Teachers spend hundreds of dollars of their own money each year stocking classrooms with supplies, decorations, and organization tools. Thankfully, variety stores like Dollar General, Family Dollar, and Five Below offer affordable resources that can help teachers stretch their budgets without compromising on quality or functionality.
Here’s a curated list of teacher-approved must-haves that you can regularly find at your local dollar store.
- Classroom storage bins and caddies
Keeping materials organized is crucial, especially in shared classrooms. Plastic bins, baskets, and desktop caddies are perfect for:
- Group supplies
- Station rotations
- Personal student kits
These are widely available in bright colors or neutral tones to match classroom themes.
- Reward system supplies
Dollar stores are stocked with items that make excellent rewards, including:
- Stickers
- Erasers
- Pencils and pens
- Mini toys or games
- Certificates and punch cards
They’re a low-cost way to reinforce positive behavior and classroom participation.
- Bulletin board and wall decor
You can find seasonal and year-round bulletin board borders, posters, alphabet charts, and cutouts in the teaching or craft aisles. These materials help bring personality and energy to the room for a fraction of the cost of teacher supply stores.
- Classroom essentials and hygiene supplies
These often overlooked but much-needed items can be picked up affordably in bulk:
- Tissues
- Hand sanitizer
- Disinfectant wipes
- Paper towels
These are especially useful for elementary teachers and shared classroom spaces.
- Craft supplies for hands-on activities
Whether it’s a holiday art project or a rainy-day craft, variety stores are well-stocked with:
- Construction paper
- Glue sticks
- Markers and crayons
- Popsicle sticks
- Googly eyes and pipe cleaners
Family Dollar frequently offers seasonal crafting bundles that are classroom-ready.
- Whiteboard supplies
Basic whiteboard markers, erasers, and magnetic clips are often available for far less than at big-box office supply stores. They’re also great to keep on hand as extras when supplies run low mid-year.
- Snack bin fillers
Some teachers offer snack bins for students who forget or can’t bring food from home. Individually packaged items like granola bars, applesauce cups, or crackers are often available at discount prices—and can even be eligible for cashback through apps like Ibotta.
- Test and grading tools
You’ll also find red pens, highlighters, clipboards, and file folders that help streamline grading and data collection.
- Classroom prizes and treasure chest items
For younger classrooms, variety stores are treasure troves of incentive items. Mini puzzles, fidget toys, stress balls, and novelty pens make ideal additions to a prize box.
- Pro tip: Use cashback apps for extra savings
When shopping regularly at stores like Dollar General or Family Dollar, teachers can earn cashback with a gift card by purchasing through Fluz. It’s a small but impactful way to reclaim part of your classroom spending—without changing where you shop.
