Back-to-school shopping can drain your wallet fast. After outfitting three kids with Temu supplies for two school years, I've learned exactly which products deliver value and which disappoint. The secret? Stick to simple supplies where quality differences are minimal.
The School Supply Strategy
Basic supplies like notebooks, folders, and pencils are essentially commodities—quality varies little between brands. These are Temu's sweet spot. Skip anything requiring precision (like scientific calculators) or heavy daily use (like backpacks for older students).
Writing Supplies
✏️ Best Writing Tools
Writing Supplies That Work
- Mechanical pencils: Good quality, bulk packs excellent value
- Gel pens: Smooth writing, great colors available
- Highlighters: Work just as well as name brands
- Erasers: Simple product, no quality difference
- Pencil sharpeners: Manual works great, skip electric
Notebooks & Paper
| Product | Price | Verdict | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composition Books | $2-5 | Buy | Standard quality, great value |
| Spiral Notebooks | $3-8 | Buy | Various sizes available |
| Loose Leaf Paper | $3-6 | Buy | College or wide ruled |
| Graph Paper | $3-6 | Buy | Works for math classes |
| Planners | $5-12 | Buy | Cute designs, functional |
Organization Supplies
- Folders: Pocket folders in bulk packs ($4-10 for 10+)
- Binders: Basic 1-3 inch options work well ($5-12)
- Pencil cases: Great variety, durable options ($3-8)
- Dividers: Tab dividers for binders ($3-6)
- Index cards: Standard quality, bulk packs ($3-6)
Order Early for Back-to-School
Start ordering 4-6 weeks before school starts. Temu shipping takes 7-15 days, and popular items may sell out. This gives you time to reorder if anything arrives damaged or wrong.
Art Supplies
🎨 Art Class Essentials
By Grade Level
Elementary School (K-5)
- Crayons and colored pencils: Excellent value ($4-10)
- Glue sticks: Bulk packs work great ($4-8)
- Safety scissors: Blunt tip, safe for kids ($2-5)
- Primary composition books: Wide ruled ($2-5)
- Pencil boxes: Durable plastic options ($3-8)
Middle School (6-8)
- Mechanical pencils: Reliable, refillable ($4-10)
- Subject notebooks: Multiple colors available ($8-15)
- Binder organization systems: Great value ($10-20)
- Geometry sets: Basic quality works ($5-10)
- USB flash drives: SKIP - reliability concerns
High School (9-12)
- Quality pens for essays: Gel pens work well ($5-12)
- Planners: Student planners with good layouts ($6-12)
- Laptop sleeves: Basic protection works ($8-15)
- Scientific calculators: SKIP - buy name brand locally
- AP/IB supplies: Stick to basics only
What NOT to Buy
- Scientific/graphing calculators: Need reliability for tests
- Electronics: Tablets, headphones, chargers
- Backpacks for older students: Quality matters for daily heavy use
- Lunchboxes: Insulation quality varies, check locally
- Water bottles: Seal quality and materials matter
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for basic note-taking they work great. Paper quality is standard—comparable to store brands. For everyday school use, they're an excellent value at 50-70% less than retail stores.
For young elementary students with light loads, Temu backpacks can work. For older students carrying heavy textbooks daily, invest in a quality backpack locally—zippers and straps need to handle the stress.
Order 4-6 weeks before school starts. This accounts for shipping time (7-15 days) plus buffer time if you need replacements. Popular items sell out as back-to-school season approaches.
Final Thoughts
Temu school supplies make sense for the basics: notebooks, writing tools, folders, and art supplies. These simple products don't vary much in quality, so why pay premium prices? Skip electronics and anything requiring durability under heavy daily use. Smart shopping can cut your back-to-school costs by 50% or more.