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10 of the best stationery buys for kids

Kit your child out for the new school year with the best pens, pencil cases, erasers, pencil sharpeners, highlighters and more - with options for Reception age kids to Secondary School starters

composite image showing some of the best stationery buys for school for 2026

Published: August 25, 2026 at 5:30 PM

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Buying new stationery for your kids before the new school year can be difficult in a world of ever-changing passions and interests and a crowded market overflowing with choices.

In addition to getting what they actually need (like notebooks, pens, pencils, folders etc), you’ve also got to think about how your child can show a little bit of their creativity and personality through what they use.

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To help we’ve rounded up some of the coolest and quirkiest pencil cases, pens, pencils, crayons, rubbers, pencil sharpers, and much more. All great buys that not only get your child ready for the new school term – but that will make learning a lot more fun.

10 of the best school supplies and stationery goods at a glance

Here are 10 of the best school supplies and stationery you can buy now…

1. Helix Oxford Complete Back to School Stationery Set, £21.75

Best overall stationery buy

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stationery set

Amazon

If you're starting from scratch with stationery shopping, you can't go wrong with this Oxford complete set, featuring pens, pencils, colouring pencils, a calculator, rubber and a ruler.

Available from: Amazon

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2. Legami Erasable Animal Gel Pens, £2 each or £19.34 for 12

Best collectable pens

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row of different Legami collectable animal pens

The days of crossing out mistakes written in pen are a thing of the past thanks to these adorable animal-themed, erasable gel pens.

They come in a variety of styles and ink colours so there's something for everyone, including grown-ups and they're weirdly addictive to collect.

Available from: John Lewis and Amazon

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3. Maped Helix Kidy Learn Erasable Chameleon Pen, £3.22

- Best easy grip first pen

Maped Helix easy grip pen for first writing against a white background

If you've got Reception age kids who are just getting grips with their tripod holds and learning their first letters, this cute chameleon erasable pen with easygrip will start them on the journey with ease.

Available from: Amazon

4. Crayola Clicks Retractable Markers, £9.99

Best for longer-lasting pens

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packet of Crayola clicks on white background

A genius craft invention from Crayola that solves the eternal problem of missing pen lids - retractable markers! If you're fed up of constantly buying new pens because they've dried out then these are the perfect solution.

The 10-marker set comes in classic colours (above) or pastel hues that last longer thanks to the click mechanism and are much easier for kids to use and put away themselves. Plus it completely eradicates concerns over kids who chew lids!

Available from: Amazon

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5. Maped pastel glitter highlighters, £3.15

Best for kids who love sparkle

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Maped glitter highlighters

If you want your child to remember their school nativity lines or key facts for their exams, then make sure their highlighters give them the best chance possible. These glitter pastel pens are so pretty and fun to use that revising will be a doddle.

Available from: Amazon

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6. Stabilo EasyOriginal Holograph Pen, £6.43

Best for left handers

pink and purple holograph pen with easy grip

Finding suitable stationery for left handers can be tricky, but thankfully Stabilo pens come in options for both right and left handers and are perfectly shaped to help little one master a good tripod grip early on.

Available from: Amazon

7. Casio FX-85GTCW Solar Powered Scientific Calculator, £20.99

Best school calculator

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Scientific calculator

Argos

A smart calculator for your little maths whizz. Casio have been making school school calculators for years and this one is perfect for any kids taking their first steps into secondary school.

Available from: Ryman

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8. Anker Kids Craft Scissors, £3.79

Best scissors for kids

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best-stationery-for-kids_scissorsforkids

Cute, fun giraffe and zebra patterned safety scissors, who wouldn't want them? They're suitable for children above the age of 6 though, these might be best off living in a craft box!

Available from: Amazon

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9. Kidy Learn Stationery Set, £4.99

Best stationery set for kids with SEND

sensory friendly pen set for children with SEND

If your little one struggles to concentrate or loves to fiddle and chew pens while they're thinking, this set is ideal. With chewable elements that you can remove and wash and fun sensory additions to the ruler, rubber and pencil sharpener, it will delight kids with SEND or any youngster who likes fun textures.

Available from: Ryman

10. Smiggle Aspire Pop Out Pencil Case, £15

Best multifunctional pencil case

football themed pop out football pencil case

Smiggle are always a popular choice every back-to-school season thanks to their wide array of fun, playful designs. This football-themed pencil case is perfect for any kids who became World Cup obsessed this summer. It's not all style though as it features useful extras including a sharpener, mini-calculator and magnetic close compartments for pens.

Available from: Smiggle

Images: from product websites

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Authors

Matthew Trask

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