Back to School: Best School Supplies Sales

It may not feel like it’s time for back-to-school, but stores have their school supplies displays up and ready, and it’s time to start looking out for the best deals to stock up on school supplies!

Grab your class supply lists and start stocking up! Start early and hit the best sales each week until you’ve gathered all of the required and desired items. Don’t forget to get enough to last through the whole school year and/or for stocking stuffers!  

Check back each week to see the most current deals, and let me know if you find a great deal that I’m missing by emailing news@columbusonthecheap.com.

Note: If teachers request brand-specific items, its not just to make you spend more money. Certain brands of markers, pencils, and crayons work better or last longer than others, so it’s worth it to spend slightly more upfront than have to replace them more frequently.

Note: we aren’t including every single deal available – just the ones that we think are best. Click the links for the ads to see all specials. Items in BOLD are at best prices we typically see.

Meijer School Supplies deals

This year, Meijer shoppers can find all their back-to-school basics, such as notebooks, crayons, pencils, folders, glue, and more, for $1 or less. Examples include:

• Meijer 2-Pocket Paper Folders: $0.25
• Meijer Washable Glue Stick 2-pack: $0.25
• Meijer Washable School Glue: $0.25
• Meijer Crayons 24-count: $0.25
• Meijer Notebook Wide or College Rule (70 sheets): $0.45
• Meijer Laminated 2-Pocket Folders: $0.50
• Meijer 8-count No.2 Yellow Pencils: $0.79
• Meijer Colored Pencils 12-count: $0.50
• Crayola Crayons 24-count: $0.50
• Meijer 2- Pocket Poly Folder: $0.55
• Meijer Composition Book (100 sheets): $0.50
• MVP Plastic School Box: $0.99
• Crayola Colored Pencils 12-count: $1
• Crayola Markers 10-count: $1

The retailer is bringing back its digital “School Supply List” technology, which allows parents to search for their school’s supply lists for each specific teacher, and add items to their cart with a single click.

Meijer Teacher Discount

Teachers may receive a 15% discount, in the form of a paper coupon, by presenting a current school ID at their local Meijer Customer Service desk. Through Sept. 7, the coupon can also be used on additional categories like kids’ apparel and select electronics and hydration products.

Meijer will continue to offer a 15 percent coupon* on school supplies and home office products for teachers throughout the school year. Teachers can take advantage of the coupon repeatedly by obtaining a new one any time they shop at Meijer. 

Kroger School Supplies Sales

Recognized by Crayola as a Best-in-Class retailer for its back-to-school aisle, Kroger has hundreds of school supplies for less than $3, boasting all the essentials from paper, pens and markers to glue sticks and pencil boxes.

Back-to-school must-haves for $1 or less:

• Top Flight Marble Composition Book
• Crayola® Classic Markers
• Oxford® Ruled Index Cards
• Top Flight Standards® College and Wide Ruled One-Subject Notebook
• Crayola® Pre-Sharpened Colored Pencils
• Crayola® Crayons
• Elmer’s® Disappearing Purple School Glue Stick
• Paper Mate® Write Bros. Assorted Ballpoint Pens
• Kroger® Brand Facial Tissues

Through August 5, clip a coupon in your Kroger account for: Buy $40 in Back to School Supplies, Save $10 off your order

Walmart Back to School Deals

Walmart is helping families save time and money while checking off their school lists by offering everything students need – including supplies, a backpack, lunch and a head-to-toe first-day outfit – all in one place for under $65. Find details here.

In addition, Columbus customers can find: 

• The 14 most popular school supplies on students’ lists at prices lower than last year, plus 200+ school rollbacks, more than 100 supplies priced under $1, more than 1,000 supplies under $5 and more than 2,000 supplies under $10. 
• An entire school supply list and backpack, starting at just $16 in one easy click, including Wonder Nation private brand backpacks for just $4.98. 
• Walmart’s new private tween fashion brand, Weekend Academy, offering students the on-trend looks they want, at prices parents love – with most pieces priced under $15 and many options available for less than $10. 
• Lunches and snacks starting at just $2 per day with Walmart’s one-click baskets, conveniently available for delivery or pick up. 
• Walmart+ membership at half the price ($6.47/mo. or $49/yr) for college and grad students – now no longer for a limited time, but any time. 

