What to Buy at Costco for Back to School

I know it’s summer and I’m risking ruining a lot of people’s days by pointing this out, but…it’s that time of the year. We’ve got to talk about back to school hauls so you’re not scrambling for snacks and supplies when the school bell rings. Costco is useful for a lot of different things, but they really shine for back-to-school shopping. You can get your ever growing kid new shoes that actually fit them, school supplies to get them sorted, and, of course, the reason we’re here, fun snacks and easy lunches to keep them fueled up for all that fancy book learnin.’ Here’s what to buy at Costco for back to school.

Smucker’s Uncrustables

Sorry, I know it’s low-hanging fruit, but it’s hard to beat this bread and butter—er, I mean bread and peanut butter—that can be found at Costco! Save yourself the trouble of getting out the PB&J supplies by just grabbing an Uncrustables out of the freezer in the morning. Bonus points if you actually give it time to thaw so it’s nice and pillowy soft at lunchtime (I think we’ve all eaten slightly frozen Uncrustables, right?).

Read our ranking of the best Uncrustables flavors

Kirkland Signature Chocolate Chip Mini Muffin Bites

These mini muffin bites from Costco get props for their flexibility. They’re the perfect quick breakfast if your kid’s running late or you can toss them in a lunch box for a delicious dessert. Plus, nothing’s stopping you from snacking on them while you’re working from home and you just want to re-live a bit of your childhood.

Read our ranking of the best store bought muffins

Simple Mills Pop Mmms Baked Snack Crackers Cheddar

There’s a debilitating number of snack food options at Costco, but here’s why Simple Mills Pop Mmms made our list. Not for their name—that could have used some workshopping—but rather because they contain actual vegetables. Apparently, you get 1/3 cup of veggies in a serving of these cheesy little baked snack crackers, and that’s a rarity in the snack aisle, so I’m counting it as a huge back-to-school win!

Read our roundup of all the best crackers

Frito Lay Classic Mix Variety Pack

Life’s about balance, so now that we have some veggies in the mix, we can indulge a little. What would childhood be without the classics? This variety pack has it all: Lay’s, Ruffles, Cheetos, Doritos, and Fritos. That’s a lineup that’s hard to pass over. A bag of good chips makes that lame turkey sandwich way more enticing when lunch rolls around.

Honest Kids Organic Juice Drink Variety Pack

Should you have fresh fruit on hand to give to your child? I mean, sure. Unless you’re buying fruit for a family of 12, it’s hard to get your fix at Costco. A shelf-stable and hydrating option that your kid will actually enjoy is like a cheat code. Luckily for you and your sanity, Costco has just the thing. Grab this juice drink variety pack with cheekily named flavors like Appley Ever After and Berry Berry Good Lemonade for them to gulp down.

Read the full ranking of the best juice boxes

Yummy Dino Buddies Dinosaur-Shaped Chicken Breast Nuggets

“Back to school” season isn’t exclusively about the school day. Having an easy dinner to throw together when you’re absolutely exhausted after a full day of work and you still have to cheer your kid on at their after-school event is a sanity saver. Costco has lots of chicken nuggets options, but there’s nothing as quintessential to one’s early years than dino-shaped nuggies. These are a mainstay for a reason! (And they’re among Sporked’s favorite chicken nuggets.)

Read the full ranking of the best frozen chicken nuggets