The dollar store is not only a great place to let your young kids go to spend some of the money they have earned but it’s also a great place to save on things your family uses and help cut save money in your budget.
The Dollar store has a lot of great things but they also have a lot of things that quickly turn into trash. Today I’m sharing some of my favorite things to buy at the dollar store.
You can purchase these items individually at the store or you can order bulk online with free in-store pickup or have them delivered to your house.
Note: Prices that I mention in this post are those that are at stores in my area. Prices may change and vary by area, but dollar tree prices will still be $1.
Things You Should Buy at the Dollar Store
Hair Elastics
The clasp free hair elastics at the dollar store are a great deal. Also the little plastic elastics for little girls hair are a good buy at the dollar store.
Aluminum Baking Tins
These baking tins are perfect when your making treats to take to someone or an event and you don’t want to have to worry about your dishes. There are a variety of different sizes for all different kinds of treats
- 9 x 13 Cake Pans with Lid
- Rectangle Cake Pans 2 for $1
- Loaf Pans 3 for $1
- Large Aluminum Roasting Pan (We used this last year to cook our turkey and it worked great!)
Scotch Tape
I have often found Scotch tape at the dollar tree. They often have both Scotch Transparent tape and Magic tape.
Though the rolls of tape are smaller they are still cheaper per inch. (Dollar Tree Scotch Transparent tape is $0.002 per inch and Walmart Scotch Transparent tape is $0.003 per inch.)
I would suggest you Don’t Purchase tape unless it’s Scotch Tape brand.
Mugs
Mugs are a great thing to pick up at the dollar store they have solid colored stoneware mugs as well as Novelty Coffee Mugs. These mugs are much cheaper than any you can find at Walmart.
Sponges
Get 8 scouring sponges for $1 at the dollar store compared to 9 sponges at Walmart for $7.97.
Related Post: Dollar Store Stocking Stuffers
Scouring Pads
Get 2 Brillo Heavy-Duty Scouring pads for $1 as opposed to getting 3 Scotch-Brite scouring pads for $2.48 at Walmart.
Greeting Cards
Dollar Tree greeting card prices are amazing. Cards are 2 for a $1.
They might not have as many card options but I’m sure you can find one that will work. Selections of cards vary by store and change seasonally.
Paper Clips
Get 250ct metal or plastic coated paper clips at the dollar store. These are great for office, school and home use.
Wax Paper
Though the role of wax paper is smaller than at grocery stores it is still cheaper. (Dollar Tree 65 SQ FT $1 Walmart 60 SQ FT $3.48)
Parchment Paper
Parchment paper is one of my favorite ways to make cookies with easy cleanup.
Dollar Tree Parchment paper comes in a random size but it’s still a better deal than Walmarts Great Value parchment Paper.
Aluminum Foil
Just like the above papers Aluminum foil is a great deal and you can even get a good deal on a box of foil sheets.
Clay Pots
In the spring and summer, you can often find small Terra Cotta Clay pots at the dollar store. These are a great deal and a fun way to plant seeds with your kids.
Seasonal Window Clings
The dollar store often has Window Clings for different holidays. These are a similar price to other stores (like target dollar spot) or you can make your own Window clings for even less.
Pens
Next time you need pens the dollar store has a pack of 10 Bic pens in black or blue. Which is a great price unless it’s back to school then you might be able to get them cheaper in one of the back to school sales.
Coloring Books
The coloring book selection is always changing but you can often find a variety of Crayola, Disney, and other coloring book options.
Tissue Paper
Tissue Paper at the dollar store is an amazing deal it’s almost half the price of tissue paper at Walmart. You can usually find white, colored and even sometimes sparkles or other tissue paper.
I always keep tissue paper on hand for quickly wrapping gifts in gift bags as well as to use for crafts.
Balloon
Bags of Latex Balloons are similar in price as those you can get at Walmart. Helium-filled balloons are a great deal here if you can find some you like in their limited selection.
