It’s Never Too Early to Start Your Back-to-School Shopping

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We’re still in the thick of summer, but the back-to-school deals start earlier and earlier each year, and it’s never a bad idea to get ahead of the rush. Whether you need to replace a lostlunch box, re-up on school supplies like notebooks and mechanical pencils, or find a fresh pair of sneakers for gym class, I’ve rounded up some of the best sales of the week so your kid(s) will have everything they need before the bell rings.
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Deals I personally think are the best

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I'm loyal to Paper Mate's pens for their smooth ballpoint tip and vivid ink.

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Use our exclusive code STRAT25 to take 25 percent off sitewide at Bentgo.

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There are plenty of sizes left in all four colors of these striped Hanna Andersson tees.
School supplies

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Pilot G2 Premium Refillable & Retractable Rolling Ball Gel Pens, Bold Point, Blue Ink
Pilot’s G2 pens have a cult following for a reason.

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Paper Mate Profile Retractable Ballpoint Pens, Bold Point (1.4mm), Assorted Colors, 12 Count
I’m also a fan of Paper Mate’s ballpoint pens, which come in unexpected shades like magenta and spring green.

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Always handy to keep some mechanical pencils in the rotation too.

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The gold standard for nontoxic, quick-drying glue sticks.

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Don’t forget to pick up some pink erasers as well.

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These cute craft scissors create fun scalloped edges.
Backpacks and lunch gear

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Through July 15, use code STRAT25 to take 25 percent off sitewide at Bentgo, which makes some ofour favorite lunch boxes.

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This Pottery Barn lunch bag can be personalized with a name or initials.

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You can choose from different sizes and cap styles for this space-themed water bottle.

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Packit lunch boxes have a freezable gel lining, so you won’t need to keep track of an extra ice pack.

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Owala’s FreeSip Sway bottle is cupholder friendly with an ergonomic bucket handle that makes it easy to shuttle between school and sports.

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Lots of kids’ backpacks in a panoply of patterns are currently half off at Lands’ End.

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For older kids, keep it simple with a clean, classic JanSport backpack.
Clothing and sneakers

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Strategist senior writer Lauren Ro says almost every baby or toddler in Brooklyn owns a pair ofSaucony Jazz sneakers.

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From seventh to 12th grade, I wore a school uniform that consisted of khaki and navy bottoms, and I got all of my pants from Old Navy.

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There are lots of stylish kid’s clothes marked down at Hanna Andersson’s clearance sale, including these striped tees.

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These nice-looking athletic shorts are comfy and can handle a little roughhousing.

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Gap Kids Rib T-Shirt
Gap’s soft cotton-rib T-shirts come in lots of colors and graphics.

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A classic denim jacket for when summer starts transitioning into fall.
More From The Strategist
- The Back-to-School Hall of Fame
- The Best Things Strategist Editors Have Bought This Year (So Far)
- Everything You Need to Outfit Your College Dorm
- The Strategist Summer 100
The Strategistis designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the bestacne treatments,rolling luggage,pillows for side sleepers,natural anxiety remedies, andbath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.







