Back-to-School Savings Tips for Preschool Families

The countdown is on to the first day of school and most preschool families could benefit from back-to-school savings. With back-to-school time comes a fresh list of items for your child to bring to their new classroom. From extra clothes to shared classroom supplies, backpacks and water bottles, the spending can add up. Whether it’s your first year of preschool shopping or you’re a seasoned pro at checking off the list, we’ve got you covered on ways to save money before the bell rings.

Stock Your Child’s Closet for Less

Young children often go from wearing one size for a while to needing bigger clothing every few months. Planning ahead can save you big time, and some thoughtful strategies can help you with last-minute back-to-school purchases. 

Shop Year-Round — The best deals for summer clothes are actually at the end of the season when inventory is transitioning to winter apparel. The same applies to cold weather gear like coats and boots, when retailers mark down items to make room for spring merchandise. Plan ahead by shopping end-of-season sales and buying clothing one or two sizes larger for your child. With a little planning, you’ll be stocked up for the year while taking advantage of major discounts.

Shop Thrift Stores — Earlier this year, we published an article on “Cost-Saving Strategies for Families” that included food, toys and a list of thrift stores that cater to kids items. For backpacks, clothing, lunchboxes and other staple items, the top thrift stores in the Denver area include:

• 从前有个孩子 （阿瓦达和百年纪念）
• 孩子对孩子  （奥罗拉和利特尔顿）
• 只是朋友之间 （奥罗拉大型跳蚤市场式快闪店） 
• Arc 旧货店 和 善意 （丹佛各处）

Swap with Friends or Neighbors — One of our favorite ways to cut costs is to partner with a family to trade kids’ clothes in all sizes.. Your child’s school or daycare might also offer clothing swaps throughout the year. If you don’t know any families with the right-aged children, you can always try neighborhood sales sites like Next Door, 或者 Facebook Marketplace for current or upcoming sales on clothing.

Save on Classroom Supplies

Some preschool classrooms may ask families to provide a small portion of class inventory for crafts, cleaning supplies, etc. Frequently requested items include sanitizing wipes, crayons, Ziploc bags, Kleenex and hand soap. Below  are a few places to save on school staples as well as backpacks, water bottles and lunchboxes. 

• Dollar Tree, Family Dollar 和 Dollar General have locations across Denver with very low prices at or close to, as advertised, one dollar. 
• Costco 和 Sam’s Club both require memberships but often carry staple items for less, including sandwich and gallon bags, soap and facial tissues. Join with a few other families, buy in bulk and save. 
• Walmart is well-known as the place where prices drop, Walmart often features clothes, school supplies and household items for significantly less money than other retailers.

As children grow, so often do their supply lists. Planning ahead by setting aside a back-to-school budget or picking up items throughout the year when they’re on sale can help ease the stress of last-minute shopping. For the biggest savings, make sure your child is signed up for DPP and Colorado UPK to maximize available tuition support and lower the cost of preschool.

Here’s to making the most of the remaining summer days. Good luck with your family’s exciting transition into the school year!