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Looking for the best things to sell at school to make extra money?
The good news is you don’t need a huge budget or a complicated business idea.
Some students make steady cash by selling simple products their classmates already want every day.
The challenge is choosing the right items.
Some products sell out almost as soon as you put them on the table, while others barely attract any buyers.
Knowing the difference can save you time, money, and frustration.
In this guide, you’ll discover 87 of the best things to sell at school, from inexpensive snacks and school supplies to handmade products and profitable services.
Whether you’re in middle school, high school, or college, these ideas can help you start earning extra money with little upfront investment.
87 Best Things To Sell At School
Things To Consider Before Selling
Before we get into the list of items to sell, you need to make a few important decisions first.
To begin, you have to take into account how old your potential customers are.
Are you a teenager in high school?
A tween in middle school?
Or a kid in elementary school?
For example, chances are you will have more success selling clothing items to older teens compared to a kid in second grade.
Next, are you going to create a product or service to sell to students or are you going to resell items?
For example, you could make bracelets and earn money by selling them for a profit.
Or you might stumble upon an item at a store that isn’t local, buy the items, and sell them to classmates for a higher price than you bought them for.
Other questions to ask yourself include:
- If you’re buying products, will you purchase in bulk?
- If you are making products, can you keep your costs low so you can make money?
- Do you have space for storage?
- Can you source them on an as needed basis and will this cost you more?
If you’re new to entrepreneurship, don’t worry.
You can learn as you go and the lessons you learn will benefit you for the rest of your life.
Next, you need to know the rules as to what you can sell vs. what you cannot.
In some schools you can sell clothing with your school logo on it.
Other schools don’t allow this.
So before you decide on something to sell, make sure you are allowed to sell it in the first place.
Finally, as any successful entrepreneur will tell you, pay attention.
Listen to what other students are talking about.
This will clue you into popular items to sell or give you creative ideas into problems you can create solutions for.
With that said, here are things you can start selling at school.
Best Sellers By Profit Margin
To give you a quick glance at some of the ideas in the list, here is a chart of the highest profit margin ideas.
Also included are startup costs and difficulty.
| Item | Startup Cost | Profit Margin | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Candy | Low | High | Easy |
| Gum | Low | High | Easy |
| Drinks | Medium | High | Easy |
| Tutoring | None | Very High | Medium |
| Study Guides | None | High | Easy |
| Bracelets | Low | High | Medium |
| Phone Chargers | Medium | High | Easy |
| School Supplies | Low | Medium | Easy |
Food And Beverages
When it comes to what to sell at school food items and drinks are profitable things because this is what most students spend their money on.
As such you have a lot of options to pick from.
- Candy
- Chocolate bars
- Gummies
- Gum
- Chips
- Pretzels
- Popcorn
- Soda
- Iced tea
- Lemonade
- Energy Drinks
- Iced coffee
Sweets of all types are definitely high in demand in a school setting.
However, your school may have policies against these so make sure you check before making any purchases.
For example, gum is definitely a student favorite.
While teachers may ban it in classrooms that doesn’t stop children from keeping a pack or two on them at all times.
When it comes to snacks, like chips and pretzels, you can easily buy large quantities in bulk at warehouse clubs.
The bulk packages have smaller snack size portions with different varieties, which are great for a school setting.
The same goes with beverages.
You can buy a lot more at a cheaper price at warehouse clubs than at the grocery store.
With that said, you probably want to start off paying more for smaller quantities until you know you can sell the items on a regular basis.
- Pizza
- Burgers
- Sandwich boxes
- Waffles
- Ice cream
- Popsicles
- Cup of Noodles
- Fruit bowls
- Baked goods
A lunch option is something that many students will be happy to spend their money on.
Especially if it is something they can’t get in the cafeteria.
Dessert options are a desperate need in most schools.
If you can deliver a low cost product that students love, your waffles, cakes, and ice cream will sell out by the end of the day.
Of course, many of these are going to be more difficult to sell than the snack options listed.
But if you can think outside the box, you can be more successful.
For example, you might not be able to sell frozen treats in school, but you could do this after school at sporting events.
