28 Things To Help Cheer Up A Student Who's Hating Virtual Learning
A backrest pillow, a three-height desk tray, and more to make things to make things smoother.
We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
1. A comfy memory foam pillow to give their neck and back the reprieve they deserve while they're studying or learning in bed or on the couch.
Promising review: "I bought this to help provide my child another place for them to do homework, read, or just rest without lying in bed. They love the support it provides for their back (no more pain or soreness). It is very plush and soft! Price-wise, I think I got my money's worth and much more." —Lopez L.
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in two colors and two sizes).
2. Tiny, adorable, and helpful animal cable bites that can bring a smidge of extra excitement to their workspace and protect the part of their charger cables that gets beat up the most with regular use.
Promising review: "Great variety and are so colorful and cute! Great for extending cable life and having a bit of fun while doing so. Protection + entertainment. Awesome!!!!" —Mable Patterson
Get them from Amazon for $14.99 (available in an 18-piece pack).
3. An eye mask to encourage midday power naps or a moment to simply rest their eyes. It's designed to address migraine and tension headaches, sinus pain, and eyestrain discomfort (take that, excess screentime💪🏿).
You can also put this baby in the freezer to get an even more soothing sensation if you're experiencing a headache.
Promising review: "I love this product for migraines, tension, and headaches. It cools the eye area. It’s incredibly soft if you can’t stand to feel texture while experiencing a migraine. I keep it in a plastic bag in the freezer so it won’t pick up smells. I think it’s filled with gel beads to hold the coldness in. It has two hooks to make it tighter if needed. The minute I put it on, I have relief. I don’t take meds for my migraines yet. I am hesitant to go that route. I turn off the lights and put headphones on and have to lay down. This keeps out all light even near the nose area. It’s hands-down a miracle." —Jenn A.
Get it from Amazon for $13.54.
4. Monkey Noodles! These'll be perf for fidgety students (kids and adults alike) who'll forever need help focusing while listening to a lecture.
Each monkey noodle is 12 inches long. They're also hypoallergenic, nontoxic, and free of BPAs, phthalates, and latex. The brand notes that they are suitable for children who are 3 years old and up, but of course, what's suitable for the kids in your life is totally up to your discretion.
Promising review: "I have 5-year-old twins who are doing Kindergarten online this school year. One of them has SPD and constantly needs physical stimulation or he's rolling around on the floor. The other just gets fidgety and has a hard time focusing. When they're reading to me or concentrating on the screen, I have tried giving them a hair tie to play with to keep their hands busy. I found these that have the same essential properties (stretchy and wrappable) but are much larger and more colorful. We have been using them for a week now and they've made a HUGE difference! They pick their color every day and grab it whenever they can't stand sitting still anymore. We had to have a long discussion about the fact that they are not toys (or weapons!) and they only get them if they're working. The threat of not getting to use them has been enough to keep them in check. They help a ton with screen focus and reading time. Their school now plans on ordering these for the rest of the struggling online kids. I will be recommending them to every teacher and parent I know!" —Zephyr C.
Get them from Amazon for $9.99 (available in a five-pack).
5. A scissor-skills activity kit to help younger kids practice using scissors in a safe, fun way. This way, they don't have to skip the virtual arts and crafts portion of the class when you can't supervise them. It'll totally make the ~cut~ for anyone home with young children who are still learning the basics.
The set will come with a book of 20 pre-printed activity pages and a pair of bladeless plastic scissors that are meant to only cut paper. The cut-outs start off super easy and increase in difficulty as a kid gets more comfortable and progresses through the book.
Promising review: "I wanted to get some kid-friendly scissors for my 4-year-old to practice with and this set was perfect! I have two boys and I really didn’t want them (4 and 2) to have an actual blade. I really like the variety of the cuts on the illustrations too." —Savannah Dison
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
6. Kids' blue-light-blocking glasses so eye fatigue is less likely to happen due to increased screen time. They're meant to reduce eye strain and the headaches that can come along with it.
Heads-up: These are not meant to be a replacement for medical treatment due to vision needs or chronic headaches. If you have any of those experiences, please see the appropriate physicians to address any serious concerns.
Promising review: "I purchased these for distance learning and I am so glad I did! My 7-year-old son was complaining of a headache on day two of distance learning. He put the glasses on as soon as they came in the mail and has loved them since. I never have to remind him to put them on because he can tell how much they help. He hasn’t complained of a headache since 👍🏼." —Amazon Customer
Get them from Amazon for $21.99 (available in pairs and eight color options).
