18 Things Every ’80s Kid Had in Their Backpack
Backpacks in the 1980s were packed with items that reflected school life, pop culture, and the tech of the time.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
Before tablets and smartphones, kids in the ’80s carried everything from paper notebooks to novelty toys. Their backpacks held a mix of practical supplies and fun distractions. These 18 items were common sights during that era.
1. Trapper Keeper
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This colorful binder with Velcro closure was a classroom staple. It held folders, paper, and pencils all in one place. Popular designs featured neon patterns or cartoon characters. Almost every kid had one, and some even collected different versions.
2. Lisa Frank Stickers
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Bright, glittery stickers featuring dolphins, unicorns, and rainbows were everywhere. They were used to decorate notebooks and folders. Lisa Frank became a trend that crossed school supplies and personal style. Kids often traded them during lunch or recess.
3. Pencil Case with Sliding Compartments
ABX on Wikimedia Commons
Plastic pencil cases with buttons that opened secret compartments were a favorite. They stored pens, erasers, and even small rulers. Some included built-in sharpeners or calculators. They made the organization more fun and felt futuristic at the time.
4. Scented Markers
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These markers came in a variety of colors and fruity smells. Popular brands like Mr. Sketch made classwork more fun. Each color had its own scent, from cherry red to mint green. Kids sometimes sniffed them more than they used them.
5. Scratch-and-Sniff Stickers
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These were handed out by teachers as rewards or collected in sticker books. Each sticker had a scent that matched the image. Some were pleasant, like bubblegum or grape, while others were odd, like popcorn. Kids loved comparing and trading them.
6. Spiral Notebooks with Cool Covers
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Notebooks featured everything from cartoon characters to space themes. They were used for every subject and often personalized with doodles. Pages were sometimes torn out to pass notes. A good notebook cover was almost as important as what was inside.
7. Plastic Lunchbox with Thermos
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These hard-shell boxes came with matching thermoses inside. Popular designs included Star Wars, Barbie, and The Smurfs. The thermos often leaked, but no one minded much. It was more about the design than the practicality.
8. Troll Dolls
Gary Halvorson on Wikimedia Commons
Some kids carried small troll dolls for luck or decoration. These toys had wild hair and plastic gem-studded bellies. They were clipped to backpacks or hidden inside pencil cases. A few schools eventually banned them for being too distracting.
9. Erasers Shaped Like Food
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Tiny erasers shaped like hamburgers, sushi, or fruits were fun to collect. Most of them didn’t erase well, but that didn’t matter. Kids kept them as desk decorations or traded them during class. They came in packs and were often scented, too.
10. Crayola Crayons (64-Pack)
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This large crayon box came with a built-in sharpener. It was a prized item for the art class. Some kids sorted theirs by color or tried to keep them as neat as possible. Others ended up with broken tips and paper wrappers peeled off.
11. Book Covers Made from Paper Bags
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Kids often wrapped their textbooks with brown paper bags. They added their own drawings or wrote the subject in bold letters. This protected the book and gave it a custom look. It was a creative project in itself.
12. Homework Planner with Stickers
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Some planners came with stickers to mark assignments or special days. Teachers encouraged kids to use them to stay organized, and the stickers made planning more fun. Planners were sometimes ignored, but the stickers always got used.
13. Rubik’s Cube Keychain
Nordald on Wikimedia Commons
This miniature version of the popular puzzle hung from backpacks or pencil cases. Few kids could actually solve it. Still, it was cool to have one and twist it during free time. It was more of a fidget toy than a challenge.
14. Cartoon-Themed Folders
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Folders with characters from Garfield, He-Man, or Rainbow Brite were everywhere. They kept loose papers from getting crushed. Many kids matched their folder themes to their notebooks. Some folders were so worn, the edges frayed by mid-year.
15. Mini Notebooks for Passing Notes
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These were used to write notes to friends during class. Some kids filled them with doodles, jokes, or secrets. They were easy to hide and quick to flip shut, so many friendships were maintained one note at a time.
16. Flip-Up Digital Watch
Rob DiCaterino on Wikimedia Commons
This watch featured a cover that flipped open to reveal the time. Some had alarms or stopwatches. It was part accessory, part gadget. Kids liked to show them off, even if they barely used the functions.
17. Glue Stick or Leaky Glue Bottle
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Elmer’s glue or glue sticks were always part of the supply list. Bottles often clogged or leaked onto everything. Glue sticks were cleaner but dried out fast. Either way, every kid needed some form of glue.
18. Foldable Ruler
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This ruler bent or folded into a compact shape. It was a space-saver in crowded backpacks. Kids often fidgeted with them during class. Some even turned them into makeshift toys.