(Credit: Darlene Graham)

HoverKicks are futuristic, LED light-up sneakers that glow around the bottom in such a way that can appear the wearer is hovering a half-inch off the ground.

Back-to-school trends, new products, supplies, more for 2016

Updated August 19, 2016 8:54 AM
By NEWSDAY.COM STAFF

What will kids be clamoring for as they head back to class this fall?

This year, kids will find cool gear that looks great and is functional, and they will find toys that will expand their minds, and peak their curiosity," said Laurie Schact, co-publisher of The Toy Insider, a consumer guide for parents.

Follow our guide to the latest gadgets, snacks, supplies and good ole fun stuff to get ahead of the trends.

WAFF notebook

(Credit: WAFF World Gifts Inc.)

Inspired by waffles, this notebook is bound by a removable silicone cover that you can build on. The set comes with various lettered and Emoji cubes, so kids can create their own designs; prices start at $12.99 at waffstore.myshopify.com.

Emoji nailpolish

(Credit: Forsythe Cosmetic Group)

Emojis continue to be hot -- and girls will sport them wherever they can, including their fingernails. Nailmoji polish, by Forsythe Cosmetic Group based in Freeport as part of their Color Club brand, offers tiny emoji lips, smiley faces, hearts and even the comical poop. Wear them alone or over a black or white polish, which "makes it really pop," says Marlyn Roquemore, the company's chief marketing officer. "Young girls will rock it on all 10 fingers," Roquemore says, but it also works as an accent on one nail; $8.50 at colorclub.com or area specialty stores.

HoverKicks

(Credit: Darlene Graham)

HoverKicks are futuristic, LED light-up sneakers that glow around the bottom in such a way that can appear the wearer is hovering a half-inch off the ground. "You charge them, just like an iPhone, at the end of the night," says Darlene Graham of West Babylon, who ordered one pair for her daughter Summer, 7, and another for her son, Nolan, 8. "It stands out from every other shoe and it looks pretty cool," Nolan says. The bottoms can be set to light up in a variety of colors and can flash or remain solid. Prices range from $49 and up at HoverKicks.com.

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Pokemon Go supplies

(Credit: Pokemondown.com)

With Pokemon Go as popular as it is this summer, there are sure to be Pokemon accessories in kids’ bookbags this fall. Pictured are spiral notebooks and folders; $26.99 at pokemondown.com.

Patches

(Credit: hipstapatch.com)

Patches are a new fad for kids who want to customize jeans, sneakers, backpacks, phone cases and more with the peel-and-stick items. Some clothing comes with images of patches already on them. Pictured are hipstapatches, developed last year by a 17-year-old girl from South Florida, in such images as a doughnut, an ice cream cone, a slice of pizza, a skull and more; $4 each at hipstapatch.com or area specialty stores. For more bling, there's StickerBeans, also $4 each at stickerbeans.com or at Lester's Denny's and other area stores.

Mark My Time 3D Book Mark

(Credit: Reading Time Gifts)

Kids can track their reading minutes for school with this timer booklight. It includes a time-of-day clock, countdown reading session timer with alarm and an auto light shut-off. Choose from different colors and patterns; $11.95 at mark-my-time.com.

Fuzzy Pencil Case

(Credit: Yoobi)

This zippered pencil case is soft and filled with fuzzy dreadlocks. It makes it easy to store everything from pencils and markers to crayons, erasers and more. It can also double as a cosmetic case. What's more, for every Yoobi item you purchase, a Yoobi item will be donated to a U.S. classroom in need; $3.99 at yoobi.com.

Divoga Scented Notebooks

Scented notebooks? Yes! Try these lovelies -- Divoga Scented Composition Books and Divoga Scented Notebooks; $3 each at Office Depot.

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Whiffer Sniffer Backpack Clips

(Credit: Whiffer Sniffer)

The collectible Whiffer Sniffer Backpack Clips come in a variety of characters and scents, including Tangerina Ballerina, Tony Pepperoni (pizza), Adam Apple, Bitsy Berry, I.B. Poppin (popcorn), Milton Melon (watermelon) and many more. $8 at whifferniffers.com

Duck Tape Transparent Tints

(Credit: Duct Tape)

Label school supplies, water bottles and more with new translucent Duck Tape Transparent Tints. The tape comes in aqua, fuchsia and lime, and can be used to create items such as tablet and pencil cases. The suggest retail price for the 1.88-inch-by-10-yard rolls is $4 to $6, Find store locations at duckbrand.com

Kidz T'z shirts

(Credit: The Kidz T'z)

Long Island-based company is out with new T-shirts that kids can color in themselves and wear, then wash and color again. The Kidz T'z line from Baldwin's Kidz Entertainment includes six washable markers. Designs include dinosaurs, a shipwreck. For ages 4 to 12; $17.95 at kidzentertainmentinc.com.

