It’s back-to-school season, and the best school supply deals in Wichita, KS are already popping up! I have gathered this season’s top in-store and online deals from major and local retailers like Walmart, Target, Amazon, Five Below, and more.
Even if you don’t have school-age kids, use these sales to stock up on office supplies for around the house. You won’t find better prices all year.
Be sure to bookmark this page and check back. I will keep the deals coming! Scroll down for our chart of the best school supply prices and where we found them, where to get school supplies, where to shop for back-to-school clothes, and more ways to save.
2026 Best Back-to-School Price Comparison
Note: These are the lowest prices, so they might not be name-brand.
School Supply
Walmart
Target
Dillons
Lowest Price
School Glue (4 oz.)
$0.25
$0.25
$0.59
Walmart/Target
Glue Sticks (2-pack equivalent)
$0.25
$0.25
$0.83*
Walmart/Target
Crayons (24 ct.)
$0.50
$0.25
$0.49
Target
Colored Pencils (12 ct.)
$0.97
$0.50
$0.99
Target
Washable Markers (10 ct.)
$0.98
$0.50
$1.99
Target
Spiral Notebook (70 ct.)
$0.35
$0.35
$0.99
Walmart/Target
Composition Notebook
$0.50
$0.50
$0.99
Walmart/Target
Pocket Folder
$0.25
$0.15
$0.59
Target
#2 Pencils (10-12 ct.)
$0.98
$0.50
$1.99
Target
Mechanical Pencils
$0.97
$0.50
$2.49
Target
Highlighters
$0.98
$0.50
$2.49
Target
Ballpoint Pens
$0.97
$0.50
$2.49
Target
Scissors
$0.97
$0.75
$1.99
Target
Pencil Box
$0.98
$0.75
$2.99
Target
Index Cards
$0.98
$0.50
$1.99
Target
Loose Leaf Paper
$0.98
$0.85
$2.99
Target
1-Inch Binder
$1.97
$1.75
$4.49
Target
Backpack (Basic)
From $5.98
From $5.00
From $14.99
Target
Where to Get School Supplies & Their Perks
Target Back-to-School Deals
Target is one of my favorite places to shop for back-to-school deals because they offer great prices (this year one of the best prices) on both name-brand and store-brand supplies. Their Mondo Llama brand is often about half the price of name brands. For example, a 24-count box of Crayola crayons is around $0.50, while Target’s Mondo Llama crayons are just $0.25.
This year, Target is advertising savings of up to 60% on school supplies through August 29.
Pro Tip: After clicking the sale link on their website, scroll all the way to the bottom of the page. That’s where you’ll usually find many of the best back-to-school deals and lowest-priced supplies.
One of the easiest ways I save money is by choosing Mondo Llama whenever I can. We’ve had great luck with the quality, and I can stock up on notebooks, folders, markers, colored pencils, glue, and other classroom essentials for much less than buying the name brands.
Target is also one of my go-to stores for affordable school clothes. During back-to-school season, they often have kids’ graphic and basic T-shirts starting around $5 and jeans for about $10, making it easy to update your child’s wardrobe without overspending.
Dillons continues to be a great option for back-to-school shopping, especially if you’re already planning a grocery trip. This year, they’re featuring more than 250 school supplies priced under $5, making it easy to pick up the basics while doing your regular shopping.
One of the biggest perks of shopping at Dillons is earning Fuel Points. If you already fill up at Dillons Fuel Centers, buying your school supplies there can help you save at the pump, adding even more value to your purchase.
Through July 21, you can also save $10 when you spend $30 or more on school supplies with pickup or delivery orders, making it an even better time to stock up.
Pro Tip: Look for store or merchant coupons in the app or on the weekly ad.
This time of year, grocery stores have sales school lunch items. Stock up and freeze lunch meat, cheese sticks, and more to have inexpensive lunches for the next few months!
