The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?
9 best pencil cases
Encourage kids to get writing this National Stationery Week with the right desk candy
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
The aim of National Stationery Week (25 April-1 May) is to encourage all of us, especially children, to take the time to put pen to paper, rather than just send another email. Kids love stationery, and we think that if they have a pencil case they really like, that can help keep the passion for handwriting alive – and the tools they do it with protected. We’ve found a range of practical but covetable cases for kids of all ages, some come ready-filled with pens and pencils, others they can pack with their own stuff.
1. Fourth Wall Brands Milo Double Filled Pencil Case: £13, John Lewis
Featuring Milo, a little black cat, this fun case with two compartments comes handily filled with stationery. In the top pouch, they’ll get a rubber, ruler and sharpener, as well as a biro and notebook. Then, in the other, there are 14 felt-tip pens. Like the Smiggle case, it all zips up to keep their precious stationery safe – and kids will like the little Milo charm included.
2. House of Holland Chunky PVC Pencil Case: £7.99, Amazon
One for fashion-conscious teens, this transparent case with embossed letters from cool British label House of Holland has an eye-catching chunky zip in a contrasting colour. There’s plenty of space for pens and pencils and a few other bits. Come exam-time, it will come into its own as schools tend to request that pupils’ stationery is in a see-through holder. Choose from this orange or a bright pink.
3. Marks & Spencer Boutique Wooden Pencil Box with Pencils: £8, M&S
Go back to basics with this wooden pencil box. The slide-off lid also doubles up as a ruler, and it comes packed with 12 colouring pencils and sharpener – you won’t fit much more in there, but it looks great and is spot on for transporting the essentials.
4. Paperchase Maps Triple Pencil Case: £6, Paperchase
A wise choice for any budding cartographer, this pencil case features a vintage map print, covering parts of Australia, Europe and elsewhere. Inside there are three separate compartments – one with its own zip – so they’ll easily be able to keep all their stationery organised.
5. Colour Me Fun Design Your Own Pencil Case: £13, Not On The High Street
Get their creative juices flowing with this customisable pencil case. It comes with around 60 coloured pixels, which can be stuck onto the silicone front to create any number of patterns and designs. The case itself is made of durable felt, and a number of base colours are available, as are extra pixels.
6. Tinc Barrel Bag Pencil Case: £9, John Lewis
Looking like an ultra-scaled down gym bag, this quirky pencil comes in four different colours: pink, purple, blue and green. Measuring 20 x 11 x 11cm, it’s big enough to fit in a fair few pencils and accessories.
7. Smiggle Double up Sport Hardtop Pencil Case: £16.50, Smiggle
Aussie stationery brand Smiggle aces bright, well-thought-out and long-lasting stationery. Its pencil cases are super-popular in primary school classrooms and this bold, hard-top case is one of the brand’s best-sellers. Inside are pen compartments and roomy mesh pockets to keep items separated. The whole thing zips up to avoid any school-bag spillages.
8. Roald Dahl Pencil Case: £8, John Lewis
If your child isn’t already familiar with Roald Dahl’s brilliant The Enormous Crocodile, then buy them a copy of the book along with this case. Made of tough coated canvas, this features Quentin Blake’s distinctive illustrations and inside, the blue lining is covered with quotes from the work. Don’t be put off by the light colour, you can wipe the canvas clean if it gets grubby.
9. Sparks Living Personalised Pencil Case: £9.50, Not On the High Street
This sweet little zip-up case with a hand-drawn design is personalised with a name so there can be no confusion in the classroom. At 21cm x 12cm, it’s not the biggest on the list but we think it makes an ideal present for little ones starting school, we just wish it came in a few more colour combinations than pink or blue.
Verdict
Fourth Wall Brand’s Milo case comes with a whole host of stationery, making it great value for money, as well as roomy enough for them to add their own bits and pieces. Older kids might like House of Holland’s transparent case or appreciate M&S’s traditional wooden pencil box.