The 1980s were all about standing out, and that extended to the school supplies we proudly pulled out of our Trapper Keepers. A trip to the store meant finding the coolest gear to impress your classmates, and if you had any of these 15 items, you were practically a rock star in the classroom. Let’s revisit the school supplies we all begged our parents for back in the day.
1. Trapper Keepers
The king of all school supplies. These colorful binders with Velcro flaps and radical designs were both functional and a status symbol. If you didn’t have one, were you even in the 80s?
2. Lisa Frank Folders
Exploding with neon rainbows, unicorns, and leopards, Lisa Frank folders were the epitome of 80s flair. They were a must-have for anyone who wanted to add some sparkle to their homework.
3. Scratch-and-Sniff Stickers
Who cared about gold stars when you could earn a grape-scented sticker? Kids traded these scented treasures like they were currency. The pizza and bubblegum ones were always the most coveted.
4. Pee-Chee Folders
While they technically started earlier, these folders with sports illustrations and room to doodle your favorite band logos were still a staple in 80s classrooms. Extra cool points if you personalized them with markers.
5. The Pen with Four Colors
Nothing screamed sophistication like clicking between red, blue, green, and black ink in one chunky pen. Bonus: it doubled as a fidget toy before anyone knew what that was.
6. Erasable Pens
A pen you could erase? Mind blown. These seemed like magic until you realized they didn’t really erase well, and the “erased” part looked worse than a regular mistake.
7. Scented Markers
Mr. Sketch markers weren’t just for art class—they were for sniffing too. Blueberry was the best scent, and black licorice was the worst. Let the debates rage on.
8. Calculator Watches
Math homework got a lot cooler when you had a calculator on your wrist. Sure, it wasn’t allowed during tests, but showing it off in the hallways made up for it.
9. Hello Kitty Stationery
This wasn’t just paper—it was a lifestyle. Kids collected matching Hello Kitty notebooks, erasers, and pencils, often storing them in adorable plastic cases.
10. Milky Pens
These gel pens wrote in pastel colors that somehow looked amazing on black paper. If you had these, your notes were pure 80s art.
11. Rubber Pencil Grips
Every cool kid had these squishy grips that made writing just a little more comfortable. Plus, they came in all kinds of colors to match your mood or outfit.
12. Transformer Pencil Cases
These weren’t just containers for pencils; they had secret compartments and buttons that popped things out. Transforming your pencil case was half the fun of the school day.
13. Fuzzy Notebooks
These notebooks came covered in soft, colorful fuzz that begged to be touched. Practical? Maybe not. Cool? Absolutely.
14. Metal Lunchboxes with Matching Thermoses
Whether it featured He-Man, Strawberry Shortcake, or E.T., these sturdy lunchboxes were both functional and a way to show off your personality in the cafeteria.
15. Rainbow Erasers
Shaped like hearts, stars, or just multicolored rectangles, these erasers were more about looks than function. They barely worked but added some serious flair to your desk.
These school supplies weren’t just tools for learning; they were expressions of who we were. Whether you were rocking a Trapper Keeper or swapping stickers, these items made the 80s classroom an unforgettable place.