Walmart is one of the best places to stretch your budget. You’ll find low prices on everything from notebooks and backpacks to lunch boxes, clothing, and classroom supplies. Keep an eye out for Walmart’s Rollback prices, which are temporary price reductions on select items that help you save even more during the school shopping season. Unlike clearance items, Rollbacks are available while supplies last and can include both everyday essentials and popular name brands.
Pro Tip: As a mom, Walmart’s Pen+Gear is one of my go-to brands for back-to-school shopping because the prices are hard to beat. I can usually pick up all the essentails without spending a fortune. Walmart is also one of my favorite places to shop for school uniforms, with affordable polos, pants, shorts, and skirts that hold up well throughout the school year. It’s an easy way to check off both the school supply list and the uniform list while keeping a little extra money in your wallet.
Walgreens is another place to check for back-to-school supplies, but overall it’s the most expensive of the major retailers. Right now, they’re offering a Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off Mix & Match promotion on select school supplies, which can help lower the cost if you’re buying multiple items.
Pro Tip: Even with the BOGO sale, Walgreens’ regular prices are generally much higher than Target or Walmart. They also don’t offer low-cost store brands like Mondo Llama or Pen+Gear, so it’s harder to find the rock-bottom prices available elsewhere.
A few years ago, Walgreens was one of my favorite places to shop for school supplies. Every week they seemed to have a handful of items at unbelievably low prices, and if you paired those sales with coupons, you could score some incredible deals.
Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case this year. So far, we haven’t seen the deep discounts that made Walgreens a back-to-school shopping destination in the past. Unless you’re already making a trip there or can take advantage of the Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off promotion, you’ll likely find better overall prices at Target or Walmart.
Amazon can be a convenient option for back-to-school shopping, especially if you prefer having everything delivered to your door. It offers an enormous selection of everything. It’s also a great place to shop for bulk supplies if you have multiple children or are helping stock a teacher’s classroom. If you’re a Prime member, the fast, free shipping is another nice bonus.
That said, Amazon isn’t always the cheapest place to buy basic school supplies. During back-to-school season, stores like Target and Walmart often beat Amazon’s prices on everyday items like notebooks, crayons, glue, folders, and pencils. Amazon’s prices also change frequently, so an item that’s a great deal today could cost more tomorrow.
I usually use Amazon to fill in the gaps after I’ve shopped the local sales. If I can’t find a specific item in stores, need a specialty product, or want to buy supplies in bulk, Amazon is often my first stop. But for the everyday basics on a school supply list, I typically find the best overall prices at Target or Walmart. My advice is to shop the local sales first, then check Amazon for anything that’s still on your list.
Five Below can be a fun stop during back-to-school shopping, especially if you’re looking beyond the basics. While it’s not usually the best place to buy items on your school’s supply list, it offers great deals on backpacks, water bottles, lunch accessories, headphones, planners, room décor, and other trendy school essentials.
I also like Five Below for locker decorations, teacher gifts, and inexpensive rewards for kids heading back to school. Many items are priced at $5 or less, although some products in the Five Beyond section cost a little more.
For the actual classroom supplies like notebooks, crayons, glue, folders, and pencils, you’ll usually find better prices at Target or Walmart. I think of Five Below as a great “extras” store rather than a place to buy everything on your school supply list. If your child wants a fun water bottle, colorful backpack accessories, or a few items to make heading back to school more exciting, it’s definitely worth a stop.
Who has the best deals on school supplies this year?
1. Target – Best Overall Value
Target is the winner this year if your goal is to spend the least on school supplies.
Why:
Mondo Llama and Dealworthy products are often 25–50% less than comparable name brands.
Many essentials start at just $0.25 or $0.50.
Up to 60% off school supplies through August 29.
Consistently good deals on kids’ clothing, with T-shirts around $5 and jeans around $10 during back-to-school season.
Best for: Families buying everything from scratch and looking for the lowest total bill.
2. Walmart – Best One-Stop Shop
Walmart is a very close second and is my personal favorite for convenience.
Why:
Pen+Gear products offer excellent value.
