Back to school 2025 it is that time of year again. Time to start thinking about getting ready for those back to school sales. I am here to help you! Shopping and finding sales and bargains is my
🎒 Back-to-School Bliss: How to Get a Head Start (and Keep Your Sanity)
Ready or not, the school year is just around the corner—and whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or a “favorite auntie on standby,” it’s time to gear up for that magical mix of sharpened pencils, new shoes, and the smell of fresh notebook paper.
But let’s be honest—back-to-school shopping can go from joyful to jungle in no time. The traffic at big-box stores? Worse than the Indy 500 on a caffeine high! That’s why I’m here to help you beat the rush, save some money, and maybe even have a little fun along the way. Let’s dive in!
✏️ The Ultimate Back to School Essentials List
Every school district may have its own specific list, but here’s a solid foundation that’ll get most kids from kindergarten to high school ready for the year. You will avoid all the last minute rush by being proactive and using this list and my suggestions below to get your list and ordering the basics now. You may have to run out to get a last minute item or two but the big stuff you will have ready and waiting to move out the door in an orderly fashion on the first day of school. No panic, no muss, no fuss.
Basic Back to School Supplies:
- #2 pencils (sharpened, if you love your teachers 😉)
- Blue, black, and red pens
- Crayons, colored pencils, and washable markers
- Spiral notebooks and composition books
- Folders with pockets
- Loose-leaf notebook paper
- Glue sticks and child-safe scissors
- Pencil box or pouch
Bonus School Supplies:
- Highlighters
- Index cards
- Sticky notes
- Dry erase markers
- Ruler and protractor (for the big kids)
Personal Care Item for Back to School:
- Travel-size hand sanitizer
- Pocket tissues
- Disinfectant wipes
- Refillable water bottle
Tech Tools:
- Basic calculator or scientific calculator (depending on grade)
- Headphones or earbuds
- USB flash drive
Pro tip: If your school doesn’t use lockers, keep it light! No one wants to carry a backpack heavier than their lunch lady’s meatloaf.
💻 Best Online Stores for Back-to-School Bargains
Avoid the crowds and shop in your slippers—here are some of my favorite places to snag great deals without burning gas or patience:
🛒 Amazon
Bulk bundles and “subscribe and save” options make Amazon a great go-to. Plus, who doesn’t love a Prime delivery surprise? Amazon for school supplies, back to school backpacks , healthy snacks, lunch bags and anything else you can think of can be found on Amazon.
🎯 Target.com
Their back-to-school hub is super organized—and you can choose delivery, drive-up, or pick-up options. Add a Starbucks latte while you’re at it, and boom—instant joy!
🧻 Walmart.com
Low prices, reliable brand names, and often the best deals on lunchboxes, backpacks, and classroom extras.
💼 Staples.com
Perfect for school tech like printers, headphones, and calculators. Check out their “Rewards” program and back-to-school price match.
🎨 Oriental Trading
If you’re a teacher, homeschooler, or just love fun classroom crafts and supplies—this site is a hidden gem.
🥗 Healthy Snacks & Lunchbox Heroes for Back to School
The lunchbox may be small, but it carries big responsibility. Let’s ditch the sugar crashes and aim for healthy snacks for energy, focus, and smiles. And above all avoid the afternoon sugar crash.
Snacktime Favorites:
- Trail mix (nuts, raisins, sunflower seeds, a few chocolate chips for good behavior)
- Cheese sticks and whole-grain crackers
- Yogurt tubes (freeze them the night before!)
- Apple slices with peanut butter (or sunflower butter for nut-free zones)
- Air-popped popcorn
Lunchtime Winners:
- Turkey and cheese roll-ups with fruit and veggie sticks
- DIY sandwich kabobs (cut sandwiches into chunks and stack on skewers)
- Pasta salad with grilled chicken or tuna
- Hummus and pita triangles with cucumber slices
- Hard-boiled eggs and mini muffins
Don’t forget the water bottle! Hydration helps kids concentrate—and gives teachers a fighting chance.
👟 First-Day Fashion: School Clothes for you to dress to impress
Ahh, the joy of picking out that first-day outfit! It’s a tradition steeped in excitement—and maybe a dash of anxiety.
Best Sites for School Clothes and Shoes:
- Kohl’s – Affordable, stylish, and offers frequent discounts and coupons
- Old Navy – Great for basics and those “cool kid” graphic tees
- Zappos – Tons of back-to-school shoes, and easy returns
- DSW – Designer shoes on a budget (Nell-approved!)
- Children’s Place – Great deals for younger kiddos and cute matching sets
Style tip from a seasoned shopper: Let your child help pick out their outfit. Confidence starts with being comfortable in their own skin—and their own shoes. 👟
📅 Planning Ahead = Peace of Mind
Organization is the unsung hero of back-to-school success. That’s why I’m giving you a FREE printable weekly planner! Just click below, print it out, and hang it on the fridge, family command center, or tape it to your forehead (hey, no judgment).
✅ [CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE WEEKLY PLANNER]
I have created a basic Weekly Family Planner that you can download and print each week or print and make copies of to help you stay organized through the school year. I could have used one of these when my girls were in school. With school activites, work, after school activites, soccer, dance classes, piano classes, music lessons I felt I was on a never ending carnival ride. As a single mom with two daughters going different directions I needed help. It was so much fun but also so much confusion all the time. I miss it now that they are grown.
You can use it to track:
- Homework and assignments
- After-school activities
- Meal planning
- Chore charts
- Important reminders (like: “Don’t forget pajama day!”)
🎉 Final Thoughts from Nell
Back-to-school doesn’t have to be a stress-fest. With a little planning, some smart online shopping, and a dash of joy, you can make the start of school something worth celebrating.
And hey—if all else fails, toss in a fresh box of crayons and a cute pair of shoes. That fixes almost everything. 💁♀️
✅ Call to Action:
👉 Don’t forget to download your free planner and share this post with fellow parents, grandparents, and caretakers! Let’s head into this school year organized, energized, and looking fabulous. 🎉