25+ Must-have Products for School PTO and PTA Groups
From carline drop off signs to school mascot costumes, we round up the best products and biggest splurges for parent groups, according to our community.
Portable bulletin board
If your PTO is lacking bulletin board space to advertise events, fundraisers, and contests, this portable bulletin board on wheels is a great alternative!
Sidewalk signs
These can't-miss signs are great for advertising upcoming school events and fundraisers at pick-up and drop-off, or to share words of encouragement on the first day of school and during state testing week!
Thermal printer
If you don't spend Friday nights with your thermal printer, are you even on the PTO?! (IYKYK) The best part about a thermal printer is that it doesn't use costly ink. If you're wondering what your PTO would use thermal stickers for, well, the answer is LOTS of things! Remind parents about upcoming events, fundraisers, spirit nights and other PTO happenings by placing can't-miss stickers on students' shirts during the day. Add a QR code so that parents can easily scan to sign up for volunteer opportunities, purchase tickets for events, and more.
@ptotoday Nothing better than a label maker and some QR codes 🎉 📸 Greenwood Elementary PTA President @Cortney Hall #ptolife #ptamom #ptalife #ptamomsbelike ♬ original sound - PTO Today ✨School Family Media
Round stickers (for QR codes, event reminders and more)
So, you finally got your hands on that dreamy thermal printer (mind blown) - now what? Here are the round stickers our community recommends using for all your PTO-obsessed thermal printing needs.
School Yard Signs
Yard signs are great for welcoming students back to school, Teacher Appreciation Week, and so much more. While these can be purchased online, check out local sign shops you may be able to rent or buy from and compare pricing. One thing to note from our community: these signs take up a bit of space and must be stored properly or they can warp.
Locking cash box
This locking cash box is great for school events. It has dividers for dollar bills and coins, and a 3 number combination code lock, which can easily be changed as needed.
Folding wagon
Ask any PTO leader what they're thankful for the day of a big event: kids who can help lend a hand (or volunteers) and a wagon! We love this Radio Flyer wagon because it's foldable, so you can easily store it in your trunk.
Locking rolling storage cabinet for spirit wear
This rolling storage cabinet is great for storing spirit wear! Simply roll the cabinet to the school event you're setting up at to quickly display and sell school spirit wear. The best part? Everything stays organized inside, so when the event is done, you just roll it on back.
Parent Group School Year Planner
PTO Today's FREE PTO and PTA planner is a great resource to organize and plan for the coming school year. With 45+ editable pages, customize the planner for your group, print, bind and distribute to each board member.
Mascot costume and cooling vest
A school mascot is a great way to build school spirit! Many leaders in our community also recommend getting a mascot costume cooling vest as well (brilliant!).
@ptotoday All PTO and PTA leaders and volunteers, please report for duty 🎉 #backtoschool #ptopresident #ptapresident #schoolmascot ♬ marching band(848131) - cesario
Laminator
@perksofteachingkinder This saves me so much time! #kindergarten #teachertip #teacher #teachersoftiktok ♬ vlog, chill out, calm daily life(1370843) - SUNNY HOOD STUDIO
Cricut
A Cricut allows you to easily make any DIY project you can imagine, from fun PTO board shirts to personalized gifts and decorations for Teacher Appreciation Week. It has the tools to cut hundreds of materials quickly and accurately, from paper and fabric to vinyl.
@shauneyhy Just making school dance magic happen, shout out to my cricut and hot glue gun. 🪄 #schooldance #schooldancedecor #glowdance #pta #ptadance #pto #neonlights #blacklightdecor #glowdance ♬ Come Check This (Quickie Edit) - FETISH
Parent group insurance policy
Without parent group insurance, you and your officers are at risk. Many groups assume they're covered by their school or district policy, but the reality is, most are not (always, always check!). PTO Today offers insurance packages designed specifically for PTO and PTA groups with one of the highest limits ($2/$4 million), provided through one of the highest rated carriers. Directors and Officers coverage protects you and all your officers in the event anyone is sued personally for a decision made by the group, and Crime coverage protects your assets from theft or embezzlement. To learn more, email
Plastic lawn signs
Display words of encouragement throughout a fun run course, welcome students back-to-school, or congratulate rising fifth graders.
