Back-to-School Giveaway Ideas: Dates and Launch Plan

Back-to-School Giveaway Ideas

Last updated 20 Oct 2026

Back-to-school dates are approximate. US school start dates vary by state and district, from late July to September. We use 1 August to 15 September as a default season; check the dates for the schools near you and shift the plan if they start earlier or later.

Start about two weeks before 1 August and run for three weeks, so the prize arrives while families are still buying supplies. A giveaway that ends after school has started is much less useful.

Think about who enters. Parents, older students and teachers are all part of this season. Set a minimum age in your rules and ask parents to enter for younger children. Don't ask for photos of children.

Working out the next date…

Dates

Back to school dates for 2026–2028, with the suggested launch and end of the giveaway
Year	Back to school	Launch by	Giveaway ends
2026	1 Aug – 15 Sep	Sat 18 Jul	Fri 7 Aug
2027	1 Aug – 15 Sep	Sun 18 Jul	Sat 7 Aug
2028	1 Aug – 15 Sep	Tue 18 Jul	Mon 7 Aug

Giveaway ideas

School supply kit

Put together a supply kit for one grade or age group and post it in late July. Ask parents to comment which grade their child is starting. Every comment is an entry, and the winner is drawn when entries close. If you sell online, say which grades the kit suits and offer a gift card as an alternative.

Prize idea: A backpack filled with supplies, or a gift card for a stationery shop.

Nominate a teacher

Ask people to comment the first name and school of a teacher they want to thank. The person who comments is the entrant; if they win, the prize goes to the teacher they named. Say exactly that in the rules.

Prize idea: A classroom supply box or a gift card for classroom supplies.

Giveaway picker

Lunchbox ideas draw

Cafes, bakeries and food creators can ask for the best lunchbox idea in the comments. Every comment is an entry, and the winner is drawn at random. Share a few of the ideas in a follow-up post.

Prize idea: A week of after-school treats or a lunchbox set.

School fundraiser raffle (nonprofits only)

Parent groups and school charities can run a raffle with donated prizes to raise money. Paid raffles are regulated; in many places only charities and nonprofits can run them. Check what applies to you before selling tickets. Print numbered tickets and work out the split if you run a 50/50 draw.

Prize idea: Donated prizes from local businesses, or half of the 50/50 pot.

Captions for this event

Ready-made captions for the launch, the reminders and the winner post. Open the caption generator and pick the “Launch” stage.

Questions and answers

When does back-to-school season start?

It depends on where you are. We use 1 August to 15 September as an approximate US season. Check the start dates for the schools near you.

Can children enter a back-to-school giveaway?

Ask a parent or guardian to enter for them, and say so in the rules. Set a minimum age for entrants and don't ask for photos of children.

What prizes work best?

Supplies, backpacks, lunchboxes, gift cards for stationery, or a tutoring session. Prizes that arrive before school starts are the most useful.

Can a school or parent group run a raffle?

Often yes, but paid raffles have their own rules in many places. Check what applies to you before you sell tickets. A free giveaway with donated prizes is simpler.

When should a back-to-school giveaway end?

Before most schools near you start, so the prize is still useful. With our default season, that means launching in mid-July and closing in early August, which leaves about a week to ship.