Summer is gone and it's time for back to school gifts for kids!

Welcome back to a new school year! I cannot believe the 2024-2025 school time will be here before we know it and while many of us will still enjoy summer parties and family vacations, I see in my magical misting crystal ball that busy moms like myself have to start planning back to school activities and school supply trips for kids to prepare for the school year ahead. There are just so many things to get for school !

Our Mini Crayon Crew started school season the second week of August in 2024 and it feels like we were just creating the end of year gift for kids!

If you are trying to find the cutest and most colorful back to school gifts and school supplies that will rock their first week back, look no further for the perfect gift ! 

Anyone that is familiar with my story and background with Art 2 the Extreme ®, knows that I am a former teacher a huge advocate for shopping small and handmade whenever possible, especially for those unique back to school supplies for kids and teachers so important in a child's life.

Here are my top picks for back to school gifts for kids to start the year off right for back to school 2024 (and don't forget the lunch box)! 

Back to School Gift Ideas and School Supplies I am loving for the 2024 School Year:

1. Lunch Bags by WAAMIndustries

2. Crayon Hair Clips - Creations by Corrinna

3. First Day of School Keepsake - Olive and Pip

4. All Things Art T-Shirt - Art Day Designs

5. Spanish Colors Crayon Stix - Art 2 the Extreme

6. Science Rules Enamel Pin - Miranda Dressler

7. Wooden Space Flash Cards - Minisko

8. Wooden Toy Clock - From Jennifer

9. Crayon Earrings - Oh So Jo Desgns

10. Custom Pencils - 85th and Pine

Back to school gifts for younger students

If you are a sentimental parent who loves to document milestones with their family like I am, you will love this printable back to school interview.

This downloadable worksheet includes 14 years worth of worksheets to interview your child about their first day of school that year. Much like our Mother's Day cards and printables, this school year printable is a coloring sheet kids can fill in!

This black and white memory box sheet is an instant printable, so you can use right away and file to bring out at their high school graduation party, making this a great gift for school aged kids.  Keep these sheets in your DIY memory box for kids and use as gifts for kids going to college.

If you are looking for even more best gifts for elementary students, check out Art 2 the Extreme's additional Back to School Gift Guides for the perfect first day of preschool gift!

What is NEW from Art 2 the Extreme for Back to School 2024?

Back for the 2024-2025 school year are Art 2 the Extreme®'s newest Original Rainbow Crayon® designs that are perfect for first day of kindergarten gifts.

I am so excited about these GIGANTIC crayon letters that are perfect for back to school photo props, decor for a shelf, a first day of kindergarten gift, or even on top of an actual cake for a colorful cake topper.

YES, you can use these large letters as actual crayons, of course, but these oversized letter rainbow crayons can be so much more! 

Also new to the Art 2 the Extreme custom crayon shop are the Spanish Crayon Stix® Original Rainbow Crayon® set. These oversized crayons are perfect for fine motor skills and bulk gifts for schools. My kids personally love putting rainbow colored crayons in their pencil case, but other kids might prefer solid colored crayons.

This solid colored crayon set is perfect for teachers, classrooms, or individual school art boxes. You could always save for a Christmas gift as well. These rainbow crayons are perfect because the crayons are sturdy and won't roll off of a table! 

 

We also wanted to take the time to thank Good Housekeeping for including Art 2 the Extreme®'s personalized name crayon sets in their back to school gift guide, 54 Cheap Gifts Under $20 for Everyone On Your List.

As we get closer to school season and holiday season, these gift guides sure come in handy when I shop for my little and we are so appreciative that publications such as Good Housekeeping include small businesses like my custom crayon shop! 

Shop Back to School Gifts From Etsy

The first day of school is a milestone filled with excitement and a touch of nervousness, making it the perfect occasion for thoughtful 1st day of school gifts. For new students, having the right back to school gear can make all the difference. Consider back to school favors that are both practical and fun, ensuring that they start the year on a positive note. Look for back to school gear under $50 that combines utility with plain fun, such as colorful notebooks, vibrant crayons, and personalized pencils. These items not only prepare students for their educational journey but also add a splash of excitement to their first day, making it memorable and enjoyable. I have put together a gift guide of back to school gear under 50 from some amazing shops on Etsy to inspire and excite your favorite students!

 

 

 

What do you get your child for back to school?

There are so many cute back to school ideas for younger kids out there! Here are a few of our favorites:

• A personalized backpack or lunch box. This is a great way to make your child starting school feel special and ensure that their belongings stand out from the rest.

• Cute new school supplies. From colorful pens and pencils to fun stickers, there are endless ways to make learning more fun for kids with cool school supplies. School bracelets are a fun way to show off school spirit and personality.

• A backpack bling kit. Help your child personalize their backpack with edgy patches, badges, and keychains. Tiny stuffed animals make great keychains for backpacks as well. This is a great way to let their personality shine through with first day of school gifts for kids.

