Shopping for the best school supplies always starts with good intentions: fresh notebooks, perfectly sharpened pencils, maybe even an organized backpack. But let’s be real—by week two, something’s already lost, something’s broken, and someone is claiming they cannot possibly function without a different colored highlighter.
We write about the best products for a living, and these are the school supplies sitting in our carts as we speak. We’re sharing the best school supplies we actually buy for our own kids—the ones that survive the backpack black hole, last longer than a month, and save us from at least a few “I can’t find it!” meltdowns.
From genius organizers that tame the chaos to lunchboxes that keep snacks cold without juggling a dozen ice packs, these are the picks that make mornings smoother, homework a little less painful, and school days run (slightly) more on track. They’re fun, functional, and honestly, they’re the reason we don’t completely panic in the school supply aisle. Because as much as we’d love to believe the “perfect” shopping list exists, the truth is, it’s never just about the pencils. It’s about finding supplies that really work for our kids, and these are our must-have, never-let-us-down picks.
Our Go-To: Staples
Staples nailed it this year (and we've been relying on them big-time): backpacks around $20, notebooks that last more than a day, water bottles that don’t leak on homework, and glue that does its job (plus everything else on that classroom list—seriously). Prices start low (yes, 25 cents is a thing), so we've been stocking up for the whole year without panicking.
Staples Back-to-School (starting at $0.25)—Shop Here!
Herschel Supply Co. x LEGO Heritage Backpack
A backpack that looks cool and holds up? Yes, please. This Herschel x LEGO collab is sturdy, roomy, and has just enough playful details to make our kids excited to carry it every day. Well, most days.
Herschel Supply Co. x LEGO Heritage Backpack ($55)—Buy Here!
RELATED: 15 Cool Backpacks That’ll Last All Year
Lunch Box Joke Notes
Swap the “You’re a champ!” index cards for hilarious jokes you can tear off and slide right into their lunch box. It’s a low-effort way to make your kid the lunch table legend.
Lunch Box Joke Notes ($9.29)—Buy Here!
Elmer’s Scented Glue Sticks
Because our kids will definitely glue something they shouldn’t, we might as well make it smell like cupcakes. These washable, clear glue sticks come in fun dessert scents like sugar cookie, apple pie, and watermelon, making them slightly less annoying when they’re used to bedazzle the dog. Kid-fave, teacher-approved, and totally snack-scented (but not edible—tell them twice).
Elmer’s Scented Glue Sticks, 6pk/4ea ($26.97)—Buy Here!
Standing Pencil Case
This zippered pouch fits so much stuff and stands upright on the desk like the overachiever it is. Durable, roomy, and easy to access mid-meltdown over math homework, it's basically the pencil case equivalent of a supportive best friend. Comes in cute colors, too.
Standing Pencil Case ($12.99+)—Buy Here!
Ticonderoga My First Tri-Write Pencils
These are the beginner pencils that hold up to real kid use. The triangular shape makes it easier for little hands to grip, the bright neon colors make them fun to reach for, and they come pre-sharpened, so you’re not scrambling on the first day.
Ticonderoga My First Tri-Write Pencils ($9.89)—Buy Here!
Takeya Actives Kids Glow-in-the-Dark Water Bottle
Hydration meets cafeteria disco. Stainless steel, dishwasher-safe, straw lid, and easy to find on hectic mornings (whether it's still dark outside or not).
Takeya Actives Kids Glow-in-the-Dark Water Bottle ($28.99)—Buy Here!
Ooly Make No Mistake Erasable Markers
The erasing is still sorcery, but the colors are bright, the tips last, and you just flip them over to erase any outside-the-lines accidents.
Ooly Make No Mistake Erasable Markers ($14.95)—Buy Here!
PackIt Freezable Playtime Lunch Box
The whole bag goes in the freezer overnight—no ice packs needed. By morning, it’s ready to keep snacks and sandwiches cold until the end of the school day. Less stuff to pack, more chill lunch magic.
PackIt Freezable Playtime Lunch Box ($29.99)—Buy Here!
Ballpoint Character Pen Set, 10pk
Fun enough that our kids actually want to use them. The characters are cute, the colors pop, and having ten in a pack means we can stash a few in backpacks, a few at home, and still have extras when one inevitably disappears into the couch cushions.
Ballpoint Character Pen Set, 10pk ($12)—Buy Here!
Bostitch Twist-N-Sharp Pencil Sharpener, 3pk
Because the “I can’t, my pencil’s broken” excuse gets old fast. This little guy has a twist-to-sharpen design, a covered blade for safety, and an easy-open tray that actually keeps shavings contained (phew). It even lets you choose between sharp or blunt tip for smaller kids.
Bostitch Twist-N-Sharp Pencil Sharpener, 3pk ($7.08)—Buy Here!
RELATED: The Best Back-to-School Supplies on Amazon (So You Don’t Have to Guess)
Crayola Twistables Colored Pencils
No sharpening. No broken tips. These are the colored pencils our kids actually finish instead of abandoning halfway through. With 50 shades, they’ve got options for every art project (or doodle-covered math worksheet), and the clear barrels mean you can see exactly how much is left—aka fewer mid-project meltdowns.
Crayola Twistables Colored Pencils ($15.69)—Buy Here!
Touchland Hand Sanitizer Spray, 3pk
We keep these on hand (literally) because they’re the only sanitizers our kids don’t complain about using. The spray feels light, smells amazing, and the slim bottles actually fit in backpacks and lunchboxes. Plus, the colors are so cute we don’t mind tossing one in our own bag, too.
Touchland Hand Sanitizer Spray, 3pk ($30)—Buy Here!
Weekly Kids Clothes Organizer
Mornings are chaos, and pre-loading outfits for the week saves us from the “I can’t find my socks!” meltdown. The rainbow cubbies make it easy for kids to see what’s ready to go, and honestly, it makes the closet look way more organized than it actually is. Also comes in purple.
Weekly Kids Clothes Organizer ($19.99)—Buy Here!
Mesh Homework Organizer Bags, 4pk
We use these to corral homework, library books, and random worksheets that always seem to vanish into the backpack abyss. The mesh makes it easy to see what’s inside, and the zippers keep everything contained so papers don’t end up crumpled at the bottom. Honestly, they’ve saved us from so many “lost homework” panics. Keep them at home, the car, or in their backpacks.
Mesh Homework Organizer Bags, 4pk ($29.88)—Buy Here!
Funwares Travel Tissue Packs, 8pk
We stash these everywhere—backpacks, car cup holders, our own bags—because you know someone’s going to need a tissue at the worst possible time. The slim packs don’t take up space, and having extras around means fewer sleeve-wiping emergencies (for them…or us).
Funwares Travel Tissue Packs, 8pk ($7.69)—Buy Here!
SmileyWorld Erasable Cover Notebook
We love this one because it works as both a mini notebook and a doodle pad. Kids can take notes, then draw all over the erasable cover when they need a break—wipe it clean, and it’s ready to go again.
SmileyWorld Erasable Cover Notebook ($8)—Buy Here!
All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our editors.
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
All images courtesy of retailers.
