11 Things Kids Used to Bring to School That Would Be Confiscated Today
In today's school climate, what used to be normal backpack items for students are now banned or quickly confiscated.
- Chris Graciano
- 2 min read
Back in the day, students could bring a surprising range of items to school without raising eyebrows. Today, those same objects would get a kid sent to the principal’s office or worse. Here’s a list of 11 once-common schoolyard possessions that are now completely off-limits.
1. Pocket Knives
Harrison Kugler on Unsplash
Many kids, especially boys, carried small pocket knives as tools or collectibles. They were shown off at lunch or even used in Boy Scout projects.
2. Cap Guns or Toy Weapons
Andrey Matveev on Unsplash
Replica guns and plastic pistols were once a playground favorite. Kids played cops and robbers without a second thought. Today, even toy guns spark lockdowns and zero-tolerance policy enforcement.
3. Firecrackers or Snappers
Joe Shlabotnik on Flickr
Bringing small explosives to school used to be a prankster’s delight. Tossing snappers on the ground for a loud pop was considered harmless fun.
4. Slingshots
RDNE Stock project on Pexels
Slingshots, used for launching pebbles or paper balls, were once homemade or store-bought and considered cool gadgets. However, they’re now classified as dangerous and banned across campuses.
5. Laser Pointers
Netweb01 on Wikimedia Commons
These were originally brought in as fun gadgets to play with friends or on the chalkboard. However, they were eventually deemed disruptive and dangerous to eyesight.
6. Chewing Tobacco or Cigarettes
Brendan Stephens on Unsplash
Some older students casually kept chewing tobacco or smokes in their bags, even using them during recess. Staff often looked the other way.
7. Yo-Yos with Metal Cores
Thang Cao on Pexels
These weren’t just toys; they were tools for tricks and capable of doing real damage. A hard throw could leave bruises or break windows.
8. Lighters or Matches
Justin on Pexels
Back in the day, some kids carried them to light birthday candles or start campfires. Teachers might warn them, but they weren’t treated as serious threats.
9. Chain Wallets
dualdflipflop on Flickr
Once considered stylish and part of ’90s fashion, chain wallets were everywhere. However, the chains were soon viewed as potential weapons or hazards.
10. Collector Cards (Like Pokémon or Yu-Gi-Oh!)
Thimo Pedersen on Unsplash
These cards caused classroom distractions and sometimes even fights over trades. While not dangerous, they were banned to prevent theft, arguments, and loss of focus.
11. Permanent Markers
Anna Krupa on Pexels
Used for doodling or labeling notebooks, markers seemed harmless — until graffiti became a problem. Students used them to tag desks and bathrooms. Now, they’re often banned outright to deter vandalism.