There's a reason teachers and parents alike turn to online retailer Oriental Trading to do a bulk of their back-to-school shopping. While you won't find things like sturdy backpacks or school-specific shopping lists, what you will find are the essentials, and loads of them. From packs of pencils and pouches to organizational displays for the classroom, there's so much good stuff here — and cheap, might we add — that you don't have to worry about your child (or student) losing things or breaking them throughout the school year. Here are 18 things you can stock up on right now.
American Crafts Journaling Highlighters ($6) make writing poetry and jotting down thoughts from the day more fun.
Superhero Pencil Sharpeners ($7 for 12) means no more unusable, dull pencils.
These Banana-Scented Bookmarks ($5 for 24) would be great for a teacher to have.
The Medium Smile Face Tote Bags ($13 for 12) will spread joy to anyone who carries one.
These Fruit Pencil Sharpeners ($7 for 12) would be fun for someone to pass out to friends.
This Welcome Back to School Pencils ($4) pack a set of 24.
Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar Pencil Cases ($12 for a pack of 12) are an adorable place to keep everything.
Encourage creativity with these 8-Color Crayola Crayons ($1).
Large Shark Tote Bags ($10 for 12) are fun for the underwater-obsessed.
Mini Marker Sets ($9) are great to have on-hand for travel.
Encourage your little one to explore with this 24-pack of Solar System Pencils ($3).
Schoolwork can be sweet with these Summer Treats Erasers ($6 for 24).
Canvas Adventure Pencil Cases ($10 for 12) would be fun to pass out to friends.
These Sharpie Fine Point Permanent Markers ($13) are a vibrant set that are ideal for presentations.
Homework Punch Cards ($3 for 30) are a smart way to encourage and teach accountability.
School Tools Pocket Charts ($10 for 4) are smart visual ways for teachers to organize in the classroom.
These Woodland Adventure Mini Spiral Notebooks ($6 for 24) mean you'll never run out of places to write down notes.
Teachers and parents can use these Apple-Shaped Sticky Notes ($8 for 12).