Getting your kid (or yourself) ready for the school year? You’re not alone … and you don’t have to drain your savings doing it. In 2025, American families with K–12 students are projected to spend an average of $858 on back-to-school clothing, shoes, electronics, and school supplies, according to the National Retail Federation. That’s slightly down from 2024, but thanks to new tariffs on backpacks, shoes, stationery, and more, budgets are beyond tight.
That’s where this guide comes in. Call it your cheat sheet for back-to-school deals that actually deliver — from cheap supplies and discounted tech to student-only perks worth knowing. Whether you’re doing last-minute back-to-school clothes shopping, hunting for back-to-school shoes, or just trying to stretch your back-to-school spending, we’ve got your ultimate playbook.
Top deals for back-to-school supplies
Let’s start with the basics: the school supplies they’ll use on their way to getting an A.
1. Target’s Back‑to‑School Deals page offers school supplies starting at just $0.50, including crayon packs, composition books, glue sticks, pencils, folders … you name it.
2. Amazon Back to School Shop features bundled and individual deals on school supplies across notebooks, planners, pens, and dorm essentials direct from Amazon (not third-party sellers). And many qualify for Amazon Prime savings.
👉 See our complete guide to back-to-school supplies deals for plenty more savings opportunities.
Top deals for back-to-school clothing
Outfitting growing kids or styling your own fall wardrobe? There are real savings in this year’s best back to school sales.
1. During Target’s “Back-to‑School‑idays” event (July 27–Aug 2), shoppers get 25% off select kids’ apparel, including tees, tanks, shorts, uniforms, activewear, leggings and polos; 30% off select kids’ shoes, and 20% off Hanes socks and underwear. Stack with Target Circle discounts for even more savings.
2. Amazon’s Back-to-School Clothing & Shoes page features up to 70% off top brand kids’ clothing and shoes.
3. Macy’s back to school page has deals on everything from New Balance sneakers to Nike sportswear.
👉 See our complete guide to back to school clothes deals for more savings on the most awesome outfits.
Top deals for back-to-school backpacks
Need something sturdy enough to survive a semester of chaos? These bags are up for the job.
1. JanSport SuperBreak Backpack is beloved for generations for its durability and roomy design. Get it directly from the JanSport site at its very-worth-it regular price of $38 (don’t overpay elsewhere), and get your best pick of colors.
2. Get up to 30% off Cat & Jack and All in Motion backpacks at Target’s back to school sale.
👉 See our full guide to back to school backpack deals for more options.
Top deals for back-to-school lunch bags and water bottles
Keep their lunch (and hydration levels) cool with these wallet-friendly gear picks:
1. Cat & Jack Deluxe Bento Box – Just $10 during Target’s “Back‑to‑School‑idays” event. This insulated, dual-compartment lunch box is versatile, durable, and priced right for school lunches.
2. Dealworthy Lunch Tote – On sale for $3 under Target’s budget-friendly Dealworthy line. Ideal for simple meals or snacks on the go, it’s made of sturdy nylon material and comes in colors to suit any style.
3. Stanley IceFlow 30‑oz Tumbler – A long‑time fan favorite for school days: keeps drinks iced for up to 12 hours and fits most cup holders. Now on sale for $21 at REI’s Summer Sale (down from $40) .
4. Hydro Flask 24 oz Chug Cap Water Bottle – A roomy, vacuum-insulated bottle ideal for keeping drinks cold all day. Currently $17.98 (marked down from $40) at Nordstrom Rack.
Top deals for back-to-school electronics
Whether you’re browsing or coding, this lineup balances value with performance.
1. Dell 14 Plus Laptop ($699) — Dell’s “Plus” model delivers desktop-level performance in a portable 14″ form: ideal for multitasking and creative students. And now it’s $400 off on Dell’s student portal.
2. Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 11 Chromebook ($279) — A compact 11″ detachable Chromebook with productivity-focused keyboard, perfect for on-the-go students. Offers full HD display, 8 GB RAM, and lightweight portability. One of the most affordable convertible options stocked at Best Buy, it’s $120 off retail.
3. Apple M4 MacBook Air ($899) — Apple Education Store offers a baseline M4 MacBook Air starting at $899 (that’s $100 off) when verified with your student or educator status, and students also qualify for a free pair of AirPods 4 (worth ~$179). This bundle is exclusive to Apple’s back-to-school promotion now through Sept 30, 2025.
4. ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 ($379) — A sleek, budget-friendly 14″ Chromebook featuring an Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD, and access to Google’s AI tools like Gemini. With fast boot-up, full HD display, and a long battery life, it’s a great pick for students who want speed and simplicity without the price tag: $120 off retail at Best Buy.
Student financial deals and money-saving tips
Banking bonus
Open a Chase College Checking® account and earn $125 when you complete 10 qualifying transactions in 60 days, plus no monthly fees for students aged 17–24.
Student credit card
The Discover it® Student Cash Back card earns 5% back on rotating categories and offers a $20 annual good grade reward (GPA 3.0+).
Prime membership
Get Amazon Prime Student with a 6-month free trial, then pay only $7.49/month to get free shipping, Prime Video, and more.
Music & streaming
Spotify Premium Student includes Hulu (ad-supported) and Showtime for just $5.99/month after a 6-month free trial: a huge value for entertainment lovers.
Adobe Suite
Adobe Creative Cloud gives verified students access to Photoshop, Illustrator, and more for $29.99/month (normally $69.99/month)
Microsoft Office
Get Office 365 Education free with your valid .edu email, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.
Food savings
EveryPlate offers 75% off your first box and 15% off for a year with student verification: cheaper than most campus meal plans.
Transportation
Amtrak student discounts save you 15% on travel when you book with a student fare ID. Great for getting home on breaks without draining your budget.
Tips for saving money on back-to-school deals
You don’t need to go full extreme couponer to save big; just a few smart moves can seriously stretch your back-to-school budget. Here are some tried-and-true tricks:
Time your purchases strategically
School supplies and backpacks tend to be cheapest in late July and early August, while laptops and dorm gear often get steep markdowns around Labor Day.
Stack your discounts
Combine store coupons with cashback apps like Rakuten or Ibotta, student discount programs, and retailer sales for maximum savings on every purchase.
Use price-tracking tools
Browser extensions like Honey or CamelCamelCamel can alert you when prices drop, especially for big-ticket items like electronics or textbooks.
Verify your student status
Sign up with services like UNiDAYS, Student Beans, or ID.me to unlock exclusive student pricing across hundreds of brands.
Buy in bundles or bulk
Look for supply kits, lunch sets, and tech bundles that offer more value than buying items individually.
Hold off on some items
Teachers often share supply specifics after the first week, so wait to buy extras like calculators or binders until you know what’s actually needed.
Final Bell: Make the Most of Every Deal
From bulk pencils to top-tier tech, this year’s back-to-school deals go hard. Whether you’re grabbing $3 lunch totes or saving hundreds on a laptop, the secret’s in the timing, the stacking, and knowing where to click. And with student-only perks on everything from Spotify to software, stocking up doesn’t have to wipe you out. Snag the goods, save your cash — and crush the semester.
FAQ
What is the meaning of back-to-school sales?
Back-to-school sales are seasonal promotions that help students and families save on essentials like school supplies, clothing, electronics, and dorm gear. These back to school offers are timed around the start of the academic year and often include exclusive student offers.
When do back-to-school sales start?
Most back-to-school sales begin in mid-July and run through early September. Some of the biggest deals coincide with Amazon Prime Day, Target Circle Week, and Labor Day weekend clearance events.
