With the first day of school coming up soon, it's time to stock up on the supplies your students need to get ready to learn.
'The Right Stuff': Shop dorm essentials for college studentsLifestyle expert Lori Bergamotto has plenty of suggestions to help you get started shopping, including recommendations for safety scissors and fun staplers for your little ones, and a fresh take on a classic notebook older kids will love.
Shop these picks and more below.
By clicking on these shopping links, visitors will leave ABCNews.com and Goodmorningamerica.com, and these e-commerce sites are operated under different terms and privacy policies. ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links. SOME PRICES ARE DYNAMIC AND MAY CHANGE FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. Have questions about ordering or a purchase? Click here.
A solid pair of safety scissors is a back-to-school essential, and these are a top choice for both function and peace of mind. Designed with a rounded-tip blade, they're safe for young kids to use independently, while still sharp enough to cut through paper, felt or light cardboard. The soft grip handles are made for small hands and are comfortable whether you're left- or right-handed. At under $5, it’s an easy item to check off the list. Over 1,000 reviewers give them high ratings for both durability and safety features.
Compact, colorful and designed to make organizing more fun, the YOBRO Mini Stapler is perfectly sized for kids' hands, and it can staple up to 15 sheets at once, making it great for both home and classroom use. The all-in-one kit includes a staple remover and extra staples, which is a bonus at this price point.
If you're shopping for a pencil case that can handle everything, this one from Livhil is a total standout. It’s 20% deeper than standard cases and holds up to 60 pens plus scissors, sticky notes, tape, a calculator and even a mini stapler. Priced under $10, it delivers big on space, structure and style.
There’s a reason these cases have gone viral on DormTok -- they’re a minimalist’s dream: simple, clear and budget-friendly. They’re selling out everywhere but we found this Pen & Gear zipper pouch at Walmart for under $4! It's water-resistant and lies flat, so it fits easily inside backpacks and desk drawers.
The Preppy Aesthetic line boasts vibrant pastel covers with fun prints like smiley faces, butterflies or checkerboards, giving classic notebooks a trendy refresh. Each book includes 100 college-ruled pages for class notes, journaling or creative writing in style.
