Review of Crayola Crayons and Markers, Ticonderoga Pencils and Elmer's White Glue

After my son finished second grade, in his final paperwork was his school supply list for third grade. No problem, we could get the supplies over the summer. I was shocked to see that they were specific on what brands they wanted the kids to purchase. I went to Wal-Mart and saved a ton, on the popular brands, too. Through trial and error I found out why the school requested the main brands like Elmer's and Crayola; it is because they work and are reliable.

Crayola verses generic crayons.

Crayola is a household name, but also an expensive name if you do not stock up at the right times. One year I thought I would save some money and pick up some cheaper crayons, and try to save a few bucks. That was not smart because:

Crayola crayons smoothly flow across your page and cheaper crayons do not color well or cover evenly. They leave a thick colored wax on your page.

Crayola crayons are strong and do not break easily, whereas generic or store brand crayons break very easily; not only in half, but the tips as well. They do not sharpen well, either. (The tips that finally sharpen seem to stick inside the sharpener.)

Crayola crayons come in a variety of colors and are true to their color names. The generic crayons do not match the colors they are supposed to be. If it says 'blue', it is not a true blue, like Crayola is.

In the end, my loyalty to Crayola stands. (I just need to stock up at Back-to-School time for now on!)

Elmer's White Glue verses off brands.

Elmer's White Glue is the best because not only does it actually make the projects stick together properly, but it doesn't soak through the pages like the generic or off brands do.

Elmer's White Glue is thicker and spreads better for projects. When you need just a dab, then you get a dab, not a puddle.

Elmer's White Glue cleans up nicely. The off brands do not, and sometimes they have a foul odor to them.

Elmer's White Glue has a good dry time and is actually sticky. Off brands take a very long time to dry, mainly due to the puddle effect, and isn't always very sticky. Sometimes it just feels like colored water.

Ticonderoga Pencils verses cheap, generic or store brand pencils.

There are many choices for pencils and we want to get the best writing instruments for our budding scholars. I know that for my son, I had purchased some cute Easter pencils and then some cute car and truck ones just to keep him interested in his schoolwork. That wasn't a good idea. Here is why:

Ticonderoga pencils sharpen very well. Off brands will sharpen, and then the tips fall out due to the lead inside the pencil already being broken!

Ticonderoga pencils are made of a good wood and not only sharpen smoothly, but the tips stay smooth, too. The cheaper brands are hard to sharpen and the wooden tips splinter and get stuck in the sharpeners.

Ticonderoga pencils have erasers that are embedded into the metal end that actually stay there when used. Cheaper pencils have either the eraser fall out, crumble into pieces, or just break in half. The erasers on the cheaper pencils are not reliable and are a waste.

For the pencil chewers out there, Ticonderoga pencils do not splinter in your mouth, as the off brands, do. Splintering is a big problem with the generics and store brand pencils.

The graphite in Ticonderoga pencils is strong, yet gentle on the page as you write. It is smooth and does not tear the pages, but cheaper pencils are harsh and rip though your term paper when you least expect it. (This from experience!)

Crayola markers verses less expensive markers

My son's teacher insisted on having Crayola markers for his supply list and I can understand why.

Crayola markers come in vibrant colors. Cheaper brands have brightly colored caps to the markers, but the ink on the paper is bland.

Crayola markers come ready to use and very moist; outlasting any other markers. Generic markers are sometimes already dry when you purchase them, and then quickly run dry after a few uses.

Crayola markers have a mild scent to them, almost undetectable, but some store brands or generic markers have a foul odor that makes your projects smell badly.

Crayola markers have tips that stay on and do not break off. Less expensive markers have tips that will break off when you are coloring. The tip comes off and you are stuck with an uneven nub to finish your project with.

I hope these tips will assist you in the purchasing of school supplies for your students. Keep in mind that just because something is a bit cheaper doesn't mean it will save you money in the long run.

Sources:

Personal Experience