Back to school is almost here, and to help make the transition a little smoother, we tapped Shop TODAY lifestyle and fashion contributor Melissa Garcia to curate an edit of seasonal Target finds worth adding to your cart. Even better? Target’s back-to-school savings event is happening now through Aug. 1, with up to 30% off select fashion, backpacks and more school essentials, according to a press release.
Garcia’s lineup includes a brand-new launch from Owala — yes, the viral water bottle brand now makes bags! — along with practical finds like an easy-to-use label maker, a JanSport pencil case that can double as a makeup bag and affordable, 100% cotton clothing for kids. And the savings aren’t just for parents and students: Teachers can also take advantage of 20% off one storewide purchase with Target Circle now through Sept. 12, making it the perfect time to stock up on classroom supplies, wardrobe staples and more.
Shop Garcia’s back-to-school edit below, plus a few additional Target finds our editors are loving.
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Owala 1L Crossbody The Daily Messenger Bag
$39.99
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Owala 3.5L Crossbody The All-Day Messenger Bag
$69.99
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Owala Stainless Steel Special Edition FreeSip Water Bottle (24 Ounce)
$34.99
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Cat & Jack Girls' Short Sleeve 100% Cotton T-Shirt
$4.90
$7.00
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Cat & Jack Girls' Mid-Rise Daisy Wide Leg Jeans
$25.00
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Cat & Jack Boys' Short Sleeve 100% Cotton Classic Fit Graphic T-Shirt
$4.90
$7.00
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Cat & Jack Boys' Stretch Straight Fit Woven Pull-On Pants
$20.00
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Jansport Perfect Pouch
$15.00
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Overtime Elite Cinch Sports Drawstring Bag
$34.99
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Dymo LetraTag 100H Handheld Label Maker
$25.49
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Spritz Apple with Worm Plush Classroom Decor
$3.00
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Spritz Pencil Plush Classroom Decor
$3.00
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Spritz Backpack Plush Classroom Decor
$3.00
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Up & Up Mini Caddies (6 Pack)
$8.00
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Heyday Laptop Sleeve (15 Inch)
$9.99
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Brightroom Underbed Fabric Shoe Organizer with Dividers
$12.00
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Heyday Laptop Sleeve
$12.99
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A New Day Sculpt Boat Neck Tank Top
$15.00
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Vera Bradley Outlet Cotton Essential Lunch Tote Bag
$15.60
$65.00
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Overtime Big O Dual Compartment Lunch Box
$24.99
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Cat & Jack Kids' Backpack (17 Inch)
$20.00
$25.00
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Wild Fable Carry All Large Tote Bag
$25.00
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Room Essentials Marquee Vanity Mirror
$35.00
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Keurig K-Mini Mate Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker
$79.99
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Hulken Original Rolling Tote Bag (Medium)
$110.00
Owala is “kind of a big deal” in Garcia’s house — her entire family uses the brand’s water bottles! That said, she was excited to see Owala branch into totes, crossbody styles and more unique bags. This classic belt bag option is perfect for staying organized on the go, thanks to its separate pockets, built-in carabiner and even a comfortable adjustable strap.
This crossbody option has one more compartment, this time for your water bottle! According to Garcia, the bag is lightweight, comfortable to wear and perfect for walking the dog, running errands, traveling and beyond. Garcia notes that while it’s functional it’s also really cute, and since everything has its own place you’re not constantly digging around trying to find what you need.
Owala water bottles are known for their “sip or swig” lids — hold the bottle upright to sip from the straw or tilt back to swig through the wide opening. Best of all, the locking lid ensures that it won’t leak in your bag.
In Garcia’s books, Cat & Jack has the cutest kids’ clothes — fashion-forward yet still practical enough for everyday wear. This tee is made of 100% cotton and comes in five sweet prints that kids and parents will both love.
These jeans are a pair kids will actually want to wear yet parents love them, too. Garcia loves that these look much more expensive than they are, and you can put together adorable outfits without spending a fortune. Plus, the adjustable waistband means they can be tightened or loosened as your child grows.
Available in standard and husky fit, this “Explore the Outdoors” tee is perfect for a child who loves doing just that. It’s made from 100% cotton, so you can trust that it will be breathable and durable enough to withstand playtime.
Available in an array of colors, these pull-on pants are super versatile for any little guy in your life. They have a classic straight leg paired with a drawstring waist and flexible fabric, making them attractive yet comfortable enough for all-day wear. And they have a reinforced knee, which helps them to withstand kids’ wear and tear.
This is one of those inexpensive organizers you’ll use constantly, shares Garcia. At school, it’s great for pens, pencils and more. But she says it’s also an ideal pouch for everything from makeup and medications to cords, chargers and other tech items. It makes an affordable back-to-school gift for students of all ages, too!
