15 Discontinued School Supplies That Were Weirdly Fun
Before smartphones and tablets took over backpacks, kids had school supplies that were as weird as they were fun. From scented pens to transforming erasers, these little items made learning feel like play.
- Tricia Quitales
- 5 min read
School supplies were never just about homework and organization. Some of the best ones were quirky, colorful, and oddly entertaining. Even though they were supposed to help you study, they often became playground favorites and distractions. Many of these once-beloved items are gone, but the fun they brought to classrooms lives on in memory.
1. Scented Markers
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Scented markers made coloring twice as exciting. Each color had a matching scent like cherry, mint, or root beer. Kids spent more time smelling the caps than actually using them. The black marker was always licorice, and usually everyone’s least favorite. They stained fingers and noses but were completely worth it.
2. Gel Pens That Barely Worked
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Gel pens came in metallic, neon, and glittery versions that looked amazing on dark paper. They wrote smoothly when they worked, but often dried out or skipped mid-word. Kids still begged to have the full rainbow set. Notes and doodles felt extra special with these pens. Teachers didn’t love them, but students were obsessed.
3. Mini Staplers
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These tiny staplers fit perfectly in your pencil case and were surprisingly functional. Most came in bold colors or clear plastic shells. You could staple exactly five pieces of paper before needing to reload. They were also great for fidgeting when bored. Kids treated them more like toys than tools.
4. Pencil Toppers That Served No Purpose
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Pencil toppers came in every shape, from aliens to sports balls. They made pencils harder to write with, but they looked cool sticking out of your case. Some lit up, some bounced, and others squeaked. Kids loved trading them like collectibles. They were more about flair than function.
5. Erasers Shaped Like Food
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Erasers shaped like pizza slices, donuts, and sushi were popular and smelled faintly sweet. Nobody ever used them to erase anything. They were stacked on desks or tucked into tiny storage boxes. Half the fun was pretending they were part of a miniature meal. Their cuteness beat their practicality every time.
6. Colored Lead Pencils
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Mechanical pencils with colored lead seemed like a good idea until you actually wrote with them. The soft lead broke constantly and didn’t erase well. Still, they felt like a fun blend of pen and pencil. Kids showed them off during free writing time. They were more about style than success.
7. Multi-Color Click Pens
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These pens had several ink colors in one bulky barrel, changed with a satisfying click. You always had a favorite color, even though some ran out faster than others. The temptation to click all the colors at once was constant. They made you feel organized and creative at the same time. Writing notes became an event.
8. Pencil Sharpeners with Secret Compartments
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Some sharpeners came with tiny hidden drawers or extra lids that stored paper clips or mystery items. They were clunky but entertaining. Kids kept secret notes or mini erasers inside. Sharpening a pencil was just an excuse to open the drawer. It made you feel like you had a private locker in your backpack.
9. Rolling Highlighters
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Instead of chisel tips, these highlighters had tiny ink rollers that laid down neon color in smooth lines. They felt high-tech and futuristic at the time. The roller part often jammed or dried up quickly. Still, using one made you feel like you were editing an important document. They added flair to any worksheet.
10. Wacky Rulers
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Some rulers were bendable, some had wavy edges, and others were filled with glitter or floating shapes. They made drawing lines more fun than accurate. Kids used them as swords, bookmarks, or makeshift slingshots. Measuring things was just a side bonus. Everyone had a favorite design to show off.
11. Invisible Ink Pens
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These pens wrote in clear ink that only showed up under a special light. They usually came in spy-themed kits or novelty bundles. Kids wrote secret messages on notebook paper and passed them in class. Most of the time, the light didn’t work well, but it was still exciting. It brought mystery to the classroom.
12. Locker Mirrors and Mini Whiteboards
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Magnetic mirrors and whiteboards turned every locker into a tiny office. Kids used them to leave notes or check their hair between classes. Most of the accessories fell off within a week. Still, decorating your locker felt like a back-to-school ritual. It was all about the personal touch.
13. Pen-Shaped Scissors
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Disguised as chunky pens, these scissors had hidden blades inside. They were allowed in pencil cases because they didn’t look like scissors. They barely cut anything but made kids feel sneaky and clever. Teachers eventually caught on, but not before everyone had one. They were cool just for being different.
14. Stretchy Book Covers
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These brightly colored fabric covers stretched over textbooks like spandex. They came in wild prints like flames, tie-dye, and animal prints. Putting one on took effort but felt satisfying. Kids personalized them with glitter glue or patches. It made every subject feel a little more fun.
15. Flip-Top Pencil Boxes with Compartments
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Hard plastic pencil boxes had pop-up compartments, secret trays, and spring-loaded buttons. Opening them felt like activating a tiny control center. Kids stored everything from sharpeners to snacks inside. The louder and more complex, the better. They were part school supply, part entertainment system.