Ages 5-11
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20 things elementary schoolers like, love and say
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No laces, no problem
Crocs, no-tie sneakers and other slip-ons are a fuss-free win for kids on the go. Just don’t forget the Jibbitz.
Pokémon has taken over recess
Binders bursting with trading cards are creeping into school. Classroom contraband or teaching moment?
Everyone’s got a main squeeze
From butter to dumplings to NeeDohs, Gen Alpha has a firm grasp on squishies and their sold-out drops.
That teacher glow-up
Teachers are showing off their own first-day fits and classroom makeovers on TikTok.
‘Are you online?’ Gen Alpha boys are taking their playdates over to Minecraft and Roblox
Kids are socializing over Switch — and streaming gaming creators on YouTube.
I see IP
KPop Demon Hunters, SpongeBob SquarePants, Super Mario: Kids want their gear to reflect their pop culture picks.
It takes a village
With the average teacher spending $740-plus on classroom supplies, parents are pitching in to #ClearTheList.
The minis want whimsy
A popsicle-shaped eraser, a glittery gel pen… It doesn’t take much to add a pop of personality.
Now you see me…
Glossy see-through backpacks mean kids are in the clear with school safety protocols.
The lunchtime grind is real
Parents whose picky eaters won’t touch cafeteria food have “What’s for lunch?” fatigue — and need inspo.
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Even class birthday celebrations call for goody bags
You just know the first mom to bring in cupcakes and party favors for the class ruffled some feathers.
Soccer jerseys are a schoolyard status symbol
Kids were peacocking around the playground in Messi’s chalky Inter Miami pinks even before the World Cup.
“FBI, open up!”
Why are Gen Alpha boys pounding on bathroom stalls like they’re in Cops? Not even they know.
The ghost of “6-7”
Last year’s Gen Alpha battle cry finally died out. Teachers hope it stays that way.
Mark Rober is the STEM superstar
The YouTuber and his CrunchLabs kits are turning grade-schoolers into aspiring engineers.
The chores-to-collectibles pipeline
They want Beyblades, and they’re willing to put in the work for a little extra pocket money.
The jitters are no joke
Change is hard at any age, and anxiety — over homework, fitting in, etc. — still creeps in.
One and done
Parents are clicking “add to cart” on matching backpack/lunchbox/water bottle sets for simplicity’s sake.
Choose your fighter: Screens or slime?
Hands-on hobbies — slime-making, origami, gemstone dig kits — are a hit (and “I’m bored!” antidotes).
The real homework: Staying on top of school stuff
Give me a digital family calendar or give me death (a 9 p.m. emergency poster-board run).
