Once upon a time, in a land filled with textbooks and sharpened pencils, a young student found himself (or herself) facing the daunting prospect of going back to school. With a heavy heart and a longing for endless summer days, they bid farewell to lazy mornings and carefree adventures, exchanging those for pencils, books and teacher’s dirty looks. (Shout-out to rocker Alice Cooper for the creativity.) I get it; they’re not ready, but you’ve been ready since the last bell sounded at the conclusion of the last school year.
Send them back in style with the right gear to handle the job. (I hearken back to Staples’ “Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” back-to-school commercial here. If you haven’t seen it, hop on over to YouTube … I’ll wait.) Welcome back! Now that you’ve gotten a giggle, give this list of must-have school essentials a look. Whether you’re a one-stop shopper or a “that’s adorable, he/she must have it!” type of back-to-school prepper, the gear below has you covered — from day one to summer break.
You will love our editor’s curated product picks! FYI: We are an Amazon affiliate partner and may get a share of the sale of your purchase (at no cost to you).
A One-Stop Shop
Ditch the back-to-school jitters with this amazing box of supplies that has your little one’s back. It’s got everything they need to conquer the wild world of education. From binders to crayons, folders to glue sticks, this bundle is like a magical treasure chest of learning. And hey, they even threw in a fancy resealable box, so your kid can rock up to school like a boss.
Color Outside The Lines
Behold, the ultimate artist’s arsenal! These mind-blowing watercolor pencils are like the kings of the pencil world. With 36 vibrant colors that blend like a dream, they’ll turn any dull canvas into a masterpiece. Plus, their angular design ensures they won’t go rogue and escape from your desk. Housed in a sturdy and stylish pen holder, these pencils will be easy to transport from school to home and back again.
Here’s Your Sign
These boards are a back-to-school requirement, aren’t they? A compact 9″ x 12″ size, it’s made from durable PVC that will withstand the test of time (or grades). With its double-sided design, you get not one, but two opportunities to proclaim your excitement for the first day of school and the victorious last day of school. Grab a liquid chalk marker pen and get scribbling, then wipe it clean with a wet cloth like a magician erasing their secrets.
Let’s Do Lunch
Say goodbye to boring lunches and hello to lunchtime fun with this adorable bento-style lunch box. It’s the Picasso of meal carriers, featuring funky patterns that scream personality. With five perfectly portioned compartments, it’s a culinary wizard creating healthy and balanced masterpieces. And fear not, clumsy hands! This lunchbox is drop-proof, thanks to its rubber-coated edges. Plus, it’s leak-proof, so your child can transport their meals without leaving a trail of lunchtime chaos.
Put Your Name On It
Prepare to unleash the stamping extravaganza with these smart name stamps. With 13 styles and 36 icons, you’ll be a marking maestro. Save time and impress the masses (or your kid) with your effortless labeling skills. These stamps are built to last, with more than 2,500 uses, but don’t forget to stamp the bottom case after each use — gotta keep it fresh. And fear not, these stamps can withstand multiple washing and drying cycles.
A Backpack Fit For A Unicorn
Get ready to rock the school year with this epic backpack package. It’s got everything your little scholar needs to conquer the halls of knowledge. With a chest button to keep those shoulder straps in check and night reflective strips for added safety, it’s a fashion-forward fortress of functionality. The durable zippers and reinforced straps will withstand the test of time, and the spacious compartments will hold all their books, gadgets and supplies. Plus, it comes with a free keychain and tattoo stickers for an extra touch of awesomeness.
Write It Down
Get ready to embark on a wild adventure of creativity and penmanship. These story paper pages are the perfect playground for young scribes. With a blank picture space on top and primary ruled lines on the bottom, it’s a dynamic duo of imagination and handwriting practice. The dotted midline and thick baseline are like guiding stars for little hands, making writing a breeze. Compatible with all the big-name handwriting methods, this journal is their VIP pass to writing success.
Just In Case
Help them zip-a-dee-doo-dah their way to pencil organization with this quirky pencil case. Meet the friendliest pencil pouch in town, complete with eyes that twinkle and a smile that zips to life. Made from one continuous zipper, it’s a genius creation that can hold a whopping 30 pens and pencils. And hey, don’t stress about stains. This little buddy is machine washable, so it’s always fresh and ready for more creative adventures.
The Smeller’s The Feller
Get ready to unleash a storm of color with these water-based markers. They have a long-lasting ink supply, packing twice the ink power of their puny counterparts. The best part? They’re meant to be sniffed! Say goodbye to bleeding disasters, as these markers are masters of staying within the lines on flip charts, posters, maps and even coloring books. With durable tips and ventilated safety caps, they’re the perfect sidekicks for little (or big) artists.
