Do you want to make your school days more exciting and profitable? Imagine earning money by selling products your classmates love—all while having fun! If you’re looking for the best things to sell at school, you’re in the right place. Selling cool stuff at school is a fun way to make extra cash. Whether you want to buy new games or save up for college, there are tons of ideas that work! In 2025, students are buying eco-friendly supplies, tech gadgets, and handmade crafts. Let’s explore the best items to sell and how to get started.
Unique and Profitable Things to Sell at School for Maximum Profit
Here’s a list of the 35 best things to sell at school to make money:
- Recycled notebooks
- Biodegradable pens
- Reusable snack bags
- Solar-powered LED desk lamps
- Zero-waste lunch kits
- Custom phone cases
- Voice-recording notebooks
- Solar-powered phone chargers
- 3D-printed keychains
- Decorative phone grips
- Handmade enamel pins
- Friendship bracelets
- School mascot hoodies
- Print-on-demand tote bags
- Custom stickers
- Exam survival kits (snacks, stress-relief toys, supplies)
- Healthy snack boxes
- Homemade fudge
- Flavored water packets
- Energy drinks
- Mini succulent planters
- Reusable straw sets
- DIY soap kits
- Bulk origami kits
- Vintage sneakers (for reselling)
- Refurbished tech gadgets
- Thrifted designer bags
- Bulk candy resale
- Personalized calendars
- Hand-painted canvases
- DIY craft kits
- Personalized water bottles
- School spirit apparel (custom t-shirts, hats)
- Locker decorations (mirrors, magnets)
- Stress-relief products (fidget toys, stress balls)
These items cater to various interests and needs, making them great options for profitable sales.
Why Selling at School Works
Selling at school is a great way for students to make extra money. Schools provide a unique environment with a captive audience. Many students, teachers, and staff are present daily, which increases opportunities for repeat business. Since schools have limited competition and high demand for certain items, students who sell useful or fun products can quickly gain loyal customers.
Studies show that 83% of students influence buying decisions in their households. Additionally, the global school supplies market is projected to reach $190 billion by 2033. These figures highlight the huge potential for student entrepreneurs to tap into growing trends and needs.
Eco-Friendly & Sustainable Products
Many students are becoming more eco-conscious, and schools often support sustainability initiatives. Eco-friendly supplies are increasingly becoming one of the unique things to sell at school, making it a smart business idea. Products like recycled notebooks, biodegradable pens, and reusable snack bags are increasingly popular. Items like solar-powered LED desk lamps and zero-waste lunch kits have seen a 40% increase in online searches.
Students can promote these items by emphasizing their benefits to the environment. Additionally, eco-friendly items often attract attention from both students and teachers who want to support green initiatives.
Tech & Smart Accessories
Tech accessories are always among the top things to sell at school. Custom phone cases, voice-recording notebooks, and solar-powered phone chargers are some of the top-selling items. Students love personalized and tech-savvy products that make their school life easier.
Platforms like TikTok have made tech items even more popular through trends like #CustomSchoolMerch. Students can also create or source items like 3D-printed keychains and decorative phone grips to sell at school events or on social media.
Personalized & Custom Merch
Personalized merchandise is another category of unique things to sell at school, as students love expressing their style. Handmade enamel pins, friendship bracelets, and school mascot hoodies are among the most sought-after products. These items can also promote school spirit, especially during sports events or pep rallies.
Selling print-on-demand items, like custom tote bags and stickers, allows for creativity without requiring large upfront investments. Students can even assemble exam survival kits, which include snacks, stress-relief toys, and essential supplies, and sell them during exam periods.
Food & Snacks That Sell Fast
Snacks are one of the best things to sell at school, consistently popular among students. Healthy snack boxes, homemade fudge, and flavored water packets are popular with students of all ages. Energy drinks, especially during exams, also see a spike in sales.
To attract regular customers, sellers should offer a variety of snacks and rotate their inventory based on the season. For example, in the summer, cold drinks and ice cream might sell better, while warm snacks like cup noodles are ideal in the winter.
Low-Cost, High-Profit Crafts
Crafts are another set of profitable things to sell at school for students with creative skills. Products like mini succulent planters, reusable straw sets, and DIY soap kits are popular choices. Many students enjoy the chance to buy unique, handmade items that aren’t available in regular stores.
Selling bulk origami kits or assembling craft sets can also generate steady income, especially if students market them at school fairs or pop-up events. Peer recommendations play a big role in spreading awareness of these items.
Reselling & Flipping Strategies
Reselling items like vintage sneakers and thrifted designer bags ranks high among top things to sell at school. Platforms like Depop, Etsy, and TikTok Shop are ideal for promoting these items. Some students have reported earning between $500 and $2,000 per month through reselling.
To succeed, students should stay up-to-date on trending items, such as retro tech accessories or niche fashion pieces. It’s also essential to use high-quality photos and clear product descriptions when promoting items online.
Social Media & Marketing Hacks
Leveraging social media is crucial to promote your top things to sell at school. Partnering with micro-influencers for “Get Ready With Me” (GRWM) reels or TikTok challenges can create buzz around products. Hashtags like #EcoSchoolSupplies or #CustomSchoolMerch can help reach a wider audience.
Students should also take advantage of school-specific channels, such as bulletin boards and newsletters, to promote their products. Offering limited-time discounts or giveaways can increase engagement and attract more buyers.
Legal & Logistical Tips
Before starting a business at school, students must understand the rules. Many schools have policies regarding what can be sold on campus. Students should seek permission from school administrators and ensure their products meet safety and ethical standards.
For food sales, it’s crucial to comply with health and safety guidelines. Donating a portion of profits to charity can also help gain approval from school authorities. Additionally, students should find secure storage solutions to protect their inventory from theft or damage.
Final Checklist
To succeed in selling at school, students should:
- Focus on 5 high-demand items, such as eco-friendly supplies, tech accessories, or snacks.
- Set competitive prices and track expenses to ensure profitability.
- Use seasonal trends to their advantage, such as offering holiday-themed products.
- Promote their items through both social media and school-based channels.
- Continuously gather feedback from peers to improve their product offerings.
By focusing on high-demand products, setting fair prices, and using creative marketing, students can build a successful small business at school. Stay adaptable, gather feedback, and take advantage of seasonal trends for continued growth. For more business ideas and advice, visit businessindexers!
