Back-to-School: Ohio’s 2026 Tax-Free Weekend + Local Supply Lists + Shopping Tips
- Mathes Marketing Co.
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
Back-to-school season is officially here — and if you’re staring at a school supply list wondering how on earth one child needs that many glue sticks, you’re not alone. The good news? Ohio’s 2026 Sales Tax Holiday is coming up, and it’s a great opportunity to knock out some of those back-to-school essentials while saving a little money.
We put together this quick local guide to help our families know when to shop, what qualifies, where to look for deals and where to find your child’s official school supply list.
When is Ohio’s Tax-Free Weekend? Ohio’s 2026 Sales Tax Holiday runs from:
Friday, August 7 at 12:00 a.m. through Sunday, August 9 at 11:59 p.m.
During the three-day holiday, qualifying purchases are exempt from Ohio sales tax.
What qualifies? For 2026, the holiday is focused specifically on back-to-school essentials like notebooks, folders, pencils, crayons, glue, calculators and other qualifying school supplies, along with qualifying clothing and shoes.
Clothing: $75 or less per item
School supplies: $20 or less per item
School instructional materials: $20 or less per item
One important note: Ohio’s 2026 holiday is different from the expanded tax holiday families may remember from 2024 and 2025. This year, the exemption is limited to the categories and individual price limits above. So before you load the cart, check the price of each individual item and make sure it falls within the qualifying limits.
Where to Shop for Back-to-School
You don't have to drive all over Northeast Ohio to get ready for the first day. There are plenty of familiar local options around — and shopping the sales can make a difference.
Staples If your list is heavy on the traditional school-supply staples, Staples is an easy place to start. The Alliance location carries school and office supplies, and Staples is specifically participating in Ohio's August 7–9 tax-free weekend for qualifying school supplies and instructional materials.
This is a good stop for things like:
Notebooks
Folders
Pens and pencils
Markers
Binders
Calculators
Classroom basics
Walmart is worth checking if you're trying to stretch your back-to-school budget. Current back-to-school promotions include very inexpensive basics such as folders, glue sticks, notebooks and pens, with availability varying by store.
It's also a convenient option when your shopping list includes more than just school supplies — clothing, shoes, lunch items and other household essentials can all be handled in one trip.
Target is another good one to watch for weekly back-to-school deals. Current promotions include deeply discounted basics such as crayons, glue sticks, folders and colored pencils, along with deals on backpacks, lunch bags and kids' clothing.
If you're shopping with older kids who have strong opinions about their supplies, Target can also be a good place to find a wider selection of styles and colors.
Dollar Tree/ Dollar General for the little things that add up quickly, don't overlook Dollar Stores. Local stores carry school and office supplies, arts and crafts items and other inexpensive basics.
This can be a good place to check for things like:
Extra folders
Basic notebooks
Craft supplies
Storage containers
Classroom organization items
Small items you may need to replace throughout the year
Our best advice: Don't assume one store will have everything at the lowest price. Compare the big-ticket items, then use the tax-free weekend strategically for qualifying purchases.
Before you start shopping, find your child's official list. It sounds simple, but this is one of the easiest ways to avoid spending money on things your child doesn't actually need. We've gathered several local elementary supply lists below so you can go straight to the source.
Marlington Local School
Lake Local Schools
Waterloo Local Schools
Sebring Local Schools
A Few Ways to Make Your Back-to-School Budget Go Further
1. Shop the list — not the aisle.
It is very easy to walk into a store for three things and leave with an entire cart of “cute” school supplies. Start with the official list and stick to it.
2. Compare the basics.
If you need 12 glue sticks, five folders and a box of crayons, even a few cents saved per item can add up when you're buying for multiple children.
3. Save clothing and shoes for the tax-free weekend.
If your child needs new sneakers, jeans, shirts or other qualifying clothing, August 7–9 may be a good time to make those purchases. Remember: individual clothing items must be $75 or less to qualify.
4. Don't forget about what you already have.
Before buying another pack of pencils, crayons or markers, check the junk drawer, craft cabinet and last year's backpack. You might already have half the list sitting at home.
5. Leave room in the budget for the things that come later.
Back-to-school shopping doesn't necessarily end when the first bell rings. Teachers sometimes send home additional requests once the year gets underway, so you don't necessarily need to buy every possible extra item on day one.
From Our Precious Family to Yours Back-to-school season can be exciting — but it can also feel like a lot.
New clothes. New shoes. School supplies. Forms. Schedules. Earlier mornings. New classrooms. New routines. If you're feeling like you're trying to get everything together at once, take a breath.
Make the list.
Find the sales.
Buy what you need.
And remember that your child doesn't need a perfect backpack or the trendiest supplies to have a great school year. They just need to know they're loved, supported and ready to learn.
And if you're still looking for a place where your little one can learn, grow and feel right at home, Precious Cargo Preschool & Childcare is here for your family. We offer schoolage care before and after school with busing to Marlington, Sebring, Lake, and Waterloo!
Visit our website to learn more or to enroll today!
Comments