7. And! Blue-light-blocking glasses for adults because if younger eyes get fatigued, then what do you think can happen to the eyes with more miles on 'em? Treat a grown student to some extra eye love, please. These glasses aren't just pretty; they're also Rx-able, scratch-resistant, antiglare, and 100% UV-resistant.
Buzzfeed editor Maitland Quitmeyer swears by these light-blocking glasses! Here's what she has to say:
"I definitely notice a difference when I remember to actually wear 'em! And if you just love the frames, you can even get the lenses swapped for ones with your prescription. Under $30 for expensive-looking frames? Score."
Get them from Privé Reveaux for $29.95 (available in three colors).
8. A gel memory foam cushion to soften the blow that is sitting in a chair for hours on end trying to learn. Their tailbone will def thank them for this plush gift.
It has a nonslip rubber bottom and a cutout where the tailbone is to help relieve pressure. The brand also offers a lifetime money-back or replacement guarantee with no questions asked. Several reviewers noted that this was a welcome comfort for their sciatica. However, if you have any severe pain troubles, please be sure to consult with your doctor about what the best at-home cushions and pillows are for you. (100% satisfaction guarantee that offers a replacement or refund if you don't love it.)
Promising review: "I absolutely love this cushion. I work from home right now and my chair is one of my kitchen chairs. This makes sitting for hours on end doing my work a little more comfortable. It offers support for my lower back and the cutout for my tailbone makes it comfortable to sit on." —Liz Coffrey
Get it from Amazon for $32.95.
9. Virtual learning doorknob signs for students who want everyone else in their house to respect their space and keep quiet when they're busy with lectures, group work, or whatever else they need to get done.
It'll also bring some cheer and color to the outside of their workspace and that never hurts, right? Also, this sign is by a woman of color-owned brand based in California.
Get it from PrtyWithMeCreations on Etsy for $8.99 (available in two colors).
10. A kids' desk and chair set compact enough to sit anywhere in the house which'll be a winner for kids who get bored being in the same spot every day (or who just want to be closer to you 😘).
The desk has a storage tray underneath, an LED light, and a bookstand. Rubber pads are on the bottom of the desk and chair so they don't damage tiled or hardwood floors.
Promising review: "Love it. My son and I love his new desk. It was easy to assemble and love that it's large enough to grow with him. I would and have purchased again." —Kay
Get it from Amazon for $147.99 (free shipping; available in three colors).
11. Or, a smart cubby that'll turn any table surface into a cool kiddie cubicle so younger students can get have a fun workspace even if they don't have a traditional desk.
btw, this cubby is by a small business based in Florida!
Promising review: "We received our SmartCubbie order and it has made setting up a virtual learning space at home fun for my son. It has brightened up his workspace. The cardboard design is really sturdy and the pockets allow for ease of access to materials needed throughout the school day. It's a very smart and convenient design." —Amcp1083
Get it from Binca Ideas on Etsy for $21.99+ (available in eight fun prints and two material choices).
12. The ULTIMATE laptop desk tray — I own it and I can promise that any student who works from bed (listen, sometimes it's like that) will enjoy every single feature. I don't know where my back and neck would be without it.
This baby has three adjustable heights as shown in the photos. On top, it has a spot for your laptop and a mouse pad. Both sections lift up and reveal a storage spot inside the tray for pens, pencils, notepads, etc... The tray also has five USB ports, an LED light, and a laptop fan. Of course, all that runs on three AAA batteries. Simply put, this laptop desk tray has all the bells and whistles for a student to work comfortably and have what they need in less than arm's reach.
Promising review: "The lap desk arrived in good condition and packaging. I didn't expect to use all the functions but I did. I like that the fan cooler rises to position the laptop at different angles. I also tried out the LED desk lamp which is useful for reading in bed or on the sofa. The assembly is simple and it folds up to be put away. The only thing I would improve is to have a cover when not in use because dust can get into the fan. Overall great little desk, my kids love using it to read their books." —MBHANIFF
Get it from Amazon for $50.99 (free shipping).
13. Erasable Crayola highlighters to make note-taking an extra fun, pretty, and mistake-proof experience.
14. A science-themed eyeshadow palette called "Sodium Fine" (get it?! 🤣🧪🔬) so they can have a lil' extra fun getting ready in the morning whether they're ~experimenting~ with bold colors or just doing a quick, soft glam beat for the video call.