And for baked goods like brownies and cookies, you could either buy packaged boxed recipes or use your own if you have a great recipe.
When it comes to selling them, could sell these both in school and at after school events.
Stationary Supplies
If you’re looking for things to sell at school other than food, there’s one thing students need it’s a consistent supply of: stationery items.
There’s a reason every teen high school show has a scene with students borrowing pens.
And if you don’t have the proper tools during an exam it can even affect your GPA.
Here are some different things you can sell for good money.
- Pencils
- Erasers
- Sharpeners
- Glue
- Stapler with staples
- Scissors
- Paper clips
- Rubber bands
- Protractors and rulers
- Highlighters
- Note pads
- Sticky notes
- Folders
- Notebooks
- Colored pencils
- Markers
- Old books
- Small bags with a complete set of supplies
Selling school supplies is a great way to earn extra cash.
Bonus points if you sell small bags filled with a variety of small items.
This idea is sure to offer a big profit margin as you will get more money than if you sold individual items.
Clothing
While a school may not seem like the best place to sell clothes and shoes there is actually a market here.
By tailoring clothes to fit current trends, rep the school spirit, support sport’s teams, or even social causes, you can establish a profitable clothing business.
- T-shirts with slogans and quotes
- Customized hoodies
- Sneakers
- Flip flops
- Leggings
- Windpants for track and other sports
- Pants
By taking advantage of print on demand companies, you can easily turn your graphics and designs into clothing.
And if you don’t have any artistic skills, maybe you can partner up with a friend who does have these skills and either pay them a portion of the profits or partner up with them.
Clothing Accessories
Clothes are definitely a hit with students, but don’t overlook clothing accessories.
In many cases you can buy these for cheap and make a nice profit or you can easily make your own bead jewelry as well.
- Bracelets
- Necklaces
- Anklets
- Shoelaces
- Sunglasses
- Tote bags
- Makeup items like lip gloss, chap stick, and nail polish
- Handmade soaps
- Homemade Candles
- Perfumes and deodorants
- Bath bombs
- Caps with logos
- Wallets
Craft ideas like these always tend to be a good way to make money since the items are unique and teens love to stand out and make statements.
Services
When it comes to selling products you’ll have to put in an initial investment.
However, with services you are offering your skill set so there’s no funds needed.
This is a great opportunity to make some money while also helping other students.
Tutoring
If you are good in certain subjects, tutoring is definitely an easy way to make consistent cash.
Test Prep
Do you score well on standardized tests? Get paid to help other students learn how to prep.
Homework Service
Whether it’s helping with essays or explaining math problems, there is always a market for this service.
Study Notes
If you are good at note taking, sell class notes, extra reading materials, study packs with flash cards, and bulleted points.
Vintage Photos
Polaroids are making a comeback and if you have a camera you can start offering your photography services to the masses.
Phone Charging
All it takes is a large power bank.
You can buy these for cheap on Amazon and they have a fast charge feature to quickly recharge devices. Here is my favorite.
Shoe Cleaning
Everyone loves the look of brand new shoes. Offer a basic service to keep sneakers clean for your fellow classmates.
Streaming Accounts
Buy a Netflix family package and start renting out spaces. You can easily make a profit with this one. And you aren’t limited to just Netflix either.
Photo Printing
Everyone has digital photos but some teenagers like to stand out with printed photos in their locker or on their school supplies. Offer to print the images and make money in the process.
Fix Cracked Smartphone Screens
Everyone shatters their phone screen. Instead of dealing with the hassle of going to the mall to get the screen replaced, offer this service.
Watch a few videos to learn how to make the repair.
Taxi Service
If you can drive, offer to drive students around. Maybe they need to get home or to work. For a small fee, you can drive them and make money while doing so.
Bully protection
You can help some kids not be intimidated by bullies by offering to walk around with them or eat lunch with them.
One word of caution here.
Some students might try to sell old tests.
This is a big no and can get you into hot water.
Instead of selling the test, use it to help you create study guides that you can sell.
Just don’t market it as a way to pass the next test.
Extras
Finally, try to think outside the box for unique things to sell at school.
