KATY, TX — The countdown to the first day of school has officially begun.
Katy ISD students return to class on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, giving families only a few more days to purchase clothing, shoes, backpacks and classroom supplies. The timing also lines up with Texas’ annual sales tax holiday, scheduled for Friday, August 7, through Sunday, August 9.
To help families save time and money, The Katy News selected five of the most practical back-to-school shopping locations in Katy—plus two additional stops that may help stretch the family budget.
This list is an independent community shopping guide and is not a paid ranking.
1. Katy Mills — Best Overall Selection for Clothing and Shoes
Location: 5000 Katy Mills Circle, Katy, TX 77494
For families shopping for multiple children—or students who want to choose their own style—Katy Mills offers the largest variety in one location.
The mall’s current directory includes Primark, Burlington, Marshalls, Ross Dress for Less, Old Navy Outlet, The Children’s Place Outlet, Carter’s, OshKosh B’gosh and Uniform Destination. Shoe and athletic options include the Nike Factory Store, Adidas Outlet, Under Armour Factory House, Skechers, Rack Room Shoes, Vans, Puma Outlet and Reebok Outlet.
The biggest advantage is comparison shopping. Parents can check prices and sizes at several stores without driving across Katy.
Best for: School uniforms, jeans, shirts, athletic shoes, backpacks and clothing for children and teenagers.
Shopping tip: Review the Katy Mills store directory and make a store-by-store plan before arriving. Tax-free weekend crowds may be heavy, particularly Saturday afternoon.
2. Target — Best One-Stop Shopping Experience
Target remains one of the most convenient choices for parents who need classroom supplies, backpacks, lunch boxes, clothing, shoes, personal-care items and dorm-room essentials in one trip.
Katy-area locations include:
- Target Katy–Cinco Ranch: 23710 Westheimer Parkway, Katy
- Target Katy–Elyson: 22165 FM 529, Katy
- Target Katy Freeway: 19955 Katy Freeway, Houston
The Target app can help shoppers compare prices, check availability and place pickup orders. However, availability displayed online can change quickly during tax-free weekend.
Best for: Complete school-supply lists, lunch boxes, backpacks, basic clothing and last-minute shopping.
Shopping tip: Build the order online before the weekend, but confirm that payment is completed during the tax-free period if you want eligible purchases to receive the exemption.
3. Walmart Supercenters — Best for Families Shopping on a Tight Budget
Walmart is another practical one-stop option, especially for families comparing prices on notebooks, folders, pencils, uniforms, shoes and everyday household products.
Katy has several Walmart locations, including:
- 25108 Market Place Drive
- 22850 Morton Ranch Rd
- 1313 North Fry Road
- 6060 North Fry Road
The Market Place Drive store offers pickup and delivery, which may help families avoid long checkout lines. Walmart’s Katy store directory currently lists five locations serving the area.
Best for: Lower-cost classroom basics, uniforms, children’s clothing, shoes and large family shopping lists.
Shopping tip: Do not automatically purchase a prepackaged bundle unless it matches the student’s actual campus list. Buying individual supplies may cost less and prevent families from purchasing unnecessary items.
4. Office Depot and OfficeMax — Best for Exact School-Supply Lists
When the school list includes specific binders, dividers, graph paper, index cards, specialty notebooks or particular writing supplies, an office-supply store may be the fastest solution.
Katy locations include:
- Office Depot: 415 South Fry Road
- OfficeMax: 23610 Westheimer Parkway
Both stores specialize in classroom and office products. Office Depot also advertises quick in-store pickup, which could be useful if common supplies begin disappearing from other retailers.
Best for: Detailed classroom lists, notebooks, binders, folders, pens, pencils, printer paper and project supplies.
Shopping tip: Compare multi-pack and individual prices. A larger package is not always the better deal if the student only needs one or two items.
5. Academy Sports + Outdoors — Best for Athletics, Shoes and Backpacks
Location: 23155 Katy Freeway, Katy, TX 77450
Academy is a strong choice for families preparing students for physical education, school athletics, after-school sports or marching band.
The Katy store carries athletic shoes, clothing, backpacks, water bottles, socks and sports equipment. Academy is also headquartered in Katy, giving the retailer a strong connection to the local community.
Best for: Athletic shoes, sports clothing, backpacks, water bottles and team-sport equipment.
Important tax reminder: Some athletic clothing that can also be worn casually may qualify for the tax exemption, but specialized protective equipment and sports-only items generally do not. Football pads, helmets and golf cleats are examples of items that may remain taxable.
Bonus Stop: Once Upon a Child Katy — Best for Gently Used Clothing
Location: 344 South Mason Road, Katy, TX 77450
Parents should not overlook resale shopping, especially when children may outgrow clothing and shoes before the school year ends.
Once Upon a Child Katy sells gently used children’s clothing, shoes and other items at prices advertised as up to 70% below regular retail. The Katy location is individually owned and operated, allowing families to save money while supporting a local business.
The store has also announced participation in the August 7–9 tax-free weekend for eligible jeans, shirts, shoes, outerwear and uniforms.
Best for: Younger children, backup uniforms, jeans, jackets, shoes and rapidly changing sizes.
Extra savings idea: Families can bring in qualifying clothing and children’s items they no longer need and may receive cash for accepted merchandise.
Bonus Stop: Costco Katy — Best for Lunch and Household Stock-Ups
Location: 23645 Katy Freeway, Katy, TX 77494
Costco may not replace a traditional school-supply store, but it can help families purchase lunch snacks, drinks, food-storage bags, tissues, cleaning products and other items used throughout the school year.
The warehouse may also carry seasonal clothing, socks, backpacks and school supplies, although inventory can vary.
Best for: Bulk lunch supplies, snacks, socks, household products and families with several school-age children.
Shopping tip: Bulk purchasing only saves money when the family will use the full quantity. Compare the per-unit cost and available storage space before buying.
What Qualifies During the Texas Tax-Free Weekend?
Texas’ 2026 sales tax holiday runs from Friday, August 7, through midnight Sunday, August 9. Most qualifying clothing, footwear, student backpacks and school supplies priced below $100 per item can be purchased tax-free.
The exemption generally applies to eligible purchases made in stores, online or by telephone during the designated period.
Several commonly requested back-to-school items do not qualify, including:
- Computers and software
- Textbooks
- Handbags and purses
- Jewelry and watches
- Luggage
- Specialized athletic equipment
- Items priced at $100 or more
Families can review the complete eligibility list through the Texas Comptroller’s official sales tax holiday guide.
Plan Before You Shop
Katy ISD’s first day of school is August 12, according to the district’s 2026–2027 instructional calendar.
Before heading to the stores, parents should check the supply list provided by the student’s individual campus and grade level. Families may also save money by checking supplies left over from last year before buying new packages.
Tax-free weekend provides an opportunity to save, but the exemption alone does not guarantee the lowest price. Comparing regular prices, sale prices, coupons and store rewards can produce greater savings than choosing a retailer based only on the tax exemption.
