My kiddos and I searched several national chain stores for school supplies with “Made in USA” on the label.
Hunting for these 3 words on packages is the BEST way to keep kids occupied while running errands! My daughter isn't reading yet, and she recognizes and knows the difference between the words “Made in China” and “Made in the USA”!
What we DIDN'T find in our search were scissors, hot/cold food containers (Thermos brand USED to be made in the USA!), and glue sticks. However, here is a list of made in USA school supplies that we DID find.
Made in USA School Supplies
Crayola Crayons
Crayola crayons have been made in Pennsylvania since the early 1900s. Nothing tops coloring with a brand new Crayola crayons!
NOTE: Not all Crayola products are manufactured in the USA.
Shop Crayola crayons at:
Dexas Slimcase with Side Closure
Mead Notebooks
Mead Corporation started in Dayton, Ohio in 1846 as Ellis, Chafflin & Company. Colonel Daniel Mead bought his business partners out in 1856 putting the Mead name in the company title where it remains today- over 165 years later. Mead Corporation is a world leader in paper products, which includes their spiral notebooks that are still made in the USA.
Shop Mead notebooks at:
Mr. Sketch Scented Markers
Musgrave Pencil Company Pencils
Musgrave Pencil Company has been manufacturing pencils in Shelbyville, Tennessee since 2016. Their high-quality pencils are assembled in the USA from components sourced domestically and globally. Musgrave Pencil Company offers school pencils, specialty pencils and even customized pencils.
Shop Musgrave Pencil Company pencils at:
Pen Company of America Pens
Pen Company of America (PCA) has been manufacturing writing instruments in the USA since the 1920s. Today they are the largest manufacturer of USA made ball point pens out of their New Jersey factory. Pen Company of America offers promotional pens, office supplies, and industrial markers. Company brands include Tub O' Pens, RevMark, and Garland.
Shop PCA Tub O' Pens at:
Shop PCA Garland pens at:
Scotch Tape
Scotch Brand tape has been manufactured by 3M in the US, since 1930. The first Scotch tape was called "Cellulose Tape" and was used during the depression to make simple (and thrifty!) repairs to household items.
DON'T MISS THESE GREAT LISTS FOR MORE AMERICAN MADE BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Have you seen any made in the USA supplies while doing your back to school shopping? Snap a photo and share it with us on our Facebook page or Tweet it to us @USAlovelist !
Mead and 5 star are “assembled” in the USA using imported parts. They used to be made in Asia (china, vietnam etc) before the import taxes went up for fully assembled items. Now they’re “assembled in the USA” with “imported materials”
SKILCRAFT scissors (and all their office and home products) are made in the USA and are available at various online retailers such as Officesupply.com, eBay, Amazon, etc. (and sometimes catch a sale price).
From the SKILCRAFT website: “When you purchase SKILCRAFT products and services, you create U.S.-based jobs for Americans who are blind, including our nation’s veterans.”
Wish I had seen this reply before buying scissors for my classroom.
Thanks for sharing. I’ll remember this next time we need scissors.
It’s good to know that Crayola Crayons are made in the U.S.A. I wondered where they were made now days, Glad to hear they make them in Pennsylvania and not overseas somewhere.
I’ve never heard of the Dexa Clipcases, but I will be looking into those. I’ve had school assignments and other important papers get ruined (wrinkled or wet) in regular folders and binders, so the Dexa Clipcases sound like useful items.
Looking to add an American-Made pencil (or electronics cord) case that will last forever to the list of Back-to-School necessities? WaterField Designs crafts everything in its San Francisco studio. These are great for organizing pencils, pens, etc. or for holding phones, chargers and other cords. (Some ladies even use them as make-up cases.) https://www.sfbags.com/products/gear-pouch
Nice bags! I need a pencil case (pouch) that had 3 holes to store inside a binder. I can only find Chinese made bags, and they reek of some chemical.
Those Vapur bottles are the BEST!
This makes me think of the Staples commercial that way out a few years back,”It’s the most wonderful time of the year…”
Thanks for sharing this info. I didn’t realize that the Scotch brand was American made. I’ll make sure it’s the only one we buy.
Always check your labels, but yes, in general the Scotch brand is a good bet!
I just found these kid scissors on Amazon, made in the USA.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MQLCGS
Nalgene bottles are made in the USA and easy to find and Fiskars makes scissors in WI 🙂
I did not know that! Thanks for the tips!
fiskars aren’t made in America. 🙁
Heading out this week to pick up supplies — where DID the summer go?