Classroom essentials – practical end-of-term teacher gift ideas
End-of-term gifts for teachers usually fall into two camps: the well-meaning stuff (soap, chocolates, and yes, another bottle of cheap plonk) and the genuinely useful things, the small, low-cost classroom essentials that get pulled out and used every single day.
If you want your gift to earn a quiet, proper thank you, rather than the polite smile that says this will live in a cupboard, practicality wins. The ideas below are real classroom must-haves: the bits of kit that save time, reduce the small daily chaos, and make lessons run more smoothly, whether it is displays, organisation, tech, tidiness, or those moments when you need the whole room listening right now.
Practical gift ideas for teachers and the classroom – our recommendations
Rapesco 0955 Germ-Savvy Antibacterial, T8-Lite Staple Tacker
Sturdy steel parts, a dependable driver blade and a bright blue ABS body make this tacker feel far tougher than it looks. It takes type 13 and 53 staples from 4 to 8 mm, which drop in from the bottom through a smooth sliding magazine. You also get a detachable margin guide, a wrist strap, a viewing window and a lock-down handle. It even comes with 300 staples so you can get cracking on working walls or displays of students’ work straight away.
HUE HD Pro Flexible USB Video and Document Camera/Visualiser
You get crisp 1080p video, built-in LED lighting and a surprisingly clear mic, all tucked into a camera with a flexible neck that you can bend into whatever angle makes sense. It plugs in by USB and behaves nicely with Windows, Chrome OS, macOS and Linux. Focus is manual, which is oddly satisfying to tweak, and it is light enough to take anywhere. There is a three year warranty plus software for capturing, annotating and sharing. It’s spot-on for displaying and modelling work on interactive whiteboards and wall panels.
NIIMBOT B1 Bluetooth Label Maker Machine and Portable Label Printer
This little Bluetooth label maker prints everything from slim tags to chunky 50 mm labels for home, school or work. It pairs with iOS and Android through its app, and you can plug it into a PC by USB if you prefer. The app is easy to fiddle with, offering different fonts, borders, symbols and automatic label sizing. It runs on a rechargeable battery and handles waterproof, tear resistant label stock without fuss. It’s ideal for name labels, bar codes for your library, or instant AI feedback on students’ work.
Assorted Coloured Tri folding Presentation Boards
These tri folding boards are made from recyclable card and come in a choice of four colours. They are light enough to carry around without feeling flimsy and work well for school projects, events or quick displays at home. The panels give you plenty of space to lay out work neatly, and they fold down easily when you are finished. They are a simple, no fuss option for anyone who needs a clean backdrop for presentations. Perfect for instant pop-up displays, classroom notices, or even portable green screens for lego animation clubs.
Logitech K400 Plus Wireless Touch TV Keyboard With Easy Media Control and Built-in Touchpad
This compact keyboard and touchpad combo makes it easy to control a PC from anywhere in the classroom. It connects wirelessly with the included USB receiver and works happily with Windows, Android and Chrome OS. The keys are quiet, the 3.5 inch touchpad feels familiar and the spill resistant design is a welcome bit of insurance. Battery life can stretch to well over a year, helped by a simple on and off switch. Perfect for flexible teaching and learning! These little known about devices are classroom gamechangers! Type, model writing, and edit on your whiteboard or wall panel from any point in the classroom. Let children type onto the class screen from their desk. It’s also powerful enough to work in assembly halls.
LIORQUE 19CM Non-Ticking 60 Minute Visual Countdown Timer
This visual timer is refreshingly simple to use. You just twist the dial to set up to 60 minutes, and the big 19 cm display makes it easy to see how much time is left. It runs silently on two AA batteries and offers sound, light or vibration alerts with three volume levels. You can stick it to a magnetic whiteboard, prop it up on a bracket, stick it onto the teachers’ desk or mount it on a wall. It works well for classrooms, tests, or just keeping children on track.
XupZip 2-in-1 Large Freezer Bags with Airtight & Leakproof Bamboo Seal
These large 2 in 1 freezer bags use a sturdy bamboo style seal that feels properly airtight and leakproof. They stand up on their own for easy filling and are made from tough, BPA free plastic that works in both the freezer and microwave. You can stash anything from meat and veg to snacks, soups or small classroom bits. The double seal keeps everything fresh, dry and dust free. They are genuinely handy to have around, especially for teachers.
Kensington Wireless USB Powerpoint Presentation Clicker
This wireless presentation clicker works straight out of the box with no software at all. You get a red laser pointer plus clear forward, back and screen blackout buttons that behave well in PowerPoint, Keynote and Google Slides on Windows or macOS. The 2.4 GHz connection reaches around 20 metres and there is built in power saving plus a slot to store the tiny receiver. It also includes AES encryption and comes with a two year warranty. Your classroom slideshows, interactive assemblies and endless twilight CPD sessions will be a breeze!
VELCRO Brand 2pk Heavy Duty White Stick On Strips 50mm x 100mm, Hook And Loop
These heavy duty stick on strips use a proper pro grade adhesive that grips far better than you expect. Each 50 x 100 mm pad can hold up to 7 kg and the hook and loop pieces are reusable, indoors or out, with no tools needed. They stick to plastic, glass, metal and painted wallboard and are quick to apply. Once they have set, they keep things firmly in place. In a classroom they will pretty much hold anything to anything. Invaluable.
Amazon Basics Portable Electric Pencil Sharpener
This portable sharpener handles standard 6 to 8 mm pencils with a tidy spiral blade that starts and stops automatically. It runs on four AA batteries or a USB cable, so you can use it wherever you are. The chip container is roomy enough that you are not constantly emptying it and the whole thing is light enough to toss in a bag for work, school or home. Children will love it, and if everything gets too much after school, there’s no better therapy than endlessly sharpening pencils.
