It’s About Time: Back to School
Most kids dread the end of summer and heading back to school. But there is one child I know who can’t wait for school: mine. Kate is the saddest kid on the last day of school and the happiest as the new school year approaches. Sure she has some (big) anxieties about other aspects of school, but she can’t wait to be back with her friends and teachers. And I share in her excitement about buying school supplies, especially when there are fun and different options at one of our favorite Old Town shops, Red Barn Mercantile!
Seriously Cool Supplies
Rainbow Post Its These colorful post its will help kids (and adults!) with reminders and tagging important pages in their school books. Pot of gold not included. ($8.50)
Triangle Colored Pencils Students young and old will appreciate the fun colors in triangular barrels for an easy grip and no roll-away fuss. ($17.50)
Ladybug and Ninja Erasers These trios of cuteness and fierceness are a great way to bring color and fun to your child’s classroom. ($5 for each set)
Sea Bags Wristlets What better way to organize supplies than in a zippered pouch made out of recycled sails? Durable and and easy-to-clean, these wristlet-pouches can go the school-year distance. Plus, who can resist a narwhal? ($30)
Mini Mouse Stapler Perfect for keeping their notes and papers together, these mini mouse staplers create big smiles while taking-up little space. ($6, note: uses #10 size staples, not included)
Fun Extras
Unicorn, Rainbow and Candy Pins Backpacks, coats, and more get an upgrade on the “cool” factor by using these fun, decorative pins wherever a personal touch is wanted. ($12)
Thinking Putty Great for use as a fidget stress reliever, Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty in travel-size tins is perfect for pockets and backpacks. ($3.50)
Little Notes by E. Frances Paper Send them off to school with some lunchbox love written on the sweetest little cards around. Bonus uses: gift toppers, place cards, art projects, and more. ($15)
Mastering the Learning Curve
State Smarts Another way to keep kids learning outside of school is to play family card games. The State Smarts game teaches children about U.S. geography using interesting facts and cool graphics. ($15)
Math Dice This fun and mentally challenging game helps students hone their math skills at home. Players solve problems by using six- and twelve-sided dice and their math skills. ($7.50)
Grammar and Measurement Books Two brand-new books — The Know-Nonsense Guide to Measurements and The Know-Nonsense Guide to Grammar — give kids an amazingly fun guide to how we use words and how things are measured. ($14.95 each)
- About the boutique
Red Barn Mercantile opened its doors in September 2007 with a single vision in mind: providing old and new to offer our customers signature whole-room designs at great prices.
We’re more than a furniture boutique and provide more personalized service than a big box retailer. We work hard to bring you the highest quality furniture and gifts, the most unique conversation starters, wall hangings and accent pieces, whether they come from off-the-beaten-track flea markets, or the latest designers.
1117 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703.838.0355
