Back-To-School Savings: Shopping Lists By Grade And Ways To Spend Less

Where Back-To-School Money Goes

Electronics and clothing make up almost two-thirds of a typical K-12 back-to-school budget. Supplies, the part most families plan around, are the smallest category.

Source: National Retail Federation 2026 back-to-school survey.

Total K-12 spending was projected at a record $43.3 billion in 2026, up from $39.4 billion in 2025, according to the NRF. College families spend more: an average of $1,437.79 per household in 2026, up from $1,325.85 in 2025, for a projected $103.5 billion total, largely because of laptops and dorm gear.

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Back-To-School Shopping Lists By Grade

These lists cover what schools ask for most often. Your child's teacher list wins whenever the two disagree, so use these to buy early during sales and fill in the rest once the official list arrives.

Kindergarten

• Backpack that fits a folder flat
• Washable markers and 24-count crayons (some classes ask for several boxes)
• Glue sticks
• Blunt-tip kids' scissors
• Pencil box
• Pencils and large erasers
• Over-ear headphones for classroom tablets
• Tissues and disinfecting wipes for the shared class supply
• Labeled water bottle

Grades 1 To 3

• Pencils, a handheld sharpener and erasers
• Wide-ruled notebooks and two-pocket folders
• Colored pencils and washable markers
• 12-inch ruler
• Pencil box
• Headphones or earbuds
• Tissues and wipes for the class supply

Grades 4 And 5

• 1-inch three-ring binder with dividers
• Folders and college-ruled notebooks
• Pencils, pens and highlighters
• Ruler with inches and centimeters
• Basic calculator, if the teacher asks for one
• Earbuds for a school laptop or tablet

Middle School And High School

• Binders or an accordion file, depending on the school
• Pens, pencils and highlighters
• Graph paper and a protractor for math
• Scientific calculator, or a graphing calculator for algebra and higher if the school requires one
• Combination lock for a gym or hallway locker
• USB-C charger and a short cable for a school laptop
• Lunch bag and refillable water bottle

Flash drives, printed dictionaries and thesauruses have mostly dropped off school lists, because many districts now issue laptops and store work in the cloud. Ask before buying a graphing calculator, since many teachers allow free online calculators for homework and some schools lend them out.

College And University

• Laptop that meets the program's stated requirements
• Notebooks or a tablet for notes, plus pens and highlighters
• Calculator the course requires
• Backpack with a padded laptop sleeve

For dorms, the usual list is twin XL sheets (check the bed size first), pillows, a blanket, a shower caddy and shower shoes, hangers, a power strip that meets dorm rules, and personal care items. Wait to buy a mini fridge or microwave until you know what the room includes and what your roommate is bringing.

When To Shop For The Biggest Discounts

The best time to buy the core supplies list is the two to four weeks before school starts, when retailers in the US, Canada and the UK compete on supplies as loss leaders. Prices on leftover supplies drop again after the first week of school, which makes September the time to stock up for the mid-year restock request many classrooms send home.

School calendars differ by country, so the sales calendar does too:

Buy basics off season where you can. Teenagers who have mostly stopped growing can buy winter boots in spring and sandals in fall at clearance prices, which doesn't work for younger kids who change sizes every year.

Use US Sales Tax Holidays

More than a dozen US states waive sales tax on clothing, shoes and school supplies for a few days each summer. In 2026, Texas, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Virginia ran their holidays on August 7 to 9, Tennessee's ran July 31 to August 2, and Maryland's ran August 9 to 15, according to state lists compiled by the Federation of Tax Administrators. Florida ran the longest, from July 20 to August 20, according to the Florida Department of Revenue.

Each state sets its own price caps per item, so a $120 pair of shoes might qualify in one state and not another. Check your state revenue department in June for next year's dates and limits.

Cut The Clothing Bill First

Clothing is where most families can save the most, because kids outgrow clothes long before they wear out. Start with a closet check: pull everything that no longer fits, then write down only what's missing.

• Sell outgrown clothes before you buy. Facebook Marketplace works almost everywhere. Vinted is popular in the UK and Europe and launched in Australia in July 2026, Poshmark operates in the US and Canada, and ThredUp buys clothes in the US.
• Buy secondhand for younger kids. Kids under about 10 change sizes fastest, which makes them the best candidates for used clothes.
• Set a per-child count. A list such as six bottoms, six tops and one pair of gym shoes per child stops the "while we're here" purchases that inflate the total.
• Stock up on basics during sales, even without kids. Socks, underwear, plain T-shirts and sneakers go on buy-one-get-one deals during back-to-school season, and adults can take advantage too.