School Supplies deals include:

• Pen+Gear 5-inch Blunt-tip Kids Scissors, Age 4-7, School Supplies, Multi-Purpose, $0.92
• Pen+Gear Lightweight Plastic Pencil Box with Snap-on Lid, Clear, 1-Pack, $0.97 ea
• Pen+Gear Crayons, Assorted Colors, 24 Count, $0.25
• Crayola Crayons, 24 Count, $0.50
• Pen+Gear Pink Block Erasers, 2 Count, $0.47
• Pen+Gear Wide Ruled Filler Paper, 10.5″ x 8″, 150 Sheets $0.84
• Pen+Gear School Glue Sticks, Washable/Disappearing Purple, 0.21 oz 2 Count, $0.25
• Pen+Gear Sharpened Colored Pencils, Assorted Colors, 12 Count, $0.50 ea
• Crayola Colored Pencil Set, 12 Ct, $0.97
• Pen+Gear Letter Size 3-Prong Paper Folder, Green, $0.25 ea
• Pen+Gear Wide Ruled 1-Subject Notebook, 8″ x 10.5″, Blue, 70 Sheets, $0.35 ea
• Pen+Gear Composition Book, Wide Ruled, 7.5″x 9.75″, Marble Design, Paper Cover, 80 Sheets, $0.38 ea
• Pen+Gear Dry Erase Markers, Chisel Tip, Assorted Ink Colors, 4 Count, $2.88 ea
• Pen+Gear Pocket Highlighter, Chisel Tip, Yellow, 2 Count, $0.88 ea
• Pen+Gear #2 HB Unsharpened Wood Pencils, Yellow, 24 Count, $0.92 ea
• Pen+Gear Classic Markers, Broad Point, Assorted Colors, 10 Count, $0.50 ea 

For added convenience, parents and students can easily find their school supply list on http://Walmart.com.

Office Depot/Office Max School Supplies deals

Office Depot/Office Max brand unless otherwise noted. Quantity limits vary. Office Depot/Office Max will match competitor’s prices in-store and online as long as the brand, size, quantity, etc. are all equal. See current deals here.

Low Prices all Summer (some are limit 6) prices may be lower during weekly sales

• 50 cent: Office Depot® Brand Composition Book
• $2.49: Office Depot® Brand 100% Recycled Pen-Style Highlighters, Pack Of 6
• 50 cent: Office Depot® Brand Manual Pencil Sharpeners
• $1.49: Office Depot® Brand Wood Pencils, #2 HB Medium Lead, Yellow, Pack Of 12
• 99 cent: Office Depot® Brand Index Cards, 3″ x 5″, Ruled, White, 100
• 25 cent – 75 cent: Office Depot 2-pocket and prong paper folders
• 50 cent – $1: Just Basics® Spiral Notebook, 140 Pages
• 50 cent: Crayola® Crayons, Assorted Colors, Pack Of 24 Crayons
• 59 cent: Elmer’s® Washable School Glue, 4 Oz.
• 1.09 cent: Crayola Chalk Sticks
• $1.50: Crayola® Broad Line and Fine Line Markers
• $0.99: Office Depot® Brand Glue Sticks
• $2.49: Avery® Economy View 3-Ring Binder, 1″ Round Rings, 41% Recycled, White

Staples School Supplies deals

If you purchase an item from Staples it goes on sale in-store or online within 14 days, they’ll refund the difference. Some prices may vary in-store, online, and with 1 hr pickup. See deals here.

Check out these great buys!

• Staples College-Ruled One Subject Notebook — $0.45 
• Staples Washable Removable Liquid School Glue — $0.40 
• Crayola Crayons, 24-Count — $0.50 
• Staples College-Ruled Composition Notebook — $0.50
• Staples Wide-Ruled Composition Notebook — $0.50
• Staples 2-Pocket Plastic Presentation Folder with Fasteners — $0.55 
• Staples #2 Wooden Pencils, 4-Pack — $0.50 
• Staples Manual Pencil Sharpener — $0.50 
• Elmer’s School Washable School Glue — $0.55 
• TRU RED Pen Permanent Fine Tip Markers, 12-Pack — $0.38 
• Staples 3″ x 5″ Index Cards, 100-Pack — $0.75
• Crayola Classic Broad Line Kid’s Markers, 10-Count — $0.99
• Crayola Classic Fine Line Kid’s Markers, 10-Count — $0.99
• Crayola Colored Pencils, 12-Count — $0.99 
• Staples 12″ Wooden Imperial/Metric Ruler — $0.85
• Staples Washable Glue Sticks, 4-Count — $1.19 
• Staples Wide-Ruled Filler Paper, 120 Sheets — $0.99 

Walgreens School Supplies Sales

All prices listed are with Walgreens card. Check limits before purchase. See weekly ad.

Weekly ad: July 24-30 (note: some deals may run multiple weeks). Most deals require myWalgreens

• Crayola Crayons, Classic Colors, 24 ea – BOGO 50%
• Elmer’s School Glue, 4 oz – BOGO 50%
• Crayola Broad Line Markers – BOGO 50%
• Elmer’s E520 Washable School Glue Sticks – BOGO 50%
• Crayola Colored Pencil Set – BOGO 50%
• Paper Mate Write Bros. Mechanical Pencils  – 12 ea – BOGO 50%
• Sharpie Highlighters Assorted Colors  – 4 ea – BOGO 50%
• Wexford 1 Subject College Ruled Notebook – BOGO 50%
• Crayola Erasable Colored Pencil Set – BOGO 50%
• Wexford Pink Erasers – BOGO 50%
• Wexford Binder with View Cover 1″ – BOGO 50% 
• Wexford Two Pocket Folder Portfolio – BOGO 50%
• Wexford Wide Ruled Composition Book – BOGO 50%

Target School Supplies Sales

Match the weekly deals with Target printable, mobile, or Cartwheel coupons for the biggest savings. See weekly ad.