Reading Glasses and Sun Glasses
Looking for a cheaper pair of reading glasses or sunglasses you don’t have to worry about losing or breaking? The dollar store is a great place to pick up a pair. Bonus: They often have kids sunglasses too!
Flashlights
Ok so the flashlights aren’t top of the line but they totally work and are perfect for when each kid wants their own flashlight on your next camping trip.
Goo Gone
Goo Gone is the magical goo and adhesive remover and you can get a bottle at most dollar tree stores. (If you have lemon essential oil it works great to get off goo!)
Puzzles
The puzzles you find at the dollar tree definitely aren’t Eric Dowdle quality but I have often seen cute kids puzzles and even some fun Disney puzzles.
Pregnancy Tests
These pregnancy tests aren’t anything fancy but they work and they are cheap.
Cotton Balls
Get a 100-ct Bag of Cotton balls for your kid’s craft project, removing nail polish or anything else.
Birthday Candles
Numbered Candles are the same price at Walmart but I have found that Dollar Tree usually doesn’t run out of numbers as often as Walmart does. Regular birthday candles are the best deal at the dollar store.
Table Cloth
Disposable plastic table cloths in a variety of colors and sizes are a great deal at the dollar store plus you can get coordinating plates, napkins, and plastic silverware.
Popsicle Molds
The Plastic Popsicle Making Trays aren’t the best quality but I love that they are so cheap. When pieces get lost or the summer ends I toss it and get a new one.
Spices
I like to get spices I’m using for craft projects at the dollar store, since we aren’t eating the spices the quality doesn’t really matter.
Tubs and bins for organizing
Dollar Tree has a variety of different tubs and bins some are good quality and others aren’t so be sure to check the different options. Flexible Plastic Storage Tubs are some of my favorite.
Glass Vase
I have found glass vases for flowers and arts and craft projects in a variety of colors and sizes all for $1.
Dishes
The dollar store has a fun and ever-changing selection of dinner plates and bowls. This is an inexpensive way to get some fun seasonal dishes.
Drinking Glasses
Some of our favorite drinking glasses have been found at the dollar store. We love the Glass Pint Jar Mugs and Coca-Cola Glasses.
Poster Board
The standard poster board is 2 sheets for $1. The really great deal is on the trifold Presentation Boards Walmart charges over $4 for these same boards.
Pom Poms
Packs of mixed colored pom poms are perfect for kids’ crafts, color sorting, and more.
Yarn
Name brand skeins of yarn can be found at the dollar tree perfect for doing craft projects.
Popsicle Sticks
Popsicle Sticks or Craft Sticks as the package is called come in 100 count packages of natural wood or assorted color. These are perfect for craft projects!
Kites
We have gotten several kites from the dollar store with the kid’s favorite Disney characters and they work great and cost a lot less than the same kite at Walmart.
Vinyl Decals
Every time I go to the dollar store I love checking their vinyl wall stickers. I have found several quotes and stickers that I love!
They even have Disney decals sometimes which the kids love putting up in their room.
Stickers
My kids love stickers and the dollar store is a great place to pick up stickers on the cheap.
During back to school, you can get big packs of teacher stickers. You can also find Disney and other fun stickers.
Clipboards
These dollar store clipboards are perfect for kids writing tables in the car and they work great to make a command station.
Measuring Cups and Spoons
Plastic measuring cups, spoons, and even liquid measuring cups can be found at the dollar store.
The thing I love about these cheap cooking utensils is if they break or get lost it’s not a big deal.
Salad Tongs
Clear plastic Salad tongs are perfect for any occasion especially parties.
Washi Tape
Find Disney Printed Washi Tape and great deals on other decorative tapes.
Gift Bags
Gift bags can be crazy expensive at grocery stores and even Walmart. Dollar Tree has a great selection of Gift bags and often even has Disney and other character bags.
Bags vary in size and design depending on the store and the time of year. Smaller bags often come in 2 or 3 packs making them even cheaper!
Googly Eyes
Packs of over 100 googly eyes in varying sizes are perfect for kids craft projects like these easy bunny spoons.
What are your favorite things to buy at the Dollar Store?
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