A new school year is always very exciting, and teachers spend a lot of time getting ready for their new class of students. Amid all the preparations, many teachers like to welcome their new students to their classroom with a back to school gift. If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to welcome your students to the new school year, look no further than these affordable ideas.

Just so you know, we may get a small share of the sales made through the Amazon affiliate links on this page.

1. Friendship bracelets

Friendship bracelets with beads spelling out
Via @teachingwithmrsrosas

Cultivate an inclusive classroom culture from the very start by gifting your students matching friendship bracelets.

2. Building toys

Small tubes of foam puzzle pieces that say,
Via @letsstayhomeschool

“Build” an amazing year with your students by giving them building toys to play with.

3. Bookmarks

Bookmarks that say,
Via @lifebetweensummers

Not only are they handy to have once school starts, but bookmarks are also a cheap way to make your students feel welcome. Use store-bought bookmarks or whip out your computer and get creative.

4. Crazy crayons

Capital letter E made with multiple colors of crayon wax
Via @cre8ivecrayonz

Not a boring box of crayons, but shaped crayons! Molds are cheap, easy to find in craft stores, and come in plenty of shapes. Simply melt some crayons, pour the wax into molds, and pop them out once they’ve hardened.

5. Backpack keychains

Back to school gift keychains with beads spelling each students' name. They are each attached to a paper announcement that says,
Via @justajoyfulteacher

Use beads to create personalized keychains that your students can hang on their backpacks.

6. Bubble wands

Beginning of the school years gifts of bubble wands that say,
Via @hello_miss_harriet

Show your students that you’re “bubbling” with excitement that they are in your class this year. Grab this 12-pack of bubble wands currently 20% off!

7. Pop toys

Pop toys with notes attached that say,
Via @lessonsforlittleones

Kids love these pop toys and there are so many small versions that are inexpensive. Attach a handmade tag and you have a great back-to-school gift!

8. Sidewalk chalk

Back to school gifts of the five rainbow colors of chalk in a bag labeled,
Via @lessonsforlittleones

Give your students a gift that they can enjoy at recess when school starts again. Plus, sidewalk chalk is fun and cheap.

9. A snack

Sandwich bag partway filled with goldfish crackers. A colorful tag covers that top of the bag, which says,
Via @lessonsforlittleones

Snacks are key for kids! Choose a snack, place it in small bags, and attach a clever tag.

10. Dough

Small jar of Playdough with a custom cap that says,
Via @lessonsforlittleones

This is another cheap and easy-to-find gift that students will love! Grab this pack of 42 Play-Doh Handouts at $16.99 only.

11. Highlighter

Paper tag with a highlighter going through it. The tag says,
Via @beckydotsnspots

This is a great gift for older students who take notes and highlight key ideas. Attach a tag welcoming students with the message that having them in your class will be a highlight!

12. Fancy pencils

Back to school gifts of patterned mechanical pencils stuck through notes that say,
Via @beckydotsnspots

Kids love fancy pencils! Plus, when you give them to your students, they also have an essential school supply to help them be ready for the first day of school.

13. Candy

Lollipops with notes attached to them that say,
Via @happy.miss.hannah

You’ll already be a favorite teacher if you give kids a sweet treat as a back-to-school welcome gift.

14. Glow sticks

Back to school gifts of glow sticks stuck through notes that say,
Via @happy.miss.hannah

Glow sticks are always a win with kids! Get your year off to a bright start by giving them to your new students.

15. Positive messages

Pencils with unique messages for each kid written on them in Sharpie. For example, there is a pencil that says,
Via @mindful.educator

Kids love to hear nice words, so try writing your new students a personalized message. Writing these messages on a pencil is one idea, but, whatever you write them on, your students will be off to a positive start to the school year.

16. Personalized pencil bags

Back to school gifts of pencil bags with individual students' names on them
Via @sublimelittlescholars

Give your students the gift of organization with personalized pencil bags.

17. Six-color pen

Ten-color pens with inspiring notes attached
Via @prestoplans

You probably remember how important you felt when you whipped one of these out of your desk. Give your students the same experience with one of these inexpensive pens!

18. School supplies

Paper cartons of back to school gifts - a small composition notebook, a pair of scissors, some pencils, a pink eraser, and a glue stick - with a note attached that says,
Via @boxandbowsboutique

Package a few school supplies in a clever way and your students will already be set up for success from day one.

19. Water bottles

Back to school gifts of water bottles with students' names on them
Via @winewhinebaby

You can pick these up at any dollar store or on Amazon. Bonus points if you personalize them!

20. Mini piñatas

Homemade small piñata shaped like an apple and filled with confetti. It comes with a personalized note.
Via @cheerfulvibes_byvanessa

Create tiny piñatas filled with tiny erasers or pieces of candy to welcome your students to your classroom.

21. Stickers

sticker sheets
Via @thepicturebookteacher

Let your students know how happy you are that they are stuck with you this school year with an adorable sticker sheet.

22. Bubble gum

Bubble gum gift
Via @amberinstem

Tell your students that you bursting with excitement to work with them this year.

23. Rubber ducks

rubber ducks
Via: @bestnestteacher

Rubber ducks are just plain fun, and you can use them to welcome your students to your classroom and let them know what a “Lucky Duck” you are to be their teacher.

24. A tasty drink

https://www.instagram.com/p/ChPxR1YusDs/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D
Via: @Thirdgradefarmhouse

Attach a clever tag to a bottle of water and a drink powder packet for a refreshing first day of school treat.

Don’t worry about this back to school season! Any of these gifts will be well-received by your incoming students without any need to break the bank.

24 Inexpensive Back to School Gifts for Students