Huge selection of school supplies, backpacks, lunch boxes, uniforms, shoes, and electronics all in one place.
Prices are consistently low, even if Target beats them by a few cents on some items.
Great selection of Crayola, Elmer’s, Ticonderoga, Expo, and other trusted brands.
Best for: Shoppers who want to get everything in one trip.
3. Dillons – Best if You Already Shop There
Dillons isn’t usually the cheapest on individual items, but it can be a smart choice.
Why:
More than 250 school supplies under $5.
$10 off a $30 school supply purchase (through July 21).
Earn Fuel Points while shopping, which can add meaningful savings at the pump.
Easy to combine grocery shopping with school supply shopping.
Best for: Families who regularly shop at Dillons and want to maximize Fuel Points.
My Recommendation
If you’re trying to stretch your budget the furthest:
Start at Target for the cheapest school supplies and affordable kids’ clothes.
Stop by Walmart for anything Target doesn’t have, plus backpacks, uniforms, lunch boxes, and name-brand supplies.
Shop Dillons if you can take advantage of the $10 off promotion or if earning Fuel Points is important to you.
That’s likely to get you the lowest overall cost while still getting quality supplies.
Costco vs. Sam’s Club for School Supplies
Overall, I’d give the edge to Sam’s Club for back-to-school shopping.
Sam’s Club typically carries a larger selection of school supplies during the season, including multipacks of notebooks, folders, pencils, crayons, markers, tissues, paper towels, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, snacks, and lunchbox items. They also tend to have a wider variety of backpacks and lunch bags at competitive prices.
Costco usually has fewer school supply options, but the quality is excellent. It’s a great place to buy name-brand items like Sharpie, Expo, Scotch, Post-it, and Ticonderoga in larger quantities. Costco also shines when it comes to snacks, juice boxes, granola bars, fruit cups, and other lunchbox staples.
Neither warehouse club is usually the cheapest place to buy a single notebook or box of crayons. During back-to-school season, Target and Walmart almost always beat them on those individual items thanks to their aggressive sales.
Where Costco and Sam’s Club really become a good value is when you’re buying in bulk. If you have several children, are splitting supplies with family or friends, or need classroom supplies for a teacher, the larger packages often bring the cost per item down.
My strategy is to buy the basic school supply list at Target or Walmart, then stop at Sam’s Club or Costco for the bulk items I’ll use all year, like tissues, paper towels, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, printer paper, snacks, and lunchbox drinks.
Bottom line:
Best for school supplies: Sam’s Club
Best for name-brand bulk items and lunchbox foods: Costco
Best overall prices on individual school supplies: Target and Walmart
My Top Back to School Articles
Free Rugs for Teachers
I love this deal from a great local store! To show their appreciation to dedicated teachers, Jabara’s Carpet Outlet is giving away free rugs for classrooms. More details below.
Free Kids Meals at Chicken N Pickle for Back to School
Chicken N Pickle is running an awesome back-to-school deal this year where kids can eat free from August 15 – September 15. Find all the details in the link.
The Mid-America All-Indian Museum is celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a special Anniversary Powwow on Saturday, November 21, 2026. This free community event will honor
The most updated list! Here's our list of 2026 Wichita-area citywide garage sales, which we update weekly (or more often, as necessary). This list is valid
When people talk about longtime Wichita restaurants, N&J is always part of the conversation. For decades, N&J has been serving authentic Mediterranean and Lebanese cuisine,
Hi Carolyn. Read about your site this morning in the Washington Post. So useful! I buy school supplies every year for two local non-profits in Seattle and we’ve found that backpacks are the biggest expense. For the past 3 years, I’ve been buying coupon discounted backpacks at Costco – high-quality packs made by High Sierra for between $15 and $20 each, with a 10-pack limit per member. It’s a great deal!
Yes, backpacks and shoes and sometimes even those graphing calculators (for older kids) can be real budget-busters. So thankful you let us know about the Costco deal.
