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Mason Smith, aka @dadsocial, the TikTok star with 4 million followers, became famous for going all-in on daddy-daughter bonding. In one viral clip, he gives his then five-year-old daughter Berkeley a temporary tattoo sleeve complete with rose blossoms and a bird perched atop a branch. In other cheerful videos, he does his nails along with his two daughters, dyes their hair bright colors, and sets up elaborate tents and balloons in their living room for a sleepover with an incredible ambiance. Smith’s relaxed, relatable vibe brings humor, creativity, and ingenuity to #dadlife, along with an impressive set of DIY skills.
Although Smith has his hands full at home — he and his wife Shelby recently welcomed a third daughter into the world — when it comes to his parenting values, Smith doesn’t believe in simply focusing on the family bubble. For him, it’s important to care for your community as well.
“The list of required school supplies is long. It can be a lot for parents,” Smith says. “I never want kids to feel left out because they can’t afford school supplies.”
Thus a new family tradition was born: donating supplies to local schools. Starting the school year with freshly sharpened pencils and full boxes of crayons prepares kids for success — mentally and emotionally. “[It] might be a small gesture, but it’s impactful,” Smith urges. “We can help kids and parents in rough spots.”
When it comes to school supply shopping, Smith recommends waiting until August, when there are some major deals. “The closer you get to the school season, the cheaper school supplies get,” explains Smith. “I know I’m encouraging procrastination, but items definitely go on sale.”
“I’m all about a good deal,” says Smith. Last year, the family donated a large plastic cabinet that they filled with classroom essentials. “There was enough to go around and enough backup if kids ran out later in the school year.”
This back-to-school season, he’s busy finishing up an ambitious summer project — redoing nine basketball courts at local schools. Smith loved basketball growing up, and when he noticed that his daughter’s elementary school hoop was frayed, he asked if it could be replaced. “They said it wasn’t in the budget, so I said I could do it for free.”
Of course, before you start buying items, be sure to talk to your school principal, school administrator, or your child’s teacher to make sure you fulfill their specific needs and get a sense for numbers. Feeling ambitious? Recruit local friends and family to organize a school supply drive. If you prefer to donate to a larger nonprofit that can coordinate the logistics, Operation Backpack and United Way accept both money and supplies.
The best part of being a dad, Smith says, is “seeing my kids develop their own personalities, hobbies, joys — and flourish as their own humans.” The right tools will enable them and their classmates to do just that, for the school year and beyond.
“I hope I inspire other people to go out and do things in their communities with their families,” Smith says. “A little bit can go a long way.”
Want to donate school supplies as well? Here’s what Smith is buying for both his daughters and their classrooms:
The Basics
Sharpened #2 Pencils: High quality, quintessential wooden pencils to help kiddos ace the test.
Glue Sticks: A must-have in an arts and crafts supplies kit, these will help students unleash their creativity.
Child-Friendly Scissors: Safe for little hands, these safe plastic blades cut only paper, plus they’re great for left- and right-handed kids.
Crayola Washable Markers: Ideal for art projects, crafts, and homework assignments, the washability aspect is a lifesaver for averting potential catastrophes on walls, furniture, and… anywhere.
Crayola 24-color Crayon Sets: These sets create exciting possibilities for coloring books, crafts, and school art projects. Smith suggests getting two for each kid, in case crayons get broken or worn down.
The Technology
Wired Headphones: Smith likes the JBL brand for their durability, and they have the kind of headphone jack his daughter’s school requires. Plus, they’re lightweight and foldable to stash easily in backpacks.
The Classroom Stash
Dry Erase Markers: The whole class will stay engaged with these colorful markers. They have built-in erasers and a contoured shape that keeps them from rolling around everywhere.
Tissue Boxes: Keep germs at bay and sniffly kids comfortable with plenty of tissues on hand in the classroom.
PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of Mason Smith
