If you are constantly picking up things from area and moving them to another, think about this solution.If your son or daughter does his homework in the dining room (or whichever room they use) and you are constantly returning pencils, markers, tape, rulers and calculators amoung other things to the kitchen or other area where their "place" is, why not try getting a furniture quality wooden box or other nice looking storage box and leave them where the work is happening.
This will do two things at the same time, as it saves them time gathering their supplies, and saves you time putting them in another room.