1. Trapper Keeper (1980s to 1990s)
Before laptops and iPads, coolness at school was measured in supplies and the Trapper Keeper stood at the top. With bright covers, velcro flaps, and pockets that seemed endless, it felt more like a treasure chest than a binder. Kids who had one with neon designs or playful graphics always seemed one step ahead. Teachers sighed at the noise of flapping velcro, but students showed them off proudly. It was the type of supply that sparked conversations in the hallway and instantly elevated your status. Owning a Trapper Keeper meant you were organized and effortlessly cool.
2. Lisa Frank Folders (1990s)
When it came to folders, nothing drew attention like Lisa Frank. The colors were bold, the designs were whimsical, and pulling one from your desk meant you were instantly recognized. Unicorns, dolphins, and tigers in neon hues made assignments feel more like art projects. Kids compared which designs they had, and some even collected them like trading cards. A backpack filled with Lisa Frank folders was a clear signal that you were part of the in crowd. Even those who were not fans of glitter admired the creativity. Lisa Frank supplies made everyday schoolwork feel magical.
3. Scratch and Sniff Stickers (1970s to 1980s)
Nothing felt better than being rewarded with scratch and sniff stickers. They smelled like pizza, bubblegum, popcorn, or even something silly like pickles, and kids could not get enough. At recess, friends compared their collections and swapped scents like they were currency. The stranger the smell, the cooler it was to have. Teachers found them useful as motivation, but students treated them as treasures. Sheets of stickers were carefully saved, sometimes never even scratched. In a time before digital rewards, these simple scented stickers turned everyday achievements into moments worth bragging about in the playground crowd.
4. Multi Color Click Pens (1980s to 1990s)
The click of a multi color pen was enough to make classmates turn their heads. Switching between blue, black, red, and green with one pen felt like magic. Students loved filling their notes with different shades while teachers groaned at the constant clicking. It was less about practicality and more about the playful sound and variety. Owning one meant your pencil case carried something extra that others envied. Doodles looked brighter, notes felt unique, and the click became part of the fun. Having a multi color pen was like holding a little piece of school day authority.
5. Pencil Toppers (1970s to 1990s)
Ordinary pencils instantly transformed with the right topper. Troll dolls with crazy hair, tiny rubber animals, or funny shaped monsters made your pencil case exciting. The toppers often had no real use, but they gave pencils personality. Kids loved swapping them, showing them off, and even lining them up on their desks like tiny trophies. Math class felt less boring with a colorful troll staring back at you. Teachers rolled their eyes at the distraction, but everyone knew a cool pencil topper was more than decoration. It was a small but mighty way to stand out.
6. Scented Erasers (1970s to 1980s)
Mistakes never smelled so sweet when scented erasers filled classrooms. Shaped like fruits, animals, or food items, they carried scents like strawberry, chocolate, or grape. They often smudged more than they erased, but that did not stop kids from collecting them. Pencil boxes became little candy shops filled with colorful erasers that smelled better than they worked. Friends compared collections and traded extras, making them more like toys than tools. Even if homework pages looked messy afterward, using a scented eraser was still exciting. They turned simple corrections into moments of fun and creativity.
7. Glitter Gel Pens (1990s)
Glitter gel pens made schoolwork sparkle, literally. Kids filled diaries, passed notes, and wrote journal entries that shimmered under classroom lights. Each color felt like a treasure, and those with full sets were admired by everyone. Purple sparkles, metallic blues, and shiny silvers gave even ordinary writing a stylish touch. Smudges did not matter because the glitter was worth it. Teachers often frowned at the flashy pages, but students loved the attention. Passing a glitter covered note to a friend made the moment unforgettable. Glitter gel pens made even the dullest homework shine brighter.
8. Hello Kitty Stationery (1980s to 1990s)
Hello Kitty was more than a cartoon character, she was a global trend that reached into every pencil case. From notebooks to pens and pastel pencil boxes, her face made supplies instantly cute and fashionable. Kids who had Hello Kitty stationery were seen as stylish and trendy, often admired by classmates. Writing notes on Hello Kitty paper felt more special, almost like sharing a secret with a friend. Collecting the sets became a hobby for many, making ordinary homework feel softer and brighter. Having Hello Kitty gear meant you understood what it meant to be cool.
9. Novelty Rulers (1970s to 1990s)
Measuring lines was never boring when novelty rulers came out. Transparent ones filled with glitter or liquid, flexible plastic rulers, or even slap bracelet rulers kept kids entertained. Students bent them, smacked them, or spun them during class while pretending to use them for schoolwork. Teachers sighed at the noise, but no one could resist playing with them. Having a novelty ruler showed you had style even in math class. They were less about precision and more about fun, turning something as simple as measuring into a way of showing personality.
