1. Pencil Boxes
Every kid had a pencil box, usually made of tin or plastic, that held all their prized writing tools. These boxes clattered loudly when opened, drawing more attention than the teacher ever wanted. Many were decorated with cartoon characters or space-age designs that made them feel personal.
Of course, kids spent as much time opening and shutting them as actually using what was inside. They became mini treasure chests more than study aids. No desk felt complete without one.
2. Pink Pearl Erasers
The Pink Pearl was the gold standard for erasers in the ’60s. Smooth, bright, and perfectly shaped, it erased pencil marks with ease—most of the time. The problem was it was also perfect for carving into shapes or bouncing like a ball.
Many erasers ended up whittled down long before their useful life was over. They were as much toys as tools, fueling plenty of classroom fidgeting. Still, every kid had one tucked in their desk.
3. Loose-Leaf Binders
Binders were essential for keeping papers organized, but those metal rings were notorious for snapping fingers. The covers were often brightly colored vinyl, which kids decorated with doodles and stickers. They made schoolwork feel just a little more stylish.
Of course, flipping them open and shut created endless noise. Papers sometimes spilled everywhere, leading to classroom chaos. Organization was the goal, distraction was the reality.
4. Fountain Pens and Cartridges
Before ballpoint pens fully took over, many students used fountain pens with ink cartridges. They looked elegant, but they were messy, prone to leaks, and perfect for doodling when the teacher wasn’t looking. Ink smudges were a badge of honor in many classrooms.
Kids experimented with writing styles just to watch the ink flow across the page. Spilled ink, however, was a teacher’s nightmare. These pens made every note feel important, even if it was just a scribble.
5. Slide Rules
For math students, the slide rule was an essential tool long before calculators became common. It was sleek, scientific, and gave the user an air of sophistication. But it was also fascinating to slide back and forth when boredom struck.
Many students barely scratched the surface of its potential, treating it more like a fidget toy. Teachers insisted it was the future of math, but kids weren’t always convinced. Still, it was a mark of being serious about schoolwork.
6. Ruler with a Metal Edge
Rulers weren’t just for measuring—they were for underlining, tapping on desks, and the occasional sword fight. The ones with metal edges were especially prized for their sturdiness. They gave even simple math problems a certain gravitas.
Of course, they also caused endless distractions during class. A ruler could become a drumstick in seconds. It was one of those supplies that teachers dreaded hearing in action.
7. Crayola Crayons (64-Box with Sharpener)
The 64-box of Crayola crayons was the holy grail of school supplies. With its built-in sharpener, it felt like a status symbol among classmates. Kids compared shades, traded favorites, and argued over who got to use the metallic colors.
Art projects were almost secondary to the sheer joy of owning the set. The box often became worn from constant use and admiration. It was as much about pride as it was about coloring.
8. Composition Notebooks
With their black-and-white marbled covers, composition notebooks were sturdy and iconic. They gave kids a place for notes, doodles, and the occasional secret code or cartoon. The hard covers also made them useful for quick sketching during dull moments.
They were built to last, but that didn’t stop kids from filling them with distractions. The pages became part diary, part workbook. Owning one felt like having a little book of your own.
9. Protractors and Compasses
Geometry supplies were essential, but they doubled as toys. Protractors turned into makeshift fans or glasses, while compasses often scratched elaborate designs into desktops. They were more fun for play than for measuring angles.
Teachers did their best to keep them on task, but kids couldn’t resist experimenting. The shiny metal compass point was both fascinating and dangerous. For many, these tools were remembered more for doodles than math.
10. Trapper-Style Book Covers
Before the famous Trapper Keeper arrived in the ’80s, kids used paper book covers—often made from grocery bags. They served as protective gear for textbooks and blank canvases for doodling. Everyone personalized theirs with drawings, band names, or slogans.
The covers were supposed to keep books neat, but they usually ended up covered in graffiti. Some kids even competed over who had the best designs. They were part school supply, part art project.
11. Glue Bottles with Rubber Tips
Glue in the ’60s often came in bottles with orange rubber tips that you twisted to open. They were endlessly fun to squeeze, making satisfying little globs on paper. But kids quickly discovered the thrill of peeling dried glue off their hands.
That habit turned glue into a kind of toy during long lessons. Projects sometimes took a back seat to experimentation. Every classroom smelled faintly of it by the end of the day.
12. Chalkboard Erasers
Teachers depended on chalkboard erasers, but students often got roped into cleaning them. Taking erasers outside to clap them together was a beloved chore, even if it left kids covered in dust. They were oddly satisfying to use.
Of course, erasers were also great for tossing during rowdy moments. They carried as much potential for distraction as they did for learning. Every kid remembers the puff of chalk that came with a good smack.
13. Safety Scissors
Safety scissors were standard for younger grades, with blunt tips that couldn’t do too much harm. They worked fine for cutting construction paper but weren’t exactly sharp. Still, kids found ways to amuse themselves with them.
Cutting up scraps of paper during quiet time became a ritual. For some, the red or blue plastic handles became chew toys during deep concentration. They were simple tools, but they kept restless hands busy.