Long Dutch braids

(Credit: GC Images/Marc Piasecki)

Kim Kardashian wears it, and it becomes high fashion. All the stars of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" reality-TV show had to do was be photographed sporting long Dutch braids, and girls everywhere are adopting the hairstyle. Online tutorials explain how to create the 'do. Here's one popular link that's been viewed more than 1.5 million times: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Air8o2RGyXc.

BIC 4-Color Stylus and Pen

(Credit: BIC)

BIC's classic four-color pen got a makeover this year. The pen features four classic colors (red, green, blue and black) on one end and a smartphone or tablet stylus on the other; $5.49 at major retail stores.

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Chewbacca Backpack

(Credit: Disney)

The Star Wars-inspired backpack features everyone's favorite Wookiee, with a padded back and straps to carry books, lunch and more; $20 at amazon.com.

iPops

(Credit: iPops)

iPops are designed to fit perfectly into a FitBit and Apple Watch wristband. Choose from more than 130 charms to give your gadgets a shiny new makeover; prices range from $6.00 to $14.99 at myipops.com.

Adidas Superstar sneakers

(Credit: Adidas)

Shoe stores report that they can’t keep the girls' Adidas Superstar sneaker in stock. The classic Superstar 80, which originated in the 1970s as a basketball sneaker and was embraced by hip-hop musicians such as Run DMC, is a white sneaker with three black stripes on each side; $55-$70 in kid unisex sizes at shoe stores or adidas.com.

My School Years Book

(Credit: Mabels Labels)

Create a keepsake book of your child's school years from preschool through 12th grade. It features oversized pockets and 34 pages to store class photos, artwork, reports and more; $34.99 at mabelslabels.com.

Vineyard Vines

(Credit: Vineyard Vines)

Vineyard Vines is a popular brand favored by boys -- the company is opening its fifth Long Island location soon at the Walt Whitman Shops in Huntington Station (along with Manhasset, East Hampton, Southampton and Riverhead). The preppy brand's signature mark is a whale; pictured: the mai-tai color "Seabrook Gingham Whale Shirt" also sizes 2T to XL, $45. vineyardvines.com.

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The Sprout Pencil

(Credit: sproutworld.com)

This little pencil takes reusability to the next level. After you're done writing with this cedar, clay and graphite pencil, stick it in a bit of potting soil and grow something. Available in 12 herbs and flowers, the pencil's water-soluble seed container is designed to germinate quickly, and can be grown indoors or out. $7 to $18 at sproutworld.com

A messy combover

(Credit: Getty Images/Jason Merritt)

Expect to see boys with some variation of this cut called a "messy combover" or simply a "combover." The hair is super short on the sides and super long on top. The top hair can be swept to the side, or poofed up. Pictured sporting the style is actor and musician Ricky Garcia, who plays Naldo Montoya on the Disney Channel comedy series "Best Friends Whenever" and sings with the musical group "Forever in Your Mind."

Emoji Peplum shirt

(Credit: Children's Place)

This graphic peplum shirt features a cute emoji and is pre-washed to reduce shrinkage; $19.95 at The Children's Place.

Disney Tsum Tsum Deluxe Pencil Case

(Credit: Jakks Pacific)

This pencil case features Disney's Tsum Tsum, popular collectible figures. It includes 16 colored pencils, 18 markers, one ball point pen, one mechanical pencil, one eraser, one sharpener, three rulers, a protractor and a notepad; $19.99 at Wal-Mart, Toys R Us and Disneystore.com.

Snack in the Box

(Credit: Precidio Design)

This dual-chambered snack container features two separate compartments with pop-up lids for easy access. It's leak-proof, spill-proof and dishwasher safe. The Drink in the Box comes in a new size and is reusable, made from Tritan. It's BPA and Phthalate-free; $9.99 for snack box, $11.99 (8 oz.) and $14.99 (12 oz.) drink box at drinkinthebox.com.

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MyPhonePocket

(Credit: myphonepocket.com)

WHY If your wallet is jam-packed with cash, student IDs and other assorted forms of plastic, MyPhonePocket may be the answer. The Lycra pocket with adhesive attaches to any smartphone case and can hold everything from lunch money to earbuds. The sleek design is lightweight and you can choose from more than 200 designs. For a more personal design, upload your own photos.

BUY $12.95, myphonepocket.com

Order Out of Chaos Academic Planner

(Credit: Order Out of Chaos)

Order Out of Chaos' 2016-17 Academic Planner -- the pages start in July -- has special spots for students to write down when assignments are due, tests are scheduled, after-school activities are happening and when there are (actually) open blocks of time. The company's founder, Leslie Josel, created the planner. She started the company after her son, Eli, was diagnosed with ADHD, executive function deficiencies and some learning issues when he was 5 years old. The planner is available in four styles for $19 at http://products.orderoochaos.com

Fusion Backrest

Farmingdale-based bedgear is out with two new colors this year in its Fusion Backrest: blue and pink. The material is supposed to wick away moisture and heat, and there are ventilated panels for better air flow -- all perfect for doing homework, reading or cramming for tomorrow's test in bed. $39.99 from bedgear.com

Scotch Flower/Vase Magic Tape Dispenser

(Credit: Scotch)

Is it a mini vase or a tape dispenser? It's both! The set includes a roll of Scotch Magic Tape. The tab on the bottom of the dispenser adheres to a desktop but is removable so you can restick it multiple times; $16.59 at overstock.com.