Erase Your Mistakes
Prepare for a feline frenzy with these paw-tastic erasers. This package of joy brings you not one, not two, but four cat paw-shaped erasers in different colors. They’re the purr-fect size, easily fitting into any stationery bag or pocket. Made from quality rubber, these retractable erasers erase mistakes with a simple push, making them convenient and fast. With their cute cat paw designs, these novelty erasers are the cat’s meow.
Your New Pencil Pals
Who needs a whopping 24 gel ink pens in a host of glorious colors? Your kid, that’s who. The writing experience is smoother than a buttered dolphin, thanks to the top-notch ink refill. And let’s not forget the lightweight plastic and silicone shell, showcasing vibrant, non-fading hues. These pens can handle all of their writing, painting and drawing needs.
Set It Off
Attention, lunchtime adventurers! Feast your eyes on this two-in-one wonder, a genius combo of a spacious backpack and a built-in insulated lunch bag. It’s like having a culinary sidekick wherever you go. With ample room for tablets, notebooks, textbooks and secret treasure maps, this backpack is lightweight yet durable enough to handle even the wildest of adventures. And hey, for your tiny fashionistas, there’s a print for every personality.
The Most Adorable Supplies
Looking for an all-in-one stationery set? With eight amazing tools in one package, it’s like them having their desk gear wherever they go. Adorned with cute cartoons, it’ll make your child fall head over heels for learning (or we can hope). From pencils to rulers, erasers to sharpeners, this set has it all. No more endless shopping trips—get everything in one swoop.
Get A Grip
These quirky pencil grips are the ultimate writing aids, suitable for adults and children alike, as well as righties or lefties. Made from pliable and toxin-free silicone, these grips are a safe and squishy delight and come in five vibrant colors. Say goodbye to muscle strain and hello to comfortable writing, as these grips ensure proper hand placement and improved pen grip habits. It’s a grip-tastic (that’s a word, right?) journey to better handwriting.
Stuck Like Glue
Finally! Glue sticks you can sniff — I mean, swipe with ease. These magical sticks give you a generous five-minute grace period to adjust your creations before they form an unbreakable bond. Perfect for young learners, poster presentations and crafting endeavors, these glue sticks glide on smoothly and dry clear, leaving no trace of their mystical powers. They stick to everything from paper to foam board, wood to felt.
Sharp As A Tack
Kids today will never know the stress of walking across a room to sharpen their pencils, thanks to this rabbit pencil sharpener. As they sharpen your pencil, the rabbit’s teeth move up and down like they’re chewing their way to a perfectly sharpened point. And hey, no more messy shavings! The built-in shatter-resistant canister keeps them contained until emptied.
A One-Of-A-Kind Fidget Notebook
This fidget notebook is truly out of this world. (See what I did there?) Sized just right for work, thoughts and doodles, the cover showcases a mesmerizing gradient with a unique rocket-shaped pop fidget toy. Give it a press and enjoy that satisfying crisp sound. (O.K., stop, this belongs to your kid, remember?) Inside, the lined paper is gentle on the eyes but thick enough to resist ink penetration. The real star is the cover, though, boasting its own secret weapon against anxiety and stress.
Cut It Out
Ready for a cutting-edge experience? These safety scissors can handle all of the construction paper projects thrown at them. With smooth movements and a round tip design, they even come with a nifty plastic sheath for safe storage. Ideal for budding creators ages four and older, these multifunction scissors conquer paper, foam and even poster board. And, with ergonomic comfort handles to reduce finger fatigue, they can unleash the cutting genius within.
All Bottled Up
Unleash “hydration power” with this cute water bottle designed specifically for little hands. This set includes not only the water bottle itself but also two lids, two straws, a straw brush, 100 stickers and a stylish packing box. Phew! With two leakproof lids, they can sip with ease on the go, keeping beverages hot for up to 12 hours and cold for up to 24 hours. It’s the perfect companion for indoor and outdoor activities, fitting most schoolbags, car cup holders, and bike cages.
Twist And Shout
It’s coloring — with a twist! The ingenious combination of coloring and mechanical sharpening in Twistables will revolutionize their artistic endeavors. With 24 vibrant pencils, there’s no need for sharpening—just a simple twist keeps the color flowing! The clear plastic case is not only a protective shield but also a window to see how much color you have left. Say goodbye to broken pencil tips and hello to limitless coloring fun.
Around The Bend
How many times have I wished for a flexible ruler? (I mean, even like yesterday.) This pack of rulers is here to meet all your measuring needs in style. With vibrant colors, they’re as eye-catching as they are functional. Made from premium soft plastic, these rulers are durable, foldable, bendable and shatterproof. Each ruler boasts centimeter and inch scales on both sides, allowing for precise measurements. Plus, they’re kid-friendly with no sharp edges.
