17 Best Back to School Gifts for Kids

Back to school gifts for kids have become a little tradition in our house.

It started with a new book and a fun pencil case when my son started kindergarten, and now, even as he’s older, he still looks forward to a small surprise on the first day.

Whether it’s something practical, silly, or sentimental, these gift ideas can make heading back to school feel a bit more special (and a lot more fun).

Fun back to school gift ideas for kids like scented pencils, Mad Libs, books, and a sweet bracelet for the first day of school.

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First Day of School Ideas to Make It Special for Kids

Creating a memorable first day of school sets a positive tone and helps your child feel excited and confident about the year ahead.

Try these simple ideas to make the day extra special:

Lay out their school outfit and pack their backpack the night before to start the day stress-free.
Make a fun or themed breakfast—something they’ll look forward to when they wake up.
Slip a sweet note or an encouraging message into their lunchbox.
Snap a few first day of school photos with a sign or fun prop to mark the moment.
Give a small back-to-school gift, like a new book or scented pencils.
Use our free back to school worksheets to add a playful activity to the day.

Best Back to School Gift Ideas for Kids

Looking for a back-to-school gift that’s both fun and practical?

Whether you’re aiming for something useful, playful, or a mix of both, here are some great gift ideas to kick off the school year with excitement:

How to Catch a Class Pet: A Back to School Adventure for Kids

If your kid loves silly stories and fun surprises, this book is a must. It follows a group of students on a hilarious mission to catch their runaway class pet—an adventure packed with teamwork, laughs, and a dash of chaos.

With bright, playful illustrations and a clever story that mirrors the excitement of starting school, it’s a great read to help kids ease into the new year with a smile.

Learning Resources Time Activity Set

Perfect for curious kids who love to “do it themselves,” this hands-on set helps them master telling time while having fun.

It’s got colorful activity cards and a sturdy clock with movable hands—ideal for visual learners and little problem-solvers. It’s part play, part learning boost, and all fun.

Back to School Bracelet

This sweet matching bracelet set is a gentle way to stay emotionally connected during the school day.

Whether it’s mom and daughter or parent and child, the heart charms serve as a wearable hug—just a glance at the wrist brings comfort. It’s simple, sentimental, and perfect for those big first-day feelings.

Glitter Gel Smens

These glittery, scented gel pens are basically magic in pen form. Each one smells amazing—think cupcake, watermelon, or cotton candy—and the sparkly ink glides smoothly on the page.

Great for doodling, writing notes, or just making homework a little more fun, these are a hit with kids who love stationery that stands out.

Dear Teacher

If your child has a case of the first-day jitters, this laugh-out-loud book is a perfect icebreaker. Told through a series of wildly imaginative letters from a student to their teacher, it’s full of clever jokes and reassuring messages that help ease common worries.

A funny, relatable read that reminds kids they’re not alone—and that school might just be awesome after all.

Pop It Notebook

This notebook is a dream come true for fidgety hands and creative minds. With its push-pop bubble cover, it doubles as a sensory toy kids can use to stay calm and focused.

Inside, they’ll find college-ruled pages for notes, doodles, or journaling—perfect for kids who like a little movement while they learn.

This is a perfect gift for ADHD kids too.

First Day of School Mad Libs

Bring on the giggles! This interactive book lets kids create their own silly stories using wacky word combinations—and it’s secretly a genius way to boost grammar and vocab.

Great for calming nerves, breaking the ice, or just making the school day feel a little more like playtime.

Elmer’s Scented Clear Glue Sticks

These aren’t your average glue sticks—they smell like fruity candy and make crafting feel extra fun. With scents like strawberry and watermelon, they’re a sensory treat for kids who love hands-on activities.

Plus, they’re safe, nontoxic, and easy to use, which makes them a back-to-school must-have.

The Crayons Go Back to School

The beloved crayons are back—and this time, they’re headed to class! In this charming story, each crayon shares its thoughts about the new school year, from excitement to nerves.

It’s a heartwarming, colorful way to help kids embrace their own feelings about going back to school—and celebrate their unique personalities.

Personalized Name Labels

No more lost lunchboxes or mixed-up water bottles! These cute, waterproof name labels stick to everything from clothes to pencils, and they come in tons of fun designs kids will love.

Customizable and super durable, they’re a small but mighty tool for keeping school stuff organized all year long.

Erasers

These little animal-shaped erasers are just plain fun. They come in a roller case that actually picks up the eraser dust—super satisfying to use.

Great for kids who love cute supplies or need a little motivation to double-check their work.

Disney Water Bottle with Straw

If your kiddo loves all things Disney or Pixar, this water bottle might just become their new favorite thing.

It’s the perfect size for school, keeps drinks cold, and the flip-up straw makes it easy to use (and hard to spill). It’s practical, but still full of personality.

Smencils

These pencils smell so good. Each one has a different scent—like bubblegum or root beer—and they're made from recycled newspaper, which is a nice bonus.

They're fun for kids who like sensory things, and yes, they're still legit #2 pencils teachers will actually allow.

Premium Bento Lunch Box

This lunch box is a game-changer for packing quick, balanced meals. It has built-in compartments to keep snacks and sandwiches separate (no soggy crackers!), and the leak-proof lid actually works.

Great for picky eaters or anyone who likes a little variety at lunch.

Pencil Case

A solid pencil case makes a difference, and this one is roomy without being bulky. It has compartments to keep things organized—so pencils, pens, and even scissors don’t end up floating loose in a backpack. Simple, durable, and easy to zip and go.

Paper Mate Felt Tip Pens

These felt tip pens are so satisfying to write with—smooth ink flow, bright colors, and no annoying smudges.

They’re great for note-taking, doodling, or just adding some personality to schoolwork. With 24 colors in the set, there's something for every mood or subject.

School Backpack

A new backpack is one of those little things that makes back-to-school feel exciting again.

This one’s lightweight but still roomy enough for books, supplies, and even a laptop. It’s built for comfort and actually holds up well, even when it’s tossed around daily.

Colorful LEGO brick background image representing LEGO school supplies, perfect for back-to-school themes and classroom decor.

21 LEGO School Supplies That Make Back to School More Fun

If your child is a LEGO fan, these themed school supplies are a fun way to ease into the new year. From colorful brick-inspired lunchboxes to pencil holders, they add a playful twist to everyday essentials—perfect for making back-to-school feel less stressful and more exciting.

Collage of popular first day of school books including 'The Kissing Hand,' 'School's First Day of School,' 'We Don't Eat Our Classmates,' 'First Day Jitters,' 'The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!,' 'My New Teacher and Me!,' and 'How Do Dinosaurs Go to School?'

21 Must Read First Day of School Books

Pairing a new school gift with a thoughtful read-aloud can make the first day even more special. This list includes our favorite picture books about starting school—some funny, some sweet, all great for helping kids process big feelings and build excitement for the year ahead.

Make sure you don’t forget the teachers with our favorite back to school teacher gifts.

Do you have a back to school gift tradition in your family? I’d love to hear what your kids get excited about, share your favorites in the comments!

Last Updated on 7 May 2025 by Clare Brown

First Day of School Ideas to Make It Special for Kids

Best Back to School Gift Ideas for Kids

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