A Rare Sale on Our Favorite Lunch Box and More Back-to-School Deals
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Summer is in full swing, 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. I’ve combed through the internet sales bins and rounded up some of the best discounts of the week so your kid(s) will have everything they need before the bell rings, including 50-cent Crayola crayons at Target, 20 percent off a Best in Class lunch box, and 25 percent off a handsome Hydro Flask thermos.
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Deals I personally think are the best
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A good-looking pullover sweater that’s deeply discounted.
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It’s especially fun to color with these double-tipped markers.
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Hydro Flask’s food jar comes in lots of vibrant color combinations.
School supplies
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Author Eilene Zimmerman likes these Bic highlighters because “they’re the thinnest ones you can get, so you can be very precise,” she explains.
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Perfect for annotating their copy of Great Expectations.
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Loose-leaf paper that’s reinforced helps ensure that it won’t tear out of their binder.
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Ohuhu’s double-tipped markers can create both fine, precise lines and streak-free swaths of color.
Lots of Crayola markers, crayons, and colored pencils are marked way down at Target.
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A classic ballpoint pen that comes with blue, black, red, and green ink.
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Paper Mate Profile Retractable Ballpoint Pens, Bold Point (1.4mm), Assorted Colors, 12 Count
I’m 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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Don’t forget to pick up some pink erasers as well.
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The gold standard for nontoxic, quick-drying glue sticks.
Backpacks and lunch gear
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Our favorite lunch box overall is now 20 percent off.
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In lieu of plastic bags, Stasher’s reusable silicone bags are perfect for packing a handful of nuts or dried fruit slices.
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You can also opt for these 100 percent compostable sandwich bags that can be washed, dried, and reused.
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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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Strategist senior writer Liza Corsillo recommends this brightly colored insulated food jar that is “as functional as it is stylish.”
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Lots of kids’ lunch boxes in a panoply of patterns are currently half off at Lands’ End.
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Backpacks with plenty of fun designs are included in the sale as well.
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For older kids, keep it simple with a clean, classic JanSport backpack.
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Clothing and sneakers
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Primary, a Strategist-favorite brand offering colorful basics for kids, has a great everyday tee that’s currently 26 percent off.
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Here’s a long-sleeved version for when the weather starts to cool.
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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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Never a bad idea to stock up on socks.
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Or underwear, for that matter.
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These sneakers have a breathable mesh upper and are conveniently machine-washable.
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Strategist senior writer Lauren Ro says almost every baby or toddler in Brooklyn owns a pair of Saucony Jazz sneakers.
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Ro’s son Augie loves wearing On’s Cloud Play sneakers.
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Get an extra 50 percent off this already-on-sale J.Crew sweater with code SALETIME.
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A handsome polo for a preppy youngster.
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A cute denim skirt embroidered with daisies.
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Relaxed pull-on shorts that can withstand a little roughhousing.
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For kids who feel uncomfortable in stiff denim, these baggy jeans are made from a soft blend of cotton and Tencel.
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The Strategist is 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 best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