Cat & Jack Brand of clothing, shoes, and other gear are guaranteed to last for 1 year, or your money back with receipt, so if you have kids that are rough on their stuff, you may want to purchase this brand. Separates are often on sale at $4-$8 through the back-to-school weeks.

• Wired On Ear Headphones – heyday™ Black: Lightweight Design, Built-In Microphone – $4.99
• Crayola® Crayons 24ct – 50 cents (low all season)
• Crayola 10-ct. broad- and fine-line markers or 12-ct. colored pencils – 99 cents (low all season)
• up & up 2-pocket folder – 50 cents (low all season)
• 10ct Washable Markers Broad Tip Classic Colors – Mondo Llama™ – 75 cents
• 1 Subject Spiral Notebook College Ruled – Dealworthy™ – 39 cents
• 175ct Loose Leaf Notebook Filler Paper – Dealworthy™ – 99 cents
• BIC Xtra Life 10-ct. ballpoint pens – 99 cents
• BIC 5-pk. highlighters – $1.99
• Elmer’s 4oz Washable School Glue – 50 cents
• Expo 4-pk. dry erase markers – $4.49
• up & up 12-inch ruler – 59-69 cents
• up & up 8-pk. #2 wood pencils – 39-99 cents
• up & up 2-ct. erasers – 49 cents
• Elmer’s 2-ct. glue sticks – 50 cents
• Fiskars kids’ blunt- or pointed-tip scissors – $1.59
• 24ct Crayons Classic Colors – Mondo Llama™ – 25 cents
• 12ct Colored Pencils – Mondo Llama™ – 50 cents
• Glue Stick 2ct Disappearing Purple – up&up™ – 25 cents
• Composition Book Wide Ruled – Dealworthy™ – 39 cents
• Sterilite pencil box – 99 cents

20% off for teachers with Circle

Teachers get 20% off on your next qualifying storewide purchase when you verify as a teacher & join  for free.
Valid thru 8/30. Terms & conditions apply. 

Amazon Back to School Deals

An obvious benefit of shopping for school supplies at Amazon is free 2-day shipping right to your door (if you have Prime). But you can also find some deals at Amazon. (The deals change frequently, so keep checking back.) Amazon prices are subject to change at any time. 

• Dixon Ticonderoga #2 pencils, 96-ct. Clip the coupon! These are considered the best pencils, and a box this large will last you a couple of years
• Amazon Basics Woodcased Classroom 2 Pencils with Erasers, Pre-sharpened, Value Pack of 30
• Colored Index Cards 3×5 Inch Flash Cards with Ring Lined Flashcards, 200 Count
• Elmer’s All Purpose School Glue Sticks, Washable, 30 Count
• Elmer’s Disappearing Purple School Glue, Washable, 30 Pack 
• Paper Mate Pink Pearl Erasers, Large, 12 Count 
• Expo dry-erase markers, 6-piece starter set with eraser and cleaning liquid 
• Crayola Mini Twistables Crayons, Amazon Exclusive, 50 Count 
• BIC Xtra-Life Mechanical Pencil, Medium Point (0.7 mm), 40-Count 
• Oxford Spiral Notebook, Pastel Colors, 1 Subject School Journal, 70 Wide Ruled Sheets, 6 Pack
• Kids character backpacks (Disney, Star Wars, Hello Kitty, etc.) Super affordable!

Lakeshore Learning School Supplies

Lakeshore Learning is running a Back to School sale where 1000’s of items in the store are 20% off during back to school season, plus 50% off doorbusters. Lakeshore Learning is located at 2148 Polaris Parkway, Columbus.

Back to school deals and event

Back to school deals and events for Columbus and Central Ohio

Teacher discounts

Target Teacher Prep Event – 20% off classroom supplies

80+ Teacher Discounts on back to school, food, shopping, and entertainment

Clothing, Consignment sales, and cheap haircuts

Save on back to school shopping during Ohio’s Tax Free Back to School Shopping weekend. 

Expanded Ohio Sales Tax Holiday for Tax Free Shopping and Dining

Consignment sales are one of the best ways to save on back-to-school clothing! The sales include good condition, seasonal appropriate clothing, shoes, backpacks, and more.

Upcoming Consignment Sales in Columbus (plus consignment stores)

Charity Newsies School Clothing Program

Back to school deal: $12 haircuts for students at JCP Salons

Want to save more?

Check out Wichita on the Cheap Tips for Saving on School Supplies. The tips are an accumulation of things she’s learned by experience and from other smart people!