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The best back-to-school supplies for kids in 2018

Make sure to put these cool lunch boxes, pens, notebooks and more on your kid's back-to-school supplies shopping list

Allie Early
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Allie Early
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Celebrate the season with awesome back-to-school supplies for kids! We've rounded up great picks for everyone from your preschoolers to your young teens at a variety of price points. See below for cute kids' clothes, gadgets, accessories and more that'll bring a smile to their faces, and don't forget to check out our guides to the best local school supply stores, as well as tips on where to get free school supplies.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to get your kids back to school in NYC

While you're planning ahead for the 2018–2019 school year, you'll also want to browse our roundup of top after-school programs in the area.

Best school supplies for kids

Ages 3–5: Print Packable cinch sack
Photograph: Courtesy Land's End

Ages 3–5: Print Packable cinch sack

Before the school bus pulls away, pop books, snacks and toys into this printed single-pouch drawstring sack.You can even get it personalized with initials and cute embroidered symbols, from rainbow hearts and unicorns to dinosaurs, planets and skulls. $17.95, landsend.com

Ages 3–5: Juice in the Box

Ages 3–5: Juice in the Box

Leakproof, dishwasher-safe and made from 80 percent recycled material, this reusable juice box will save your kid’s homework from spills time and time again. $12, amazon.com

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Ages 3–5: Jean jacket
Photograph: Courtesy Gap

Ages 3–5: Jean jacket

Perfect for the transition from summer air-conditioning to chilly fall days, this stellar denim jacket will make your kid the star of the show. $35, gap.com

Ages 3–5: Shark lunch box
Photograph: Courtesy Gap

Ages 3–5: Shark lunch box

Your little beasts will devour whatever food you pack into this sharp-looking lunch box! Compact in size, it easily slides into smaller backpacks, and the zipper pocket is perfect for stashing snacks. $18, gap.com

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Ages 6–8: Owl fluorescent pencils
Photograph: Courtesy Eeboo

Ages 6–8: Owl fluorescent pencils

Highlighting is even more fun with these six bright, large-grip pencils in a cute package that includes a sharpener. $7.49, shop.eeboo.com

Ages 3–5: REMI Sleep Companion
Photograph: MoMA Store

Ages 3–5: REMI Sleep Companion

Connected to a parent’s iOS or Android smartphone via Bluetooth, this alarm clock’s sleeping or waking digital face gets kids used to the idea of snoozing on a set schedule. While this little gadget demystifies the very concept of time, it also sends alerts and plays lullabies, among other cool features. $99, store.moma.org

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Ages 6–8: Anthozoa sneakers
Photograph: Courtesy JambuKD

Ages 6–8: Anthozoa sneakers

Whether your kid is jumping around at the playground or jetting to the classroom, these versatile shoes will lend their support. Bonys: The insoles can be removed for washing! $55, jambukd.com

Ages 6–8: Bentgo Kids lunch box

Bring bento-box–style dining to your kid’s backpack with this cute container. Five compartments allow for all kinds of snacks. Did we mention that it’s leakproof? $28, target.com

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Ages 6–8: Burger Backpack
Photograph: Courtesy OMG Accessories

Ages 6–8: Burger Backpack

Consider this school accessory an ode to your kid's favorite fast food. Your small fry will relish this hamburger-decorated backpack, which includes two pockets but no soda. $48, omgaccessories.com

Ages 6–8: Fiskars color-change scissors

Ages 6–8: Fiskars color-change scissors

Ditch your average, boring scissors for a pair that changes color when you cut stuff up—fun, right? Available in a variety of shades and sizes. $4.50–$6.50, target.com

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Ages 6–8: Flying Creatures Paper Airplane Book

Ages 6–8: Flying Creatures Paper Airplane Book

We’re certainly not suggesting that your kids make paper airplanes at school. But if they ever do, they should reference Jeff Lammers and Ken Blackburn’s how-to book, which features animal- themed folding projects. $9.95, workman.com

Ages 6–8: VW Coolbox lunch box
Photograph: Courtesy VW Coolbox

Ages 6–8: VW Coolbox lunch box

Dudes and dudettes can keep lunch super chilled with this insulated camper-van lunch bag.The zipper top has a cool surfboard handle, and the inside will pack enough bento boxes to feed even the hungriest tween. $24, vwcoolboxproducts.com

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Ages 9–11: Light-up bow tie
Photograph: Courtesy UncommonGoods

Ages 9–11: Light-up bow tie

Can you brush up on your STEM skills and still be the life of the party? Yes, you can. After building a mini electrical circuit,you and your kid can assemble this dapper bow tie that glows and blinks. $25, uncommongoods.com

Ages 9–11: Mini scented candy-twist highlighters
Photograph: Courtesy Dylan's Candy Bar

Ages 9–11: Mini scented candy-twist highlighters

These teeny highlighters look good enough to eat—and they smell just like candy.The pint-size four-pack is great for kids on the go. $9, dylanscandybar.com

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Ages 9–11: Mermaid-tail screen cleaner
Photograph: Courtesy Yoobi

Ages 9–11: Mermaid-tail screen cleaner

Keep tablets and phone screens free of dirt and fingerprints with this purple mermaid-tail mitt that easily wipes away grime. $2, yoobi.com

Ages 9–11: Mini Medley soft- cover notebooks

Color-coding is a piece of cake with this set of 10 notebooks, each sporting a different relaxing hue. $20, poppin.com

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Ages 9–11: Dinosaurs Decomposition book

Ages 9–11: Dinosaurs Decomposition book

A clever twist on the classic school supply list, these 80-page dino composition books are made from 100 percent recycled paper. $6, amazon.com

Ages 12–14: VHS backpack
Photograph: Courtesy Society6

Ages 12–14: VHS backpack

Connoisseurs of ’80s culture can rewind time with this pack, which is emblazoned with a retro videotape design. $70, society6.com

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Ages 12–14: 3-D cupcake notepad

Jot down all those important tidbits on this accordion-style 3-D cupcake notepad. Nuff said. $10, dylanscandybar.com

Ages 12–14: Laptop sleeve

Even kids who truly abuse their book bags can keep their laptops safe and sound with this groovy case, which has a scratch- resistant microfiber interior. $36, society6.com


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Ages 12–14: Cotton shorts

Ages 12–14: Cotton shorts

Bring summer with you to homeroom! This beachy pair of yellow shorts comes with three pockets and a drawstring waistband. $13, hm.com

Ages 12–14: Settlement backpack

hese simple, ultra modern backpacks come in great colors and patterns and include a 15-inch laptop sleeve. $60, herschel.com

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Ages 12–14: Post-it Tabs and Flags

Ages 12–14: Post-it Tabs and Flags

Forget dog-earing textbook pages—these colorful little tabs will have your kiddos pumped to mark their favorite lines. $6, post-it.com

Related school supply trends

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