From the beaker shape to its science-themed shadow names like "Comet" (shimmer coppery red shade), "Area 51" (a matte highlight shade), and "Dexter" (a purple glitter) — this palette is beyond cool. It's also cruelty-free and vegan! And, you'll be supporting a small Black-owned business based in North Carolina.
Promising review: "This palette is amazing!!!!! It’s so pigmented. The colors pop extremely well. I can’t wait to see what other palettes this brand has to come." —Jasmine
Get it from Makeup Scientist Cosmetics for $45 (features 12 colors in a mix of shimmers, glitters, and matte shades).
15. A graphic hoodie to remind them what a superhero they are — and to give 'em something to stay comfy in while they're in class.
16. Contact chalk paper — for the students who hate just sitting and staring at a screen and prefer hands-on activity. This will allow them to do a ton of dif things like math problems, practicing letters, and even doodle breaks.
You can use this chalkboard paper to create calendars, to-do lists, home menus in the kitchen, labels for household items, and so much more. Also, you could just put cool designs on it in a student's room so it feels more like a fun, learning environment. Every little bit helps!
Promising review: "I love, love, love this contact paper. I stuck it on one side of a drawer that we have in our homeschool; it took me about 5min. There are no bubbles if you do it slowly (and you can stick/unstick it)... I use it with our chalk markers and it erases easily with a wet towel. I haven't tried with a regular chalk eraser yet." —DaysMoon
Get the chalkboard paper from Amazon for $10.35+ and the chalk markers from Amazon for $14.95 (available in two tip sizes and color selections).
17. Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint for adult students who still need an extra push getting to those early a.m. classes (virtual or not 🥴). Glossier won't be an alarm clock *but* it'll at least help 'em achieve a light beat with minutes to spare in the morning.
Heads up: This foundation gives light, sheer coverage. If you're a full-coverage lover, then this may not be for you.
Promising review: "I can't say enough good things about this to the point where I will tell anyone who will listen that they need to try it! I always prefer a barely-there foundation/skin tint that can hide redness and pores while leaving the natural look of my skin to shine through. This does just that and more! It leaves the skin with a beautiful dewy look and feels like you're wearing no makeup at all! Also, customer service was fantastic as I sent them a picture of myself and they emailed me back almost instantly matching me perfectly with my shade." —Kathy
Get it from Glossier for $26 (available in 12 shades
18. A mini waffle maker to get their school day started with love in the form of a warm, heart-shaped waffle. You know what they say about the importance of a balanced breakfast and all that jazz.
Promising review: "This product exceeded my expectations. It makes the perfect-sized waffle every time. It heats up extremely fast and has your waffle done within minutes. The waffles slide right out with ease and don't stick whatsoever. A great item to help speed up your morning breakfast routine and ensuring you'll never be late for work [or school]!" —Dane
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in red and nine other non-heart-shaped colors).
19. And! A rapid egg cooker that'll make a week's worth of eggs so they always have something ready to eat in the mornings before school.
Promising review: "Best quarantine purchase yet! This little guy is so cute and handy! I just tested three eggs in case they didn’t turn out and they were perfect!! I was all prepared to be blasted out of my house for the buzzer at the end (according to other reviews), but it wasn’t bad at all. It literally plays a little song. So cute!" —Austin Klimek
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in five colors).
20. A reusable notebook so students don't have to rotate a bunch of different ones. With this, they'll be able to jot stuff down, transfer the notes to the cloud with an app, and then wipe it all away with a cloth to start over fresh. Easy peasy. They won't need a new notebook for AWHILE and they'll get to organize all their handwritten notes in their preferred cloud.
The notebook has 42 pages in seven different styles including space for task lists, weekly planning, a monthly calendar, a goal template, an ideas list, a dot-grid, and lined pages. It'll also come with one Pilot Frixion pen and one microfiber cloth. All you'll need to do is download the Rocketbook app so you can use your phone to scan your notes. The app (for iOS and Android) will move your notes to most cloud services including Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote, Box, OneNote, Slack, iCloud, email, and more. ALSO, even though you'll have a Pilot Frixion pen, the notebook works with other writing tools in the Pilot Frixion line including the markers and highlighters.
Promising review: "So far, this notebook has been a savior for me. Usually, I will have upwards of eight notebooks for one semester at college, but with this notebook, I can have it all in one and easily put it in my Google drive. This year it is the most helpful since most of my classes are online all homework must be submitted via pdf, and using the Rocketbook app helps with that immensely." —Valerie Sanders
Get it from Amazon for $35+ (free shipping; available in executive and letter size).
21. A phone dock vase that'll prop a student's phone up and help them keep it powered up thanks to the cord opening on the lower front of the dock.
