I Used to Think Walmart Was the Best for Family Shopping, but These 12 Alternatives Are Surprisingly Better

Walmart is often considered the best store to find great family prices. Whether you are looking for groceries, clothing, or beauty products, Walmart is your one-stop shop. While many families enjoy stopping in at Walmart for all their needs and family shopping, these 12 alternatives are surprisingly better. (Read: The 6 Coolest Disney Stores on Earth.)

Walmart is a great place to shop for many reasons. You can find pretty much everything you need in one place. There's no need to go from store to store. Do you need to grab supplies for back-to-school? Then why not look at the clothes and shoes and grab ingredients for back-to-school lunches all in one place?

Walmart also has affordable prices on its items, making it easy not to break the bank every time you walk in. The store opened in 1962, and since then, Walmart has grown into one of the top retailers in the world. However, there are family shopping places that are surprisingly better Walmart alternatives.

Target is the perfect alternative to Walmart. This is because they offer similar prices with the same setup. You can also find groceries, beauty products, shoes, clothing, and more here. Target is a one-stop shop similar to Walmart. However hard it is to explain, Target's feel is very different. There is also a Starbucks parked right in the stores, making it easy to shop and enjoy your favorite Starbucks drink.

Why go out to shop when you can just do it straight from your phone? Amazon is the top online retailer. You can find anything on this online app. So, if you are looking to do some shopping while in your P.J.'s from the comfort of your own home, Amazon is the way to go.

T.J. Maxx is different from Walmart in the fact that it doesn't sell quite as many items. Additionally, you can't go in here looking for groceries. However, T. J. Maxx offers affordable prices on home goods, clothing, toys, and more, making it a great place to stop for some family shopping.

Costco is a members-only big box wholesale retailer. This store has supermarket items in bulk. You can find so much in bulk at Costco with all the array of items available. You can find groceries, toiletries, clothing, razors, toys, books, and even televisions here. Costco is an easy store to get lost in as a family. Not to mention, the free samples are a hit with the kids.

Aldi is often described as one of the cheapest places to find groceries. In fact, the chain is so confident in its low prices that they don't offer coupons, nor can you use any at this store. Aldi doesn't just carry groceries though. One customer favorite attribute of this store is its 'center aisle.' Here, customers can find various reasonably priced items, from toys and shoes to dishware and clothes. Be sure to check often because the fun items change quite a bit.

If there ever was a store to explore with your family, it is IKEA. Walking in and looking at all the displays can actually become an all-day thing. Sparks will fly, and imagination will ignite as you and your family take in all the different ways to decorate, furniture to organize, and so much more.

Kohl's is a family store that sells mainly clothing. Here, you can shop for clothing for both adults and kids. You can also find home goods, books, sheets, toys, and more at Kohl's. While the prices may be higher than you would find at Walmart, Kohl's is a store that sells high-quality materials.

J.C. Penny is very similar to Kohls in terms of its merchandise. One of the differences is that J.C. Penny often has better deals and prices. For this reason, this store is a better alternative for families.

Sam's Club is another wholesale retailer that is similar to Costco. Customers can buy groceries in bulk while finding great deals on other household items. These include home goods, furniture, office supplies, and more.

Hobby Lobby is a fun place to explore as a family, especially around the holidays. The merchandise may be different than what you would find at Walmart. However, the store is fun. Pick out new decorations for your child's room, find your newest project in the craft aisle, or take a look at the baking aisle for inspiration.

At Ross, customers can walk in confident that they will find great deals on the items they seek, whether clothing, shoes, seasonal decorations, or home goods. Families will enjoy looking at the unique deals Ross has throughout the year.

People often say you get what you pay for, which leads Dollar General to get a lousy rap frequently. This is mainly for their very, very low prices. However, if you do some digging, families can walk away finding real gems for a decent price at Dollar General.

Walmart is a popular retailer that can be so hard to beat for family shopping. However, these 12 alternatives offer excellent prices, unique items, and a great family experience. If you are not a Walmart fan or looking for a new store to explore, give one of these top 12 alternatives a chance. You may be pleasantly surprised. (Read: I Used to Think My Family Couldn’t Live Without Disney+, but These 16 Streaming Services Proved Me Wrong.)