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Ahead of the Game for Back to School Supplies

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Ahead of the Game for Back to School Supplies

Supplies for School and Home

It's been a crazy year for us here in Kansas. Two weeks into July we were scheduled to move home to Washington state. Then the last day of August, it was canceled. This meant my oldest had to get enrolled and set up for school here that starts in just 1 week! Crazy! Luckily we are ready with some useful back to school supplies from Scribble Stuff, USA Gold, and The Board Dudes.

Back to School Supplies

Felt Tip Pens

Back to School Supplies

All kids love art. My oldest draws his own posters to sell at his lemonade stand. The 4-year-old loves to write his letter and numbers, and admittedly my 2-year-old just loves to scribble. I also love art and have a number of adult coloring books. And while these specific pens are not found on my oldest's back to school supplies list, he'll have plenty of projects to do throughout the year that will need more than markers and crayons. These are perfect.

The felt tips pens come in two varieties: 24-pack felt tip pens and 16-pack scented felt tip pens. There is a wide variety of colors and shades and they are so smooth to write or draw with. The colors are true to their representations and look bold and clear on paper. They have fairly fine tips so the ink doesn't spread too much which is nice. The plastic box can be reused to store the pens quickly and easily.

Of COURSE, my kids love the scented pens. Those were the envy of my day back in school as well and little has changed. Each pen smells like something associated with that color, so there are 16 unique scents. They are "smelly" enough that you can indeed discern the scent, but are not overwhelming by any means. You really have to be aware that they have a unique scent to be aware of it.   They also have sturdy plastic nibs to keep the tips from collapsing too much or fraying.

Gel Pens

Back to School Supplies

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I have my own collection of gel pens I use for my art, but hey often turn up missing or misplaced. Now the kids have their own! There is an 8-count pack of fluorescent colored pens which are very attention-grabbing. They almost seem to glow they are so bright. There is a 24-pack that has 8 glitter pens, 8 neon pens, and 8 metallic gel pens. This is nice as it offers enough variety for any need or want. The neons are bright like the fluorescent pens. The glitter pens really have flecks of glitter in them as they write to add sparkle to any project. The metallic pens are also shiny and glittery, but with much finer sparkle.

Back to School Supplies

You can also get a 32-count gel pen tower. This is nice to keep pens neat and organized. It is already assembled with pens in their proper places. They are easy to remove from their slots and to replace.  They also have 2 different 30-count varieties of scented gel pens. Each pack is divided into three distinct scents. They have rose, citrus lemon, coconut, passion fruit, apple blossom, and berry scents. The coconut and apple blossom seem to be the easiest to pick out. The scents are not as strong as in the felt pens, but they are there.

There are SO many colors you can do anything with them. They write so smoothly and I have yet to have any issues with them clogging up or not writing. It's easy to get them going and they write or draw continuously.

USA Gold Pencils

Back to School Supplies

The above photo has been going around on social media lately as back to school time gets back into gear. It's made by a school teacher highlighting the pencils they prefer their students to have. USA Gold pencils are some of the best. A third-party study in April of 2017 showed that 89% of teachers would recommend this brand. They have been made-in-America in Lewisburg, TN for the last 57 years. You can get packs of pencils sharpened or unsharpened.

Pencils are essential back to school supplies and with how incredibly inexpensive it is to pick up a pack of both sharpened and unsharpened you might as well get the best. Some will be ready to go at the start of school and others won't lose their tip by sitting around waiting to be used. I know my kids are not easy on their supplies! You get plenty in a pack, so you shouldn't run out any time soon.

The Board Dudes Dry Erase Board

Back to School Supplies

Last year my 2nd grader had a locker in his classroom. I got my first locker in middle school so I was surprised. My oldest also has trouble staying organized, so this year he'll bring this board to school to put in his cubby or locker with his back to school supplies. It's small enough to fit in even the smallest sized locker and can be attached using magnets or adhesive tape. If you use the magnets, you use the enclosed adhesive tape to attach the magnets to the board. It includes the marker with attached holder clip and a magnet to hold small papers or cards to the board. The marker can be wiped away using cloth or tissue or paper towel.

