16 Best Places to Buy Cheap School Supplies

The 2020-21 school year is fast approaching, and schools, from pre-K to higher ed, are introducing sweeping changes — like social distancing or even moving to 100% virtual classrooms. One thing that will never change, though, is the need for cheap school supplies.

Psst… don’t forget to visit our Back-to-School deals page to find sales, coupons, and discounts on all sorts of school gear. Plus, use our KCL Back-to-School 2020 Stock-up List to determine if you’re getting the best deal.

 

1. Stock up on pencils at Staples for $0.25 a box.

In the past, I’ve seen a 12-count box of #2 pencils on sale for as little as $0.25 at Staples.

If you want name-brand pencils, then watch for Amazon to price their Ticonderoga #2 pencils at $10.28 for 96 pencils, making them just $0.11 each. This is one of my favorite deals for buying pencils in bulk.

 

2. Buy Crayola products for as low as $0.50 per pack at Walmart.

Walmart has great specials on Crayola products (these prices may fluctuate):

 

3. Look for rulers at Office Depot when they reach $0.25 each.

Office Depot always drops prices on rulers for back-to-school shopping because they know it’ll get you into the store — and let’s face it, they’re probably right.

Follow our Office Depot deals page and we’ll let you know when to head in and stock up.

 

RELATED: Back-to-School Shopping Hacks That’ll Save You All the Money

 

4. Buy glue sticks at Walmart when they’re $0.25 each.

You can find Elmer’s brand glue — both liquid and glue sticks — for cheaper than the generic version at Walmart for back-to-school shopping.

Follow our Walmart deals page and we’ll let you know when it goes on sale, and we’ll also tell you if there’s a coupon or Ibotta rebate to make your price even lower.

 

 

Download the KCL Back to School 2020 Stock Up List!

 

5. Grab calculators at Dollar Tree for $1.

The Dollar Tree sells basic calculators — like Jot 10-Digit Scientific Calculators — for just $1 plus tax. By way of comparison, the same or similar models are $7 or more on Amazon, K-Mart, and eBay.

 

6. Get colored pencils at Family Dollar when they’re $1 per pack.

Stock up on colored pencils when they reach $1 or less for a 12-pack. In years past, Family Dollar marked Crayola colored pencils down to $1/12-pack. This is a must-have for your back-to-school supplies list!

Check out our back-to-school page before you head out, though, and you might score them for even less

 

Download the KCL Back to School 2020 Stock Up List!

 

7. Stock up on facial tissue from the Dollar Tree for $0.75 per box.

In August 2019, I was able to get a 96-count box of Puffs Facial Tissue for just $0.75 when I used a $0.25/1 manufacturer coupon from Procter & Gamble.

That’s less than $0.01 per tissue. Pretty sweet, if you ask me.

 

8. Get folders at Office Depot when they cost just $0.10 each.

You can find 2-pocket folders with prongs at Office Depot for as low as $0.10 each during the back-to-school shopping season.

 

9. Scoop up 12-count ballpoint pens at Staples for less than a dollar.

Aim to spend no more than $0.07 per pen anywhere you shop, and keep an eye out for Bic coupons because in 2019 there was a $1 off Bic coupon.

In August 2019 at Staples, a 12-count package of Bic Round Grip Stic Ballpoint Pens went on sale for $0.97. That’s just $0.08 per pen.

 

10. Buy scissors at Walmart for $0.25 each.

In 2019, we saw 2-count packs of SchoolWorks Kids Scissors for $0.50 at Walmart.

That’s legit a quarter each. And don’t forget to bookmark our Walmart coupons page to be the first to hear about specials.

Download the KCL Back to School 2020 Stock Up List!

 

11. Get composition notebooks at Targets for as little as $0.69 each.

In 2019, I found composition notebooks on sale for $0.69 each at Target. Not bad!

PRO TIP: If you wait until seasonal clearance, you can find notebooks and other school supplies for 50% to 90% off at Target. In 2019, I found notebooks for as little $0.09 each in September!

 

RELATED: Stop Shopping at Target Unless You Know These 31 Ways to Save

 

12. Look out for erasers from Amazon when they’re just $0.36 each.

In the past, we’ve seen one box of 12 Paper Mate Pink Pearl Erasers on sale for just $4.29 during back-to-school season on Amazon. That’s just $0.36 per eraser. Whether you’re a teacher, a busy mom, or a student, this deal should not be missed.

 

 

13. Stock up on highlighters at Walgreens when they’re $0.25 each.

Watch for a Sharpie coupon to show up. In the past, we’ve used Sharpie coupons to get highlighters for just $0.11 each — compared to a quarter each, which is still a good stock-up price.

 

14. Grab a Bentgo lunch box for just $17.99 on sale at Amazon.

Normally $27.99, Bentgo’s kids lunch boxes have gone on sale for $17.99 through Amazon in the past. The Bento-inspired boxes make preparing lunch easier for you — and lunchtime is more fun for your kid.

 

15. Scoop up 70% off backpacks from Kohl’s.

Backpacks are currently on sale at Kohl’s, and once you add in coupon codes FAMILY30 and JUNEMVCFREE for Kohl’s Charge cardholders or SAVINGS for non-cardholders, you can score a brand-new name-brand backpack for as little as $10. Here are some examples:

 

16. Buy school uniforms at Old Navy when they go on sale for just $4.

In the past, we’ve seen kids’ uniform polos go on sale for as little as $4!

Follow our Old Navy deals page for the down low on when the best deals drop for back-to-school sales.

Download the KCL Back to School 2020 Stock Up List!

 

UP NEXT: Your one-stop shop for back-to-school deals!