As Garcia says, you can never have too many drawstring bags in the house. For kids, they’re perfect for school, afternoon activities, sports, dance, sleepovers or even carrying everything you need on AP or SAT test day. And for adults, you can take them to the gym, use them to carry laundry while traveling and more. This one is lightweight, easy to throw over your shoulder and even folds flat, making it easy to take on the go. Plus, Garcia loves that it has dedicated water bottle pockets on each side, as well as a zippered compartment on the bottom that’s perfect for keeping smaller essentials like keys, earbuds and your wallet easy to access.
Whether you’re organizing school supplies, labeling lunch containers or finally tackling that messy pantry, this handheld label maker can make the job a whole lot easier. It features an easy-to-use keyboard and lets you customize labels with different font styles, text sizes, underlining and more, according to the brand. The LCD screen gives you a preview before you print, helping you to avoid mistakes, and it works with a variety of label colors to match your organizing style. It also has an auto-off feature to help conserve battery life. Just note that it requires four AA batteries, which are sold separately.
More Target back-to-school finds
Need more classroom decor? This plush apple is the perfect way to liven up your desk or provide comfort in your learning environment.
Help get your students excited for learning with this adorable plush pencil. It adds a cute vibe to your classroom and matches well with a range of decor.
This backpack plushie is perfect for classroom cubby spaces. The bright color and darling stitching offer a warm welcome to both students and parents. Plus, it makes for a super affordable teacher gift!
This set of six mini caddies can help you store and organize school supplies, beauty products, cleaning essentials and more.
This simple yet stylish laptop sleeve helps keep your device protected while you’re on the go. It’s suitable for laptops up to 15 inches wide and features a full-zip closure, per the brand.
This affordable storage organizer was designed to slip under your bed with ease and keep shoes (or other small items) safe, sorted and protected from dust. It’s perfect for stowing flip-flops and other summer shoes as we transition into fall. Plus, it’s a great space saver for college students.
With a sweet embroidered cherry design, this laptop sleeve doubles as a stylish accessory.
A New Day Sculpt Boat Neck Tank Top
Having high-quality basics on hand can make getting dressed before work and school effortless, yet still elevated. This tank features a trendy boatneck as well as sculpting material, which smoothes your midsection. It’s ideal for wearing under cardigans and blazers.
Looking for a lunch tote that doesn’t compromise on style? This Vera Bradley pick comes in three prints and is over 70% off.
Great for snacks at lunchtime, sports practice or other after school activities, this insulated lunch box can keep food temperature-regulated. Plus, it has a clasp so it can be attached to a backpack or duffle bag.
If the little one in your life needs a new backpack, Cat & Jack has you covered. Not only are these ones practical (they’ve got water bottle pockets, reflective elements, a sternum strap and more) but they boast badges and other decorative elements to keep children entertained.
If back to school also means a return to the office for you, consider this tote which is big enough to hold a laptop and delivers a high-end look at just $25!
Good lighting makes all the difference when you’re doing your makeup, skin care or even just putting in contacts, says Garcia. Her 16-year-old daughter has this mirror and uses it daily. She even often leaves it on for ambient lighting in her room! Garcia recommends it for those living in a dorm (but it would work for anyone seeking a little extra light in their morning and nighttime routines, too).
This K-Mini Mate is Keurig’s smallest machine ever, designed to efficiently deliver your cup of Joe while saving you counter space. Since it’s so small, it’s the perfect gift for any college-goer in your life.
Whether your using it to pick up groceries, carry laundry or bring school supplies to and from campus (calling all teachers!), this Hulken rolling tote can help. The navy and green colorway is exclusive to Target, but there are classic black and rose gold options, too.
How we chose Target back-to-school finds
We consulted Shop TODAY contributor Melissa Garcia, as well as the Shop TODAY editorial team, for items that are editor-approved based on theme, style and seasonality. To round out the list, we also considered items with high customer ratings.
For sponsored content, the Shop TODAY editorial team independently chooses products to recommend that are sold by the retailer (in this case, Target). The retailer does not review or approve the content. Learn more about Shop TODAY.
Meet the expert
Our team features a range of qualified experts and contributors in our broadcast segments to reveal the latest in trends, remarkable sale events and all things shopping across a variety of categories. Products were independently chosen by members of the Shop TODAY team along with Melissa Garcia.
- Melissa Garcia is a Shop TODAY lifestyle and fashion contributor. She has experience working on national brand campaigns, appearing on major television broadcasts and hosting fashion events for commerce destinations. With a relatable approach and her own eye-catching personal style, Garcia has become a go-to fashion resource in American media.
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