I also just found some High Sierra backpacks at TJ Maxx yesterday for $15. (They had other good ones too, but for more $$.) I bought one to donate, but left the rest for parents who are doing their school shopping.
Menards does have some good deals! (I’m going to be adding them to the list soon.) But just be sure to check my School Supply Price List though, because I noticed that some of Menards school supplies were MORE than other places, even though they were in the ad as being “on sale.”
And all stores seem to do that; not just Menards. 🙂
Hate to be a downer but please note sharpie or any brand “permanent” markers are not allowed at most schools unless given by teacher for specific projects!
That’s okay. I use Sharpies at home for lots of things, so I buy them at this time of year when they’re on sale. Same goes for Scotch tape and some of the other office supplies that aren’t just for the kiddos! 🙂
I bought the 5pack of sharpies for $1 (limit 3) along with a $2 clearance item to meet my $5 minium at Office Depot. $0.20 per full-size black sharpies is an awesome deal.
26 Responses
Hi Carolyn. Read about your site this morning in the Washington Post. So useful! I buy school supplies every year for two local non-profits in Seattle and we’ve found that backpacks are the biggest expense. For the past 3 years, I’ve been buying coupon discounted backpacks at Costco – high-quality packs made by High Sierra for between $15 and $20 each, with a 10-pack limit per member. It’s a great deal!
Oh, that is a great tip, Caroline. Thank you!
Yes, backpacks and shoes and sometimes even those graphing calculators (for older kids) can be real budget-busters. So thankful you let us know about the Costco deal.
I also just found some High Sierra backpacks at TJ Maxx yesterday for $15. (They had other good ones too, but for more $$.) I bought one to donate, but left the rest for parents who are doing their school shopping.
Menards has the best sale right now.
Thanks for the tip, Brian! I checked their circular last week, but forgot to check them again this week. Great to know!
Could you double check that 5$ with the purchase of 30. An 10$ purchase of 50. On school supplies? I just went in an this target does not have that.
The $5 off $30 was for the week of 8/13, so it probably ended last Saturday.
Menards has even better deals!
Menards does have some good deals! (I’m going to be adding them to the list soon.) But just be sure to check my School Supply Price List though, because I noticed that some of Menards school supplies were MORE than other places, even though they were in the ad as being “on sale.”
And all stores seem to do that; not just Menards. 🙂
Leekers Family Foods in Valley Center and park City have 5 packs of Bic highlighters and 10 packs mechanical penvies for 97 cents.
Suggest to teachers to have students bring worn out CLEAN 🙂 socks to use for dry erase board erasers instead of tissues.
Now there’s an idea! I’ll bet socks work great.
We use a wash cloth in my class. Tissues are never a good choice! So messy and wasteful.
1 black sock is already on my kids school supply list.
Hate to be a downer but please note sharpie or any brand “permanent” markers are not allowed at most schools unless given by teacher for specific projects!
That’s okay. I use Sharpies at home for lots of things, so I buy them at this time of year when they’re on sale. Same goes for Scotch tape and some of the other office supplies that aren’t just for the kiddos! 🙂
Just curious about the Walmart Elmer’s Glue Sticks that are $0.25 are those the small or large glue sticks?
Hi Dani. It says they are the 15.3g size. I think that’s the regular (not jumbo) size.
The large glue sticks are 50 cents at walmart currently
Awesome, Kerri! Thanks!
A 6 pack is .99 cents at target this week for glue sticks!! Way better deal!!
You’re right. That Target deal on glue sticks beats all the other ones this week!
I bought expo markers in packs of 4 for $1.77 at Dillons today. Both in black and assorted colors. Great deal!!
Nice find! That’s a great price for the 4-pack.
That’s what I thought!! I’ll be taking the others I’d bought from Walmart back!! 😉
glue sticks – 10/$1.00 or .19 (2-pk) what store is this deal at?
I bought the 5pack of sharpies for $1 (limit 3) along with a $2 clearance item to meet my $5 minium at Office Depot. $0.20 per full-size black sharpies is an awesome deal.