Bring this list with you when you go shopping, and support some American manufacturers as you prepare for a new school year.
Temperatures across the country may still be hot, but back-to-school season is upon us. Shopping for school supplies can be a big challenge, whether you are preparing your little one for kindergarten or dropping your big kid off at college.
Trying to shop Made in USA, too? That can seem overwhelming — which is where we come in.
Here at the Alliance for American Manufacturing, we’ve been putting Made in America back-to-school lists together for years now. Many of us have kiddos of our own, so we know firsthand what Made in USA supplies are worth buying. Below, we’ve picked out 10 of our American-made favorites.
Crayola crayons: There are few American companies as iconic as Crayola, which has manufactured its crayons in the United States since 1903. Today, the company makes 3 billion (!!!) crayons a year at its factory in Easton, Pa., supporting 1,200 jobs. A box of Crayola Crayons remain immensely affordable, with big retailers like Target currently offering them on sale for 50 cents for a box of 24. While Crayola has offshored some of its production, it still manufactures a good amount of its products stateside, including Crayola markers, Silly Putty, Air Dry Clay, paints, and popular Color Wonder products.
U.S.A. Gold pencils: Every student needs plenty of pencils, and it’s hard to go wrong with U.S.A. Gold pencils, which are made in Tennessee with California Cedar wood. While there are a handful of companies that make pencils in the United States, we selected U.S.A. Gold for this list because they’re easy to find, with a set of 12 available at Target for $2.39. Walmart even offers a 60-pack.
Five Star notebooks: While computers and tablets are increasingly taking up more time in the classroom, every student still needs a good quality notebook for handwritten notes. Those made by Five Star remain among the best available, with spiral notebooks affordably priced at $6.00 each, and some retailers are currently offering them on sale. Along with being Made in USA, Five Star notebooks are also union-made, by members of United Steelworkers Local 1442 in Alexandria, Pa.
Field Notes: Another good option for notetaking, Field Notes specializes in creating smaller notebooks modeled after the promotional memo books given to American farmers by various seed and tractor companies, with the majority of its products measuring 3.5″ x 5.5″. The Chicago company incorporates award-winning designs on its notebook covers, and also offers stylish planners and a quarterly subscription set.
Mokuyobi backpacks and lunch bags: There are several companies that make high-quality backpacks and lunch bags in the United States, but Los Angeles manufacturer Mokuyobi stands out because of its emphasis on bright colors and fun patterns. Along with a variety of backpacks, Mokuyobi also makes laptop cases, fanny packs, and lunch bags, all in the City of Angels. We think younger kids will love the neon colors and creative designs, but the brand’s sleek style should also delight high school and college students, too.
Pilot pen: Older students often prefer pens to pencils, and the pens made by Pilot are some of the best Made in USA options on the market. While the company was founded in Tokyo and has facilities across the globe, it maintains pen production in Jacksonville, Fla. — just be sure to double-check the country of origin label before buying. You can find Pilot pens at most retailers; Walmart is currently offering a set of five for $5.94.
Scotch Tape and Post-Its: O.K., this two-in-one is a bit of a cheat. But we’re including these together since both are made by 3M, and are the sort of ubiquitous supplies that may not always top your shopping list but always will find a use. Most of the world’s Post-Its are manufactured at a factory in Cynthiana Ky., while 3M makes its famous Scotch Tape at the same facility and another factory in Hutchinson, Minn.
Grado headphones: It’s tough to find Made in America electronics. But the headphones made by Grado are not only manufactured in Brooklyn, N.Y., they also are considered some of the best on the market. While some of the company’s offerings are pricey, Grado’s entry-level headphones are priced at $99, a nice option for high school or college students looking for something special.
Mac Pro: It’s sadly impossible to find a computer that’s made entirely in the United States out of U.S. parts, and even some of the minor assembly that had been done stateside has moved overseas. But there are a handful of brands that do some assembly work in the United States, mostly making specialty or high-end products. The most famous is Apple, which works with its partner Flex to assemble its top-of-the-line PC in Austin.
Purell hand sanitizer: Back-to-school season also marks the unofficial start of cold and flu season, so be sure you have plenty of hand sanitizer on hand to stop the spread of germs. Purell products are available at most major retailers, and the company makes most of its hand sanitizer at factories in Wooster and Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.