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.
BEST MADE IN THE USA SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND WHERE WE FOUND THEM
Mr. Sketch non toxic scented markers have been around since the 60's. I remember sniffing these markers back in grade school, and now my kiddos can sniff them too! Mr. Sketch markers can be found at many stores including Target and Walmart.
For over 50 years Write Dudes has been manufacturing USA Gold pencils in Tennessee. We found them at Target, but USA Gold pencils can be found at most big box and craft stores.
Crayola crayons are made in Pennsylvania and can be found anywhere crayons are sold. Nothing tops coloring with a brand new Crayola crayons. 
Mead Five Star notebooks can be found at almost any big box store, making them an easy ‘Made in the USA' addition to the school supply stash.
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. 
House of Doolittle offers many styles of planners and desk/wall calendars. All House of Doolittle products are made in the USA from 100% post consumer recycled paper and printed with soy based inks. House of Doolittle Planners and Calendars can be found at some Staples locations.
Made in the USA School Supplies we know you can find online
Pen Company of America pens are made in the USA and come in a variety of designs. They even make scented pens and holiday themed pens. Pen Company of America pens are available at Amazon, so stock up now!
Dexas clipcases are a great way to keep homework assignments unwrinkled, dry, and organized. Dexas clipcases are available in a variety of styles and colors.
Check out our other American made school supply guides
- Made in USA Lunch Gear Source List
- Eco Friendly School Supplies, Made in USA
- Made in USA School Uniforms
- Back to School Beauty and Personal Care Supplies
- Made in USA Backpacks & School Bags
- Tips on Packing an Eco-Friendly School Lunch
- Made in USA Clothing for Kids, Ultimate Source Guide
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 !
[Disclosure: USA Love List received some products in this post unconditionally for review purposes. Our opinions are always our own, and we aim to write fair and balanced reviews to promote only the very best of American-made products.]
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?