12 ’80s School Fads That Would Confuse Kids Today
These iconic ’80s school trends had their moment, but today’s kids wouldn’t even know where to begin.
- Daisy Montero
- 3 min read
The ’80s were a goldmine of quirky school fads that somehow felt totally normal at the time. While older generations still smile at the memories, most of these would leave today’s kids scratching their heads. Get ready for a blast of neon, noise, and nonsense only the ’80s could pull off.
1. Scratch-and-Sniff Stickers Were Serious Currency
Ömer Derinyar on Pexels
These scented stickers were more than fun; they were classroom clout. Kids traded them like baseball cards, and the grape-scented ones were basically elite. Try explaining sticker status battles to a kid who grew up on TikTok.
2. Trapper Keepers Were Basically a Personality
Yortizsoto16 on Wikimedia Commons
Those loud, Velcro-smacking binders were locker essentials. The flashier the cover, the cooler you were — rainbow unicorns or geometric neon, take your pick. Kids today might think it’s a tablet case, but this held notes, not Netflix.
3. Slap Bracelets: Playground Fashion That Hurt
Ser Amantio di Nicolao on Wikimedia Commons
One snap, and you were either instantly cool or nursing a red wrist. These metal-core accessories looked innocent but had school staff on edge. Still, no kid could resist the temptation of that satisfying slap.
4. Lisa Frank Everything Took Over Desks and Dreams
Billy Van Tran on Pexels
If your folder wasn’t drenched in rainbows, dolphins, or glittery pandas, were you even trying? Lisa Frank gear was loud, proud, and impossible to miss. Today’s minimalist aesthetic would never survive this neon explosion.
5. Cabbage Patch Kids Came to Class—Literally
Appalachian Artworks, Inc on Wikimedia Commons
These chubby-cheeked dolls weren’t just toys; they were emotional support buddies in backpacks. Some schools had to ban them because of all the drama. Imagine explaining a doll adoption certificate to a Roblox-raised kid.
6. Those Magic-Looking Rainbow Pencils Were a Big Deal
Jonatan Svensson Glad on Wikimedia Commons
You never knew what color was coming next; just vibes. These pencils made even math feel like an art project. Mechanical pencils might rule now, but these chaotic colors made homework fun-ish.
7. Slime Was Gross and Glorious
Okras on Wikimedia Commons
This was not the DIY slime of YouTube fame. It came in a plastic jar, smelled weird, and got stuck in everything. However, ’80s kids loved it anyway, especially when it horrified their teachers.
8. Puffy Stickers Took Up Too Much Space, but We Loved Them
cottonbro studio on Wikimedia Commons
They didn’t stack well; they peeled weirdly, but they were beautiful. These 3D masterpieces turned notebooks into sticker galleries. Today’s flat emoji stickers just do not compare.
9. Candy Necklaces Were a Fashion Snack
Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons
Edible jewelry was a thing, and no one questioned the hygiene of licking your accessories all day. They crunched, melted, and made your neck sticky. No Fitbit ever came close to this kind of wearable tech.
10. Calculator Watches Made You Feel Like a Spy
Koji Horaguchi on Wikimedia Commons
These bulky wrist gadgets gave off serious secret agent energy. Bonus points if you could do long division mid-lecture. Apple Watches might be smarter, but they lack the nerdy charm of these button-packed beasts.
11. Eraser Collections Got Weird And Competitive
Vis M on Wikimedia Commons
These erasers smelled like fruit and looked like sushi, burgers, or zoo animals. Using them was optional; showing them off was mandatory. Trading them in class was risky but thrilling.
12. Friendship Bracelets Took Hours and Meant Everything
Wilson0204 on Wikimedia Commons
You didn’t just wear them; you earned them. Every knot meant something, and every color had a code. Today’s social media likes have nothing on the pride of a homemade friendship bracelet.