Best School Supplies Guide – Durable, Functional & Fun

 

There are so many options during the back-to-school shopping season and you will love our best school supplies guide. I love shopping the deals that arise every year, but I am also watching out for items that will last the entire year. I don’t like paying premium prices for things that I have to replace mid-year and so I consider shopping for some quality items, shopping smart. There are also some fun items for decorating lockers, plus lots of neat, brightly-colored supplies that your kids will love. If you normally don’t buy school supplies online, then you might consider picking up a few things to save some gas and time this year.

 

1. Durable Fabric Binders

I grabbed one of these binders for my daughter this year. She went through 2-3 plastic binders last year, due to using them daily and shuffling them in and out of her bag. These fabric-zippered binders come in lots of fun colors and many include an area to tuck and file papers, pockets for pencils and more. If you are looking for the best school supplies, then these binders will be the most durable types of investments you can buy this year. This 2″ Five Star Zipper Binder Plus Multi Access File has a 6 compartment expandable filing area inside the binder, plus it zips shut. This neat Case-it X-Hugger 2-Inch Round Ring Zipper Binder with Book Holder on Front has a unique holder attached to the outside that will “hug” and hold a book for your student.

 

 

2. Mechanical Pencils with Break-Resistant Lead, Mates by Paper Mate

My kids love mechanical pencils and I saw so many wasted this year at our house. They get used to using as much force on them as a regular #2 pencil and they break the thin, lead until the pencil is eventually empty and we toss it. These cool mechanical pencils with break-resistant lead, Mates from Paper Mate, are filled with 1.3 mm, #2 lead. They are break-resistant (not break-free), but they hold up so much better, especially for younger kids. They come in fun, bright colors and with a smudge-free eraser.

 

3. Locker Accessories

If your kids have lockers at school, you won’t want to miss these fun locker accessories. There are both accessories for organizing their books and supplies, plus there are so many fun things for decorating their lockers. If your kids have a hard time with loose papers, multiple books and keeping their supplies straight, you might consider this LockerWorks Hanging Locker Organizer. It will give your kids multiple tiers and pockets for their things that they can’t help being organized. How fun are these locker chandeliers to add a little chic to their locker decor or how about a locker rug? You can find a bigger selection of locker accessories and other school supplies online.

 

 

4. Pentel Hi-Polymer Block Erasers

After reading the reviews on these erasers, you will be a believer. These Pentel Hi-polymer Block erasers were on my son’s list from his teacher and now I know why. They erase so cleanly and doesn’t rough up your paper or leave marks. We are going to be picking up more this year again.

 

5. Westcott iPoint Curve Axis Electric Heavy Duty Pencil Sharpener

I love that this Westcott iPoint Curve Axis Electric Heavy Duty Pencil Sharpener is durable, heavy-duty and comes with a 5-year warranty. It also stops sharpening when the pencil is ready, so that your kids won’t sharpen the pencils down to nubs. What an efficient way to sharpen your pencils quickly.

 

6. Five Star Xpanz Zipper Pencil Pouch

If you need a durable and organized way to store your kids’ writing tools, you should check out this Five Star Xpanz Zipper Pencil Pouch. It fits a standard 3-ring binder and has two zippered areas, one for smaller items and one for larger items. It also comes in lots of fun and bright colors.

 

 

7. Five Star Quadrille/Graph Ruled Filler Paper, Reinforced

Our small town often runs out of graph paper when school comes around and I have heard of other friends searching nearby towns looking for this type of paper. This Five Star Quadrille/Graph Ruled Filler Paper has a plastic lining near the holes so it resists ripping out of your binder. It comes in a large 100-pack and will last your student a long time.

 

8. Dixon Ticonderoga Pre-Sharpened Pencils

The teachers at our school always specifically have the Dixon Ticonderoga Pre-Sharpened Pencils on our school supply lists. They last longer than other pencils and sharpen easily. I love that these come sharpened too, which saves time. These pencils are made with quality materials,  have anti-microbial protection and these pencils are one of the best school supplies.

 

9. Study 10-Piece Compass and Geometry Kit with Shatterproof Box

If you have a student that is 5th or 6th grade and up, this Study 10-Piece Compass and Geometry Kit is an excellent value for the price. It comes with several geometry tools, all packed in a small, shatter-resistant box. The box is just a bit longer than a dollar bill and would fit great in your kids’ backpacks.

 

 

10. Five Star Advance Wirebound Notebook, 2 Subject, 120 College-Ruled Sheets

Not only are these Five Star Advance Wirebound 2 Subect Notebooks colorful and cute, but they have a very unique design. The tabs in the corner make it easy to flip to the right subject easily and if you need to take this notebook on the go, there is a handy pen slot attached to it. The covers are hard plastic and very durable and your students will love the fun prints. There is also a spiral guard over the wires, so this won’t snag on other items in your bag or on your clothes.

 

 

11. Affordable Scientific Calculator

If your child has a calculator on their list, then you should check out these affordable scientific calculators. There are so many options and in many fun colors for under $15. Unless your kids’ teachers have specified one of those more expensive models, you should consider one of these great affordable, but handy ones.

 

 

12. Wite-Out Shake `n Squeeze Correction Pen

These handy Wite-Out Shake `n Squeeze Correction Pens are not just for older kids. My grade school kids are famous for spelling mistakes on a projects written in pen and we have had to use these to fix those pesky mistakes. This unique pen style of correctional fluid is so much easier than the tape or the brushes, which tend to get all crusty and gross. This quick drying fluid is shaped like a pen and will easily fit in their pencil case for school, plus it has a handy clip on it to attach to a notebook. These are one of the best school supplies for tweens. I even picked up some of these for my own kids.

 

 

13. The Classics 12 Inch Flexible Ruler

If you have kids that are rough on their supplies, you might consider this The Classics 12 Inch Flexible Ruler. It bends and is shatter-resistant and won’t break in their backpack. I will admit that we rebuy rulers every year and this year we are investing in some quality rulers, especially for at home.

 

[color-box color=”blue”]Want more back to school savings tips and inspiration? Be sure to visit our Back to School page.
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