Each and every school year, we parents pay a bundle for the same long list of generic school supplies. Then we shove the pile in a backpack and send them off to school. If that's working for you, do it again this year! And every year! However, if forking out a lot of dough for a bunch of uninspired school tools is crushing your soul, we've found some super-pretty (and handsome!) goods that will make everything alright again.
There's a time and a place for 2-for-1, spiral-bound notebooks and 99-cent colored pencils, but sometimes you (and your kids) need goods with a little more thrill and enthusiasm. Because school is AWESOME, right? Right. And it should be treated as such.
We've found 24 great-looking school supplies that will take school life up a notch.
Colorful Plastic Pencil Case
Sorry, but not all pencil cases are created equal. Case in point: Check out this Colorful Pencil Case. The texture and colors are to die for, and they can keep all that backpack miscellany — from pencils and pens to a flash drive or a pack of gum — in one place.
Hotdog Desktop Stapler
This is just cool, man. A Hotdog Desktop Stapler. Your kid needs one in his backpack this year. It'll give them serious cred.
Decomposition Book
Made from 100 percent post-consumer-waste recycled paper with biogas-derived energy, this eco-friendly the Decompostion Book is lined and ready to go for class notes. It's the perfect place to break it all down for study time.
Animal Erasers
These adorable animal erasers come in a pack of 130, so they are sure to last for at least one school year, and make do-overs in class lots more fun.
Eraser Dust Mini Cleaner
Leaving a trail of eraser remnants is just embarrassing. Equip your kid with this cool Midori Eraser Dust Mini Cleaner II. You just roll it over eraser mess and voilà — a neat and tidy desk area.
Piggy Flash Drive
This Piggy Flash Drive is so cute, and holds 64GB of data. Fun and functional, like all the best school supplies.
Retro Camera Pencil Sharpener
Looks like an old-school camera, works like a current-day pencil sharpener. This Retro Camera Pencil Sharpener is a fun addition to any work space.
Checkerboard Old Skool Backpack
Your kid can show off a cool, retro vibe by carrying this Vans Checkerboard Old Skool II Backpack this school year. It's also fun to stare at and make your eyes go berserk, for whatever that's worth.
Cute Cable Organizers
Stop the cords-run-amuck madness! These cute Cable Organizers are a simple snap 'n' go solution, and come in a pack of 10.
Bluetooth Padlock
The days of forgetting your locker combination are so over. This Bluetooth Padlock can be unlocked with your teen's smartphone or fingerprint. App available for iOS, Android, and Windows phones.
Mini One-Hole Punch
Tiny portable hole punch, where have you been all our lives?! Toss this handy Mini One-Hole Punch in your kids' backpack, and they will love you forever.
Iridescent Backpack
Everyone loves a spiffy new school bag, but it's this fantastic Iridescent Backpack we're really taking a shine to this year.
Four-Color Pen
Four colors, one ballpoint pen! The Bic 4-Color Pen includes red, black, green, and blue. That'll come in handy!
Kitty Lunch Box
This sophisticated Kitty Lunch Box will make lunchtime for your cool cat. There's a matching backpack and pencil case, too!
Rose Gold Metal Ruler
Wooden rulers a good enough for some, but others need a little more flair in their straight edge. Check out this beautiful Rose Gold Metal Ruler. It's fabulous!.
Wood Mechanical Pencil
It looks like an ordinary wood pencil, but it's a Wood Mechanical Pencil, which takes 2.0mm lead. It's easy to refill over and over again.
Embossing Label Machine
There's nothing like a Label Machine to help everything and everyone stay organized. Label clothes, water bottles, backpacks, and more to ensure they have the best chance of staying out of the lost and found.
Colorful A5 Notebook
Finally, a notebook that's fashionable enough to carry outside of your backpack. The bi-color Colorful A5 Notebooks is lined and a perfect pick for those destined for design school.
Invisible Book Shelf
When you're deep in the school year, you need your books right where you need them. This Invisible Book Shelf offers a special book-dedicated place anywhere you want to hang it.
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, CafeMom.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
