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Post updated 7/19/26
You might think that the only things worth shopping for during back to school sales are the items that the teacher puts on those school supply lists. But it turns out, back to school sales are actually the perfect time to stock up on other household items, often at rock bottom prices. Here are the Best Things to Buy During Back to School Sales!
Every summer it happens.
You’re still planning pool days and cookouts when suddenly the stores are overflowing with crayons, notebooks, and backpacks.
It feels ridiculously early…
…but back-to-school season is actually one of the best times of the year to save money – even if you don’t have a single child heading back to class.
Many everyday household items hit their lowest prices of the year during July and August. With a little planning, you can stock up now and avoid paying full price later.
Here are the best things to buy during back-to-school sales.
Here are the best items to stock up on during Back to School sales:
Glue sticks are one of those school supplies that seem to disappear almost overnight. You start the year with a few, and by October they’re nowhere to be found – and suddenly they’re much more expensive than they were during back-to-school season.
If you spot a great sale, stock up! I always buy extras because we use them all year long for school projects, crafts, holiday activities, and DIY gifts. Any leftovers come in handy for teacher wish lists, classroom donations, or replacing the inevitable dried-out glue stick halfway through the school year.
Bonus tip: Don’t just buy enough for this year’s supply list. Grab a few extra packs while prices are low – you’ll almost certainly use them before next summer rolls around.
It’s amazing how quickly writing supplies disappear during the school year. Pencils get lost, pens run out of ink, and markers seem to dry up just when you need them most.
Back-to-school season is the perfect time to stock up on all the basics, including #2 pencils, colored pencils, pens, highlighters, dry erase markers, and washable markers. You’ll use them for homework, home offices, coloring projects, meal planning, and countless other everyday tasks.
Bonus tip: Buy an extra pack or two and stash them in a closet or desk drawer. You’ll be glad you did the next time someone needs a pencil for homework or a marker for a last-minute school project.
If there’s one school supply I never feel guilty stocking up on, it’s crayons! Back-to-school season is one of the best times of year to grab a few extra boxes because you’ll find so many uses for them beyond the classroom.
A fresh box of crayons makes a fun addition to birthday gifts, travel activity bags, restaurant kits, and rainy-day craft bins. Pair one with a coloring or sticker book for an inexpensive gift, tuck a box into Christmas stockings, or donate extras to your child’s classroom, local backpack drives, or holiday toy collections.
Bonus tip: Keep a brand-new box in the car (just not during summer heat waves!) or your travel bag. You’ll always have an easy way to keep little ones entertained during road trips, flights, restaurant waits, and appointments.
Backpacks and Lunch Boxes
Back-to-school season is the best time of year to shop for backpacks and lunch boxes because stores have the largest selection and some of the best prices you’ll see all year.
If your child has their heart set on a specific character, color, or brand, don’t wait too long. The most popular designs tend to sell out quickly, and many retailers don’t restock once they’re gone. If your child is flexible, you can wait for a better sale later in the season. But if they’re determined to have that backpack, shopping early is your best bet.
Bonus tip: Even if you don’t need a new backpack this year, keep an eye out for clearance deals after back-to-school season. They make great extras for travel, sports, sleepovers, and emergency kits – and they’re easy to donate to local school supply drives.
Storage Bins & Organization Containers
Back-to-school season isn’t just for school supplies – it’s also one of the best times to stock up on storage bins. Retailers know college students are getting ready to move into dorms, so you’ll find a huge selection of totes, drawer organizers, under-bed storage, laundry baskets, and other organization essentials.
Even if you don’t have a student heading off to college, these containers are useful all year long. We use them to store seasonal decorations, outgrown clothes, toys, keepsakes, camping gear, sports equipment, and just about anything else that needs a home.
Bonus tip: If you’re tackling a garage, basement, or closet organization project, July and August are a great time to buy storage containers before prices go back up later in the year.
Tissues, Disinfecting Wipes & Hand Sanitizer
While you’re stocking up on notebooks and crayons, don’t overlook the everyday essentials. Back-to-school sales are a great time to replenish your supply of tissues, disinfecting wipes, and hand sanitizer – items every household goes through year-round.