Stack Your (Construction) Paper
Unleash your tiny Van Gogh (both ears intact, hopefully) with this pad of 400 sheets of construction paper, an elementary school heavy hitter. With its generously sized sheets, there’s no limit to the creative possibilities. The pad features 10 stunning colors for a variety of projects. Whether it’s paper activities, crafts, or schoolwork, this construction paper is a perfect match for your kiddo’s scissors and glue.
A Rainbow In Your Hands
Take a colorful journey with these eco-friendly rainbow pencils. Each is wrapped tightly with sheets of vibrant rainbow paper, creating a stunning effect when sharpened. Made from premium recycled paper, these wood-free pencils are non-toxic and perfect for beginners. The break-resistant No. 2 black lead ensures long-lasting, smooth strokes that are easily readable. It’s a rainbow of fun (even when the work isn’t fun).
Grab The Big Box
When I was in school, the kid with the most crayons was the winner. This 96-piece Crayola big box boasts true hues and intense brightness to bring their artwork to life in vibrant primary and secondary colors. Double-wrapped for extra strength, they can handle the wildest coloring adventures. Get ready for a refrigerator full of their artistic creations — at least until the crayons run out.
Milk And Honey
Who makes mistakes? Certainly not your kid! But, just in case, these adorable milk-themed correction tapes will remove boo-boos like they were never there. Made from eco-friendly plastic material, they’re odorless and gentle on the environment. With fine workmanship, smooth rolling, and wear-resistant durability, these tapes are the perfect solution for fixing errors. The package includes four correction tapes in mini sizes (read: kid hand-sized), randomly delivered in various colors.
Take Note
It’s total cuteness overload with these animal-themed sticky notes. With cats, dogs, bears, penguins, mice and pigs to choose from, they’re guaranteed to make your little one’s day brighter whether they’re saving a page in a book or being used as a reminder. Easy to peel and use, these sticky notes won’t leave any damage and can be attached to notebooks, books, whiteboards, refrigerators or any smooth surface.
A Sticky Situation
Stick it to back-to-school chaos with this versatile sticky note set. It’s got everything necessary to organize their school year. With right angles, dotted notes, blank spaces and vibrant colors, they’ll have a blast sticking and resticking these notes wherever they please. The portable design ensures they can take organizing on the go, and the strong stickiness keeps everything in place. There’s no time like elementary school to train them in the ways of organizing and color coding.
Leave Them A Note
Get them started with passing notes in school (shhh!) by passing along a note of your own — right in their lunch box for a mid-day pick-me-up. Packed with 120 unique and adorable characters, each card features a funny question with an answer on the back. Your child will love discovering a special note just for them, sized to easily fit into lunch boxes, pockets and backpacks.
It’s In The Bag
Introducing lunch bags with attitude, born from an artist’s color-crazed dreams and a sprinkle of childlike wonder. These lightweight lunch totes are perfect for your pint-sized fashionistas who love to dream big (or at least love to eat lunch). Made from waterproof neoprene, the insulated lunch cooler bag keeps food chilled for hours, or even longer if you throw in an ice pack. With multiple pockets and a crossbody strap, your little one will be lunchtime royalty.
Paint The Town
Step into the world of vibrant chaos with these neon paints that refuse to be tamed. They’re like rebellious streaks of brilliance, making dark paper their playground. With 10 washable bottles of non-toxic, water-based neon paint, help them unleash their artistic genius and create masterpieces that glow in the dark. They can make the colors dance and let their imaginations run wild … because rules were meant to be painted over.
In Living Color
I would’ve given my left arm for this coloring set with carrying case when I was a kid. Packed with a mind-boggling variety of washable markers and crayons, there’s no more agonizing over choices because this case has it all. With 45 pens, including jumbo dual-tip markers, twistable crayons, and dual brush and fine-tip markers, your little artist will conquer any coloring quest. And with a detachable design, they can organize, share and carry their arsenal of creativity (in any capacity) like a pro.
Label All The Things
Finally, no more mix-ups or confusing personal belongings with others because you’re going to label like a boss with this 128-count label set. These cute, brightly-colored labels aren’t just for kids, but for adults too (because let’s face it, we all need help sometimes). With easy-to-use flaps and waterproof, self-laminating magic, your belongings will be protected from water, oil, steam and even the mischief of sticky residues.
Down For The Count
Blame their lack of iPad time on this timekeeping wizardry. (I won’t tell.) This timer is as easy to program as making toast (well, almost). Count up or down from 1 to 100 minutes, because time flies when you’re having fun (or when you’re trying to survive a night full of homework). It’s the perfect sidekick for reading time, play time or even outdoor fun because all good things must come to an end eventually.
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