Best Dollar Store School Supplies Worth Buying

Some links in this article are affiliate links — COSMIQ may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects which products we recommend. How this works.

Dollar stores can be a great source for everyday school supplies when you know which brands and items hold up. Below are widely available, name-brand products that deliver reliable quality for students, parents, and teachers — plus quick notes on who each is best for and why.

1. Crayola Classic Crayons

Check price on Amazon: Crayola Classic Crayons →

Best for: preschoolers and elementary students who need durable, familiar color options. Crayola's classic 8- or 24-count wax crayons are a staple because they break less easily than generic crayons and the colors are predictable.

Why it’s worth buying: Crayola crayons color smoothly, label their names on the wrappers (helpful for classroom sorting), and are widely available in small packs that are convenient for art centers, homework boxes, or replacement supplies.

2. Crayola Ultra-Clean Washable Markers

Check price on Amazon: Crayola Ultra-Clean Washable Markers →

Best for: younger children and families who want marker projects without permanent stains. The Ultra-Clean washable line is formulated to come off skin and most clothing more easily than permanent markers.

Why it’s worth buying: These markers balance bold, consistent color with easier cleanup — useful for classrooms, take-home art kits, or parents managing after-school crafts.

3. Ticonderoga #2 Pencils

Check price on Amazon: Ticonderoga #2 Pencils →

Best for: test-taking students and anyone who prefers a reliable pencil for daily writing. Ticonderoga pencils have a smooth core and strong ferrule/eraser compared with many unbranded pencils.

Why it’s worth buying: You get consistent graphite and better erasing, which reduces frustration during assignments and exams. Buying a few packs to refill pencil cases is often a smart move.

4. Elmer's Glue Sticks

Check price on Amazon: Elmer's Glue Sticks →

Best for: craft-heavy classrooms, elementary projects, and homework that involves paper, photos, or light materials. Glue sticks are cleaner and quicker than liquid glue for many school tasks.

Why it’s worth buying: Elmer’s glue sticks are non-toxic and spread evenly without soaking paper. They’re convenient for glue stations and glue sticks dry clear, which helps finished projects look neat.

5. Fiskars Kids Scissors

Check price on Amazon: Fiskars Kids Scissors →

Best for: early elementary students learning to cut shapes and practice motor skills. Fiskars makes student scissors sized for small hands with rounded tips for safety.

Why it’s worth buying: They cut reliably and last longer than some off-brand scissors. For classroom use, a few pairs with labeled handles can reduce the need to constantly replace dull or broken scissors.

6. EXPO Low-Odor Dry-Erase Markers

Check price on Amazon: EXPO Low-Odor Dry-Erase Markers →

Best for: whiteboard work at home or in school — spelling practice, math problems, and interactive lessons. EXPO markers are formulated to erase cleanly from non-porous surfaces.

Why it’s worth buying: Low-odor varieties are better for classrooms and small spaces. Buying multiple colors encourages visual learning and cooperative activities without worrying about permanent marks.

7. Scotch Magic Tape

Check price on Amazon: Scotch Magic Tape →

Best for: quick paper repairs, labeling, and art projects where you want an invisible finish. Scotch Magic Tape is designed to blend with paper and write on with pencil or pen.

Why it’s worth buying: It’s a handy general-purpose tape that handles classroom jobs without curling or tearing easily. A few rolls in a shared supply area go a long way.

8. Mead Composition Notebooks

Check price on Amazon: Mead Composition Notebooks →

Best for: middle and high school students who need durable, sewn-binding notebooks for notes and assignments. Composition notebooks lie flat and keep pages secure through a school year.

Why it’s worth buying: The sturdy covers and sewn spines are more reliable than spiral notebooks that can lose pages. They’re useful for journals, lab notes, and folders where permanence matters.

Practical buying advice for dollar-store supplies

When shopping, look for name brands (like the ones above) and check packaging for clarity on contents: washable markers, non-toxic glue, and the number of items in a pack. Inspect items where possible — make sure scissors open smoothly, binder edges aren’t bent, and notebooks have intact bindings. For consumables (pencils, glue sticks, markers), buy a little extra of frequently lost or used items so you don’t run out mid-project. If supplies are for classroom use, consider buying duplicates of high-turnover items and storing them in clearly labeled containers to simplify sharing and replacement.

Conclusion: Dollar stores can be a practical source of dependable, name-brand school supplies when you choose items thoughtfully. Prioritize brands and products known for consistent quality, stock up on essentials that wear out quickly, and keep a small reserve for busy weeks — that approach stretches both time and budget while keeping students prepared.