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The final bell is almost here! I’ve put together a list of my favorite creativity-boosting gifts to help your students dive into a summer of imagination. From colorful notebooks to rainbow pencils, these are high-impact items that encourage kids to keep dreaming, sketching, and creating all summer long.
My Top Picks for Gifts to Spark Student Creativity:
1. Rainbow Pencils
Rainbow Pencils: These are a huge hit because the pencil actually rotates through colors as they write. It’s a simple way to make a basic writing task feel much more exciting.
2. Blank Notebooks:
I love these because they give kids a place to “land” with their ideas. They’re perfect for summer journaling or just a dedicated spot for all those vacation doodles.
3. Scented Markers and Pencils:
Let’s be honest—anything scented is an automatic win for elementary students. They make writing feel like a novelty rather than a chore. I break these sets up and give each student 1-2 markers/pencils in their gift bag.
4. Multicolor Pens:
These are great for focus. Students love the clicking mechanism and the ability to switch colors instantly without keeping track of five different pens.
5. Washi Tape:
My students use this for everything from decorating their journals to making bookmarks. It’s a low-mess way for them to customize their supplies.
6. Scratch Art:
This is one of the highest-engagement items on the list. It’s very calming and keeps them occupied because they want to see the colors revealed underneath.
7. Stickers:
You can never have enough stickers. They’re the easiest way for kids to personalize their water bottles or folders and express their own style.
8. Boxing Pens:
These add a little humor to the gift bag. They’re a fun “fidget” item that always gets a laugh during the end-of-year gift reveal.
9. Watercolor Book Set:
I love these because they are self-contained. It’s an easy way to encourage painting without the hassle of a giant setup, making it perfect for summer travel.
10. Blank Hardcover Book:
A blank hardcover book instantly turns a student into an author. Handing them one is an invitation to write and illustrate a story, giving their imagination a permanent, professional-feeling home.
11. Invisible Ink Pens:
Students love writing secret messages and using the UV light on the cap to reveal them—it’s great for getting reluctant writers to put pen to paper.
12. Stencils:
A small pack of alphabet or shape stencils is a life-saver for kids who get “blank page syndrome.” It gives them a starting point for their drawings or journal headers.
13. Fun-Shaped Erasers:
From food shapes to animals, these are basically toys that serve a purpose. They’re a very affordable way to add a “theme” to your bag.
14. Origami Paper:
The patterned paper in these origami sets is always a hit. I like to give each student a set of 5-10 papers along with a printed step-by-step guide to help them master a new fold and build their confidence.
15. Blank Bookmarks:
You can give them a blank cardstock bookmark to decorate themselves using their new pens and washi tape.
16. Office Supplies:
It sounds simple, but my students go crazy for office supplies. It makes them feel like they are “working” on something official.
17. Color Changing Highlighter Pens:
These magic markers are such exciting student gifts because kids can use the white tip to transform or erase colors. They are perfect for creating secret messages or 3D lettering and offer a fun, mess-free way for students to get creative.
18. Dual-Tip Markers:
My students feel very professional using these. Having a fine tip for writing and a thicker brush tip for coloring makes them feel like they have a “real” artist’s tool. I divide up a pack and give each student 3-4 colors.
19. Post-it Note Pads:
It sounds basic, but kids go crazy for these—especially the neon colors. They use them for “reminders,” tiny flip-books, or just leaving notes around the house.
20. Stamp Pads & Small Stamps:
This is a low-prep way for kids to add flair to their journals. A few small stars or smiley face stamps can keep a student busy decorating for a long time.
21. Graph Paper Pads:
For the students who love to “build” or design, graph paper feels like a professional architect’s tool. It’s perfect for drawing floor plans, Minecraft designs, or 3D shapes.
22. Gel Pens:
These are a huge step up from standard pens. They show up beautifully on the black paper in those scratch art sets or on darker colored construction paper. I divide them up and give each student 3-4 pens.
23. Tracing Paper:
This is a hidden gem for kids who think they “can’t draw.” It gives them the confidence to trace their favorite characters from books or magazines and then color them in. Plan on a fun folder to put them in for gifting.
24. Pencil Cases:
This is the ultimate organization tool for a budding artist. Having a dedicated spot to store their new favorite supplies helps students take pride in their tools and ensures their creative gear is always ready for a summer road trip or a rainy day at home.
25. Clean-Erasing Gel Pens:
These are an absolute staple at my desk because I love the professional look of a pen combined with the ability to erase so cleanly. Students love them too because they can take vibrant, color-coded notes without the stress of making a permanent mistake. I will let my students use them in math, which is a huge hit!
After you’ve picked out the perfect gift, it’s time to create some cute gift tags! To make things even easier for you, I’ve created a free set of printable gift tags that you can download right now—they include both “ready to print” versions and editable ones if you want to type in your name and messages. And if you’re still looking for the perfect message to write on the editable gift tags, don’t miss my ultimate list of summer-themed end-of-year student gift messages!
If you are still looking for more inspiration, head over to this page to explore my full list of summer-themed gift ideas.
Join the Discussion
“I would love to hear from you! Do you have a go-to gift that your students always look forward to? If you decide to give any of these ideas a try—or if you have a brilliant idea of your own—please share it in the comments! Your feedback and creative twists help us all grow as educators, and I can’t wait to hear what your students loved the most.”
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