My 17 Favorite Back to School Essentials at Walmart
Published on July 30, 2024
Can you believe summer is almost OVER? As a mom of 2, I totally get how crazy-busy back-to-school season can be. Between prepping my favorite meals and making sure everyone's ready for their new grade, finding cute and affordable school supplies is a must.
That's why I like shopping at Walmart for back-to-school essentials! From the trendiest backpacks to the cutest lunch boxes, Walmart has EVERYTHING you need to start the school year in style without spending a fortune.
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Pin ItHere are my top picks of back-to-school essentials that'll make you and your kiddos the stars of the school year!
My Top Picks
- Best Lunch Box: Arctic Zone Expandable Lunch Box – $10.98 at Walmart
- Best Backpack for Big Kids: Eastsport Unisex Core Scholastic 19-inch Laptop Backpack – $19.78 at Walmart
- Best Backpack for Little Kids: Wonder Nation 16-inch Backpack – $4.98 at Walmart
- Best Bento Box: Bentgo Kids Lunch Box – $19.98 at Walmart
- Best Ice Packs for Lunch Boxes: Bentgo Ice Lunch Chillers Ultra-Thin Ice Packs – $9.99 at Walmart
Reviews of Back-to-School Essentials at Walmart
1. Best Lunch Box: Arctic Zone Expandable Lunch Box
The Arctic Zone Expandable Lunch Box with Ice Pack is an absolute must-have for back-to-school. It's my FAVORITE lunch box! With its two large compartments and zippered divider, you can separate drinks from food, and the expandable bottom gives you extra space for those big appetite days! Plus, it comes with high-density thermal insulation and a high-performance ice pack to keep everything cool and fresh, and the leak-proof bottom and easy-clean lining make it a fantastic back-to-school lunch box. My kids love it too!
2. Best Backpack for Big Kids: Eastsport Scholastic 19-inch Laptop Backpack
When it comes to back-to-school backpacks, the 19-inch Eastsport Core Scholastic Backpack is a great pick for big kids. Its stylish faux suede accents and quick-access zipper pockets are PERFECT for keeping them organized and on-trend! The large main compartment fits all their binders and textbooks, while the padded tech sleeve protects their laptop or tablet!
3. Best Backpack for Little Kids: Wonder Nation 16-inch Backpack
For little kids who need something smaller, the Wonder Nation 16-inch Backpack from Walmart is a total steal at just $5! With so many playful prints to pick from, it's super fun and spacious enough for all their schoolbooks. Plus, it has a front pocket for all their little essentials like pens, pencils, and even a lunch box. It's SO perfect for your little one's busy days!
4. Best Bento Box: Bentgo Kids Bento Box
The Bentgo Kids Bento Box is a back-to-school essential that kids and parents absolutely adore—and I use it to pack my kids' lunches! Its 5 leak-proof compartments make packing healthy, balanced meals fun and interactive for your little ones. There's a small compartment in the center, which is perfect for dips or a sweet treat. Made with food-safe plastic, microwave-safe, and top-rack dishwasher-safe, it's a breeze to clean and ensures peace of mind for busy families!
For a lunch box with fewer compartments, check out this awesome 4-compartment bento box from Tasty. It keeps food separated, fits a whole sandwich, and has a convenient carry handle, making it perfect for little hands on the go!
Buy the Bentgo Kids Bento Box:
Buy the Tasty Bento Box:
5. Best Ice Packs for Lunch Boxes: Bentgo Ice Lunch Chillers Ultra-Thin Ice Packs
You'll also need an ice pack to keep your child's food fresh all day. These ultra-thin, hard ice packs from Bentgo freeze quickly and take up minimal space in lunch bags, allowing more room for meals and drinks. Made from non-toxic, BPA-free materials, they are easy to clean and reusable, offering a safe and convenient way to keep your kid's lunch box cool, even on hot days!
6. Best Notebooks: Five Star Wirebound Notebook
Notebooks are one of the top back-to-school essentials for many students, and Walmart has SO many great options, but the Five Star Wirebound Notebook is my favorite. With 200 double-sided, wide ruled sheets that fight ink bleed and are perforated for easy tear-out, this notebook keeps all your kiddo's notes neat and tidy! It's divided into five sections with tough pockets to prevent tears, a water-resistant front cover, AND a unique spiral lock wire to avoid snags!
7. Best Crayons: Crayola Crayons
Crayola is the BEST for back-to-school essentials! The classic 24-count box of crayons offers vibrant primary and secondary colors for kids of all ages. These are my favorite crayons because they're GREAT for coloring, crafts, and school art projects, inspiring endless creativity. Plus they are awesome for the classroom because they are safe, non-toxic, and double-wrapped for durability (aka no more broken crayons)!
For younger kids, the Crayola Ultra Clean Washable Crayons are a great choice for easy cleanups! These crayons offer bright colors that wash easily from skin, walls, and most clothing (YAY!), making clean-up a breeze, and they're durable and safe, ideal for inspiring creativity in school projects and activities.
Buy the Crayola Crayons:
Buy the Crayola Ultra Clean Washable Crayons:
8. Best Markers: Crayola Ultra-Clean Washable Broad Line Markers
You definitely need the Crayola markers for back-to-school! These markers are like a parent's best friend because they wash off skin, clothes, and even walls, making clean-up a breeze after your little one's creative adventures. Plus, with 10 vibrant colors and made from recycled plastic, they're perfect for school projects, homework, and everyday fun while also being eco-friendly!