Lego Storage Head
This storage head looks like an oversized Lego minifigure and is sturdy enough to survive everyday chaos. The lid snaps on securely to keep dust out, and the roomy interior holds bricks, toys or arty bits without everything spilling everywhere. For teachers, it’s perfect for paper clips, glue sticks, motivational stickers, rewards or pencils. It stacks neatly with other Lego storage pieces and fits right in whether it is on a shelf, in a classroom or tucked beside a desk. A fun way to keep clutter under control.
Amazon Basics 40-Pack AA Alkaline Industrial Batteries
These AA alkaline batteries deliver steady 1.5 volt power and come in a chunky pack of 40, which is handy if your house eats batteries for breakfast. They are free from cadmium, lead and mercury, with anti corrosion parts and a five year shelf life. They slot into any standard AA compartment and work well in remotes, wireless gadgets and small tools. A solid stash to keep around for everyday use or the odd emergency.
Yale Small Value Safe
This small value safe uses a simple electronic keypad that takes a three to eight digit PIN, and you still get two override keys for peace of mind. The anti bump solenoid lock and status lights make it clear when it is secure, and the keypad locks itself if someone keeps guessing. It is accredited under the Police Preferred Specification scheme and includes fixings so you can bolt it down. Ideal for keeping phones, documents or cash tucked away safely. In classrooms it’s perfect for storing collected coins, important keys, student and staff medication, reply slips, or the secrets to effective teaching.
Avery A3 Office Paper Cutter Trimmer
This A3 paper trimmer cuts up to 12 sheets at a time and keeps fingers safe with a self sharpening blade tucked inside an easy to grip cutter head. The built in guides and gridlines make lining things up far less fiddly, and the whole unit is light enough to move between desks without feeling flimsy. It works well in classrooms, offices or craft corners and comes with a five year guarantee for a bit of extra reassurance.
Zebra Pen Sarasa Retractable Gel Ink Rollerball Pens – Quick Drying Ink
These retractable gel pens use quick drying ink that behaves itself on the page and avoids smudges. Each one has a soft rubber grip that feels good in the hand, even during long notes or marking sessions. The pack gives you fourteen black pens that write smoothly and consistently, whether you are in a classroom, at your desk or scribbling homework. A reliable everyday set with no fuss. With the fastest drying ink we’ve ever seen in the classroom, these pens won’t smudge. Even if you students are determined to smudge, they just won’t smudge. Perfect for left handed children (and teachers) who struggle with cursive handwriting.
12 Pack Clear Book Display Stand
This pack gives you 12 clear acrylic stands that arrive with a protective film you peel off before use. They are stable, neatly angled and hold books, comics, posters or notices without wobbling. The acrylic is non toxic and properly sturdy, so they work just as well in a library or shop as they do on a shelf at home. A simple way to show things off without them toppling over. Perfect for displaying students’ work or promoting reading for pleasure in your classroom library.
Amazon Basics 3 in-1 A4 Thermal Laminator with Trimming, Punching and Corner Rounding Functions
This compact 3 in 1 laminator warms up in about three minutes and runs at a steady pace thanks to its double roller system. It handles A4 sheets, works with different pouch thicknesses and comes with ten starter pouches. You can laminate, trim, round corners or punch holes without wrestling with the machine, and the ABS anti jam button is there for the rare moment something goes wonky. A handy little unit for documents, photos or cards.
Helix Magnetic Blackboard and Whiteboard Metre Rule
This metre rule sticks to metal surfaces and whiteboards with its built in magnets, which makes demonstrations far less of a juggling act. It measures up to 100 cm with clear metric and imperial markings and breaks down into five sections that slot together quickly. The handles are easy to grip and the whole thing is tough enough for everyday classroom, lecture hall or laboratory use. A practical bit of kit that stays put while you teach. You won’t lose this ruler. Yeah, science!
Staedtler Noris School Pencils HB Pack of 50
These HB school pencils come in a bumper pack of 50 and hold up well to everyday classroom use. They are made from a tough composite material with a neat chisel point that erases cleanly and sharpens easily in manual or electric sharpeners. They write smoothly for notes, sketches or quick exercises and are reliable enough that you can hand them out without worrying they will snap every two minutes. And let’s face it these pencils have seriously stripy energy. This item is perfectly paired with an electric pencil sharpener.
Feng Shui Brass Gong
Children not being quiet? Your noise meter is not having the desired effect? Feel like you’re about to lose the plot? Get a Gong! This brass style gong is made from a tough steel alloy and has a hand-polished finish decorated with the eight trigrams, which gives it a bit of character. It produces a bright, confident sound when you tap it with the wooden mallet and sits neatly on its stand when not in use. It works well for music sessions, group activities or simply grabbing everyone’s attention during an event. A surprisingly fun piece to have around. Many thanks to Mrs Morrison from Milton Keynes for this suggestion.
If your school has strict gifting rules, play it straight. Schools set their own limits, usually via the headteacher and governors, so check the website or end of term letter, or ask the office before buying anything. Most guidance keeps gifts modest, avoids anything that looks like a bribe, and sets a value limit where staff must declare or decline. Cash, alcohol, and flashy gifts are often frowned on. The easiest option is a pooled class gift, organised by the school, class, or year group PTA (Parent Teacher Association) rep.
Click the button below to purchase all of the items in this classroom essentials list, as well as class sets of any of these items and many more from Amazon – ideal for end of term or end of year teacher gifts or for your classroom.
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