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10 back-to-school products parents always forget to buy
By Christopher Murray
Published July 13, 2026
Make sure your children have everything they need for the school year. (iStock)
Back-to-school shopping usually covers the basics, but it's the smaller essentials that are easy to overlook. Extra lunchbox ice packs, a portable power bank, AirTags and other practical items can make the school year run a little more smoothly. We rounded up the overlooked back-to-school must-haves you'll be glad you picked up before the start of the school year.
Lunchbox ice packs: $15.99 (20% off)
Original price: $19.99
Get four ice packs so you always have extras. (Amazon)
Pack lunches that stay cold until the final bell with this four-pack of slim ice packs. Their space-saving design fits into lunchboxes and coolers, and right now, you can grab the set for just over $15.
Sticky notes: $16.99 (43% off)
Original price: $29.99
With 24 pads, there's plenty of room for notes. (Amazon)
Sticky notes make it easy to jot down reminders, bookmark homework and leave notes between classes. This 24-pad pack comes in four colors and is discounted by nearly half, giving students enough to last well beyond the school year.
Locker white board: $7.49
A whiteboard helps your kids remember appointments and class schedules. (Amazon)
Help students keep track of assignments and schedules with this magnetic locker whiteboard. It sticks securely to most lockers, wipes clean and removes easily at the end of the school year.
READ MORE: These school supplies are cheaper online than in stores — Amazon, Best Buy and more
Rechargeable power bank: $21.99 (8% off)
Original price: $23.99
With this charge, kids always have extra power on hand. (Amazon)
A dead phone or tablet can derail the school day, so tuck this compact power bank into a backpack. It delivers fast charging for phones and tablets without taking up much space.
Backpack rain cover: $9.99
Keep vital school supplies safe from the rain. (Amazon)
Protect books, laptops and school supplies from surprise downpours with this backpack rain cover. It stretches over most bookbags in seconds and folds into a compact pouch when the weather clears.
AirTag: $94.98
Keep track of important valuables. (Amazon)
Keep track of essentials with an Apple AirTag. Pair it with Apple's Find My network to locate misplaced items, or add an AirTag holder to attach it securely to a backpack or key ring.
READ MORE: Save 40% off or more on back-to-school essentials from HP, Anker, JanSport and more
Desktop vacuum cleaner: $12.98
Clean crumbs and other messes off your desktop. (Amazon)
Crumbs, pencil shavings and eraser dust disappear quickly with this compact desktop vacuum. Its rotating design reaches into corners, while the powerful suction handles everyday messes without clogging.
Portable printer: $89.98 (27% off)
Original price: $122.99
This printer doesn't require any ink. (Amazon)
Print homework assignments from anywhere with this portable printer, now just $90. It connects to phones via Bluetooth and uses thermal paper instead of ink, making it an easy option for students and parents on the go.
Laptop carrying sleeve: $16.99 (6% off)
Original price: $17.99
The padded inside leaves laptops scratch-free. (Amazon)
Protect laptops and tablets on the way to and from school with this padded carrying sleeve. The soft interior helps guard against scratches, while an exterior pocket keeps chargers, pens and other accessories organized.
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Book covers: $13.99
Get seven different colors for all your child's different classes. (Amazon)
Help textbooks survive the school year with this seven-pack of stretchable book covers. Each color can correspond to a different subject, and the flexible material fits everything from standard books to thicker textbooks.
If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get these items sent to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today.
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