What's in your backpack?Funky, unexpected gadgets make school work fun

By Margaret Webb Pressler of The Washington Post - 09/03/2007

Kooky Klickers. Washington Post photo.

It’s more fun to write, erase, staple or lock if you have something that does it in a funky, unexpected way.

A lot of very cool back-to-school tools, especially for writing, crossed KidsPost’s desk in recent weeks. Some of you already have your new school supplies, but maybe you could squeeze one or two more things into your backpack. After all, these products aren’t necessarily things you need — but you definitely might want them!

Kooky Klickers, Courage Trading Company, $3.

These cute, collectible pens have real personality! Each has a name (including Spyro and Kiwi) and its own look, so you can collect a bunch and trade them or get just one and develop a special relationship with it. Plus, they hook to your backpack.

Book Sox Hot Sox, The Turtle Co., $3-$5.

Part book cover, part science show, these stretchy protectors do a neat trick: Touch them and the heat of your hand makes them change colors. The only problem here is how long does it take you to stop playing with the cover and start reading what’s inside?

Zwipes notebooks, Mead, $4.

If you often find yourself doodling on your notebook and regretting it later, this is for you. These notebooks have a cover that’s like a whiteboard. Using the special Zwipes pens, you can write on the surface and wipe off your doodles over and over. Makes for easy games of hangman and tick-tack-toe.

Wordlock, Staples, $7.

Have you ever forgotten your locker combination? It’s a particular problem at the start of the school year if you have a new lock. With Wordlock, your combination isn’t numbers, it’s a short word. The result is just as secure but easier on the brain.

Total Tools Erasable Highlighters, Crayola, $5.

They not only write well, you can undo your marks! At one end of the chunky, grippable pen is a highlighter; at the other is a marker that makes the highlight disappear.

Total Tools Staple-Free Stapler, Crayola, $5.

It’s lightweight and portable, and you won’t stick yourself pulling out a staple. It keeps pages together by punching a hole and turning the pages back on each other. It also can make a design around the clipped section.

Liquid Graphite Pencils, Pentech, $3-$4.

They are made of wood and look like a traditional No. 2, but these pencils work more like a pen. The tip is metal, not lead, and what comes out is liquid graphite. For kids who don’t like stubby pencils, here’s the best part: no more sharpening!

Foohy Moodz Pens, Sanford, $4.

A mood ring and pen in one. The pen changes color depending on your mood. Now you’ll really know how much you don’t like math tests. The cool hook makes it easy to hang one on a backpack strap.

Foohy Scented Erasers, Sanford, $1-$3.

Eraser caps are essential even without the tutti-frutti smell. But this definitely makes them better. Look for the traditional or monkey shape.