20 Fads That Teachers Tried to Ban
Here's a list of 20 fads that swept through schools but were banned by teachers for being distracting, disruptive, or unsafe.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
Over the decades, schools have been hotspots for toy and pop culture fads that often spilled into the classroom. While these trends sparked creativity, fun, and social bonding among students, they also caused distractions, arguments, and safety concerns. Teachers ultimately banned many of them, leaving behind nostalgic memories of short-lived crazes.
1. Fidget Spinners
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Originally marketed as tools for stress relief and focus, fidget spinners quickly became a classroom craze. Students spent more time trading, showing off tricks, and spinning them during lessons than paying attention. Teachers across the world banned them for being disruptive despite their supposed educational benefits.
2. Silly Bandz
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These colorful rubber bands shaped like animals, objects, and symbols became a major distraction in the late 2000s. Kids loved trading and collecting them during class instead of focusing on lessons. Many schools banned them after teachers complained that the constant swapping disrupted order.
3. Pokémon Cards
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From the late 1990s onward, Pokémon cards fueled endless battles and trades in school hallways. Unfortunately, arguments over rare cards sometimes escalated into fights. Teachers and principals often banned the cards entirely to prevent conflicts.
4. Tamagotchis
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The virtual pets of the late 1990s and early 2000s required constant feeding and care. Students would sneakily check on their digital pets in class to avoid them “dying.” Schools banned them because they took attention away from lessons and created noise with their beeps.
5. Tech Decks
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Miniature skateboards called Tech Decks swept through classrooms in the early 2000s. Kids built fingerboard ramps on desks and played with them during lectures. Teachers banned them because they were noisy, distracting, and caused accidents when pieces flew off.
6. Beanie Babies
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Though mostly popular as collectibles in the 1990s, Beanie Babies sometimes made their way into classrooms. Students carried them in backpacks or used them as toys during lessons. Teachers banned them when trading led to heated disputes.
7. Laser Pointers
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Laser pointers were once considered cool gadgets for students to bring to school. Kids used them to shine beams on walls, whiteboards, and sometimes at teachers themselves. They were banned quickly after concerns about eye damage and classroom disruptions.
8. Pogs
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These circular cardboard discs were a playground phenomenon in the 1990s. Students played games during breaks but also during class when teachers were not watching. They were banned after fights broke out over valuable slammers and lost collections.
9. Slap Bracelets
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The colorful bracelets that snapped onto wrists were all the rage in the early 1990s. Unfortunately, some cheaply made versions had sharp metal inside that cut students. Schools banned them for safety reasons and to stop students from constantly slapping them on desks.
10. Game Boys
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Nintendo’s handheld Game Boy consoles often found their way into classrooms. Students tried to sneak in games like Pokémon or Tetris under their desks. Schools banned them because they distracted kids and created conflicts when devices were stolen.
11. Yo-Yos
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Yo-Yos went through several waves of popularity, especially in the 1990s and early 2000s. Students practiced tricks in hallways and classrooms, often knocking objects or classmates by accident. Teachers banned them to avoid accidents and interruptions.
12. Pogs-in-a-Can Accessories
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Along with regular Pogs, students loved carrying special tubes or cans filled with their collections. The accessories made noise when shaken and were flaunted during lessons. Teachers banned them for being a noisy distraction and fueling competition.
13. Hacky Sacks
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Hacky Sacks became a lunchtime favorite in the 1980s and 1990s. Kids kicked them around in circles, but the game sometimes spilled into hallways and classrooms. Teachers banned them because they disrupted order and occasionally caused injuries.
14. Heelies
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Shoes with hidden wheels in the soles became a fashion craze in the 2000s. Students zipped down hallways or tried to skate in classrooms. Schools banned them for safety reasons after falls and accidents became common.
15. Crazy Bones
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These small plastic figurines were a major hit in the late 1990s. Kids collected them and played games by flicking them against each other. They were banned because students argued, gambled with them, and ignored lessons.
16. Beyblades
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Spinning top toys called Beyblades took over playgrounds in the early 2000s. Students often brought their arenas and launched the tops during recess and sometimes in class. Teachers banned them when battles got rowdy and toys broke.
17. iPods and MP3 Players
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When music players became affordable in the 2000s, students constantly wore earbuds in class. They often ignored teachers, choosing to listen to music instead of lessons. Schools banned them to maintain classroom attention.
18. Rubber Band Balls
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Some students started collecting rubber bands to create giant balls. While it seemed harmless, the balls were bounced around classrooms or used as projectiles. Teachers banned them for causing disruptions and potential injuries.
19. Loom Bands
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Colorful rubber bands woven into bracelets became popular in the 2010s. Students often worked on their creations during class instead of paying attention. Teachers banned them due to distraction and the mess left behind by stray bands.
20. Fortnite Dances
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After the video game Fortnite exploded in popularity, its dance moves spread to schools. Students constantly performed them during class transitions or even in the middle of lessons. Teachers banned them when they turned into disruptive competitions.