What is the best gift for school students?

There are a lot of great gift ideas for older school students, but some of the best ones are the ones that encourage them to learn and keep on top of their studies. Parents especially love first day of Kindergarten gifts! Here are a few ideas:

• A good book to read for fun and pleasure.

• A new notebook or set of pens/pencils to help them stay organized.

• A desk organizer or calendar to help them keep track of their assignments and deadlines.

• A gift certificate to a nearby bookstore or coffee shop so they can take a break from studying.

• Something to encourage healthy eating and exercise, like a new water bottle or gym bag.

Is it OK for teachers to give gifts to students?

Teachers often love giving back to school gifts for kids.

A special starting school gift is a great way to inspire learning and encourage children's excitement for the school year ahead.

Combining these small gifts with thoughtful words, care and concern, helps you create a classroom with a positive emotional emotional climate.

Our favorite crayon gift for teachers to give as classroom welcome to school gifts are these mini rainbow Crayon Stix® (they also make amazing class valentines for kids). 

Teachers can also use printable coloring pages as activities to do with their students. Check out Art 2 the Extreme's printable worksheets and activities for teachers and classrooms.

What do you give a child that has everything?

One way to make a child feel special is to give them something that is personalized or customized for them. Young girls and boys love to color no matter the age and gifting new friends with crayons is a fun idea for what to get the child who has everything! Personalized crayons make great student gifts for first grade and go beyond the dollar store trinkets.

For example, you can give them custom crayons that are made in the shape of their name or first initial. Crayon Stix® rainbow crayon gifts for kids are a unique, oversized crayon for any age to use for art projects, coloring pages, and texture rubbings.  They make a great gift for new kindergartner as well. 

Rainbow crayons are a great option because they are so colorful and fun. If you are a lover of crayons and want to celebrate National Crayon Day 2024, we have a National Crayon Day printable activity and National Crayon Day gift guide for a fun way to celebrate National Crayon Day.

Giant Crayon Letters - Oversized Crayon Gifts for Kids

 

Plus, crayons and drawing supplies can help promote creativity and imagination in children.

If you're looking for a unique school gift ideas that will make a child feel special, consider giving them some custom crayons or rainbow crayons for your school student gifts.

Looking to Add some Crayola Crayon Colors to your Back to School Supplies? 

 

Back to school season is here, and I’ve rounded up my favorite 9 Crayola products perfect for young learners and middle schoolers alike! If you’re looking for a fun first day of Pre-K gift or first day of school gifts, the new Crayola Swirl line is a must-have, offering crayons, colored pencils, and twistable crayons that make creative expression even more exciting. These swirl products mix colors for a magical effect that will captivate kids. For middle schoolers, I love Crayola's color-changing markers, which add a playful twist to any project and make for a cool first day of middle school gift. These colorful tools are great for enhancing creativity, whether it’s art class or decorating a school ID!

Have fun shopping for your back to school gifts!

Looking for the perfect back to school present? Art 2 the Extreme offers unique kid gift ideas that are sure to make any student excited for the new school year. From colorful crayons to custom art supplies, we also have great options for school teacher gifts, making it easy to find good ideas for everyone on your list, without needing to search through big box stores like Wal Mart.

No matter what colorful gifts you find for back to school ideas, we hope your transition to a new school year goes well and the year is amazing for you and your littles (or bigs) because it is just about time.  Don't forget to download the Back to School Student Interview printable for the first day of school!

Conclusion

As the school year kicks off, finding the perfect back to school presents for students can set a positive tone for the year ahead. For younger children, first grader gifts like custom school supply gift sets are a great way to make their first day special. These sets can include personalized pencils, notebooks, and even fun items like friendship bracelets, making them feel prepared and excited to learn. First day of school goodies that encourage creativity and self-expression can help ease those first-day jitters and give kids the confidence to start the year strong.

For older students, especially teens, choosing gifts that align with their evolving tastes and needs is key. Back to school gifts for teens might include an instant camera to capture memories with friends, a lip mask or face mask for a bit of pampering, or a power bank to ensure their devices have enough battery life throughout the day. These thoughtful back to school gift ideas not only cater to the practical aspects of a teen's life but also show them that you understand their world and want to support them in every way possible.

If you have littles or bigs alike, we hope your first day of school is a successful and memorable one! 

-Nicole

Love Crayons? You Also Might Love...

--> Explore the full Back to School gifts for students collection

--> Explore gift ideas for first graders - Name Crayon Stix®

--> Looking for end of school year gifts for preschoolers? We suggest our "YOU ROCK" crayon rock party favor bags as a school treat and a fun gift for kids! The rainbow rocks make a great gift for incoming students as well.

--> Looking for Senior Night ideas for parents to give your grads? We suggest the oversized crayon letters as a great art school gift!