Personalized table runner
A branded table runner is a great way to get parent foot traffic to your PTO table at open house and other school events.
Business safe and lock box
A locked drop box makes it easy for your PTO receive and store money safely. Mount in the PTO room - it can’t be moved. This is also a great place to store extra blank checks and keys.
Automatic electric stapler
Great for when you have to staple a bajillion things in less than 5 minutes.
@wareviews Automatic Electric Stapler Induction Binding Documents for Students & Office Buying Link in Profile Bio @WA_Reviews 🔗www.wasuperstore.com 🌍Free Shipping Worldwide 🏷Limited Time Sale only #stapler #staplers #automaticstapler #electricstapler #amazon #amazonfinds #amazonfind #amazonmusthave #amazonmusthaves #amazongadgets #founditonamazon #amazonhack #musthave #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt #gadgets #gadgetstore #gadgetshop #homegadget #homegadgets #gadgetslover #usashopping #onlineshopping #onlineshoppingstore #unboxing #unboxings #unboxingvideos #unboxingreels #unboxingdude #techunboxing #wasuperstore ♬ original sound - Tech Home Gadgets
High speed dollar bill counter
Skip manually counting dollar bills with this high speed dollar bill counter.
Electric coin sorter
This electric coin sorter will give you all the feels...no more wrapping coins by hand!
Portable speaker with microphone
Bring this portable speaker with microphone anywhere, from fun runs and glow dances to the first day of school.
Electric balloon pump
When it comes to setting up that Taylor Swift inspired balloon arch for Teacher Appreciation Week, you're going to wish you had this electric balloon pump!
@thatnormalptomom Grab a couple. Just trust me! #balloonpump #balloonstylist #pto #ptamom #pta #backtoschool ♬ original sound - Amber Weber
Snow cone machine
One PTO leader in our community shares they own two of these commercial grade snow cone machines which they use to make about 900 snow cones during their school's annual field day. They use these scoops to scoop snow cones, this snow cone syrup, and this heavy duty extension cord. Tip from our community: (25) 10 pound bags of ice will make approximately 850 snow cone cups.
Retractable extension cord
This portable heavy duty extension cord features a 25 foot long retractable cord.
XL coffee percolator
This coffee maker makes 100 cups of coffee...perfect for Donuts with Grownups, Cookies and Hot Cocoa, and Teacher Appreciation Week.
Utility cart (aka trolley or "woot woot wagon")
This plastic utility cart on wheels has three shelves, comes in a variety of colors, and retails for under $100. This cart is the perfect way to deliver themed snacks to teachers if your PTO does a monthly teacher treat trolley!
Free printables and Canva templates
Check out PTO Today's new hub for free printables and Canva templates for PTO and PTA groups. You'll find free teacher appreciation gift tags and signs, a free calendar that includes all the special and fun days to celebrate throughout the year, a "year in review" graphic, and so much more.
Website for your parent group
A custom hosted website for your school parent group is a must. If you don't have one or are shopping around for a new one, you can get a custom hosted website for your PTO or PTA group for free through PTOffice as part of a PTO Today Plus membership (new members only).
Step stool
From duct taping the principal to the wall as a fundraising incentive to hanging black lights at the school glow dance, investing in a reliable (aka, won't tip) step stool is a PTO must. This one holds up to 500 pounds.
Printed out copy of your bylaws
This one's a must! Learn more, including how to write bylaws for your parent group.
Paper cutter
A paper cutter is handy for quickly (and evenly) cutting gift tags and more.
@nickisvids Volunteer life in the PTO. Maybe I'll do a part 2.
♬ original sound - nickisvids
Step & repeat backdrop
Having a step and repeat backdrop bedazzled with your school logo is a great way to build school spirit and perfect for photo opps at school events, like Kindergarten Signing Day, orientation or your back-to-school open house.
Marquee light up letters
Some PTO groups like to go big for events like Teacher Appreciation Week, back-to-school and Kindergarten orientation. These 4 foot light up marquee letters are a great way to display your school's abbreviated name.
