Best Pencils for Kids: Tombow ippo!
If you have been searching for the best pencils for kids, your search just got a whole lot easier and a whole lot more fun! Tombow Pencil, one of Japan's most trusted stationery brands, has added exciting new members to their beloved school supply line called ippo! (pronounced "ee-poh," which means "one step" in Japanese). These fresh new pencils and colored pencils are already out and ready to make school days brighter for young learners everywhere. 🎒
What Is the Tombow ippo! Collection?
The ippo! line was made with one simple goal in mind: to help kids take their first steps in learning with tools that feel just right. Every pencil in this collection is designed to be easy to hold, smooth to write with, and simple enough for kids to love and parents to trust. Think of it as the perfect little helper sitting inside your child's pencil case every single school day. ✏️
New Writing Pencils: Fresh Colors, Smart Features
Three Pretty New Colors to Pick From
The ippo! Kakikata Pencil (which means "writing pencil" in Japanese) now comes in a clean and simple plain design that looks great in any school bag. You can choose from three trendy colors:
Pattern A: A deep, cool Navy Blue Pattern B: A soft and pretty Purple Pattern C: A bright and fresh Light Blue
These colors are simple enough for parents to approve and cool enough for kids to love. No wild patterns, no distracting prints. Just smooth, solid color that says, "I am ready to learn!"
A Shape That Stays Put 🖐️
Each pencil has six flat sides, which is called a hexagon shape. This means it fits nicely in little fingers and will not roll off the desk when your child puts it down. It sounds like a small thing, but any parent who has heard a pencil clatter to the floor mid-homework knows how much this matters!
Pick Your Perfect Darkness
These pencils come in different levels of softness and darkness, from B all the way to 6B. The higher the number, the darker and softer the pencil writes. So whether your child presses lightly or pushes hard when they write, there is a perfect match waiting for them.
The Pencil Change Mark: A Clever Little Feature 🔍
Here is one of the coolest new things about these pencils. Each one has a special mark printed on it called the "Pencil Change Mark." When your child's pencil gets short from all that writing and drawing, this little mark appears as a reminder that it is time for a brand new one. No more fighting over whether the pencil is "still okay to use." The pencil tells you itself!
Your Child's Name, Right on the Pencil
There is also a built-in name space on every pencil so your little one can write their name right on it. Say goodbye to lost pencils rolling around at the bottom of someone else's school bag. 📝
Price: One box of 12 pencils is priced at 792 yen (tax included). A 3-pencil pack in Pattern C is available for 198 yen (tax included).
The Lower Grade Writing Pencil and the Celebration Pencil from the ippo! line have also been refreshed with this same clean, plain design.
New Soft Case Colored Pencils: Lighter, Smarter, Better 🎨
Out with the Tin, In with the Soft Case
The ippo! Colored Pencils used to come in a sliding metal tin. The new version comes in a soft zip-around case, and honestly? It is such a smart upgrade. Here is why:
The case opens up flat on a desk, just like opening a book. The lid folds behind the case so it stays out of the way and your child has more room to work. The whole setup takes up very little space on a study desk, which is great news for small work areas.
The new case is also about 40% lighter than the old tin. It weighs just around 63 grams, which makes a real difference when it is tucked inside a school bag that already has books, a lunch box, and a water bottle competing for space. 🎒
And here is a bonus: if the case falls off the desk, it lands quietly. No more startling crashes during quiet study time!
Colors That Show Up Bold and Bright
The colored pencils inside have been improved too. They now color about 30% darker than the older version. They also feel about 10% smoother when you draw with them. This is really helpful for kids who are still building up their writing strength. Even a light touch gives a rich, beautiful color. 🌈
Just like the writing pencils, the colored pencils have the same six-sided hexagon shape. Easy to grip and they stay right where you put them.
Each pencil also has a white name label so your child can mark their own set.
Four Fun Case Colors
The soft case comes in four colors: Navy, Purple, Light Blue, and White. Every child gets to pick the one that feels most like theirs. Because when you love your school supplies, you love using them! 💜
Price: A 12-color set is priced at 1,122 yen (tax included). Single refill pencils are available for 77 yen each (tax included).
Why These Are the Best Pencils for Kids Right Now
When we talk about the best pencils for kids, we are not just looking at how they write. We are thinking about everything: how they feel in small hands, how well they last, how easy they are to carry, and yes, how much kids actually want to use them.
The Tombow ippo! collection checks every single one of those boxes. The hexagon shape keeps pencils from rolling and makes them easier to grip. The range of darkness levels means every child gets exactly what they need. The Pencil Change Mark removes the guesswork from knowing when to replace a worn-down pencil. The soft case for colored pencils is lighter, quieter, and takes up less space on a tiny study desk.
These are not just pretty school supplies. They are tools designed to solve real, everyday problems that kids and parents face at home and at school.
Discover More Stationery You Will Love
Before you go, there is one more thing worth mentioning for all the stationery fans out there!
If you love finding beautiful, functional, and fun stationery from Japan and beyond, Stationery Pal is a wonderful place to explore. From writing instruments to notebooks, desk accessories to paper goods, the Stationery Pal blog is packed with reviews, guides, and the latest releases from stationery brands that people genuinely love. Whether you are drawn to Japanese school stationery, charming kawaii designs, or clean and minimal styles, you will find something that sparks joy. Pop over and take a look. Your next favorite thing might already be waiting for you.
Final Thoughts: One Small Step, One Great Pencil
The Tombow ippo! line was built around a beautiful idea: that every child deserves tools that support them as they learn and grow. With the new plain-design writing pencils and the updated soft case colored pencils, that idea comes to life in a very real and practical way.
These are truly the best pencils for kids who are just starting school, moving up to a new grade, or simply needing a fresh set of supplies that feels just right. Simple, smart, and made with care. That is the ippo! promise, and it is one worth keeping close to your heart and your pencil case. 🌟