Ready with Back to School Supplies

Back to School Supplies

No matter what my kids need to write or draw this year, they will be ready with these back to school supplies. They offer such a huge variety of styles and colors and even scents that there are plenty of choices of pens to use. They write easily and cleanly. The dry erase board will help my oldest stay organized and practice his writing skills. The USA Gold pencils are top notch and teacher approved. My son is heartily prepped for school and my youngest is going to be well educated at home having fun with these supplies.

 

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By on August 8th, 2018

About Emily

Emily is a single mom to 3 young kids currently living in Kansas. A "Jill-of-all-trades", she really loves learning about anything, writing in all genres, hot and iced tea, and anything artsy. Her kids are her world and she is doing all she can to not only get by but support them in all their endeavors in life.

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140 thoughts on “Ahead of the Game for Back to School Supplies”

  1. Thanks for the great review. Quality school supplies are so important. I have been seeing a lot of imported pencils from China in stores. I have heard about bad experiences with these pencils.

    Reply
  2. Love all the different color writing "utensils", my kids do too. It helps alleviate any monotony when learning how to write and lessens frustration I found

    Reply
  3. These pens look like so much fun! My daughters and I love back to school shopping season, but my son doesn't enjoy it quite as much.

    Reply
  4. This is the first year the school has indicated that they do not want anything rather than plain #2 pencils--for the same reason, the decorative ones just don't sharpen as well. We have noticed that at home as well, but it would certaicnly be a much larger problem in a classroom.

    Reply
  5. I never thought about it this way. I always love those colorful pencils but will opt for the traditional pencils from now on.

    Reply
  6. 3 of my grandchildren live with me I have one going to kindergarten, one going to sixth grade and one going to ninth grade and from both the sixth and ninth graders the school wants a package of computer printer paper and I am like really,, this is crazy. I am wondering who is going to actually be using this computer printer paper because the letter says for the children to give the package of paper to thier teacher.

    Reply
  7. Back to school shopping has always been fun since I have been buying for my nephew. I know it helps out my sister and it gives me excuse to spend more time with my nephew.

    Reply
  8. My girls would go crazy for those pens! As a former teacher, I totally agree that quality pencils are so important. I always hated the cheaper ones because the pencil sharpener would eat them. lol

    Reply
  9. I love gel pens! I use them when I color. I have a bit of an addiction/obsession to coloring. I love trying new gel pens/pens/pencils. I love that Minnie Mouse back pack. My 4 yr old granddaughter is obsessed with Disney and Minnie is her favorite. I don't have kids in school but I still go get goodies for myself since they are usually cheaper this time of the yr.

    Reply
  10. Scented gel pens? Yes please! I may steal them for myself. I agree with the pencils. The cheaper, the worst. Who wants their kid to be up sharpening their pencil all the time instead of learning.

    Reply
  11. I think the gel pens really work great on poster boards. Nice that you have some just for the children. Good thing too that you already had some supplies on hand since the move didn't go through as previously planned.

    Reply
  12. Do you hate the teacher had me loling. I prefer the 2 hb pencils myself. My daughter would love to have the fun scribble pens. She is 11 and going into the 5th grade this year. Sept 6 is when she goes back. We don't even know who the teacher is and the suspense is killing her. I have to wait until the last week in Aug because that's where my husbands pay check falls in. I love reading blog post and gathering up ideas. I write a blog too.

    Reply
  13. Those gel pens are great, I too always have some missing and never seem to find them, I like how bold and bright they are, they look better than the ones I have. Very cool, i havent seen that brand until now.

    Reply
  14. Ah, I remember those huge scented markers from the 80's - I loved those! My daughter loves art as well, we should get her some of these scented markers to try out.

    Reply
  15. this is such a cute package.

    my kidslove to color an are always losing theicrayons or markers so they would love this.

    thanns!

    Reply
  16. Great review! We love gel pens. Also, nice knowing what pencils are best since we homeschool. Nothing worse than bad pencils.

