My kids are going to be in 5th grade and 7th grade this year, so I kind of have this back-to-school shopping thing down. I am pretty familiar with the back to school supplies lists and I have tried shopping around, so I know where I can find everything and at what prices. I also know that there are required back to school supplies (for most schools), and then there are optional supplies. I am talking about cool back to school supplies that will get your kids excited to go to school… and that is always a good thing! Well, last year I discovered the secret is that Staples has all the required back to school supplies plus the cool back to school supplies, and this year I am doing my one-stop-shop for school supplies there again. This post is brought to you by STAPLES but all opinions expressed are my own.
Cool Back To School Supplies List
There are your standard must-have school supplies lists, which contain things like #2 pencils, glue sticks, school glue, scissors, pencil cases, pocket folders, loose-leaf paper, lined notebooks, composition books, rulers, red pens, colored pencils, crayons, and markers. While those are ultimately the meat and potatoes of your back to school shopping, there are some great bonus items or upgraded versions of the standards that will make your child excited for the first day of school.
As your kids go off to middle school, suddenly cool back to school supplies become important and here is a list I compiled with the help of my 12 year old of must-have, cool back to school supplies. Available in stores across the country and on Staples.com, these 2017 back-to-school products are in stock all season long at everyday low prices and backed by the Staples 110% Price Match Guarantee!
- Case•it Zipper Binder with Built-in Tab File
I found out pretty quickly that while my daughter’s school supply list said 3″ binder, the only option that was acceptable was a Case•it Zipper Binder ($19.49). It was just cooler. Plus, it offers a 5-color tabbed expanding file folder, with handle & shoulder strap, and multiple mesh pockets. I am all about organization so I was glad to see her showing that inclination as well. - Zipit Grillz 3 Ring Binder Pencil Pouch AKA Zipping Monster Pencil Pouch
The kids love this fun and functional pencil pouch. The Grillz 3 Ring Binder Pencil Pouch ($7.00) fits up to 50 pencils and pens so your child is always prepared. - Locker ShelfThere are several brand options but this Honey Can Do Locker Shelf ($16.49) is not only cool, it allows students to stay organized and grab the right books quickly to make it to class on time.
- Locker WallpaperWhile I can’t say that locker wallpaper will help your child with school, it does allow them to express their individuality and get excited about school. LockerLookz (TM) Locker Wallpaper comes in several colors and patterns.
- Post-it Notes“Ooooh, Post-its!” my daughter exclaims with glee every time we pass that section. She has many colors and sizes of Post-it Notes ($8.99), and to be fair, she puts them to good use with notes to herself and to mark sections of her text books.
- Bento BoxIf you child brings their lunch to school, they are sure to love these Imperial Home Plastic Bento Lunch Boxes ($13.06 for a pack of 2). Not only are they cool right now, they are also a great way to reduce waste and have built in portion control.
- Cool BackpackQuality backpacks that feature interesting patterns and colors and are big enough to fit lots of school supplies are always a hit. Classic backpacks were cool when I was little, and are still cool today with patterns like this geo stripe!
At Staples, you can find a wide variety of quality products in the latest designs that kids want, like these cool school supplies, at affordable prices for convenient one-stop shopping in-store and/or online. You can also find all the latest tech kids may need. After all, it is important for parents and students to feel prepared so they can tackle the back-to-school season like pros. And if your child is headed to high school or college, they have all the electronics you may need for that too, like fancy calculators and computers. Check out the Staples.com Back to School Center and find all the school supplies you need to be ready for back to school season! What are some of your favorite cool back to school supplies?