Sperry Topsiders

(Credit: Sperry.com)

The feet of quite a number of boys are likely to be shod in Sperry Topsiders this school year. Pictured, the boys' Billfish boat shoe in dark tan; $55 at sperry.com or local shoe and department stores.

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Rayovac Power Protect

(Credit: Rayovac)

The Rayovac Power Protect is both a portable phone charger and a panic alarm, and comes in a variety of colors, including pink. $24.99 at Rayovac.com.

Posh Button Flowers 2016-2017 Planner

(Credit: Overstock.com)

Tweens and teens can keep tabs on their extracurricular activities with this Mary Engelbreit monthly planner that starts in August 2016 through December 2017. It includes weekly planning spreads, inspirational quotes, a section for notes and more; $12.59 at overstock.com.

Chokers

(Credit: Chasingfireflies.com)

Chokers are hip again -- thick ones, thin ones, chokers with charms. Here, a red glitter heart choker; $9 at chasing-fireflies.com.

Big Apple Buddies Lunch Backpack

(Credit: Built )

From Built comes the brand-new Big Apple Buddies Lunch Backpacks line. Each backpack is insulated, has adjustable shoulder straps, is supposed to wipe clean inside and comes with an interior name tag. There are four characters. $19.99 at builtny.com

Sandisk's iXpand Flash Drive

(Credit: SanDisk.)

A child's iPhone and iPad is always blowing up, but most especially during the school year as they snap photos, watch videos and listen to music in the course of their busy daily lives. Sandisk's iXpand Flash Drive automatically backs up a device with up to 128GB of additional capacity by plugging directly into the phone or tablet. Starts at $49.99 according to capacity at BestBuy.com, Amazon and SanDisk.com

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Fresh Wave

(Credit: Fresh Wave)

Eliminate odors with these environmentally-friendly, non-toxic packs and sprays. The Fresh Wave Packs (pictured) are perfect gym bags and lockers, while the Fresh Wave Spray is great for sports gear, shoes and more. The Packs start at $9.99 for six, the 8 oz. Spray bottle is $7.99 and the 2 oz. is $4.99; available at Bed Bath & Beyond, Ace Hardware, Target and at freshwaveworks.com.

Nature's Path EnviroKidz bars

(Credit: Nature's Path)

Whether your child has an allergy or attends a school with strict guidelines for foods that can be brought to school because his or her classmates have allergies, here is a snack that should be lunchbox safe -- Nature's Path EnviroKidz new Peanut-free, Gluten-free Bars. The flavors include: Chocolate Chip Granola Bars, Strawberry Granola Bars, Chocolate Crispy Rice Bars, and Berry Blast Crispy Rice Bars. $3.99 at http://shop.naturespath.com

Mini by Flossolution

(Credit: Flossolution)

Keep your teeth healthy during the school day with the Mini for on-the-go flossing. It's easy for kids to stash in a backpack and it includes 10 reusable Microflossers as well as a suction cup so students can stick it on bathroom mirrors, lockers and more; $9.99 at flossolution.com.

Walkers Gluten Free Shortbread Cookies

(Credit: Walkers)

The pure butter shortbread cookies have a crumbly texture and all-butter flavor, without the gluten. The cookies feature the same butter and sugar content but the wheat flour is replaced by a blend of rice flour, maize flour and potato starch. Each package includes two cookies; prices range from $1.19 to $5.99 for 4.9 oz. packages at Shop Rite or us.walkersshortbread.com.

Bundle Box Dippers

(Credit: Revolution Food )

From Revolution Food comes Bundle Box Dippers, which each have 12 grams of protein as a snack or an item with lunch. The new item comes in two flavors: the Hummus Dipper, which includes a cup of hummus, honey wheat crackers and chocolate chip cookies, and the Popcorn Chicken Dipper, which includes cooked, antibiotic-free, breaded white chicken patties, ketchup and chocolate chip cookies. There is a space on the package to write a message to the kids. Each Dipper is $2.99 at revolutionfoods.com, with 1 percent of sales donated to help schools provide fresh, healthy meals.

Crisscross bralettes

(Credit: Suzette Collection)

Crisscross bralettes are worn underneath tank tops with the crisscross pattern exposed. They're especially popular with tanks that have low underarms, so the sides are also visible. Moving into fall and winter, they can be worn under sweaters. The crisscross pattern is also finding its way into tops, leggings, dresses and other clothing. Pictured, a bralette from the Suzette Collection; $15-$24. Available in most stores. Go to suzettecollection.com, click on the contact us page with any inquiry and a representative will find your closest store.

Bridgewater Candle Company sachet