I can't believe it's August already! Where has the summer gone?!
As some of you are probably preparing for the kids to return to school or to head off to college yourself take some time to check out all of the back to school and back to campus essentials Costco has to offer.
Let's start off with the basics- backpacks. For kids and young adults alike Costco has you covered with High Sierra. The smaller Riprap Daypack is perfect for older elementary and middle school aged kids, while high schoolers and the college bound will appreciate the larger Elite Backpack.
High Sierra also makes a coordinating Lunch Kit to match the colors and prints of the smaller Riprap Daypack (it includes 1 food container and an ice pack).
Need a larger lunch box for older kids or to take your own lunch to work? Try the Ultra High Performance Expandable lunch pack which includes an ice pack and a leak proof bento container. (I bought these and use them regularly!)
Already have a good lunch box? Keep it organized with Rubbermaid Lunch Blox containers. Each pack includes 3-full kits made up of 1 large square container, 2 medium rectangular containers and 1 ice pack that all stack neatly.
And speaking of lunch, need a new water bottle or trying to move away from using disposable water bottles? Costco carries colorful Contigo water bottles for both kids and adults and all are BPA free.
Keep your coffee, tea or hot chocolate piping hot in a Contigo thermal mug.
When it comes to studying, however you prefer to take your notes Costco has a notebook for you: Spiral Notebooks & Mead Five Star Flex Hybrid NoteBinders, Zip Around 3-Ring Binders & Composition Books, Writing Pads, 3-Ring Binders, Moleskin Ruled Journals/Notebooks, and for the littlest "writers," construction paper!
Costco has a great selection of writing instruments too! The PaperMate/Sharpie/Expo Writing Essentials pack includes a little bit of everything: a dry erase marker, permanent markers, highlighters, mechanical pencils (w/ refill leads), erasable pens, ball point pens, a stylus pen and erasers.
Classic #2 Wood Pencils for filling in those pesky scantrons, and don't forget the pencil sharpener!
0.7MM Mechanical Pencils and Twist & Click Mechanical Pencils
Pilot G2 Premium Gel Roller Pens and PaperMate Ball Point Pens
Uni-ball Retractable Gel Pens and Rollerball Pens
No Smear Gel Highlighters and Premium Gel Pens
Expo Dry Erase Markers and Sharpie Permanent Markers
Does your back to school supply list include a calculator? Costco has a Casio calculator two pack- one scientific and one travel calculator. And high schoolers can keep their lockers organized and tidy with the help of this Five Star Locker Shelf bundle (it includes a magnetic "slam proof" mirror and dry erase board too).
Looking for some art supplies? Check out the Art 101 Doodle, Draw & Sketch Set, it includes: markers, oil pastels, sketch pencils, colored pencils, erasers, a charcoal pencil, and a sharpener in a metal storage case. For younger artists try the Crayola Creativity Kit which includes 64 crayons, 10 washable markers, 8 metallic colored pencils, 5 glitter glue tubes, 18 paint pots, a paint brush, scissors and a 50 page pad inside a handy storage bin.
Planning to do a little late night studying? Then you'll need the OttLite LED Book Light, it comes in a two pack so you can share one with a sibling or roommate.
Forget messy chalk boards, eWriters are the wave of the future. The Boogie Board Jot 8.5" LCD E-Writer is perfect for leaving roommates notes or keeping lists. They have a built in magnetic back for easy hanging, include a stylus pen and a neoprene travel sleeve. (I loved this so much I bought one myself!)
Are you a teacher setting up a classroom for the school year or parent who home schools? Or maybe your home office needs a little restocking- whatever your needs are Costco can help! The large Magnetic Dry Erase Board Set includes markers, magnets and an eraser. And the Pin-It Combo Board includes a magnetic dry erase board, cork trim & pushpins, makers, an eraser and more!
The one and only Swingline stapler w/ 5,000 standard staples.
3M Scotch Magic Tape & Gift Wrap Tape and 3M Scotch Magic Tape Desktop Tape Dispenser with 12 XL refill rolls.
A 24-pack of classic 3M 3"x3" Post-It Notes or 2"x2" Post-It Notes Cubes.
Scotch Precision Ultra Edge Scissors and Scotch Glue Sticks.
A 2-in-1 Rotary & Guillotine Trimmer.
A 4-piece Acrylic Desk Accessory Set or a 6-tray Desk or Wall Mount Organizer.
A 12" World Globe.
If you home school or even if you just want some supplemental or enrichment material for your kids, check out all the learning and activity workbooks Costco has to offer, including Star Wars Workbooks and Brain Quest work books.
Need furniture thats just the right size for youngsters? Lifetime makes a durable and easy to clean Children's Folding Table and coordinating Stackable Chairs.