9. Best Colored Pencils: Crayola Colored Pencil Set
The Crayola Colored Pencil Set, with 12 vibrant colors, is a fantastic back-to-school essential for bringing creativity to school projects and homework assignments. These pencils come pre-sharpened, ready for immediate use right out of the box! With bright and bold colors, your kids will love using these colored pencils in the classroom to explore their imagination and create beautiful artwork!
10. Best Pens: Pilot G2 Retractable Gel Ink Rolling Ball Pens
The Pilot G2 Retractable Gel Ink Rolling Ball Pens are some of my favorite pens, and they are a great choice for your upcoming back-to-school shopping! I love how incredibly smooth the gel ink is! It makes a noticeable difference on paper, with no smearing—perfect for keeping notes and homework neat. The fine 0.7 mm tip gives precise writing, and the contoured rubber grip will keep their hand comfy even during long notetaking sessions. Plus, they're retractable and refillable, saving time and money in the long run!
Oh, and when stocking up on back-to-school essentials, grab the Paper Mate InkJoy Gel Pens, too! They dry super fast, meaning no more smudges, and the smooth ink makes writing a breeze. Plus, the comfy grip means less hand fatigue during those long homework sessions!
Buy the Pilot G2 Retractable Gel Ink Rolling Ball Pens:
Buy the Paper Mate InkJoy Gel Pens:
11. Best Pencils: BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencils with Erasers
Almost every student needs pencils for back to school, and the BIC Xtra-Smooth Mechanical Pencils with Erasers are an excellent choice. These pencils offer a smooth writing experience with lead that doesn't smudge and erases cleanly! They're ideal for various writing activities and are always ready to use with a simple click, making them reliable and convenient for busy students.
Oh, and I love the colorful clips, which make them easy to attach to pockets and notebooks, adding a cheerful and practical touch to their school supplies! The 40-pack makes them pretty affordable, too.
12. Best Erasers: Paper Mate Pink Pearl Erasers
Erasers are a back-to-school supply classic that is still a must-have. The Paper Mate Pink Pearl Erasers are latex-free, smear-resistant, and easy for little hands to hold. They're SO much better than what comes at the end of most pencils!
13. Best Pencil Pouch: Livhil Pencil Case
The Livhil Pencil Case is definitely a back-to-school essential you need on your school shopping list! It's the perfect solution for keeping all your kiddo's pens, pencils, and supplies super organized for less than $10! This adorable and durable pencil case holds up to 80 pens or 120 pencils and has separate compartments for everything! It comes in multiple colors, so you can let your kids pick out their favorite.
For something smaller, the Pen+Gear Slim Mesh Pencil Pouch is ideal for keeping your child's supplies organized. Its transparent mesh design lets you see everything inside. With a spacious zippered section, a separate pen pocket, and built-in loops for binder attachment, it's GREAT for storing pencils, erasers, and other essentials!
Buy the Livhil Pencil Case:
Buy the Pen+Gear Slim Mesh Pencil Pouch:
14. Best Scissors: Fiskars Blunt-tip Kids Scissor
The Fiskars Blunt-Tip Kids Scissors are an absolute must for your back-to-school essentials list. Designed for small hands and creative minds (for kids ages 4 to 7), these scissors have safety-edge blades and a blunt tip to keep little ones safe. They also have a well-designed opening angle that makes cutting easy and comfortable for kids!
15. Best Dry Erase Markers: Expo Low Odor Dry Erase Markers
I highly recommend picking up Expo Low Odor Dry Erase Markers from Walmart for your back-to-school supplies! These markers are a staple on many teacher wish lists due to their versatile chisel tip, which allows for broad, medium, or fine lines. The low-odor ink is perfect for classrooms and home offices, erasing cleanly every time. And, the bold colors like red, blue, green, and black are super easy to see from a distance, making them a classroom favorite!
16. Best Glue Sticks: Elmer's Washable School Glue Sticks
This is my favorite glue for all our arts and crafts projects! They go on purple so kids can see exactly where they're sticking their charts and pictures, but they dry clear. Plus, the washable, non-toxic formula makes them ideal for school!
17. Best Pocket Folders: Pen+Gear Letter Size 2-Pocket Paper Folder
The Pen+Gear 2-Pocket Paper Folder is a lifesaver for back-to-school essentials! It's awesome for keeping your kid's school papers and homework organized. With its durable material and two roomy pockets, everything stays in place, and they come in lots of different colors so they can separate papers by subject.
Why You Can Trust Me
Hi, I'm Maria. As a mom of two, I know a thing or two about back-to-school shopping for kids. That's why I'm excited to share my top picks for back-to-school essentials, all conveniently available at Walmart. Walmart has EVERYTHING you need for students of all ages, and you can't beat their affordable prices!
From the smear-resistant Paper Mate Pink Pearl Erasers that keep those homework pages spotless, to the vibrant and washable Crayola Ultra Clean Crayons, my recommendations are tried and true. These items are the best back-to-school essentials (including some of my favorites) to make the upcoming academic year smooth and successful for kids of all ages. Happy shopping!
Prices were accurate at time of publication.