It’s that time again..hello to a new school year! That also means it’s time to stock up on back-to-school essentials. And if you need help shopping, I’ve got you covered with all of my favorite back-to-school essentials from Walmart! While your kids’ needs may differ a bit based on their age and school, I’ve included all the basics—backpacks, lunch boxes, water bottle, some creative supplies, and, of course, snacks! My family uses most of these recommended items, and I can confidently stand behind them.
When putting together this list, I was also mindful of price, since what works this year may not work next year; kids’ interests can change so fast! Fortunately, Walmart has loads of affordable back-to-school essentials that will make you and your kiddos feel prepared on their first day and beyond.
Walmart is paying a fee for this post, in addition to commissions if you shop this post. As always, all opinions and product recommendations are my own and I am SO excited to share these!
Reviews of Back to School Essentials at Walmart
1. Best Lunch BAG: Bentgo Kids Prints Lunch Bag
For keeping food in lunchboxes cool and fresh, an insulated lunch bag is the way to go. This Bentgo Kids Prints Lunch Bag is a favorite insulated lunch bag for kids because it can fit Bentgo Kids lunch boxes (or similar options from other brands). It also has a handy interior zipper compartment that’s great for holding silverware. There’s a mesh bottle pocket on the side and the fabric is water-resistant and easy to wipe clean for those inevitable spills.
Plus, it’s available in some seriously cute prints!
2. Best Bento Box: OmieBox Bento Box for Kids
This OmieBox Bento Box has become my go-to for packing school lunches. It has the standard bento box compartments for easy organization but also comes with a removable 8.5-ounce thermos insert so you can pack hot and cold foods together.
If you take the thermos out, the compartment is wonderfully sandwich-sized. Everything (including the rubber seals) also comes apart for easy cleaning.
3. Best Backpack: Disney Character Backpack
From Disney Princesses to Minecraft, this fun back-to-school backpack has six different characters to choose from. There are two zippered compartments to help keep your kids organized, plus two exterior mesh pockets for a water bottle. There’s also a laptop sleeve inside, so if your student uses a tablet or computer at school, it can stay safe inside the backpack.
4. Best Thermos: LunchBots Thermal 8-Ounce Triple Insulated Food Container
I love having a kids thermos on hand because it opens up so many options for lunch—plus you can pack hit leftovers in it, too! This 8-ounce stainless steel thermos from LunchBots keeps cold food cold for up to 12 hours and hot food warm for up to six. The small size easily fits into lunch bags, and it’s great for toddler portions and little hands. (If you have older kids, you may want to size up for a larger serving.)
5. Best Water Bottle: Takeya Actives Kids’ Insulated Water Bottle
This narrow water bottle from Takeya is great for younger kids and my kids’ favorite. It’s super durable, so it can stand up to a lot of wear and tear. It’s easy for smaller hands to grip, and the sports cap also makes it easy to drink while reducing spills. Another plus: It’s dishwasher safe.
6. Best Snack Containers: Easylunchboxes Bento Snack Box
These affordable snack containers favorite snack containers for when I want to pack multiple snacks and don’t want to use a bunch of separate containers. They have four identical compartments for built-in portion control and are stackable for easy storage. They can also double as a bento-style lunchbox for toddlers.
7. Best Crayon Set: Crayola Jumbo Crayon Set
Compared to standard crayons, these jumbo crayons are easier for toddlers to grip, and they’re double-wrapped, so they’re harder to break. That’s what I call a win-win! In addition to encouraging creativity, they can also help with fine motor skills. There are 16 colors total—most of the primary and secondary colors—and they’re completely non-toxic.
8. Best Markers: Crayola Ultra-Clean Washable Broad Line Markers
Markers are on almost every back-to-school list, and these are my favorites for younger kids. This pack has 10 classic colors, all of which are washable from skin, clothing, and painted walls so you don’t have to worry if your little one misses the paper. They’re also easy to grip and have a conical tip that can be used for both broad and thin lines.
9. Best Pencil Box: ZIPIT Wildlings Pencil Box
Pencil boxes are the one thing my kids obsess over each school year—and they are a must for elementary schoolers to store (and organize!) all their supplies and this ZIPIT Wildings Pencil Box is an adorable way to get the job done. It fits up to 60 pencils and pens (or markers and crayons), and it’s machine-washable, so you can freshen it up when it gets dirty. To match your kid’s personality, there are four fun Wildlings creatures to choose from.
10. Best Snack Bars: Nature’s Bakery Fig Bar Minis
Easy-to-grab snacks are a must when going back to school. These mini fig bars from Nature’s Bakery are portioned for smaller appetites and contain real fruit and other wholesome ingredients. They’re also nut- and dairy-free so they’re ideal for taking to school. My kids love them!
11. Best Savory Snack: Annie’s Organic Cheddar Bunnies Kids School Snack Crackers
These yummy cheese crackers come in small snack packs that nestle nicely in a Bento box or lunch bag. I love that they’re made with all organic ingredients and my kids love that they taste delicious. In addition to packing in lunches, they’re also great to have on hand for after-school snacks. They’re a great peanut-free snack too!
12. Best Sandwich Spread: SunButter Natural Sunflower Butter
SunButter Natural Sunflower Butter is my go-to allergen-free spread for making quick back-to-school lunches or easy sandwiches. It has a milder taste than almond butter so kids gobble it right up, and becuase it’s made from seeds it works for schools that are nut-free. I often use it to make my healthy, homemade uncrustables, which freeze beautifully so you can prep them for school lunches in advance.
Why You Can Trust Me
Hi, I’m Amy Palanjian. I’m a recipe developer, content creator, and cookbook author. I’ve been working in media for more than a decade, serving as the Lifestyle Director of FamilyFun magazine, as a food editor with Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Media, and as the Deputy Editor of ReadyMade magazine.
Perhaps more importantly, I’m also a mama to three kids, and I know how stressful going back to school can be—it’s a huge transition. A big part of my goal for this blog is to provide tips that make life a little easier for the entire family—and that includes getting ready for a new school year! As such, I relied on lots of research and my own experience to come up with this list of my favorite back-to-school essentials at Walmart. My family uses most of these items ourselves, so you can rest assured that everything on this list is durable and practical. .
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
Hello Amy, Thank you for your wonderful page. I imagine, as a food editor etc., you must have a college degree. What is it?
Hi- my college major was American Literature. I worked as a magazine editor and food editor for over a decade after that, which led me to here. Thanks for asking!