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New Update: Boost Social Proof with Reviews & Automation
Stacey Corrin
Stacey Corrin
John Turner
John Turner
Looking for back-to-school giveaway ideas to make your small business stand out? Giveaways are a fun and effective way to generate buzz, boost sales, and even create loyal, repeat customers – but with so much competition, you need to be creative.
To help you make the most of this busy season, I’ve put together some back-to-school giveaway ideas your audience will love.
Families are planning to spend big during the back-to-school season – almost $890 per household in the U.S. this year. And a big chunk of that – about $257 per child – is going towards clothing and accessories.
That’s why back-to-school giveaways are a no-brainer for businesses. They’re a fun and effective way to tap into this massive spending spree, attract new customers, and make this back-to-school season a success. Plus, you’ll build community goodwill and create loyal customers along the way.
Take Dunkin’ Donuts, for example. Their “Raise A Cup to Teachers” campaign gave away free coffee for a year, generating tons of positive buzz on social media and boosting visits to their stores.
They tapped into the back-to-school excitement, showed appreciation for teachers, and boosted their bottom line. Now, that’s what I call a win-win-win.
Now that you know the benefits, let’s explore some excellent back-to-school giveaway ideas to help your business stand out.
School supply kits are a practical giveaway idea that parents and students will appreciate. Fill the kits with basic supplies like notebooks, pens, pencils, and folders.
To add some fun, choose supplies in school colors or include a few unique items, such as colorful highlighters or novelty pens.
This example from Charming J has everything kids will need to get through the school day:
Partnering with a local stationery store to create co-branded kits is a great way to support another business while increasing your reach.
Backpacks and lunchboxes are back-to-school essentials that offer great branding opportunities for businesses. When choosing backpacks, consider popular trends like ergonomic designs for comfort and sustainable materials that are good for the planet.
For lunchboxes, bento-style containers and insulated bags are popular choices. These items provide prime real estate for your logo or branding.
Imagine giving away a high-quality backpack from a brand like JanSport or Herschel, customized with the school’s logo and your business name. Students will use this gift every day, giving your brand long-lasting visibility.
Back-to-school shopping often means new clothes and uniforms. Help families check this off their list with a clothing giveaway.
Urban Reformers offered tops and bottoms to lucky winners, some of the most expensive school items for parents:
To keep costs manageable, source items from budget-friendly retailers or partner with local businesses for discounts.
Adding a personalized touch also goes a long way. Offer embroidery or printing services to customize items with school names, initials, or even fun designs.
For example, team up with a local screen-printing company to create custom-designed T-shirts featuring the school mascot or a winning design from a student contest.
Tech gadgets are always a hit with students. Remember that statistic about families spending almost $890 on back-to-school? About $325 of that goes towards electronics.
Capitalize on this demand by giving away popular tech items like tablets (iPads are always popular), noise-canceling headphones from brands like Sony or Bose, or e-readers like Kindles.
You could also gift subscriptions to educational apps or platforms like Khan Academy – a practical gift that supports learning.
To make these giveaways even bigger, explore corporate sponsorships with tech companies. You could secure prize donations or create co-branded giveaways that benefit both brands.
Help students stay healthy and safe with practical personal hygiene and health products. Include essentials like hand sanitizers, masks, reusable water bottles, and hygiene kits.
To ensure everyone feels included, consider creating gender-neutral kits. This addresses the “pink tax,” which can cause similar products marketed toward women to cost up to 30% more.
Partnering with local pharmacies, health food stores, or even dentists is a great way to source these items. Plus, it’s a win-win: you’ll support other local businesses while promoting healthy habits.
I love how A&J Appliances took this theme a whole step further. They gave away a washer and dryer set – the perfect way to keep up with the school laundry.
Give the gift of knowledge (and encourage a little light reading) with a course book giveaway. Partner with publishers, bookstores, or online retailers to source relevant and engaging books for students.
To make the books even more appealing, align them with the current curriculum or popular themes.
And don’t forget the extras. Include some bookish goodies to enhance the reading experience:
This giveaway shows you’re invested in education and creates a positive association with your brand.
Spark creativity and self-expression with a giveaway focused on art and music supplies. Art kits, drawing pencils, and paint sets are all great ways to inspire young imaginations.
For music lovers, go with ukuleles (easy to learn), recorders, or even sheet music for budding musicians.
Contact local art supply stores or music shops about partnering for this giveaway. It’s a fantastic way to support other local businesses and tap into a community of creatives.
Get kids moving and grooving with a giveaway focused on athletic equipment. With over 159 million children and adolescents struggling with obesity worldwide, encouraging physical activity is more important than ever.
Jump ropes, sports balls, and resistance bands are all fun and affordable options. For older students, consider yoga mats or even fitness trackers.
Connect with local sporting goods stores or gyms. They might offer product discounts or be interested in sponsoring the giveaway. It’s a great way to promote healthy lifestyles within your community.
Promote healthy eating habits with a giveaway focused on nutritious snacks and food items.
Think beyond the usual chips and cookies. Trail mixes, granola bars, and fruit cups are tasty and nutritious options kids will enjoy. Reusable snack containers filled with healthy treats are another great idea.
Partner with local farmers’ markets, health food, and grocery stores to source fresh, high-quality ingredients. It’s a great way to support local businesses while promoting healthy eating locally.
So, you’ve got some awesome giveaway ideas – now it’s time to choose the perfect platform to host your back-to-school giveaway.
While social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are great for reach, hosting your giveaway directly on your website gives you more control. You’ll be able to manage your branding, collect valuable customer data, and drive traffic directly to your site.
RafflePress makes it incredibly easy for WordPress users to create and run a successful giveaway. With RafflePress, you can:
Ready to get started? Check out my guide on how to run a back-to-school giveaway in WordPress.
Back-to-school is just the beginning. Giveaways are a winning strategy year-round. Here are more giveaway ideas to inspire your marketing calendar:
Back-to-school season is the perfect time to connect with your community and grow your customer base. Use these ideas to host a giveaway, and make it easy with RafflePress.
Try RafflePress today and see how simple it is to create a successful back-to-school giveaway for your business.
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