In England, the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 limits state schools to three compulsory branded uniform items from September 2026, or four for secondary pupils when one is a tie. The rest can be plain items from any shop, which is where the savings are. Scotland pays a school clothing grant to eligible families through local councils, worth at least £120 per primary pupil and £150 per secondary pupil, according to mygov.scot.

What To Buy During Back-To-School Sales Even If You Don't Have Kids

Back-to-school sales are a good time for anyone to restock home-office gear and dorm-style household items. The deals cover:

• Printer paper, pens, sticky notes and printer ink
• Laptops, tablets and monitors, especially with education pricing for college students and staff
• Desks, chairs and desk lamps
• Bedding, pillows and storage bins marketed to college students
• Basic clothing, socks and underwear

Buy only what you already planned to replace. A discounted desk you didn't need is still a cost.

Earn Cashback And Crypto Rewards On What You Buy

Cashback portals pay you a percentage back on purchases at partner stores, and it stacks on top of sales and tax-free weekends. Rakuten is the best known in the US and Canada, and US shoppers can also earn points with Swagbucks, MyPoints or InboxDollars. Rates change daily and often rise around big shopping weekends.

Some cards and apps pay rewards in crypto instead of cash. Crypto.com cards pay rewards in its CRO token or Bitcoin, and which cards you can get depends on your country. In the US, the Gemini Credit Card pays 4% back in bitcoin or another crypto you choose on gas, EV charging and transit (on up to $300 of spending a month), 3% on dining, 2% on groceries and 1% on everything else, according to Gemini.

Crypto rewards are only worth what the coin is worth when you spend or sell them. A 3% reward on $500 of shopping is $15 in bitcoin, and if bitcoin falls 20% before you use it, your reward is worth $12. If you want a predictable discount, take cash back. If you already planned to buy crypto, earning it on purchases you'd make anyway is a low-cost way to start.

Pay For School Costs With A 529 Plan

A 529 plan can now cover more K-12 costs than it used to. Under the 2025 tax law, the list of qualified K-12 expenses expanded beyond tuition for withdrawals made after July 4, 2025, to include curriculum and curricular materials, books and other instructional materials, online materials, tutoring and standardized test fees. Starting January 1, 2026, the federal limit on 529 withdrawals for K-12 expenses rose to $20,000 per student per year, up from $10,000. The law doesn't mention everyday supplies such as pencils, binders or backpacks.

For college students, the IRS treats a computer, software and internet access as qualified 529 expenses when the student uses them mainly while enrolled, according to IRS Publication 970. That can make a college laptop a tax-free purchase. Not every state follows the federal rules for its own tax deduction, so check your state plan before withdrawing.

Most 529 plans don't hold crypto directly. If you're weighing crypto for education savings, see our look at crypto in a 529 plan and our ideas for saving for your child's college education.

What To Watch Out For

• Teacher lists change. Buying a full list in June can mean returns when the real list asks for different brands or counts. Buy core items early and wait on specifics.
• Store credit cards. A 15% discount at the register isn't a saving if the card's interest rate tops 30% and you carry a balance.
• Buy now, pay later plans. Splitting a $600 laptop into payments is easy to sign up for and easy to stack across stores. Missed payments can bring late fees.
• Student-targeted scams. Fake "free laptop" giveaways and too-good deals on social media target families in August. Some ask for payment in crypto or gift cards, which you can't reverse. Learn the warning signs in our list of common crypto scams.
• Crypto price swings. Rewards paid in crypto can lose value before you use them.

FAQ

How Much Does The Average Family Spend On Back-To-School Shopping?

US families with K-12 students planned to spend $863.86 per household in 2026, according to the National Retail Federation. Electronics made up the largest share at $293.11.

When Is The Best Time To Buy School Supplies?

The two to four weeks before school starts bring the deepest supply discounts because stores compete for shoppers. Leftover supplies go on clearance again in September, which is a good time to stock up for mid-year restocks.

Are Back-To-School Sales Worth It If You Don't Have Kids?

Yes, for items you already need. Office supplies, printer ink, laptops, bedding and basic clothing all go on sale, and anyone can use a state sales tax holiday.

Can I Use A 529 Plan For School Supplies?

A 529 plan can pay up to $20,000 a year per student in K-12 expenses starting in 2026, including curriculum materials and books. The 2025 law doesn't list everyday supplies like pencils, so keep receipts and check with your plan or a tax professional before using 529 money for them.

Do Cashback Sites Really Save Money?

They do when you would have bought the item anyway and the store doesn't charge more than its competitors. Cashback portals typically return a few percent, which stacks on top of sales and tax-free weekends.

Are Crypto Rewards Better Than Cash Back?

Not for most shoppers who want a sure discount. Crypto rewards rise and fall with the coin's price, while cash back is worth exactly what it says.