16 Back-to-School Ads That Made Shopping Fun
Every year, back-to-school ads signal the end of summer and the start of a fresh, exciting season. These commercials weren’t just about buying notebooks and backpacks—they made shopping feel like a celebration.
- Tricia Quitales
- 4 min read
Back-to-school shopping in the past wasn’t complete without catchy commercials that sparked excitement for the new school year. With fun jingles, bright visuals, and cool kid-friendly products, these ads made kids actually look forward to shopping trips. They filled the end of summer with a mix of nostalgia and anticipation. Looking back, it’s easy to see why these commercials left such a lasting impact.
1. JCPenney’s “Get That Look” Campaign
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JCPenney’s ads showed stylish kids gearing up for school with the latest fashions. The upbeat music and colorful scenes made shopping for clothes cool and trendy. It turned outfit hunting into an adventure, not a boring task.
2. Sears “Come See The Softer Side” Ads
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Sears introduced their softer, friendlier side with cozy school styles and smiling families. The commercials felt warm and welcoming, making kids excited to show off their new looks. Sears blended back-to-school shopping with comfort and happiness.
3. Staples “Most Wonderful Time of the Year” Commercial
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Parents danced through the aisles as “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” played, making it a legendary ad. Kids looked miserable, but parents’ joy showed the flip side of the back-to-school season. It was funny and catchy and became a true classic.
4. Kmart Blue Light Specials for School Supplies
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Kmart’s flashing blue light specials created a feeling of excitement and urgency. Ads highlighted unbeatable deals on everything from backpacks to sneakers, and shoppers felt like they were part of a special event, not just running errands.
5. Target’s Colorful Back-to-School Musical Ads
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Target’s bright, fast-paced commercials featured kids singing and dancing with their school supplies. The vibrant colors and catchy tunes made picking up folders and pencils seem magical. Target turned boring lists into a stage for fun.
6. Mervyn’s “Open, Open, Open” Commercials
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The excited woman chanting “Open, open, open” at the store doors captured the real back-to-school shopping spirit. These funny ads showed the eagerness many felt to snag the best supplies and clothes. Mervyn’s made the wait almost as thrilling as the shopping itself.
7. Old Navy’s Back-to-School Fashion Shows
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Old Navy’s ads had kids strutting down mini runways in bright, funky outfits. They made finding the perfect jeans or hoodie seem like starring in a fashion show. The playful spirit made even shy kids want to show off their new gear.
8. Payless Shoes’ BOGO Sales Ads
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Payless’ “Buy One, Get One” shoe sales were a major back-to-school highlight. The ads often featured smiling kids picking out cool, affordable kicks, making shoe shopping double the fun without doubling the price.
9. Woolworth’s Old-School Back-to-School Spots
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Woolworth’s commercials had a nostalgic charm, filled with classic school gear and happy faces. They made gathering supplies feel traditional and important. Woolworth’s captured a simpler, heartfelt kind of excitement.
10. Levi’s Jeans “Back to Cool” Ads
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Levi’s ads focused on giving kids an effortless cool factor for the first day back. Featuring confident teens in denim jackets and jeans, the message was clear: look good, feel good. Levi’s made fashion an essential part of back-to-school pride.
11. Lisa Frank School Supplies Commercials
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Lisa Frank’s bright, rainbow-colored products practically jumped off the screen. The magical, colorful ads made school feel like a fantasy land. Kids couldn’t wait to show off unicorns and dolphins on their folders and pencil cases.
12. Eastbay Sports Gear Ads
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Eastbay’s catalogs and commercials showed athletes gearing up for the season with new sneakers and gear. Back-to-school wasn’t just about books; it was about sports pride, too. These ads gave young athletes a reason to look forward to fall.
13. OshKosh B’Gosh “First Day Outfits” Ads
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OshKosh B’Gosh focused on little kids and their first big school moments. Their ads captured pure innocence with adorable overalls and bright smiles, making the first day of school seem like a wonderful adventure.
14. KB Toys “School’s Cool” Toy Promotions
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KB Toys didn’t just sell toys; they promoted fun school accessories, too. Their ads made it clear that even school supplies could feel like getting a new toy. KB blended playtime energy into back-to-school shopping.
15. RadioShack “Tech for School” Commercials
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RadioShack ads featured calculators, word processors, and early computers for students. Their tech-focused approach made kids feel like they were stepping into the future, and school shopping suddenly seemed a lot more high-tech and exciting.
16. The Gap’s “Back to School Basics” Campaign
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The Gap highlighted comfy, stylish basics perfect for school days. Their clean, simple ads showed kids having fun and looking fresh in khakis, tees, and sweaters. The Gap’s message was simple: great style starts with great basics.