Short answer: for kindy to Year 2, pick a smaller pencil case with one main zip and a front pocket. Little hands can open it, and it doesn't take over the desk. From Year 3 to high school, pick a longer, flat rectangle case with a twin zip. It fits pens, highlighters and a ruler, and it packs neatly into a backpack next to books and a laptop.
Spixal makes both. The Spixal kids pencil case range has the Junior prints for little kids and the twin-zip Axis colours for older kids. Here's how to choose.
Best Kids Pencil Cases at a Glance
| Junior Kids Pencil Case | Axis Kids Pencil Case | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Kindy, prep and junior primary | Middle primary to high school |
| Size | 21.5 x 9.5 x 6.5cm | 32 x 18cm |
| Fits a 30cm ruler | No, it's sized for the early-years basics | Yes |
| Opening | Main zip compartment plus a front zip pocket | Twin zips that open from either end |
| Material | Durable fabric, wipe clean or machine wash on gentle | Sturdy cotton twill, the same fabric as the Axis Kids Backpack |
| Designs | Dinosaur Roar, Let's Play, Monster Truck, Unicorn, Butterfly, Astro Cat | Black, Blue, Green, Navy Orange, Pink, Purple, Leopard |
| Matches | The Junior backpack and lunch bag in the same print | The Axis Kids Backpack and Kids Library Bag |
| Price | $19.99 | $9.99 |
How to Choose a Pencil Case by Age
Kindy, prep and Years 1 to 2
Young kids don't carry much. A few pencils, crayons, an eraser and a sharpener usually covers it. What matters most at this age:
- A zip they can work themselves. One main zip is easier for small hands than several fiddly compartments.
- A pocket for small things. The eraser and sharpener are the first things to go missing. A front zip pocket gives them a home.
- A desk-friendly size. Junior desks are small. A compact case leaves room for books and worksheets.
- A design they'll recognise. A bold print is easy to spot in a classroom tub full of cases.
The Junior Kids Pencil Case is built for this stage. At 21.5 x 9.5 x 6.5cm, it holds the basics and stays tidy on the desk. Each print matches a Spixal Junior backpack and lunch bag, so the whole school kit goes together.
Years 3 to 6
This is when stationery lists grow. Kids start carrying their own pens, textas, highlighters, glue sticks and a ruler. Look for:
- A longer case so the ruler and longer pens fit. The Axis Kids Pencil Case is 32 x 18cm and a 30cm ruler fits inside.
- A rectangle shape that sits flat on the desk and slides into a backpack pocket.
- Sturdy fabric that keeps its shape after a year of being stuffed into a bag.
High school
High schoolers want something low-key. They also carry more: pens, highlighters, a calculator, a USB and a ruler. A plain colour and a simple shape tend to win. The Axis Kids Pencil Case in Black is understated enough for high school, and it packs neatly next to books and a laptop. For bags to go with it, see our guide to the best high school backpacks.
What to Look For in Any Kids Pencil Case
Zips
The zip is the part that wears out first. Twin zips that open from either end make it easy to grab one pencil without tipping everything out. That's why every Axis pencil case has them.
Fabric or hard case
Fabric cases are lighter, quieter on the desk and easier to squeeze into a full bag. Hard cases protect delicate pens, but they're bulky and can crack when dropped. For most school kids, a sturdy fabric case is the practical choice.
Easy to clean
Leaky textas and pencil shavings happen. A case you can clean lasts longer. The Spixal Junior case can be wiped over or go in the washing machine on a gentle cycle.
Name it
Pencil cases look alike in a classroom. Put your child's name on it, on the inside and the outside.
Check the school list
Some schools have their own rules, like a clear pencil case for exams. Check your school's booklist before you buy.
Make It a Matching Set
Lots of kids like their pencil case to match their bag. Every Junior print comes as a pencil case, backpack and lunch bag. The Axis colours come as a pencil case, backpack and library bag, or all three together in the Axis Kids Backpack Bundle. See matching backpack and lunch bag sets for how the ranges go together, and the back to school checklist for everything else on the list.
Our Promise
Every Spixal product comes with a 12-month warranty. If you don't love it, return it within 30 days and we cover the return postage within Australia.
Kids Pencil Case FAQs
What is the best pencil case for kindy and prep?
A small case with one main zip and a front pocket. It's easy for little hands to open, and the pocket keeps the eraser and sharpener from going missing. The Spixal Junior Kids Pencil Case is 21.5 x 9.5 x 6.5cm and comes in six prints.
What size pencil case does a high school student need?
A longer, flat rectangle case that fits pens, highlighters, a calculator and a ruler. The Spixal Axis Kids Pencil Case is 32 x 18cm, with twin zips that open from either end.
Will a 30cm ruler fit in a Spixal pencil case?
Yes, in the Axis Kids Pencil Case. It's 32 x 18cm, so a standard 30cm ruler fits inside with the pens and pencils.
Is a fabric or hard pencil case better for school?
For most kids, fabric. It's lighter, quieter and easier to fit into a full backpack. Hard cases suit delicate pens but are bulkier and can crack if dropped.
Can you wash a kids pencil case?
Most fabric cases can be. The Spixal Junior Kids Pencil Case can be wiped over or machine washed on a gentle cycle.
Do Spixal pencil cases match the backpacks?
Yes. Each Junior print matches the Junior backpack and lunch bag. Each Axis colour matches the Axis Kids Backpack and Kids Library Bag.