Stores often carry a wider variety of sizes and multipacks during back-to-school season, making it easy to stock up for home, the office, the car, sports bags, and classrooms. Buying extras now means you won’t have to pay full price when cold and flu season rolls around.
Bonus tip: Keep a small stash of travel-size tissues and hand sanitizer in your purse, glove compartment, or diaper bag. They’re inexpensive to buy during back-to-school sales and always seem to come in handy.
Folders, binders, and notebooks are some of the easiest school supplies to stock up on because you’ll find yourself reaching for them long after the first day of school. Back-to-school sales are one of the best times of year to buy extras for a fraction of their regular price.
Once you’ve checked everything off your child’s school supply list, consider picking up a few more. Notebooks are perfect for journaling, meal planning, budgeting, travel notes, gardening logs, and keeping track of household projects. Folders and binders are great for organizing important documents, recipes, coupons, warranties, medical records, and all those papers that somehow end up piled on the kitchen counter.
Bonus tip: Grab a few extra notebooks and folders while prices are low. They’re handy to have on hand whenever inspiration strikes – or when a school project is assigned the night before it’s due!
Bottled Water & Drinks for On-the-Go
July and August aren’t just back-to-school season – they’re also peak time for vacations, camping trips, road trips, sports practices, and backyard barbecues. That’s why it’s a great time to watch for sales on bottled water, sports drinks, juice boxes, and other grab-and-go beverages your family uses regularly.
Buying a few extra cases while prices are low can save you money throughout the school year. They’re perfect for packing lunches, keeping in the car for busy afternoons, bringing to practices and games, or tossing into a cooler for weekend adventures.
Bonus tip: If your family prefers reusable water bottles, this is also a great time to shop for those. Many retailers discount reusable bottles alongside other back-to-school essentials.
Think Ahead to Christmas
If you’re the type of shopper who buys gifts throughout the year, don’t overlook back-to-school clearance. Once the school season winds down, stores often mark down notebooks, markers, crayons, pencils, coloring books, stickers, and other creative supplies to incredibly low prices.
I love picking up these items to use as stocking stuffers, birthday gift add-ons, and rainy-day activity kits. Pair a coloring book with a fresh box of crayons, or bundle a notebook with colorful pens and stickers for an inexpensive gift that’s both fun and practical.
Bonus tip: Extra school supplies also make wonderful donations. Consider picking up a few items for local toy drives, backpack programs, classrooms, or organizations that support children in need.
Computers, Printers & Tech
Back-to-school season isn’t just about notebooks and backpacks – it’s also one of the best times of year to shop for laptops, Chromebooks, printers, headphones, calculators, and other tech essentials. Many retailers offer special promotions, student discounts, gift card offers, and bundle deals that can rival Black Friday pricing.
Whether you’re shopping for a student heading back to school, upgrading your home office, or replacing an aging computer, it’s worth comparing prices during July and August before making a big purchase.
Bonus tip: If your state offers a tax-free shopping weekend, consider timing larger purchases like computers, tablets, or printers to maximize your savings. Combining a sale price with tax-free shopping can add up to significant savings.
The bottom line: Back-to-school sales aren’t just for students. From office supplies and organization products to technology and everyday household essentials, this is one of the best shopping seasons of the year. A little planning now can save you money for months to come.
Did I miss one of your favorite back-to-school bargains? I’d love to hear what you always stock up on in the comments!
Sharpies are a guilty pleasure of mine :) I love BTS shopping!
Oh I do so LOVE a new Sharpie!!
Yes, I’m thinking about those back to school sales, too! Fortunately, I’ve got lists for 3 of 5 kids. I may need to dig out an old Kindergarten list to get that one done, too.
My advice, save even more by asking about discounts! Target has a 20% off your entire purchase for educators and it’s almost a month long. The same applies for college students.
Not a teacher, I bet you know someone who is. Make a day of it. The same can be said for taking advantage of senior discounts as well. My grandmother always took myself and my summer best friend back to school shopping.
Nice list. But why is there SO much blank space ?
I have no idea. LOL Do you have an ad blocker?