18 Essential School Supplies that will make this School Year a Success By Writer and Contributor Annamarie von Firley
As the lazy days of summer start to wind down, the excitement of the back-to-school season is ready to kick into high gear! This year, the transition from summer fun to school readiness is more exciting than ever with brand new essential supplies and playful toys that make going back to school a breeze. From must-have notebooks and innovative gadgets to fun, educational toys that spark creativity and enthusiasm, there’s no shortage of tools to help students of all ages start the year off right. Read more to explore the latest and greatest in back-to-school supplies, share tips for picking the perfect gear, and highlight some must-have toys that blend learning with play. So, let’s dive into a world where productivity meets fun, and get ready to equip your students with everything they need to shine this school year!
Elementary & Middle School:
Nothing is more exciting than a new blank book. Your budding scribe can fill the 190 pages with their thoughts, poems and/or drawings. Or maybe this clever journal will become a field guide. They can use the 100 tiles to decorate the cover, practice their spelling or create a title for their musings. Available in 12 colors.
Make no mistake, this set of six bold neon colors allows your student to highlight important information for quick reference later, and the erasable ink lets your child remove the highlight if they change their mind. Easy erasing will help them have the cleanest highlighted notes in the school. The double-sided pens have color on one side and the magic eraser tip on the other.
3. Japanese Snack Foods Erasers
This darling set of colorful novelty erasers shaped like tiny Japanese snacks and drinks is so much fun, your student will be looking for excuses to make mistakes, just so they can have the pleasure of fixing them. The lids come off of the containers to reveal the food inside!
Spark happiness this set of mesmerizing Color Changing Markers. Your child will be surprised and delighted when they color with the regular side, then use the mystery color change side (white tip) and see a wonderful transformation.
5. Math Dominoes - Multiplication
What happens when you mix math with dominoes? You get a fun way to reinforce math skills. Each wooden domino has a simple multiplication equation on one side and a whole number on the other. Your Junior Mathematician needs to match the whole number to the equation whose solution is that number creating a long linear equation.
Making Change is an educational game where players use mental math to subtract the price of an item from the amount paid to make the correct change. Whoever collects the most items wins; get one item from each of 10 categories for bonus points. Making Change helps to build your scholar’s practical math skills.
7. Uppercase Cursive Writing Board
Your child can practice uppercase cursive on the go! Learn the complex skills of proper cursive handwriting with the sensory reinforcement of magnets. Use the arrows and trace each uppercase scripted letter with the magnetic stylus to feel the pull of the magnet. Erases with the tip of a finger.
8. Math Bingo
Build on early math skills with this fun-to-play Math Bingo game. Simple Math Bingo is cleverly designed with double sided boards; children can choose to solve addition or subtraction math problems, even in the same game! Draw a tile and reveal a number. Does it answer a problem on your board? A little mental math will make it clear! Be the first player to fill their lotto board to win! Printed in vibrant colors and illustrated with animal friends for easy counting.
A funky way to decorate lockers, your student can compose names, greetings, reminders, and other retro-text messages with these 64 different 1.5” square magnetic letters and numbers. Get creative! Turn and flip characters to change their meaning and to expand your mind.
10. Shrink Art Backpack Charms
Designed to ignite creativity, this Shrink Art kit offers a blend of coloring fun, hands-on decorating, and a dash of science. Your budding artist can simply color the pre-cut designs, pop them in the oven, and watch the magic happen as the tags shrink to more than half their size, intensifying the colors along the way! The end result? Five sturdy, personalized bag charms with which kids can proudly adorn their backpacks.
Pre-School & Kindergarten:
Little ones can practice their ABCs and learn how to say them in English, French, Italian and German with this Multi-Language Alphabet Tray Puzzle. This innovative wooden puzzle features 26 chunky shaped letters and sheets featuring cute icon illustrations that correspond to each language's alphabet like 'A for Apple', 'B for Butterfly' and 'C for Cat'. Just lift up the top puzzle to easily switch out the language. Ideal for developing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, letter and shape recognition and dexterity.