Protect your floors and create an inviting play area with durable Smithsonian Play & Learn Rugs in assorted designs.
Keep classrooms and playrooms alike neat and orderly with clear storage bins.
Do your kids attend a school that requires uniforms? Great News! Costco carries a wide selection of coordinating French Toast School Uniform pieces for girls and boys. (If you don't see these in your warehouse check out the complete line on costco.com.)
For the college bound you're going to need Twin XL bedding for that dorm room bed. Need a complete bedding set? Look for the Bed-In-A-Bag sets by Campus Living and you'll score a comforter, a coordinating sham, and 2 sheet sets all in size twin XL.
Just need some new sheets? Check out the Sleep Zone Twin XL Microfiber Sheet Sets.
Lets face it, if you're in a dormitory your bed will likely double as your sofa too so make it more comfortable by adding a body pillow to lean up against, or toss a body pillow on the floor to use as a floor cushion.
Dorm room beds are notoriously uncomfortable but you can start the semester off right with a good nights sleep by getting yourself a memory foam mattress topper. This Hydraluxe Frost Cooling Topper by Comfort Revolution provides memory foam comfort while keeping you cool. It's made in the USA so that off-gassing smell is minimal if any at all and with a 10 year warranty it could take you all the way through grad school!
If you're looking for a memory foam pillow keep your eyes out for this NOVAFORM Comfort Curve Pillow thats marked down to only $19.97! (I have these on all the beds in our house!) For a more classic pillow the Pure Comfort 2-pack is only $9.99!
Don't forget towels! The Grandeur Hospitality Towels are soft, durable & absorbent 100% cotton and ridiculously affordable. If 6 bath towels, 12 hand towels, and 24 washcloths are too much for one person, buy them with a friend or roommate and divide them up or save half as a new set to have after you graduate. (I have these towels in all of our bathrooms!)
Don't forget a Laundry Bag, Laundry Basket or a Pop Up Hamper, and prolong the life of your clothes or just save money at the laundromat by hanging your clothes up to air dry on the Fold Away Drying Center.
Non-slip Hangers are lightweight and space saving which is crucial for those tiny dorm room closets or wardrobes.
Protect all of your electronics with a 2-pack Swivel Action Side Socket Surge Protectors.
Back up all your papers, projects, photos and digital media with the Portable Seagate 1TB External Drive Bundle.
And speaking of digital media, download music, movies and games to your hearts content when you save 15% off a 4-pack of $25 iTunes Gift Cards.
Keep track of your fitness and ward off that freshmen fifteen with a fitbit!
No dorm room is complete without a mini-fridge and microwave.
Skip the flimsy fans you'll find at Target or Walmart and scoop up this durable Personal Air Circulator by Vornado for only $19.99!
Have to provide your own desk chair? At just $59.99 forget about Ikea and buy this sophisticated and ergonomic modern office chair that will last you beyond the dorm years.
Shower shoes are your friend. For shared shower spaces in dormitories or gyms make sure to get a good, sturdy pair you won't slip and slide in (i.e. not flip flops). Guys- try these $18.99 Adidas slides.
A rain jacket is an essential part of ones wardrobe, but you don't have to spend $100 or more. Costco carries Paradox lightweight waterproof, windproof & breathable Rain Jackets for only $24.99! Available in men's and women's sizes.
Everyone needs socks. Men and women can find their favorite style of Puma socks at Costco so stock up before you head to campus.
How exactly are you supposed to get all this and even more of your stuff down to school with you? Why with a brand new set of luggage of course! Costco has several affordable yet highly durable luggage sets in warehouses and online at costco.com.
Save space by packing your things in Ziplock Space Bags, then use them to maximize your storage space in your dorm.
Keep track of your belongings and avoid conflicts with your roommate by labeling your things with the Brother P-Touch Label Maker & Tape Refills.
And last but not least, don't forget to show off you school spirit with Campus Gear and Apparel!! Check out your local Costco for the Collegiate Apparel Event which runs through August 24th! This event is in warehouses only, and schools vary by Costco location.
(To keep up with other special events at Costco, check out their special events page where you can search based on your region: http://www.costco.com/special-events.html.)
Select warehouses near campuses also have Collegiate Tailgate Gear like Wheeled Coolers, Folding Chairs, and Canopies all with school logos!
Thanks for reading and I hope this sets you and your family up nicely for the school year!
Don't miss out on the latest roadshows and other Costco deals I spot in between blog posts- use the links below to follow me on Twitter and Instagram ;)
Until next time,
the Costco Connoisseur
#GoingToAllTheCostcos
P.S. - Selections and prices listed above will vary from different Costco locations.
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