One great example is there are a lot of accessories and knickknacks that are popular among students.
Of all the ideas, these are the ones that will have a lot of interest.
This isn’t to say you should avoid the other ideas, it’s just that these tend to be most popular.
- Decorative phone cases
- Head phones
- Videos games
- Laptop stickers
- Phone stickers
- Bumper stickers
- Locker magnets
- Locker organizers
- Concert tickets
- Sports accessories like bats, balls and helmets
- Skateboards with customized designs
- Trading cards
- Sell screen protectors
- Phone pop sockets
- Stress balls
A creative way to market these ideas is by setting up a gift service where you wrap low priced items for students.
Birthday gifts are a huge market and definitely one you should capitalize on.
If you are a younger kid, selling popular toys could be the best way to make a lot of money.
You could sell putty, slime, and fidget spinners as examples.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sells fastest at school?
The fastest-selling items at school are inexpensive products students use or crave every day.
Candy, gum, chips, bottled drinks, and school supplies are consistently among the top sellers because they’re affordable and often purchased on impulse.
Phone chargers, handmade bracelets, and baked goods can also sell quickly, especially if they solve a problem or offer something students can’t easily get from the school store or cafeteria.
To maximize your sales, focus on products with a low cost and a high demand. Starting with a small selection allows you to see what your classmates buy most often before investing in additional inventory.
What should you NOT sell at school?
Before selling anything at school, check your school’s rules and policies. Many schools have restrictions on what students can sell on campus.
In general, avoid selling:
- Homework, essays, or completed assignments
- Test answers or study materials that violate academic policies
- Prescription medications or regulated products
- Counterfeit or trademarked merchandise without permission
- Homemade food if your school prohibits it
- Any item that could be considered dangerous or disruptive
The best student businesses focus on offering helpful, affordable products or services while following school rules.
Staying within those guidelines helps you avoid disciplinary issues and builds trust with your customers.
What are the best things to sell in middle school?
Middle school students tend to buy inexpensive, fun items that are easy to carry and use throughout the school day.
Popular choices include candy, gum, stickers, colorful pens, pencils, erasers, fidget toys, slime, keychains, and friendship bracelets.
School supply kits that include pencils, erasers, and highlighters can also be popular because they solve a common problem for students who forget supplies.
Keeping prices low and offering items that appeal to current trends can help you make consistent sales
What are the best things to sell in high school?
High school students generally have more spending money and are willing to pay for products that are convenient or unique.
Some of the best things to sell include snacks, bottled drinks, energy drinks (if permitted), baked goods, phone chargers, school supplies, customized clothing, jewelry, and phone accessories.
Services can also be profitable.
Tutoring, study guides, note-taking services, and test preparation are excellent options because they require little upfront investment and can command higher prices than physical products.
What are the best things to sell in college?
College students often value convenience more than anything else.
Popular items include coffee, bottled drinks, energy drinks, microwave meals, healthy snacks, phone chargers, laptop accessories, school supplies, and printed study guides.
Services are especially profitable on college campuses.
Tutoring, resume reviews, graphic design, printing services, tech support, and photography can all generate steady income with very little startup cost.
Selling products or services that save students time is often the easiest way to build repeat customers.
What is the cheapest thing to buy and resell at school?
Some of the cheapest items to buy and resell at school are candy, gum, chips, bottled water, pencils, pens, erasers, stickers, and friendship bracelets.
Many of these products can be purchased in bulk from warehouse clubs or discount stores, allowing you to earn a healthy profit on each sale.
If you have little or no money to invest, consider selling services instead.
Tutoring, creating study guides, helping classmates with technology, or offering note-taking services require almost no upfront costs and can often generate more profit than reselling physical products.
Final Thoughts
Overall, there are a lot of options for things to sell in school.
The only point you should keep in mind is to avoid spreading yourself too thin.
Don’t start multiple product lines at the same time.
Instead pick one niche and build on it.
You’ll start out making a little extra money, but if you stick with it, you can create a profitable business.
Especially if you find items to resell that are in high demand.
Just be patient and keep working at it and before you know it, you will be earning some extra cash.