2. Alphabet and Phonics Flashcards
The 45 cards compiled by Reading Specialist Dr. Sarah Brown show upper and lower case letters, and a labeled object that starts with the letter shown. This set of large flash cards is an excellent way to reinforce learning the letters and their sound/symbol relationship.
3. Felt Busy Book - Counting Koala
Step into the enchanting realm of learning with the Koala Quiet Book - a meticulously crafted mini adventure that seamlessly blends premium cotton blend and OEKO-TEX® felt for heirloom quality. Immerse your little ones in a delightful journey of exploration and play, introducing them to the wonders of counting in a fun and engaging way. The Koala Busy Book isn't just a book; it's a captivating gateway to early counting skills and cognitive development. Each page is thoughtfully designed with love and attention to detail, providing a nurturing learning experience that sparks both joy and curiosity. As your child flips through the pages, they'll encounter whimsical scenes, delightful textures, and interactive elements, making the learning process an exciting adventure.
Stack the numbers in order to help the rocket ship go into space! This delightful stacking game helps children learn their numbers, understand sequencing and balance, as well as build fine motor skills. Use the charming heavyweight cardboard storage box as a size sorter when cleaning up the game.
5. First Nouns - Picture Flash Cards
These darling Picture Play cards have one purpose: make it fun and easy for kids to start recognizing sight words! Play with these cards and see just how fast your child starts picking up new words. Helping kids communicate what they want is a game changer: fewer tantrums and more joyful family time. Teach 50 new words: Animals, Food, and Household Objects. Each word includes three picture examples for a total of 150 cards. These unique picture cards are perfect for early learners in preschool and Kindergarten, and were specially designed by language experts. They are aligned with the latest research based practices in education to encourage learning for exceptional children of all ages and ability levels.
This activity-set provides the tools kids need to set out on their own imaginative adventure in a brand new setting: SCHOOL! Class is never boring when you are in charge. This product includes hall passes, student IDs, and a teacher’s notebook, and won the Oppenheim Gold award.
This colorful wooden Fraction Cubes starter set will help children explore and compare fractions. Children will learn about the proportional relationships between one section and the whole as well as develop the mathematics flexible thinking. Firsthand interaction with manipulatives helps children understand mathematics by providing concrete ways for them to bring meaning to abstract mathematical ideas. Manipulatives help children learn new concepts and relate new concepts to what they have already learned. They also assist children with solving problems.
8. Good Manners Conversation Cards
Learning to school is not all about recognizing numbers and letters, it is also about social-emotional development. Set your student’s first days of school up for success with this good manners activity set, so they can respectfully socialize with their peers and teachers. Polite pigs make manners satisfying to learn, demonstrating good behavior in familiar situations. One side of each card asks what approach or response is right for a situation; the reverse offers a good suggestion.
As you gear up for another exciting school year, having the right supplies and toys can make all the difference in turning a new beginning into a smooth and enjoyable experience. With a well-chosen collection of school essentials and engaging toys, you’ll set the stage for a productive and fun-filled year ahead. Whether it’s the perfect journal or creative toys that make learning a joy, the right tools can inspire and motivate. So, embrace the back-to-school season with enthusiasm and confidence, knowing you’re equipped with everything needed to make this year a standout success. Here’s to a fantastic start and a school year full of achievements, discoveries, and fun!
Bio:
Annamarie von Firley is the President of the beloved Adventuretown Toy Emporium located in Los Angeles. She has a BFA in Wooden Toy Design and Construction from Hampshire College and BFA in Furniture Design from California College of the Arts She was the cofounder and designer of the revered reproduction vintage clothing store, reVamp, for 20 years. Her handiwork has been seen on Broadway and major motion pictures, as well as in the Smithsonian.