13 Show-and-Tell Items That Were a Bit Too Weird
These are 13 real-life show-and-tell items that crossed the line from curious to just plain strange.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Classroom show-and-tell can bring out some truly bizarre treasures, from jars of belly button lint to haunted potatoes. These weird, gross, and sometimes unsettling items often left classmates stunned and teachers at a loss. While unforgettable, they definitely made everyone think twice about what “sharing” really means.
1. A Preserved Pig Heart in a Jar
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One student once brought a pig heart floating in formaldehyde to class. It was from their parent’s veterinary practice and meant to be educational, but it ended up making several classmates nauseous. The teacher had to remove it from the desk after the smell started spreading.
2. A Collection of Used Chewing Gum
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A kid proudly showed off their personal collection of already-chewed gum, stuck to a large board. Each piece had a label for the day it was chewed and the flavor. Everyone was more grossed out than impressed, and the teacher asked them to wrap it up quickly.
3. A Taxidermied Squirrel Dressed as a Cowboy
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One boy brought in a tiny squirrel wearing a full cowboy outfit, complete with a hat and a lasso. It had belonged to his uncle, who was a taxidermist with a sense of humor. Some students laughed, but others were disturbed by the frozen little face.
4. A Real Human Tooth Necklace
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A girl wore a necklace made entirely from her baby teeth and a few from her older siblings. She said her parents saved every single one and decided to make jewelry from them. The teacher gave a polite smile, but a few kids couldn’t stop staring in horror.
5. A Jar of Belly Button Lint
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A student proudly presented a glass jar filled with belly button lint collected over several months. He claimed it was a science experiment about body lint accumulation. No one was sure if they were more fascinated or repulsed.
6. A Chicken Foot Used for “Curses”
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One child brought in a dried chicken foot and explained it was used in family rituals to ward off evil spirits. He even demonstrated how to “curse” someone by pointing it. The room went quiet, and the foot was quietly returned to the backpack.
7. A Collection of Scabs in a Notebook
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Yes, a kid actually saved their own scabs in a notebook and showed them off during show-and-tell. They explained each was dated and came from a different injury. Most classmates immediately scooted their chairs away.
8. A Doll Head Terrarium
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A student brought in an old doll’s head filled with soil, moss, and tiny plants growing out of the eyes. It was part of an art project, and they proudly called it a “nature resurrection.” Though creative, it unsettled most of the room.
9. A Dead Tarantula in Resin
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One child showed off their former pet tarantula, now forever encased in clear resin. They claimed it died peacefully and wanted to preserve it for show-and-tell. A few students screamed when they first saw it under the light.
10. A Family Urn (with Ashes Inside)
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One girl brought in an urn containing her great-grandfather’s ashes and set it gently on her desk. She talked about his life and how her family still honors him. Though respectful, many felt it was too personal for a classroom.
11. A Rotten Potato That Looked Like a Face
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A kid found a moldy potato in the kitchen that looked like it had eyes, a nose, and a crooked smile. They insisted it was haunted and told ghost stories about it. The smell was so bad that it was double-bagged and thrown away after class.
12. A Pet Leech in a Water Bottle
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One student brought in their pet leech swimming inside a repurposed Gatorade bottle. They had found it during a camping trip and kept it alive for months. The teacher made them keep it sealed and away from everyone’s desks.
13. A Finger Puppet Made from Real Animal Fur
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A handmade puppet made from rabbit fur caused a stir when a student revealed it came from their backyard hunting trip. They said their grandparent helped them tan the hide and sew it together. Some kids were fascinated, but others were visibly uncomfortable.