Karen Silas
Best pencil cases for kids 2022: The top large capacity & budget pencil cases for girls & boys, plus soft, clear & personalised cases for back to school.
Can you believe it's nearly the end of summer? Parents are already thinking about preparing kids to go back to school in autumn 2022 – for example, making sure not just that they have all the stationery they need, but also that they're able to store it all in durable, functional pencil cases.
RELATED: The shopping edit: Giovanna Fletcher's favourite back to school products
So if you're looking for the best pencil cases for boys and girls, whether youngsters or secondary school students, we have just the list for you.
RELATED: The best Back to School tech deals & gadgets for students
We're sharing our top picks for such categories such as best budget pencil case and best large capacity case for girls and boys, plus the top soft, clear, personalised and fun novelty cases for kids, too – along with the pros and cons for each. All to make your back to school shopping that much easier.
MORE BACK TO SCHOOL:
Best school uniform deals: Where to buy reasonably-priced school uniform for kids
25+ best kids' lunch boxes that parents will love, too
Best pencil case for kids overall
Eastpak’s pencil case, which comes in 11 different colours, has earned a five-star rating on Amazon with more than 2,600 reviews.
Eastpak Oval Single Pencil Case, 22 cm, £16.20, Amazon
Pros: One secondary school student who gave the Eastpak pencil case top marks on Amazon raved: "The pencil case is amazing. It’s strong and sturdy yet looks classic and clean... I wanted a pencil case that could help me be organised and have a lot of room (as well as being aesthetic)."
Cons: With a regular price of £20, this pencil case is on the pricier side.
Best large capacity pencil case for girls and boys
Amazon's bestselling pencil cases are simple and utilitarian, covering the main basics – great pencil cases for secondary school students.
Large-capacity pencil case, £10.99, Amazon
Pros: One parent enthused, “This pencil case is perfect for my daughter starting secondary school. Plenty of room in the middle pocket for calculator, maths set in a tin, scissors, glue sticks etc... And side sections with mesh pockets and pen holder loops for all her pens and coloured pencils. It is really nice quality.”
Cons: The colour choices are limited – and take note: one verified buyer thought the case came with the school supplies in the product photo. Extra items shown in the picture are not included!
Mamowla large capacity pencil case, £10.99, Amazon
Pros: Well thought out design with front flap and large compartments make it easy to organise everything. It's available in a wide range of colours, including black, blue, green, pink and purple.
Cons: One reviewer noted that the front zip feel's 'a little sticky'.
Best cute pencil case for kids
Rachel Ellen’s pencil cases are well-made and have colourful fun designs for boys and girls, with the brand’s cheery signature characters will bring a smile to your little one’s face.
Rachel Ellen Rainbow Pencil Case, £9.95, Amazon
Rachel Ellen Girls Rule Pencil Case, £8, John Lewis
Pros: The colourful pencil cases are made from durable neoprene.
Cons: It's a single compartment pencil case which means you may need more than one to keep stationery organised.
Best soft pencil case for kids
ProCase’s popular pencil bag comes in two shades of sophisticated shades of grey felt in the large size, and four colours, including pink and blue, in the smaller size.
Small ProCase Pencil Bag in pink, more colours available, £9.99, Amazon
Pros: A parent who bought the case for their son gave the ProCase pencil bag a five-star review, explaining: "I was stunned as to the quality of these cases. THEY ARE EXCELLENT, especially for the price."
Cons: Some reviewers pointed out the felt fabric makes it "a magnet" attaching to any velcro in your bag.
Best personalised pencil case for kids
With this personalised case, not only is it easy to see what’s inside, but a clearly-printed name means it won’t be accidentally picked up by someone else in class.
Personalised clear pencil case, £5, Etsy
Pros: Easily identifiable and it comes in a range of colours to suit any taste.
Cons: Because of the personalised detail, it is more expensive than a standard clear pencil case.
Best novelty pencil cases for girls & boys
These pencil cases are quirky and fun, and allow kids and teens to express their hobbies and personalities...
Dinosaur Kids Double Zip Pencil Case, £10, Cath Kidston
Frog Pencil Case, was £16 now £11.20, Claire's
Games Controller Pop Out Pencil Case, £12.99, WH Smith
Pros: These pencil cases will definitely add some fun to your child's school day and stand out from the pencil case crowd.
Cons: Since they're fun but maybe not strictly functional, novelty pencil cases might not be the best choice if all you want is practicality.
Best clear pencil case for kids
Ryman's clear pencil cases have a five-star rating and are priced low enough to buy in bulk.
Clear Pencil Case, 8"x5", £1.49 each, Ryman
Pros: Good price-quality ratio. Reviewers called this pencil case "cool" and "brilliant", and commented positively on strength and zipper quality.
Cons: While transparent cases are great for exams, some students might prefer a multi-compartment canvas case.
Best budget pencil cases for girls and boys
WHSmith's Bramblewood pencil case comes with a ballpoint pen, pencil, ruler, notepad, sharpener and eraser.
Roll-out pencil case, £12.99, WHSmith
Pros: At 60 percent off, and with supplies included, the price can't be beat.
Cons: The whimsical print and roll-up style aren't for everyone.
Helix Athletic Pencil Case, £5.99, Amazon
Pros: This pencil case by the 133-year-old Helix brand has three different compartments for storage. "Fantastic value and great quality," said one reviewer.
Cons: This particular model has been discontinued (hurry and snap it up now...) so if you love it it will be hard to replace.
MORE: Back to school - 9 most durable kids’ shoes for children of all ages
WATCH: Stacey Solomon's genius back to school essentials will have you inspired!
HELLO!'s selection is editorial and independently chosen – we only feature items our editors love and approve of. HELLO! may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. To find out more visit our FAQ page.