The pencil cases that zip shut are great. I get them at the dollar store. Canvas type material, plastic window so you can see what is inside, bright fun colors, you can put sharp items in one color, pencils,marker and chalk in another color. Not to big or bulky but will hold a lot of small items that would be easily lose. You could even put small quilt shapes already cut in them. Zippered pencil cases is the way to go for me.