Sometimes the littlest things can make the biggest difference. We asked our teacher audience to tell us what small, inexpensive things have made their teaching lives better, easier, or more fun, and all of them made us want to click “Add to cart.”
Check out their picks below.
1. Colorful wool coasters
“Before these, I was constantly leaving condensation on my desk (or, let’s be real—my students’ papers). These keep everything dry and are a cheerful sight for this Seattle teacher!” —Maya I.
Buy it on Amazon: Colorful wool coasters
2. Small stretchy dinosaur toys
“I taught high school for 37 years before I retired, and whenever a kid was having a bad day, I gave them a stretchy dinosaur. The tactile sensation is calming and the nostalgic joy of getting a silly little toy from their childhood was priceless!” —Gwyn S.
Buy it on Amazon: Stretchy dinosaurs
3. Postcards
“I use them to mail out birthday wishes to all of my learners. They really appreciate the handwritten messages.” —Roger G.
Buy it on Amazon: Postcards
4. Wrist key chain
“It doubles as a fidget, and I lose my keys less often because I physically can feel them.” —Kimberly A.
Buy it on Amazon: Wrist key chain
5. A pretty ceramic cup and saucer
“It makes me feel good to have this little touch of beauty in my day.” —Lisa M.
Buy it on Amazon: Ceramic cup and saucer
6. A self-inking stamp of my face
“The kids love it!” —Jamie F.
Buy it on Etsy: Customized self-inking stamp
7. Cute planter
“Picking out a planter that makes me happy every time I look at it has been a game-changer. My students and visitors love it, too!” —Amy L.
Buy it on Amazon: Cute planter
8. A great stapler
“It’s a Swingline, made of steel, and uses special ‘high-performance’ staples. I’m amused, sometimes, by how happy I am to have it.” —Kevin B.
Buy it on Amazon: Swingline stapler
9. A 140-piece jigsaw puzzle you can do during lunch
“When I (or one of my students) need a total reset, I get out one of my mini jigsaw puzzles. I swear, it alters my brain chemistry. Plus, it fits in my desk!” —Lia V.
Buy it on Amazon: Mini jigsaw puzzle
10. A service bell
“I ring it for great answers. Kids LOVE getting a ding! Double dings are even better.” —Christine E.
Buy it on Amazon: Service bell
11. A pencil sharpener made just for colored pencils
Buy it on Amazon: Colored-pencil sharpener
12. Lamps
“I’m telling you. Wayyyy better than overhead lights.” —Leah S.
Buy it on Amazon: Lamp
13. Small coffee maker
“I have a very small coffee maker I use for tea and hot chocolate.” —Tonya D.
Buy it on Amazon: Small coffee maker
14. A pencil dispenser
“Bonus: You can put cute magnets on it!” —Jenna T.
Buy it on Amazon: Pencil dispenser
15. Stress relief roll-on for a quick reset
But it on Amazon: Stress-relief roll-on essential oil
16. A Venus flytrap
“I have a Venus flytrap that is somehow still alive and my kids love earning a chance to check on/name the new traps. One of my babies refers to them as ‘the Jeffries,’ and it warms my heart every time. Always wants to water them and make sure they got a chance to catch some flies.” —Ali A.
Buy it on Amazon: Venus flytrap
17. Clickable markers
“I use these every single day!” —Brandi B.
Buy it on Amazon: Crayola Clicks Retractable Markers
18. A battery-powered heating pad
“It sounds so stupid but I freaking love it. I have a terrible back and it helps my muscles relax and helps me relax (especially when it’s cold). It’s not ‘fun,’ but it is my favorite!” —Dharinne P.
Buy it on Amazon: Heating pad
19. EZ Grader
“Yes, I know we have all types of digital calculation apps. Yes, I still use this every day.” —Myronna P.
Buy it on Amazon: EZ Grader
20. A karaoke machine or mic
“It’s so much fun when doing read-alouds and when kids do presentations.” —Jason W.
Buy it on Amazon: Karaoke microphone
21. A clicker (wireless remote)
“Used it for the first time today. Loving being able to move around the classroom!” —Charlotte R.
Buy it on Amazon: Wireless remote
22. A line-a-day journal for low-commitment memories
“One of the best routines I’ve added to my day. Before I leave (usually earlier during the day) I write down one positive, funny, or moving thing that happened. It takes me 30 seconds, tops. At the end of the year, I type up all the little memories and put them in a slideshow for my 8th graders. And for myself, I have a record of exclusively positive memories of that class I can thumb through on a bad day. It’s the best!” —Cheryl M.
Buy it on Amazon: One Line a Day journal
23. Apron
“Wear an apron with pockets! Carry the scissors, the wipe-off markers, the eraser, the Kleenex, the Sharpie, the stapler, the hole punch, the fidgets, even the cell phone in the pockets. If you teach littles, you NEVER sit down, so you may as well have everything at the ready.” —Amy T.
Buy it on Amazon: Apron
24. Smarties candy
“For my smarties in the classroom!” —Lupe J.
Note: Smarties are the unicorn candy. Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and peanut-free!
Buy it on Amazon: Smarties
25. Foaming liquid soap
“In the faculty restroom where only adults can get it.” —Paula B.
Buy it on Amazon: Foaming hand soap
26. Command hooks
“I’m fortunate to have a walk-in closet. I lined up command hooks on the walls and keep all the hands on centers that I’ve printed and laminated in baggies or binder rings on the hooks. They’re labeled and ready to grab. You could do the same thing on the inside of cabinet doors if you don’t have a closet.” —Rebecca G.
Buy it on Amazon: Command Hooks
27. Massaging neck wrap
“I use it in my planning period while I work.” —Heather C.
Buy it on Amazon: Massaging neck wrap
28. A small kids’ tent
“That is our ‘safe space’ when students are feeling big emotions and need some time and space. Fill the tent with social-emotional books, sensory fidgets, and positive affirmations. Best part of our classroom!” —Katie M.
Buy it on Amazon: Tent
29. Wireless classroom doorbell
“Best management tool ever.” —Madeline G.
Buy it on Amazon: Wireless doorbell
30. Sound-effect maker
“This way, when the kids don’t laugh at my hilarious jokes, I can still get laughs!” —Anna K.
Buy it on Amazon: Sound-effect maker
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