Back to School Shopping at Walmart
As a former teacher, school supplies will always be something that makes me happy! My kids always LOVED going through all their new supplies at the beginning of the year, and as a teacher, shopping to supply my classroom was always one of my favorite things to do to prep for back to school. Not to mention, I loved buying my own fresh new teacher supplies too!
Walmart has always been my go to when it comes to school supply shopping. Their prices are substantially lower than any other retailer, and if you know anything about school supplies, you know how expensive it can be to supply your kiddo(s) with everything they need each year!
It still makes me laugh thinking about how frustrated my mom would get by our never ending, uber-specific school supply lists when I was in school. I swear we needed what seemed like 67 different colored folders every single year. Needless to say, it's not cheap by the time it's all said and done! But by far, the most affordable way to shop: Walmart.
On the same token, as a teacher, there were always things for my classroom that I was responsible for, and supplying for an entire classroom year after year, is not cheap either! I've always shopped at Walmart for my classroom supplies, and I highly recommend to any other teacher getting ready to shop, to check them out before you go anywhere else!
My Top School Supply Picks From Walmart
Clipboard - These made it so easy for my kids to take their work to work in various spots around the room!
Colors of Kindness Crayons - These are so cute, and so different!
Soft Grip Blunt Tip Scissors - The best scissors, hands down, especially for early learners!
Jumbo Crayons - These are what my kinders always gravitated towards - their fine motor skills are still developing so these are perfect for that!
Colors of the World Crayons - I LOVE that Crayola has started to offer these crayons!
Math Manipulatives - This is something that probably isn't on many BTS lists, but every kiddo should have a set of these of their own. They can be used in so many different ways!
Dry Erase Board - We used these almost daily and I loved having one for each of my kids so they didn't have to share.
Fine Tip Dry Erase Markers - I wish I knew how many of these we went through during the year; we used them every day!
7 Count Folder Pack - This is the cheapest way to buy folders, and ensures each kiddo has every color they might need!
Sticky Notes - This is probably not something a parent thinks about, but we used sticky notes for so many various centers and tasks.
ABC Learning Magnets - Especially for early learners, these are amazing an can be used in so many ways.
Ticonderoga Pencils - If anyone knows a good pencil, it's a teacher. These are by far the absolute best.
Purple Glue Sticks - This is my all time favorite glue! Glue sticks all the way, and the purple coloring is so helpful to early learners.
Classic Crayons - Forever and always the best crayons. Always buy your child at least 2 packs, they go quick!
Shop Online
This year more than ever, it's important to note that you can just as easily shop online for school supplies as you can in store. Walmart online makes it seamless and easy to participate in contactless school supply shopping! Shop online and all your supplies come straight to your door.
A Note From a Former Teacher
Three things I want to mention before I sign off!
Be sure to label all of your child's school supplies if you can. It will make his/her teacher's job so much easier! I was always so relieved when I didn't have to go through and label each and every one of my students' supplies for them. It saved me so much time and I got to focus on other things at the beginning of the year - like getting to know my kids!
If you're able, midway through the year, ask your child's teacher if he/she needs any additional supplies. Generally speaking, teachers don't get a huge budget (if any at all) for school supplies, and things naturally run low even before winter break. I always appreciated parents who offered to grab 1-2 things for our class over winter break, or intermittently throughout the year!
Just a plug to all the parents who might be reading - this is going to be another hard year for many teachers, kids too. Be patient with your child's teacher, let them know you're there if they need anything, and thank them for what they do. Teaching is often an underappreciated job. Nothing made my day like hearing from a parent who had something positive to say. It goes such a long way!