Planning Feeling Boring? Try These Fun Tools

There are seasons when planning needs to be fast, functional, and no-nonsense. And then there are seasons when planning feels…boring.

Not hard. Not overwhelming. Just flat.

That’s usually when people think they need a new planner. Spoiler: they usually don’t.

What they actually need is a little visual interest and enjoyment, so they want to come back to their planner again.

This post is for that moment.

Not full bullet journaling. Not elaborate spreads. Not turning your planner into an art project.

Just a small set of fun planning tools that make planning feel lighter, more enjoyable, and easier to stick with, without complicating your system.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure for more information.

First, a quick rule (so this stays helpful)

Before we get into supplies, here’s the boundary that keeps this from turning into chaos:

Planning first. Fun second.

You don’t decorate to avoid planning.

You use fun tools to make planning more inviting after you’ve decided what matters.

Every tool below has a job. If it doesn’t help you see, decide, or remember something faster, it doesn’t belong in your planner.

1. Mildliners or soft highlighters (not neon chaos)

If you’ve ever avoided highlighting because it felt too loud or distracting, this is where Mildliners shine.

Soft highlighters are great for:

• Gently marking your Top 3

• Highlighting appointments or important tasks

• Noting “this week’s focus”

• Separating sections without heavy lines

They add just enough color to guide your eye without overwhelming the page.

You don’t need every color. Two or three that feel calm and usable are more than enough.

Here are my favorites:

• Zebra Mildliner Double-Ended Highlighters

• Zebra Mildliner Double-Ended Brush Pens

• Sharpie S-Note Creative Markers

• Stabilo Boss Original Pastel Highlighters

• Staedtler Textsurfer Classic Pastel Highlighters

2. Dot markers (Zig Dot, dot pens, or similar)

Dot markers are one of my favorite “fun but functional” tools.

They’re perfect for:

• Marking priority tasks

• Tracking habits with a single dot

• Noting energy levels or mood quickly

• Adding visual cues without writing more words

Instead of rewriting tasks or overthinking symbols, one dot does the job.

This is especially helpful if you like visual tracking but don’t want to draw boxes, grids, or charts.

Here are my favorite Zigdots and similar:

• Zig Clean Color Dot Set (one end for dots, the other for fine lines)

• Tombow Dual Brush Pens (used as “dot” markers with light stamping)

• Marvy Uchida LePen Flex (for soft dot/marker moments)

• Shuttle Art Dot Markers (dual tip markers)

3. Washi tape (thin and purposeful)

Washi tape gets a bad reputation because people try to do too much with it. In fact, years ago, when I first got my hands on washi tape, I went a little crazy. I had a very pricy Day Designer planner, and I washi taped every single side edge of it with washi. I had fun, but I ended up with a planner so thick on the edge that I couldn’t close it, and it was really difficult to write in. So now, when I use washi tape, I use it sparingly and to accent or highlight just one thing…not every page of the planner.

That said, if used simply, washi tape can be incredibly helpful.

Good uses:

• Marking the current week

• Creating a visual divider between sections

• Blocking off “busy” days

• Flagging a page you’ll come back to

Stick with thinner rolls or simple patterns so it doesn’t take over the page.

Think accent, not centerpiece.

My favorites:

• Thin Washi Tape Set (3mm / 60 roll pack)

• Solid Color Washi Tape Set (5mm / 60 roll pack)

• Minimal Pattern Washi Tape Set (stripes, grids, dots - 10mm / 20 roll pack)

• Transparent / Matte PET Tape (functional marking)

• Washi tape cutter/dispenser (nice to have, but not necessary)

4. Minimal planner stamps (icons, not scenes)

Stamps can actually save time when they’re used correctly.

Look for small, simple icons like:

• Appointments

• Phone calls

• Emails

• Pay days

• Deadlines

Instead of writing the same words over and over, one quick stamp gives you the cue you need (and adds a cute look to your pages).

Avoid large decorative stamps or anything that requires perfect placement. The goal is speed, not perfection.

My favorites:

• Planner Icon Stamp Set (cute icons for your favorite activities and reminders)

• Date stamp (small, simple)

• “To Do / Today / Weekdays” word stamp set

• Self-inking mini icon stamps and weather stamp set

• Acrylic stamping block for clear silicon stamps, like these planner stamps or these planner stamps

• Ink pad (quick-dry)

5. Functional stickers (labels, not pictures)

This is where a lot of people go off the rails, so here’s the filter:

If the sticker doesn’t help you label, clarify, or prioritize, skip it.

The most useful stickers are:

• Blank label stickers

• “This week” or “Today” labels

• Simple checkboxes

• Small word prompts like “Focus” or “Important”

They’re especially helpful if you like to move things around without rewriting everything.

Here are my favorites:

• So Many Planner Stickers Book

• ban.do Planner Sticker Book (set of 40 sheets)

• Plan It Productivity Sticker Book

• Festive Monthly Sticker Sheets (24 sheets)

• ban.do Another Really Fun Sticker Book

• ban.do Goal Setting Sticker Book

6. One “fun pen” + one everyday pen

You don’t need a full pen collection.

You need:

• One reliable pen you always use

• One pen that feels fun enough to make planning enjoyable

That’s it.

The fun pen might be:

• A slightly bolder tip

• A favorite color

• A smoother gel

Use it sparingly, maybe for headings or Top 3 items, so it stays special.

Here are my favorite everyday, reliable pens:

• Uni-ball Jetstream Pen in 3 colors

• Pilot Acroball Pen

• Zebra Sarasa Dry Gel Pens (quick-dry)

• Pentel EnerGel (dry fast gel pen)

Fun pen (just for headings/Top 3 or accent):

• Paper Mate InkJoy Gel (colors)

• Pilot G2 Gel Pens (colors)

• Zebra Sarasa Clip (vintage colors)

• Uni-ball Signo Gel Pens (colors)

7. A small “planning kit” pouch

This might be the most underrated part.

When your supplies are scattered, planning feels like an effort before you even start.

A small pouch that holds:

• Your two pens

• Highlighter

• Dot marker

• A few stickers

• One roll of washi

…means you can sit down and plan without hunting for anything.

Less friction = more consistency.

Here are my favorites:

• Planner pencil pouch with zipper (slim)

• Clear zip pouch (see-through)

• Canvas pen/pencil pouch

• Pen case with compartments (if you want structure)

• Sticker storage pouch or mini sticker album (optional)

How to use fun tools without overcomplicating your planner

If you’ve ever gone all-in with supplies and then abandoned them, try this instead:

• Pick two tools per week, not all of them

• Use them for the same purpose all week

• Put everything back in the pouch when you’re done

This keeps planning playful without turning it into another thing to manage.

When fun tools help (and when they don’t)

Fun planning tools help when:

• You’re avoiding your planner because it feels dull

• You want to enjoy planning again

• You need visual cues to stay engaged

They don’t help when:

• You’re already overwhelmed

• You’re trying to fix motivation with decoration

• You’re adding tools instead of removing pressure

That’s why this works best alongside simple systems like a weekly reset or a Top 3 focus.

Planning should feel supportive, not serious

You don’t have to choose between functional and enjoyable.

Planning can (and should) be:

• Simple and pleasant

• Practical and motivating

• Organized and a little fun

The goal isn’t a perfect page.

It’s a planner you want to come back to.

And sometimes, a little color goes a long way.

Happy planning!

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