Gift guides
Back to School and College Essentials
From the editors
Whether you're prepping for the first day of kindergarten or packing the car for college move-in, back-to-school season is a lot. Here's our favorite gear for every stage: lunch boxes and backpacks, dorm essentials, care package ideas, and the little things that make a new school year feel exciting instead of overwhelming.
Newest first
11 guidesThe guides
Newest guide · August 11, 2026Our pro-mom back-to-school tip each year: Mabel's Labels
Gift guide · July 30, 2026The best back-to-school tech for teens
Gift guide · July 29, 2026Walmart has back-to-school shopping covered
Gift guide · July 27, 2026Make back-to-school clothes shopping easy with Primary
Gift guide · July 23, 2026Our favorite lunchboxes for Back to School 2026
Gift guide · July 20, 2026The most beautiful way to get organized: Paper Source
Gift guide · July 19, 2026Why Target is our favorite back-to-school shopping destination
Gift guide · July 9, 202611 dorm room essentials your college student needs
Gift guide · May 20, 202616 fantastic gifts for college grads
Gift guide · August 17, 2025Back to school tips for moms: a smart reset guide
Gift guide · July 29, 2025Smart back-to-school picks for families on a budget
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This guide contains affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission from some purchases to help support our team. All picks are determined editorially by our staff; there has been no compensation in exchange for our picks.
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Petco has calming products for pets
From: Back to school tips for moms: a smart reset guideEarth Mama
From: Back to school tips for moms: a smart reset guidestress support teas
From: Back to school tips for moms: a smart reset guidemom-favorite lotions
From: Back to school tips for moms: a smart reset guideHP Sprocket is a fun add
From: Back to school tips for moms: a smart reset guidereliable, budget-conscious laptops
From: Back to school tips for moms: a smart reset guidestyles for older students and parents
From: Back to school tips for moms: a smart reset guideSuja Organic juices
From: Back to school tips for moms: a smart reset guide
Mint Mobile: A first phone plan that actually makes sense
From: Smart back-to-school picks for families on a budget
their back-to-school section
From: Smart back-to-school picks for families on a budget
Gap: Mix-and-match styles kids will actually wear
From: Smart back-to-school picks for families on a budget
Gap Factory: Even better prices on the same look
From: Smart back-to-school picks for families on a budget
Kohl’s: One-stop shopping and real rewards
From: Smart back-to-school picks for families on a budgettheir back-to-school section
From: Smart back-to-school picks for families on a budgetTheir clearance section runs deep, often with
From: Smart back-to-school picks for families on a budget$6 tees
From: Smart back-to-school picks for families on a budget55% off clearance
From: Smart back-to-school picks for families on a budget12 months of unlimited talk, text, and data for $15/month
From: Smart back-to-school picks for families on a budget3-month version at $15/month
From: Smart back-to-school picks for families on a budgetsoft tees, pull-on joggers, dresses, hoodies, and uniform-friendly layers
From: Smart back-to-school picks for families on a budgetFrench Toast
From: Smart back-to-school picks for families on a budgetIZOD
From: Smart back-to-school picks for families on a budgetKohl’s Cash
From: Smart back-to-school picks for families on a budgetTheir clearance section offers up to 70% off
From: Smart back-to-school picks for families on a budget
From the archive
Earlier guides
30 cool lunch box accessories to make school lunch more fun. Lots on sale too! | Back to School Shopping15 of the coolest backpacks for preschool and kindergarten | Back to School Shopping GuideLunch bags and totes for teens who have outgrown lunch boxes | Back to School ShoppingFresh Olympic-inspired neon sneakers (with lots on sale) | Back to School Shopping14 college dorm room essentials you might not have considered: Part II | Back to School Shopping14 college dorm room essentials you might not have considered: Part I | Back to School ShoppingThe coolest free school printables: Lunch notes, planners, labels, chore charts and more | Back to School Guide7 creative time-saving hacks to save your back-to-school routine. | Back to School Guide20 cool backpacks for teens this year | Back to School Guide21 great gift ideas for college students | Holiday Gifts 2022Cool plus-size clothes for teens: 8 of our favorite destinations | Back to School Guide 2022Sponsored12 smart personalized label ideas to help you save money, cut down on fights, and bring home fewer germs | Back to School Guide12 must-have electronics and small appliances for dorm rooms | Back to School Shopping Guide7 outstanding high school or college graduation gift books: On stepping into the arena, dreaming with eyes wide open, and professional troublemaking (in the best possible way)Back-to-school trend alert! 7 tie-dye sneakers we love for kids.7 great Kindergarten printables for an awesome first year at school, most of them free | Back to School Guide 2019SponsoredThe best 2019-20 school year planners for every type of parent | Back to School Guide 2019Sponsored27 very cool backpacks for grade school this year | Back to School Guide 2019Sponsored11 favorite school supply organization hacks and tips | Back to School Guide 20199 cool personalized school supplies to help make the school year a little more fun | Back to School 20189 clever, cool kids' tees for book lovers | Back to School Guide 2018Beyond loveys: 11 sweet comfort items to send kids to school with fewer worries | Back to School Guide 201811 incredibly creative ideas for first day of school photos | Back to School Guide 2018The coolest back to school supplies and fun accessories under $10 to make September more fun | Back to School 2018