10. Neon Highlighters (1980s to 1990s)
Suddenly homework looked brighter when neon highlighters became popular. Packs included pink, yellow, green, and orange, and students used them to color code notes or decorate margins. Sometimes highlighting became less about studying and more about creating colorful patterns across pages. Having a full set meant you cared about detail and style. Kids often used them just to doodle or underline favorite song lyrics. Even serious work looked exciting under fluorescent strokes. A backpack filled with neon highlighters was a sign of someone who took both fun and presentation seriously.
11. Pencil Boxes (1970s to 1990s)
Pencil boxes were not just containers, they were showcases of personality. Some came with compartments or built in sharpeners, while others glowed with neon or holographic designs. Opening one in class felt like unveiling a treasure chest filled with colorful supplies. Students decorated them with stickers or swapped designs with friends. The coolest pencil box was a statement piece that carried everything from scented erasers to glitter pens. It was more than storage, it was a symbol. A pencil box could instantly tell others who you were before you even sharpened a pencil.
12. Book Covers (1970s to 1990s)
Textbooks felt dull until kids discovered book covers. Some made theirs out of brown paper bags covered in doodles, while others bought stretchy fabric versions in bold prints. Friends spent hours personalizing them with band names, drawings, and favorite sayings. A well decorated book cover often said more about you than the actual textbook inside. Teachers liked them because they protected books, but kids saw them as art. No two were alike, and that was the beauty. Book covers made carrying heavy textbooks feel a little more creative and a lot more fun.
13. Pop A Point Pencils (1980s to 1990s)
Pop A Point pencils were both toys and tools, and kids could not resist them. Instead of sharpening, you popped the dull tip into the back and a new one appeared. Bright barrels and constant clicking made them a playground favorite. They rarely wrote smoothly, but that hardly mattered. Students clicked them endlessly, trading the colorful barrels like collectibles. Teachers often found the noise distracting, but children treated them like prized gadgets. Having a Pop A Point pencil was less about neat handwriting and more about showing off the fun of always being ready to write.
14. Cartoon Lunchboxes (1970s to 1980s)
Lunch breaks became status moments thanks to cartoon lunchboxes. Metal ones decorated with Scooby Doo, Star Wars, or The Jetsons defined which side of pop culture you were on. Kids carried them proudly, often waiting to reveal them in the cafeteria. A matching thermos made it even better. By the 1990s, plastic versions replaced metal, but the originals stayed iconic. A cartoon lunchbox was more than food storage, it was identity on display. The coolest kids made their lunchtime reveal as important as any classroom presentation, adding fun to even the most ordinary meal.
15. Mechanical Pencils (1980s to 1990s)
Mechanical pencils felt like an upgrade from the ordinary. With one click, fresh lead appeared, saving trips to the sharpener. Clear barrels and colorful grips gave them a sleek look, and having one in class made you seem ahead of the game. Students loved how smooth they wrote, and teachers admired their practicality. Kids with mechanical pencils often felt more prepared and even more grown up than their classmates. Collecting the fancier designs with extra leads became a quiet competition. Owning one meant you were organized, efficient, and just a little cooler than the rest.
18. Stencil Sets (1970s to 1980s)
Stencils gave students the chance to turn scribbles into designs. With letters, numbers, and shapes, they made posters and notes look neat and professional. Bubble letters, stars, and circles looked perfect every time, giving even ordinary doodles a creative edge. Teachers appreciated the effort, but friends admired the style. Some kids became known for always having the best margins in their notebooks thanks to stencils. They were affordable, fun, and endlessly useful. A simple plastic stencil sheet turned everyday writing into something polished, showing that even small tools could make a big difference.
19. Marble Notebooks (1970s to 1990s)
Marble notebooks looked simple at first glance, but they quickly became canvases for creativity. Kids decorated them with stickers, doodles, and favorite sayings, transforming the plain covers into personal statements. Inside, pages were filled with notes, drawings, and even secret messages between friends. Carrying one said you were thoughtful and maybe even a little rebellious. No two ever looked alike, and that was the fun. They might have started as ordinary composition books, but marble notebooks turned into something special in every backpack. They represented not just schoolwork, but a reflection of personality.
20. Erasable Pens (1980s to 1990s)
Erasable pens felt revolutionary, giving kids the thrill of writing in ink without the fear of mistakes. They often smudged or left streaks, but that did not matter. Students loved the novelty of fixing errors while still looking modern with an ink pen. Having one in your case showed you cared about innovation and were not afraid to try something new. Even with flaws, erasable pens symbolized progress and creativity. They wrapped up an era of supplies that made school more than lessons. Having the right gear meant you were remembered for style and fun.
From the 1970s through the 1990s, your coolness wasn’t just about grades or sneakers, it was about the gear you carried to class. Whether it was a Trapper Keeper, a Pop-A-Point pencil, or a Lisa Frank folder, the right supplies made you a legend.
This story 20 School Supplies That Made You the Cool Kid (1970s–1990s) was first published on Daily FETCH
