14 School Supplies Every ’90s Kid Was Obsessed With
These were the school supplies that every ’90s kid either had, wanted, or begged for.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
School in the 1990s felt like a mix of learning and showing off what you had in your backpack. The right supplies could make you feel like you belonged. These are the exact items that filled desks, pencil cases, and school memories for kids growing up in that decade.
1. Lisa Frank Stationery
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Lisa Frank notebooks, folders, and stickers were known for their bright colors and fantasy animals. The designs usually featured unicorns, dolphins, leopards, and rainbows. They were sold at stores like Walmart and Kmart and became especially popular among elementary school girls. Kids often collected them just to trade or display, not even to use.
2. Gelly Roll Pens
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These pens were made by Sakura and first appeared in the late ’80s, becoming popular in the early ’90s. The ink was smooth, colorful, and sometimes metallic or glittery. They were commonly used to decorate notes, journals, and yearbooks. Some schools even banned them for being too distracting.
3. Trapper Keeper Binders
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Made by Mead, Trapper Keepers were three-ring binders with a fold-over flap and a velcro closure. They came in dozens of designs, from neon geometric shapes to licensed characters like Sonic and Barbie. Many kids used them to store folders, loose paper, and stickers. The velcro sound was often heard at the start and end of every class.
4. Mr. Sketch Scented Markers
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These markers were known for their strong scents that matched their colors, like cherry, grape, and banana. Mr. Sketch became a classroom favorite in the ’90s, especially for art projects. Teachers used them for making posters, and students often used them more for sniffing than coloring. They were non-toxic, but the smell was strong and easy to recognize.
5. Troll Pencil Toppers
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Troll dolls with bright hair were turned into small pencil toppers during the early 1990s. The figures sat on top of pencils and came in various outfits and hair colors. Kids would play with their hair during class or collect different versions. Some believed they were lucky, though there was nothing official about that.
6. Multifunction Pencil Boxes
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Plastic pencil boxes with buttons and compartments were sold in toy and stationery sections. Some opened on both sides, had pop-up pencil sharpeners, and secret compartments. Most were imported from Japan or Korea and often had anime-style designs. These boxes were more about the features than the function.
7. Shaped Erasers
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Erasers shaped like food, animals, and sports gear were sold in school book fairs and gift stores. They were made from soft rubber and came in small plastic cases. Many were scented or came in mini sets. They didn’t erase well, but kids collected and displayed them in their pencil cases.
8. Scratch-and-Sniff Stickers
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These stickers released scents when scratched. Teachers often gave them out as rewards for good behavior or homework. Companies like Trend Enterprises made popular sticker sets featuring scents like root beer, popcorn, and bubblegum. Kids would stick them to notebooks or keep them on sticker charts.
9. Mechanical Pencils
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In the ’90s, mechanical pencils became common in classrooms, especially for older kids. Brands like Paper Mate and Pentel were most popular. Students liked them because they didn’t need sharpening, though the lead often broke easily. Refills and replacement erasers were sold in packs, and having a backup was seen as being prepared.
10. Multi-Color Pens
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These pens had four or more ink colors in one barrel. Each color could be clicked down to write in red, blue, black, or green. Bic made one of the most well-known versions. Students liked them for color-coding notes or just switching colors for fun.
11. Neon Highlighters
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Highlighters became widely used in the ’90s for marking textbooks and notes. Common colors included yellow, pink, orange, and green. Brands like Sharpie and Stabilo were sold in most school supply aisles. Some kids used them more for decorating notes than actually studying.
12. Glitter Glue
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Glitter glue was used in art class and school projects for decoration. It came in squeeze bottles and dried with a shiny texture. Elmer’s and RoseArt made some of the most well-known versions. It was messy and took a long time to dry but added color to posters and crafts.
13. Rolling Backpacks
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Rolling backpacks appeared more often toward the late ’90s as backpacks got heavier. They looked like small suitcases with pull handles and wheels. Some schools banned them later on because they caused tripping in hallways. Still, they were considered easier to carry for kids with a lot of books.
14. Mini Spiral Notebooks
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These tiny notebooks were sold at drugstores and school fairs. Most were used for short notes, doodles, or personal journals. They didn’t serve a real school function but were popular to keep in desks or pockets. Many kids collected several without actually using them.