    Reply
  17. I love gel pens. The kids don’t have to worry bout me stealing the scented ones, though. THose scented markers from the 90s gave me serious headaches!

    Reply
  18. I think my 2 granddaughters would love to try the scented gel pens and the scented felt tip pens. The both love to draw and make their own greeting cards.

    Reply
  19. Metallic Pens: SOOOOOO cherished and used here.
    Ordered the huge case of assorted colors and replacements this past year. Much fun to use and to see. Sparkling ones are best (glittering). 🙂 Thanks for the cheery posting.

    Reply
  20. We have back to school meet and greet tonight with my oldest's Kindergarten teacher. I certainly hope they don't have shared supplies like they did in preschool. If so, and if I won, these will for sure stay at home.

    Reply
  21. You can never have enough gel pens. I had to buy the kids their own sets too so they would stop taking mine. I totally agree about the pencils. It's much better to spend the extra money on high-quality pencils and save the aggravation that comes with low-cost ones.

    Reply
  22. I love the gel pens, so many options, my kiddo had really gotten into the scented pens lately too. I never considered the plastic coatings on the pencils, though i have always bought ones that are premium and for drawing and writing because, lets face it, the lead and wood are super important. I hate when the wood gets all funky and shaves weird, the lead that's not smooth sucks too. lol I guess I'm serious about my pencils! XD

    Reply
  23. I feel like you can never have too many colored pens. I swear once kids discover pens that's all they want to color and draw with!

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  24. Well all love art here too . I have my drawing pads and my pencil case for my drawing pencils. All three of my daughters LOVE to draw , my 5 year old surprises me sometimes with how detailed her drawings are.

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  25. those are some really great choices,i helped my daughter with supplies this year,,she has 4 in school and the list were really long and expensive

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  26. I love the pens i know my kids would use daily and i my self love the dry erase board easy to keep up with field trips and events

    Reply
  27. My daughter would love the gel pens and felt tip pens as well as the Board Dudes Dry Erase Board! I would also love to check out USA Gold Pencils!

    Reply
  28. My grandson Josiah and Landon would love the pencils because they love writing words and pretending to write stories.

    Reply
  29. Love the minnie backpack, my great niece is a minnie girl. I don't have to worry about getting all this stuff any more. Each year our town has a lot of back to school supplies fill the bus. I try to fill to backpack each year with items on the school list plus some fun pens and pencils.

    Reply
  30. Interesting about the pencils. I have gotten USA Gold and they do work great, but have gotten some in the Meh category as well and my daughter and grandsons have had no complaints. Cannot believe back to school is upon is, seems like just yesterday they were letting them out for summer vacation.

    Reply
  31. I really love the idea of dry erase boards. I think that is very useful and I agree most the pencils given from the school are horrible to sharpen and most erasers don't work. Your rating seems about right.

    Reply
  32. That was interesting information on the pencils. I agree the USA Gold pencils look great. A high quality sharpener is also helpful.

    Reply
  33. I have one going into 1st grade and another that will still be home as he is 4yrs old. I like the idea of the dry erase boards and maybe getting my staying home boy some art supplies since his sister is getting a bunch of new supplies for school (thanks for inspiring me!)

    Reply
  34. The dry erase is great to keep on the fridge for them to write long off assignments on-we have one that is a calendar one with space on the side to write additional things.

    Reply
  35. These are awesome products for back to school. Not only necessary but so cute. Thank you so much for sharing this

    Reply
  36. My daughter loves art and all the fun artsy supplies like felt pens and gel pens that are scented,she would be excited to get,she always drawing,coloring and creating something.

    Reply
  37. This is a lot of great, perfect items for my kindergartener. My daughter would really love everything and the Minnie Mouse bag is perfect for her too.

    Reply
  38. My children loved shopping for school supplies like these! The Gel Pens would definitely make my daughter happy and I like them too.

    Reply
  39. Looks like you have school shopping just about wrapped up! I love to shop for quality school items during the famous back to school sales and then afterward during their clearance sales. My mother does the same thing, and has plastic tubs filled with stuff for the grandkids that she hands out every year which is a big help.

    Reply

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