18 Schoolyard Trends from the ’90s That Got Banned

These 18 schoolyard trends from the ’90s were so fun (or chaotic) that schools had no choice but to ban them.

Sophia Zapanta
March 31, 2025
5 min read

18 Schoolyard Trends from the ’90s That Got Banned — RDNE Stock project on Pexels

The ’90s were a golden era for schoolyard fads—until teachers and principals decided they were too distracting, dangerous, or just plain annoying. From toys that caused playground fights to games that left kids with bruises, many beloved trends were quickly shut down. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit the fads that got banned.

1. Pokémon Cards

Caleb Oquendo on Pexels

Pokémon cards were the ultimate status symbol at recess, leading to intense trading and even bigger arguments. Kids were scammed, cards were stolen, and teachers had to break up fights. Schools quickly banned them to restore peace, but that didn’t stop kids from sneaking them in and making shady trades behind the monkey bars.

2. Tamagotchis

Chester on Wikimedia Commons

These digital pets beeped nonstop, distracting kids during class. Some students even cried when their Tamagotchi “died” because they couldn’t check on it during lessons. Teachers had enough and banned them outright. The ban didn’t stop kids from secretly feeding their pets under their desks.

3. Slap Bracelets

Anntinomy on Wikimedia Commons

Slap bracelets were both a fashion statement and a safety hazard. Some brands used sharp metal strips inside, which led to a few too many accidental cuts. Schools didn’t want to risk injuries (or lawsuits), so they banned them. Kids still found ways to sneak them in by hiding them under their sleeves.

4. Pogs

Nizzan Cohen on Wikimedia Commons

Pogs were the simplest yet most addictive game on the playground, but when kids started losing their prized pieces, arguments turned into full-on fights. Schools banned them to stop the chaos, but this only made them more popular, and underground pog tournaments became a thing.

5. Yo-Yos

Sarah Jones on Wikimedia Commons

Yo-yos were cool until kids started using them as weapons. One well-aimed throw could leave a bruise, and suddenly, recess looked more like a battle zone. Schools decided they were too dangerous and banned them, but that didn’t stop kids from showing off their yo-yo tricks at the bus stop instead.

6. Gel Pens

TylerDignam on Wikimedia Commons

Gel pens made notes look amazing, but they also made desks, hands, and even clothes a rainbow-colored mess. Some kids used them to pass notes in sparkly ink, making them even more distracting. Teachers had enough of the graffiti-covered worksheets and banned them, back to boring blue and black ink.

7. Candy Necklaces

Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons

What seemed like a harmless snack turned into a sticky, germ-covered disaster. Kids chewed on them all day, drooling on their desks and sharing bites with friends. Some even used the elastic strings to snap each other. Schools finally said, “Enough is enough,” and banned them.

8. Scooters

Matti Blume on Wikimedia Commons

For a brief time, some schools let kids ride scooters at recess. That ended quickly when skinned knees, bruised shins, and the occasional broken bone became too common. Schools decided scooters were just too risky, and kids were forced to go back to boring old running.

9. Butterfly Clips

m01229 on Wikimedia Commons

Butterfly clips were all the rage, but they weren’t just cute—they were dangerous. They’d get tangled in hair, fall out during gym class, or even poke people in the eye. Schools banned them for being a distraction and a safety issue, but that didn’t stop kids from stuffing their backpacks with them.

10. Game Boy

MKFI on Wikimedia Commons

Nothing was more exciting than sneaking a Game Boy onto the playground, but schools saw them as a major distraction. Instead of playing outside, kids were glued to their screens, battling in Pokémon or Tetris. Teachers started confiscating them on sight. Lunchtime just wasn’t the same after that.

11. Beyblades

Senior Airman Clayton Lenhardt on Wikimedia Commons

These spinning battle tops turned school hallways into miniature battle arenas. Kids got too competitive, and fights over who won got heated fast. The metal parts even caused a few injuries. Schools banned them, but some kids still smuggled them in for secret duels.

12. Rubber Band Wars

Bill Ebbesen on Wikimedia Commons

A single rubber band could be stretched, aimed, and launched at an unsuspecting classmate. It started as harmless fun but escalated into full-scale warfare. After too many kids got hit in the face, teachers stopped it. Suddenly, rubber bands were treated like contraband.

13. Heelies

Dan Taylor on Wikimedia Commons

Rolling down the hallways in Heelies felt like the ultimate flex—until schools cracked down. Kids were zooming too fast, crashing into lockers, and causing too many close calls. The fun was over when schools banned them completely. Walking just wasn’t as cool anymore.

14. Magic: The Gathering Cards

Kyle Gese on Wikimedia Commons

Like Pokémon, Magic cards became a huge obsession, but they had even more drama. Fights over rare cards intensified, and kids were more focused on their decks than schoolwork. Schools banned them to stop the madness. The hardcore fans just took their duels to the parking lot.

15. Lip Smackers

Francesca Cesa Bianchi on Wikimedia Commons

Flavored Lip Smackers were a must-have, but they caused many problems. Some kids treated them like candy, while others used them to write on desks. Teachers got tired of the mess and the constant reapplying during class. The ban came quickly, leaving chapped lips everywhere.

16. Skip-Its

Saskatoon Public Library on Wikimedia Commons

This ankle-smacking toy was fun but also a serious tripping hazard. Kids got tangled, fell hard, and ended up with scraped knees or worse. Schools decided it just wasn’t worth the risk. The playground felt a little emptier without that satisfying “click-click” sound.

17. Silly String

Dion Hinchcliffe on Wikimedia Commons

Silly String seemed harmless until kids started ambushing each other with it. The mess was impossible to clean up, and some kids even got it in their eyes. After one too many prank attacks, schools banned it. Recess was never as colorful after that.

18. Furbies

Rocío Mantis on Wikimedia Commons

Furbies were creepy enough at home, but when kids brought them to school, things got weird. They’d randomly start talking in backpacks, distracting entire classrooms. Some teachers even believed they could record conversations. Schools banned them, and the halls were quieter—thankfully.