Back-to-school season is here, and it’s about more than just new pencils and notebooks. Whether you’re sending your little one off to kindergarten, prepping a teen for high school, or juggling college move-in with your own work schedule, the right products can make all the difference. We’ve rounded up our favorite budget-friendly back-to-school essentials for 2025—everything from durable, no-iron clothing labels that actually survive the washer, to high-quality headphones, brain-boosting supplements for focus, smart locker organization solutions, and thoughtful teacher gifts. These picks keep kids organized, help parents stay sane, and make the transition into the school year smoother for everyone. All products were featured on Daytime Chicago.
Back-to-school means countless items heading out the door each day. Labels aren’t just cute—they’re lifesavers. We tested these on various surfaces and fabrics, and they were super sticky, easy to use, and kept everything coming back home or easier to find in lost and found.
Chubbiee All Purpose No-Iron Kids Clothing Labels
PRICE: $12.99
SHOP: @amazon
VALUE PACK OF CLOTHING LABELS – Comes with 80 stick-on personalized fabric stickers. NO IRON NEEDED – Laundry labels with strong adhesive can be applied onto the care tags directly without bothering with an iron. WASHER & DRYER SAFE – Washable labels are tested and guaranteed to endure numerous washing machine and drying cycles.
With more schools requiring headphones, costs can add up fast. TOZO delivers unbeatable comfort, quality sound, and great value—whether you choose their over-ear style or sleek EarRings. Our top pick for back-to-school, and I even snagged a pair for myself.
TOZO HT2
PRICE: $49.99
SHOP: @amazon
Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones. Immerse yourself in an extraordinary audio adventure with pristine sound quality in any environment. Seamlessly stay connected with crystal-clear calls every time. The 40mm Dynamic Driver Units provide an immersive sound experience, complemented by Hi-Res Audio Certification for audio quality that exceeds expectations.
TOZO Open EarRing
PRICE: $26.99
SHOP: @amazon
Lightweight Comfort Open Ear Clip Wireless Headphones. Experience all-day comfort with TOZO Open EarRing, designed for effortless listening. The innovative ear ring design sits gently outside your ear, providing a secure fit that lasts through your busiest days. Weighing just 5.6g, these feather-light yet durable headphones deliver captivating sound, featuring deep bass and crystal-clear highs. With a powerful 40-hour battery, you can enjoy uninterrupted music from morning to night. The smart LED display on the charging case keeps you updated, and the adaptive design lets you stay aware of your surroundings whether you’re working, exercising, or on the move.
Magnesium isn’t a magic brain booster, but it’s essential for healthy brain function—and magnesium L-threonate has become a social media favorite for focus and memory. We tried plenty (many hidden in jitter-inducing energy drinks) and landed on a clean, caffeine-free, vegetarian, gluten-free option that’s as easy to take as a daily vitamin. No guzzling, no jitters, and completely drug-free.
Qunol Brain Health Supplements
PRICE: Starting at $34.99
SHOP: Major Retailers Nationwide
Qunol, a leader in science-backed supplements that empower you to Age Well, has released two new Brain Health formulas with ingredients clinically shown to support brain health for improved memory, focus, attention and more. With two targeted formulas, Memory Plus and Focus Plus, you can choose the support you need most. Both formulas are caffeine-free, stimulant-free, gluten-free, vegetarian and contain no synthetic dyes. Available now at major retailers nationwide.
Your teen or tween probably already has plenty of locker décor ideas, but we have to share the shelf we found last year. It’s expandable, fits most lockers, and is still going strong this school year.
Locker Organizer Shelf
PRICE: $15.87
SHOP: @amazon
Adjustable to fit almost all work, school or gym lockers, get your locker organized right away! Adjust width from 8″ to 12 1/2″, and height from 9 3/4″ to 14″. Shelf depth is 9 1/2”. EASY TO USE: perfect locker shelf for work, school or gym lockers. Assembles in less than 2 minutes without the need for tools.
Let’s be honest—if your kid’s anything like mine, you’ll want to start the year on the teacher’s good side. A small gift goes a long way. And truthfully, they deserve it—whether you’re buttering them up or just showing appreciation for all they do.
Teacher Gifts
PRICE: $9.00 and Up