Clear plastic 8x10 frames
These frames are an inexpensive way to display important info at school events - like flyers on your PTO welcome table or signs in the lounge during Teacher Appreciation Week.
Bubble machine
Break out the bubbles! Welcome students on the first day of school with a fun blast of bubbles or use a bubble machine during field day (at the popsicle station) or during a bubble run (a fun take on a fun run!).
Chalkboard sign for school drop off
Leaders love this chalkboard sign because it rolls. Perk: the sign is removable, so you can easily take it off to write on it!
Popcorn machine
One community member who uses this popcorn machine shares that her PTO gets approximately 400-500 bags of popcorn (each bag = one brown lunch bag that's filled half way).
Construction cone costumes for morning drop off
If your school's morning drop off is not as orderly as you'd like, you're not alone. Leave it to creative parent groups like MVS PTA in Waddell, Arizona, who decided to dress up as construction cones to help direct traffic. Not gonna lie, we're kind of loving this fun idea!
@notyouraverageptamoms Yeah we're this extra 😂 gotta keep that line moving! #mvspta #dontgoblockingdropofflines #target ♬ original sound - MVS PTA
Robert's Rules of Order
Ask any longstanding PTO leader how to best conduct meetings in an orderly fashion, and they'll recommend referencing Robert's Rules of Order - the recognized guide to smooth, orderly, and fairly conducted meetings. Most PTOs and PTAs use Robert's Rules of Order to conduct their meetings.
Accounting software
PTO Today's Finance Manager is PTO and PTA accounting software that's built by leaders for leaders. Give it a test drive with a free 30 day trial!
Accordion folder with 12 tabs
Quick tip from our community: Organize so that each tab is its own month. Store any incomplete paperwork and receipts until it is reconciled with the bank statement.
Hanging file box
Quick tip from our community: After your monthly paperwork is reconciled and reviewed by a non-account signer, put the paperwork in the box for the audit team. Once each month is complete and the bank statement is mailed, put that month’s paperwork, reconciliation, and the sealed envelope with the bank statement in a manila folder and hand to a non-account signer to review and sign off on. To make specific transactions easier at a later date if needed, keep two manila folders inside each hanging file - one for that month’s deposits and one for that month’s expenses.
3 ring binder
Quick tip from our community: Use a 3-ring binder (along with tab dividers) to store a copy of your audit checklist, printed copies of all meeting minutes, prior year audit, bylaws, treasurers reports, budgets, insurance, and anything else that's required for your annual audit.
Checkbook with carbon copies
The ultimate PTO bag
Advice from our community of PTO and PTA leaders: always keep a PTO "go bag" stocked and ready to go in your trunk so that you're never without tape, goo gone or emergency chocolate at a school event. Remember, you'll need something that can fit a lot of stuff (see list below 😉) in an organized fashion. Extra points if it's cute, too!
What to keep in your PTO "go bag" (aka must have supplies for any PTO leader)
Here's what real PTO and PTA leaders in the PTO Today community keep stashed in their PTO bags:
- Clipboard
- Tape (of all kinds...Scotch tape, masking tape, duct tape, glow in the dark gaffer tape for glow dances and glow runs)
- Sharpie markers
- Goo Gone
- Scissors
- Xacto knife or box cutter
- Zip ties
- Stapler
- Highlighters
- Notebook
- Pens and pencils
- Spare phone charger
- Sticky notes
- Extra hair ties
- Tylenol
- Granola bars
- Candy
- Hand sanitizer or wipes
- Mints
- Rolls of plastic table cloths in school colors (for easy decorating in a pinch)
You might also be interested in...
- Stock the teachers' lounge: meme edition! (shopping list plus printable memes)
- School glow dances and glow runs: everything you'll need
- Teacher appreciation hydration station (shopping list plus free printable recipes and sign)
- School fundraising ideas and resources
- PTO President Checklist
- Stuff a school mascot event: everything you'll need
- 8+ teacher appreciation ideas you'll wish you'd thought of first
- Join our private Facebook group, just for PTO and PTA leaders!
