Trendy Back‑to‑School Staples for 2025
Back-to-school shopping doesn't have to feel like a Halloween jump scare—unless you're buying a backpack full of candy corn! Kids and teens still need the essentials (pens, pencils, and something to carry them in), but 2025's hottest supplies have become mini phenomena thanks to TikTok challenges and viral dorm hauls. We've dug through credible sources and pulled together ten items that students actually use and, importantly, are all sold on Amazon. Below you'll find the details that parents and students care about, a handy list, and links.
1 – Owala FreeSip 24‑oz water bottle
Staying hydrated is back in style. Food & Wine dubbed the Owala FreeSip the “most versatile” water bottle because its lid has a built‑in straw for sipping or a wide opening for chugging foodandwine.com . It’s cup‑holder‑friendly, leakproof and insulated foodandwine.com , and it’s one of Amazon’s most popular bottles, with tens of thousands of rave reviews foodandwine.com . Younger students love the bold colours; older ones decorate theirs with stickers and keychains. Toss out those disposable plastic bottles and jump on the hydration train.
🔗(ad) https://joylink.io/zGQIreI
2 – PackIt Freezable Playtime lunch box
Lunch isn’t as fun if your yogurt turns into soup by third period. Good Housekeeping reports that the PackIt Freezable Playtime lunch box is padded and lined with freezable gel; the entire bag goes into the freezer overnight so it keeps food cold without an ice pack goodhousekeeping.com . It’s essentially a portable cooler disguised as a lunch tote, making it great for elementary and middle‑schoolers who want to bring bento boxes, fruit and dairy to class without worrying about spoilage. Parents like that there’s no need to buy separate ice packs, and kids love the playful patterns. It’s on Amazon in multiple prints, so pick the one that screams “eat your veggies.”
🔗 (ad) https://joylink.io/RVk24xf
3 – Ticonderoga wood‑cased pencils (pre‑sharpened)
Despite the hype about tablets and styluses, No. 2 pencils still dominate standardized testing. Good Housekeeping notes that Ticonderoga wood‑cased pencils come pre‑sharpened, so there’s no fumbling with a crank sharpener on the first day of school goodhousekeeping.com . They’re classic yellow, made from cedar and have break‑resistant graphite cores. Teachers swear by them because they erase cleanly and don’t splinter. And yes, they’re available in bulk on Amazon – perfect for a teacher gift or for the kid who seemingly eats pencils.
🔗 (ad) https://joylink.io/Zh3hToz
4 – Pilot G2 premium gel pens
The best way to take notes is with a pen you actually enjoy using. Good Housekeeping describes Pilot G2 gel pens as comfortable to write with and praised the fast‑drying ink and smooth gel flow goodhousekeeping.com . The pens come in a rainbow of colours that help students colour‑code their notes or bullet journal. Because the ink dries quickly, left‑handers can avoid smudges. The four‑pack and assorted‑colour multipacks are trending on Amazon, and they won’t bleed through notebook paper.
🔗 (ad) https://joylink.io/WBznCOh
5 – BIC Brite Liner fluorescent highlighters
Colour‑coding isn’t just for aesthetic study videos; it’s a genuine memory aid. Good Housekeeping highlights that BIC Brite Liner highlighters come in five bright fluorescent colours for easy note organisation goodhousekeeping.com . They use chisel tips, so students can draw broad strokes over textbook paragraphs or fine lines in planners. The ink doesn’t bleed through most paper and the caps snap onto the ends to prevent loss. With five colours per pack, there’s one for every subject.
🔗 (ad) https://joylink.io/ICb5eup
6 – Crayola classic bundle (crayons, markers and coloured pencils)
Arts classes and science projects still require colouring supplies. Good Housekeeping’s roundup notes that the Crayola Classic Bundle includes crayons, markers and coloured pencils in one pack goodhousekeeping.com . It’s the all‑in‑one art kit for elementary students: non‑toxic, vibrant and durable. Parents love that the bundle eliminates guesswork about which art supplies to buy; kids love the variety. With Amazon’s bundle pricing, you can stock up before back‑to‑school season hits.
🔗 (ad) https://joylink.io/AiBEYoX
7 – Five Star Flex refillable notebook/binder
Three‑ring binders are bulky and break easily. For 2025, Good Housekeeping recommends the Five Star Flex refillable notebook because it combines the flexibility of a binder with the portability of a spiral notebook goodhousekeeping.com . Folder dividers and prongs keep loose papers organized by subject, and when students finish a section they can remove the pages and file them away. It’s the ideal solution for middle‑ and high‑schoolers who juggle multiple classes. The notebook is available in several colours on Amazon, so they can pick one that matches their mood ring.
🔗 (ad) https://joylink.io/wPgjnUB
8 – Paper Mate Pink Pearl erasers
Even the best students make mistakes (just like Hollywood remakes). Good Housekeeping points out that Paper Mate Pink Pearl erasers are rectangular, last a long time and are big enough for large erasures goodhousekeeping.com . Unlike cheap erasers that crumble or smear, these erase pencil marks cleanly without damaging paper. Throw a few in each pencil pouch so there’s always a backup during math class.
🔗 (ad) https://joylink.io/JfnbWeM
9 – Marbrasse desk organiser
Remote learning and homework require an organised desk. Good Housekeeping recommends the Marbrasse desk organiser because it holds folders, pens, pencils, calculators and sticky notes in a compact vertical arrangement goodhousekeeping.com . It’s available on Amazon in several colours to match dorm décor. By keeping supplies upright and accessible, it turns a dining‑room table or bedroom desk into a mini study hub. It also saves parents from stepping on stray paperclips (ouch).
🔗 (ad) https://joylink.io/NuDOBvw
10 – HP portable laptop with Windows 11
Yes, there’s still a place for laptops in a world of tablets. Good Housekeeping’s roundup mentions a budget‑friendly HP portable laptop that comes with Windows 11, a year of Microsoft Office 365, 8 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage goodhousekeeping.com . It’s light enough for students to carry between classes or from the bedroom to the kitchen table. While it won’t replace a high‑powered gaming rig, it can handle research papers, Zoom classes and streaming lectures. Amazon sells it as a bundle, making it an affordable first computer for younger students or a reliable backup for high‑schoolers.
🔗 (ad) https://joylink.io/oGMKOCd
The class of 2025 wants gear that mixes practicality with personality. From freezable lunch boxes and pre‑sharpened pencils to colourful pens and laptop bundles, these supplies make school a little less scary and a lot more fun. They’re all available on Amazon.
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.