16 School Supplies That Smelled Weird but Were Addictive
Some school supplies just had that bizarre scent you couldn’t help but sniff, again and again.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Growing up, certain items in your classroom had the kind of smell that was oddly irresistible. They weren’t exactly pleasant, but something about them kept your nose coming back for more. Let’s take a whiff down memory lane with 16 weird-smelling school supplies you low-key loved inhaling.
1. Mr. Sketch Scented Markers
ReadyElements on PxHere
Each color had its own bold scent, cherry, licorice, banana, that hit your senses like candy. Some were sweet, some were questionable, but you sniffed every single one.
2. Elmer’s Glue
charlesdeluvio on Unsplash
Not meant for sniffing, but there we were. The rubbery, chemical aroma was strangely satisfying. Plus, peeling it off your hands later was a bonus hobby.
3. Crayola Crayons
George Hernandez on Wikimedia Commons
That waxy, earthy smell was childhood bottled up. Open a fresh box, and it was instant nostalgia. Nothing smelled like “back to school” more.
4. Pencil Shavings
.:Justin:..:Page:. on Flickr
That combo of graphite and wood dust was oddly soothing. Sharpening your pencil became a mini aromatherapy session.
5. Dry Erase Markers
Lithere on Wikimedia Commons
The fumes were powerful, maybe too powerful. They had this high-pitched scent that hooked your brain.
6. Pink Erasers
sarah.mckenzie11 on Flickr
Not fruity, not floral; just a distinct rubber smell that stuck with you. You’d catch yourself sniffing it mid-doodle. Weird? Yes. Addictive? Also yes.
7. Glue Sticks
Chalome on Wikimedia Commons
Less messy than Elmer’s, but still had that light industrial tang. It was subtle yet oddly magnetic. Smearing it on paper was just part of the ritual.
8. Expo Board Cleaner Spray
PickPik
That sharp, citrus-chemical blend was both harsh and somehow cleansing. When the teacher sprayed the board, you sniffed the air like a bloodhound.
9. Freshly Opened Notebooks
pure julia on Unsplash
There was something about the new paper, like a clean slate, literally and scent-wise. That mix of ink, cardboard, and fresh pulp hit different.
10. Permanent Markers (Sharpies)
Windell Oskay on Flickr
Dangerously strong, definitely not recommended, but who didn’t sneak a whiff? That chemical sting to the nostrils felt oddly rebellious.
11. Rubber Cement
Chapendra on Flickr
It was sticky, messy, and wildly pungent. It had a gas-station edge to its scent, but still, you sniffed it anyway. Bonus points if you let it get stringy first.
12. Manila Folders
blinry on Wikimedia Commons
They had a papery, slightly dusty aroma that was hard to describe but oddly comforting. Organizing homework never smelled so retro.
13. Laminated Hall Passes
Caleb Oquendo on Pexels
Slightly plasticky, slightly mysterious; maybe it was the lamination glue? Holding it felt official, but smelling it was the real secret thrill.
14. Old Textbooks
Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash
The smell of musty pages mixed with ink and time. Every book carried the scent of decades of bored students. You’d flip through pretending to study, just to sniff.
15. Chalk Dust
Carbon Arc on Flickr
That dry, mineral tang that clung to the air during math class. It filled your lungs and brain with weird joy. Teachers hated it on clothes; kids loved it in the air.
16. Plastic Pencil Cases
Kathryn Greenhill on Flickr
Open one, and you’d get hit with a wave of cheap vinyl and mystery. That scent stayed in your backpack for years. Somehow, it always made you smile.