We value our editorial independence, basing our comparison results, content and reviews on objective analysis without bias. But we may receive compensation when you click links on our site. Learn more about how we make money from our partners.
Get exclusive money‑saving offers and guides
Straight to your inbox
By signing up, you agree to the Finder Privacy and Cookies Policy and Terms of Use.
Back-to-school stationery
Fill your children's backpacks with cool and colorful stationery this school year.
Stationery can make or break a kid’s status in school. Fact. Well, at least in a child’s eye. Kids love trendy stationery, and finding the right back-to-school set is sure to put a smile on their faces. (You’ll be the coolest mom or dad, if you do).
If you’re on a tight budget and can’t afford a designer satchel, that’s OK. There are loads of deals out there that offer impressive value and will catch the eye of their friends, in a good way.
Shopping for back to school stationery
You’ve probably already got a checklist of all the items your child needs to be ready for the new school year. If not, here are some essentials they’ll need.
And even if you do have that list, take some inspiration from these products.
Stationery sets
Disney Villains Stationery Set
ThinkGeek
Cat's Meow Stationery Set
ThinkGeek
Pencils and pens
Petite Point Gel Pen Set
Urban Outfitters
Twistable Colored Pencils
Walmart
Top retailers for back-to-school stationery
These retailers all sell cool and trendy stationery sure to please.
Where to find the best deals
It pays to compare retailers and shop around. We found total costs for an eighth grader’s back-to-school supply list were $220.64 at Staples, $220.78 at Walmart, and $197.66 at Amazon. But by strategically shopping around at all three, you could save up to $59:
| Item | Amount | Store | Cost per unit (USD) | Total cost per required items | Go to store |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backpack | 1 | Walmart | $32.90 | $32.90 | Shop now |
| 3-Ring Binder (500 sheets) | 1 | Staples or Amazon | $7.99 | $7.99 | Shop now |
| Composition Notebook | 3 | Walmart | $1.91 | $5.73 | Shop now |
| Binder Divider (1 pack, 8 tabs) | 1 | Walmart | $3.07 | $3.07 | Shop now |
| 2 Pocket Folders (6 pack) | 1 | Staples | $12.09 | $12.09 | Shop now |
| Highlighters (6 pack) | 1 | Staples | $5.79 | $5.79 | Shop now |
| #2 Pencils (18 pack) | 1 | Staples | $5.69 | $5.69 | Shop now |
| Pencil Sharpener | 1 | Walmart | $1.19 | $1.19 | Shop now |
| Pens (24 pack blue, black, and red) | 1 | Amazon | $10.23 | $10.23 | Shop now |
| Loose Leaf Paper – College Ruled 200 sheets | 2 | Amazon | $7.09 | $14.18 | Shop now |
| Ruler | 1 | Amazon | $3.91 | $3.91 | Shop now |
| Glue Stick (3 pack) | 1 | Staples | $4.49 | $4.49 | Shop now |
| Colored Pencils 12 pack | 1 | Walmart | $1.84 | $1.84 | Shop now |
| Colored Markers | 1 | Walmart of Amazon | $5.32 | $5.32 | Shop now |
| Kleenex Tissues (4 boxes) | 1 | Walmart | $5.97 | $5.97 | Shop now |
| Calculator | 1 | Amazon | $3.99 | $3.99 | Shop now |
| Pencil Case | 1 | Staples | $2.99 | $2.99 | Shop now |
| Combination Lock | 1 | Walmart | $3.64 | $3.64 | Shop now |
| Scissors | 1 | Staples | $2.39 | $2.39 | Shop now |
| Post Its (12 pack) | 1 | Walmart | $9.97 | $9.97 | Shop now |
| Erasers (3 pack) | 1 | Walmart | $1.85 | $1.85 | Shop now |
| Dry Erase Marker (4 pack) | 1 | Walmart | $4.46 | $4.46 | Shop now |
| Earbuds | 1 | Amazon | $11.93 | $11.93 | Shop now |
Price data obtained August 2019 and is subject to change.
How we compared retailers
We compared the cost of an average eighth grade school supply list at three major retailers: Walmart , Staples and Amazon. Prices were obtained from store websites on Aug. 2, 2019.
Where prices were on sale, we used the original list price. Where there were multiple products available at the same retailer at different price points, we chose the mid-priced item or best match across retailers.
We based our stationery list on back-to-school lists from five public schools in the West, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast and Southwest.
Stationery buying guide
Follow these three simple steps to find stationery your kids will love:
- Choose colorful items. Kids are attracted to bright colors, so choose stationery that features cartoon characters or their favorite color. Hey, it might even encourage them to open their notebooks to do their homework.
- Get quality items. Purchase products that will last at least a year. This will ensure your child’s learning time won’t be interrupted by broken spiral notebooks or misaligned binders.
- Find a reputable shop. Countless retailers sell stationery, so look for one that provides a combination of affordability, style and quality. The amount you need to shell out for pencils, pencil cases, notebooks and staplers adds up, so you want items that will withstand everyday use.
Ask an Expert