy these. They come very well packaged and they are very heavy poster stock as well.”
This Journal Is Great for Parents or Kids
School comes with a lot of writing, so it’s a great time to invest in a high-quality notebook. This lined notebook would be wonderful for high school students, or if you want to help keep yourself organized.
Use This Weekly Planner to Keep Everyone on the Same Page
Sometimes you just need a visual aid to make sure everyone is working together. Use this dry-erase calendar to ensure no one forgets what’s happening during the week. It’s easy to display on your fridge, so you know everyone will see it.
Upgrade Index Cards to Tabbed
I’m honestly offended that no one came up with this idea when I was a student: index cards with tabs. These are so helpful for staying organized and finding exactly what you’re looking for, whether your student is using them to outline a paper or take notes.
This Set of Gel Pens Will Truly Spoil Them
You can never have too many pens for school, so why not stock up all at once with this set of 96 glitter pens? This will be a big hit with anyone who likes to color code their notes and wants ALL the options.
Keep Everything Organized in This Padfolio
It can be tough to keep track of everything during the school day, so snag this padfolio to help your student keep all their items together.
The reviews say “This padfolio is exquisitely made! It looks and feels nice! The zipper is smooth, the exterior is smooth. I’m a righty but I love that it can be flipped for both Lefty’s and righty’s! The box that it comes in is amazing (I’m a sucker for some good packaging and they have got some good packaging)!”
These File Folders Keep Papers Neat
If your student is going to have to hold on to lots of papers during the school year, don’t let them start without these lined file folders. They can take notes on the outside and organize papers inside. It’s like combining two organizational strategies into one!
Use These Pen Grips to Write Comfortably
Some kids find pencils really uncomfortable or difficult to grip, so make it easier with this pencil grip.
The reviews say “This is a life saver for me. First and foremost it has saved my hand. full time work and full time college student here so my hand takes quite a beating and now that I have this my fingers and hand feel so much better without it I can honestly say I wouldn’t be able to write with out being in so much pain. The second factor I bought this for was the design; I consider myself having a minimalist sleek style and the design plus color was just what I needed. It also arrived very quickly. Overall great purchase, your hands will be thankful for these soft and lasting grips.”
Keep Those Pencils Sharp
Every student needs at least one pencil sharpener to make sure all their tools are sharp and ready to go. This electric pencil sharpener is small enough for them to carry with them, but doesn’t require a ton of work to get a perfectly sharp pencil.
Use These Chalk Markers at Home for Art or Teaching
Chalkboards are ubiquitous in classrooms, but if your kiddo doesn’t love the texture of chalk these chalk markers are a great alternative.
The reviews say, “We put a message on our chalkboard every morning since covid started to encourage people with a quote and these markers have been a game-changer for us. They wipe off easy and are bright.”
This Reusable Pad Is Great for Note-Taking
This doodle board is multipurpose and ideal for students. Take notes, and when you’re finished, simply press the erase button. You can take photos of your notes to store for later or use the pad to keep track of your to-do list.
They’ll Stand Out with This Backpack
Obviously your kid needs a backpack to head off to school, and they’ll love how brightly-colored this one is.
The reviews say “This is a great backpack. I got it for an average sized 8 year old girl, and it fits her comfortably, and is a little bit big (which moms know is a good thing!), so she can use it for a few years. Big enough to hold her notebooks, binder, chrome book, winter coat, and an extra pair of shoes without looking bulky. She loves it.”
Pack the Cutest Lunch in This Bento Box
Want a lunchbox that won’t take up too much space but still lets you organize lunches neatly? This bento box is ideal! Your kid will be the star of the lunch room.
Stock Up on Pencils
You can never have too many pencils during school, so it’s not a bad idea to grab this box of 150 wooden pencils at the beginning of the school year to ensure that your student always has a supply. These are the most classic pencils you can get, so you know they’re quality.
These Bendy Pencils Are Great for Fidgeters
If you’re looking for a different style of pencil, these bendy pencils are perfect for kids who like to fidget. Give them a way to move their hands and bodies that isn’t disruptive.
These Notebooks Have Built-in Fidgets
Speaking of fidgets, your constantly moving kids will love these notebooks with poppers built in. The reviews say “I bought my kids these notebooks and they absolutely love them. Great for fun and learning at the same time. The quality is very good my kids are a little rough with books sometimes but this one was made with a very rich quality. Definitely recommend!”
This Set of Pens Will Last the Whole Year
Just like pencils, you’re going to want a lot of pens to ensure your student gets through the whole school year without the excuse “I don’t have a pen.” This box of 40 lasts a long time and is high quality, so you know they’ll love what they’re writing with.
This Pack Has All the Art Supplies They’ll Need
Do you have a school shopping list that seems like it’s a mile long? Markers, crayons, colored pencils? Get it all in one with this comprehensive art pack. It’s less expensive, and you don’t have to worry about keeping track of all the things you need to buy.