20 Forgotten School Supplies Every Kid Used to Have
Here are 20 old-school supplies that every kid once proudly stuffed in their backpack but probably hasn’t seen in years.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 6 min read
A lot has changed in school over the years, and the supplies kids use now are not what they used to be. Before digital devices and smartboards, students relied on simple, physical tools to learn and stay organized. This list looks back at the common school items that were once standard but are rarely seen today.
1. Trapper Keeper
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This was a popular binder system in the 1980s and 1990s. It featured folders, pockets, and a Velcro or snap closure to keep everything in place. Students used it to organize homework, notes, and handouts. By the early 2000s, it was replaced by simpler binders and digital folders.
2. Scented Markers
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These markers were designed with added scents like cherry, orange, or grape. They were commonly used in elementary classrooms during the ’90s. Students enjoyed them because they made coloring more fun. Concerns about distractions and safety later reduced their use.
3. Pencil Toppers
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These were small decorative items placed on the eraser end of a pencil. They were made of rubber or foam and often came in fun shapes. While they served no academic purpose, they were very popular among younger students. Most schools no longer allow them due to focus and distraction issues.
4. Book Socks
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Stretchable fabric covers used to protect textbooks from damage. They replaced the older method of using brown paper bags as covers. Schools recommended or even required them to keep books in good condition. Their use declined as schools moved toward digital textbooks.
5. Mechanical Pencils with Colored Lead
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These pencils worked like regular mechanical pencils but used colored graphite. Students used them for art, highlighting, or personal notes. The lead was soft and broke easily, so they were not ideal for writing essays or long notes. They are now considered more of a novelty item.
6. Overhead Projector Sheets
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Teachers used transparent sheets with markers to display lessons on overhead projectors. These were widely used before the arrival of digital projectors. Teachers could write or print information directly on the sheet. Smartboards and PowerPoint eventually replaced them.
7. Lisa Frank Supplies
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Known for bright colors and cartoon animals, these school supplies were marketed mostly to girls in the 1990s. The brand was used on folders, notebooks, and stickers. Many students chose Lisa Frank products to personalize their supplies. The brand faded as classroom trends shifted toward more neutral designs.
8. Mini Staplers
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Small, handheld staplers were designed for individual student use. These fit easily in pencil cases and were popular for classroom projects. They usually stapled only a few pages and often jammed. With more schoolwork done digitally, their use declined.
9. Rolling Backpacks
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These looked like small suitcases and allowed students to pull their supplies instead of carrying them. They were useful for heavy loads but often got banned because of safety concerns. The wheels were loud and sometimes caused accidents in crowded hallways. Most students now carry lighter backpacks or rely on digital devices.
10. Gel Pens
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Available in multiple colors and often with glitter, gel pens became a trend in the late ’90s and early 2000s. Students used them to take notes, write in journals, or decorate assignments. Teachers rarely approved them because the ink smudged and was hard to read. Their popularity faded as standard pens became more practical.
11. Crank Pencil Sharpeners
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Mounted to classroom walls, these manual sharpeners used a hand crank to sharpen pencils. They were loud and sometimes messy but gave precise results. Most classrooms had one near the chalkboard. Electric sharpeners and mechanical pencils made them less common.
12. Multiplication Charts
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Printed charts of times tables were a staple on classroom walls. Students used them to memorize basic math facts in elementary school. Some even had wallet-sized versions to carry around. As digital learning tools became common, these charts were used less.
13. Erasers That Looked Like Food
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Shaped like sushi, burgers, or fruits, these erasers were mainly decorative. Students often collected them or traded them with friends. They rarely worked well and would smudge paper more than clean it. Most schools discouraged them because they distracted students.
14. Rulers with Stencils
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These rulers included built-in shapes like stars, circles, or arrows. Students used them for geometry and creative assignments. They were usually plastic and often broke with use. Standard straight rulers became more common due to their increased accuracy.
15. Name Tags for Notebooks
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These were sticker labels where students wrote their name and subject on the front of their notebooks. Teachers asked students to use them for easy identification. Kids often decorated them with markers or drawings. Digital learning has made them less necessary.
16. Accordion Folders
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These expanding folders helped students separate papers by subject. Each section had a tab for labeling. They were useful but bulky and hard to carry. Many students moved to binders or digital filing systems.
17. Pens with 4 Ink Colors
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These pens had a clickable switch for each ink color, usually red, blue, green, and black. Students liked them for organizing notes or making lists. The pens often ran out of one color faster than the others. Single-color pens became more reliable and preferred.
18. Chalk Holders
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These metal or plastic tools held pieces of chalk to prevent hand dust. Mostly used by teachers before whiteboards became standard. They helped keep hands clean and made chalk last longer. Today, dry-erase markers and smartboards have replaced chalkboards.
19. Puncher
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A puncher, also known as a hole punch, was used to create holes in paper, allowing it to be stored in binders. Most students had a small, single-hole version in their pencil case. Teachers and offices used the larger two- or three-hole versions for bulk tasks. With fewer printed handouts and more digital submissions, punchers are now rarely seen in classrooms.
20. Paper Fortune Tellers
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Folded paper games were made by students during recess or lunch. Each flap had a number or a message inside. While fun, they were usually banned in class for being a distraction. They still appear occasionally but are no longer part of regular school life.