The dock is made of white earthenware clay body and finished with a glossy pale pink speckle glaze. You can stick a single flower in there or even a eucalyptus leaf (real or artificial). Btw, these are made by a small family business based in Pennsylvania.
Promising review: "This is so beautiful! It’s one of my favorite things I’ve ever ordered from Etsy. A bargain for the price!" —Mmcleod86
Get it from Stak Ceramics on Etsy for $38 (free shipping; also available in charcoal gray, white speckle, teal, and Earl gray).
22. A book for folks who get sick of reading just for assignments and want to do it for enjoyment. Let 'em read themselves into a world that gives them a break from their own. Also, if you scoop titles from Bookshop, then a percentage of your purchase will go towards helping local bookstores thrive in business.
Bookshop donates 10% of your purchase to local bookstores. You even get to choose which bookstore near you that the money will go to, as long as they have a curated shop on the site. Yes, even if you buy books in the Bookshop marketplace that aren't from *that* shop.
Get Double Dutch from Bookshop for $7.35 (originally $7.99) or I Am Every Good Thing for $16.55 (originally $17.99).
23. Personalized animated backpacks that'll surely make any kid smile when they pull their school supplies out of it each day — especially if you grab one that matches whatever profession the kid is dreaming of being these days.
If you'd like to put a kid's name on it, then just add the name before adding the bag to your cart (12-letter limit). These cool backpacks are by a Black-owned Etsy shop called BrownKidSwagcom based in New York. It also features bookbags, masks, lunch boxes, and more customizable items!
Promising review: "This product is AMAZING and so is Marcel (the seller)!!!! The quality is durable and the design just oozes #BlackGirlMagic. So, there’s the huge compartment in the back for a laptop, the main compartment, and a front, smaller compartment. The main compartment has two inside pockets, one of which has a zipper! It has three compartments! SYDNEY LOOOOOOOVED IT!" —Brandi Anderson
Get the astronaut backpack on the left from BrownKidSwagcom on Etsy for $36.99+ (available in two sizes) and the STEM one on the right for $44.99 (available with the cartoons in different shades of brown to suit what represents a kid the best).
24. An insulated soundproofing strip that easily sticks to the outer rims of your door so students won't have to deal with a loud house disturbing their virtual classroom.
Psst — this insulated strip also stops air-conditioning from escaping out of the crack under the door, saving energy and money!
Promising review: "Product works really well! I needed a quick fix for my home office situation. I live in an apartment in Manhattan and never noticed how much sound comes in and out until I had to be on conference calls working from home! This little tape made a big difference and only took me a couple of minutes to install." —Sandra Revueltas
Get it from Amazon for $8.97 (available in four colors).
25. A mini-water bottle for smaller students that says, "I Am Magical" because sweet, affirmative reminders will always be a good thing to keep around their workspace as they take on new challenges in their curriculum.
The cup is meant to keep hot drinks hot and cool drinks cool. Easy. Btw, when you snag this, you'll be supporting a Black- and woman-owned business.
Get it from Izzy & Liv for $14 (available in two colors).
26. A splurge-worthy office chair — because the need for good back support and wanting to virtually learn in style will never conflict with each other thanks to this beautiful design. There's def a glam college student out there who'd agree that they DESERVE.
27. Wiggle hoop earrings for older students who'll always respect the Silly Bandz reign and still want parts of the fun somehow because: nostalgia. Your virtual class look is about to be all squiggly-quirky-cool and everyone else is just going to have to sit back and take notes. ✍️🤷🏿♀️
The earrings are handmade and created with baked polymer clay so while they're sturdy, handle 'em with care. By the way, these cool earrings are by the queer-owned, New York-based brand, Shannon Elizabeth. Peep what the owner has to say about the brand:
"Since I spend so much of my time staring into the abyss of my computer for my day job, I recently revived my childhood love of working with polymer clay to remember how soothing and satisfying it is to work with my hands. I'm now completely addicted, and nothing makes me happier than sharing this medium with people all over the world." —owner, Shannon Elizabeth
Get them from Shannon Elizabeth for $28 (available in six colors).
28. A Baby Yoda Chia Pet to give them something infinitely adorable sitting on their desk. Also, if a show-and-tell goes down on the Zoom? They'll win that hands down because The Force said so. And sure, it's no competition but when you have a growing Baby Yoda... isn't it?
The Chia Pet will come with the planter, a chia seeds packet, and instructions.
Get it from Urban Outfitters for $26.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.