5 School Supplies Your Kids Need and What They Cost

The first day of school for Huron Valley students is Sept. 3, and that means it's time to start thinking of back-to-school shopping.

School supply lists can seem never ending, but here are five items that are likely to make every child’s supplies list:

1. No. 2 pencils
   
2. Single subject notebook
3. Backpack
4. Planner
5. Pocket folder – for all of those handouts!

Below are prices of the items, based on the store's websites or managers.

Pencils

At Office Max, a 12-pack of Just Basics pencils costs $1.49. Comparatively, a 48-pack of Staples pencils costs $4.99, while a 12-pack of pencils costs $1 at Dollar Tree. Five Below, which targets pre-teens and teens with all merchandise priced from $1 to $5, sells an eight-pack of pencils for $1.

Notebook

Office Max sells a single-subject notebook for $0.59, a Staples one-subject notebook is $1 and a single-subject notebook at Dollar Tree is $1. A single-subject notebook at Five Below is also $1.

Backpack

A backpack at Office Max can run anywhere from $29.99 to over $100. The lowest price for a backpack at Staples is $14.99 and the highest is $395. Dollar Tree doesn’t sell backpacks. A backpack at Five Below is $5.

Planner

A weekly planner at Office Max costs $12.99, while a weekly/monthly planner at Staples cost $8.99. A weekly planner at Dollar Tree stores is $1. At Five Below, a weekly/monthly planner is $3.

Folder

At Office Max, a two-pocket folder will cost $1.99. At Staples, a two-pocket folder will cost $0.99. A two-pocket folder at both Dollar Tree and Five Below is $1.

Remember, price doesn't always speak for quality so it's best to check the supplies in person. But hopefully, this gave some ideas!