Remember when life was all about neon colors, Tamagotchis and waiting for your favorite songs to play on TRL? Let’s hit rewind and dive into the ultimate nostalgia trip with 30 of the most memorable school moments from our favorite decade.
From Lisa Frank notebooks to roller rink birthday parties, get ready to relive the good old days and feel that sweet wave of nostalgia. Buckle up—it’s gonna be a totally rad ride!
1. Lisa Frank fever
Your school supplies weren’t complete without a Lisa Frank notebook or folder covered in rainbows, unicorns and neon colors.
Photo: Reddit.com/r.90’s
Photo: clickamericana.com
Photo: clickamericana.com
Photo: clickamericana.com
2. Tamagotchi takeover
These digital pets were the ultimate classroom distraction and keeping them alive was a serious responsibility
Photo: theretrospectors.com
3. Slap bracelet craze
We all had at least one and snapping them on your wrist never got old—until they got banned for being too distracting.
4. Gel pen madness
Writing in your notebook with a collection of colorful gel pens made even homework seem fun.
Photo: Pinterest.com
Photo: Pinterest.com
5. Oodles of caboodles
These colorful, compartmentalized cases were perfect for storing all your school supplies and trinkets.
Photo: turnbacktothe80s.tumblr.com
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6. Book fair bonanza
Nothing beat the excitement of a Scholastic Book Fair, where you could pick up the latest Goosebumps or Animorphs book.
Photo: reddit.com/r.90’s
Photo: Pinterest.com
Photo: Pinterest.com
7. Pog playground competition
These collectible cardboard discs were the currency of the playground. Trading and playing for keeps was serious business.
Photo: vapor95.com
8. Covered with friendship bracelets
Making and trading friendship bracelets with your besties was a school staple.
Photo: huffpost.com
Photo: etsy.com
Photo:poshmark.com
9. Spice Girls obsession
From singing their songs at recess to collecting their merchandise, the Spice Girls were everything.
Photo: independent.co.uk
10. Oregon Trail adventures
This computer game was both educational and fun and everyone dreaded getting dysentery.
Photo: reddit.com/r/nostalgia
11. Character backpacks
From Disney to Barbie, having a backpack with your favorite character was a must.
Photo: Poshmark.com
Photo: Poshmark.com
Photo: Poshmark.com
Photo: Poshmark.com
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12. Collecting fun erasers
Collecting erasers shaped like everything from animals to food was a small but fun part of school life.
Photo: 2024cheapsalebest.com
Photo: reddit.com/r/nostalgia
Photo: flickr.com
13. Character folders
These folders featured your favorite chracters and were the ultimate in school pride. They made carrying your assignments a lot more fun.
Photo: pinterest.com
Photo: blog.easypocketfolders.com
Photo: blog.easypocketfolders.com
14. Show me your lunch box
Bringing your lunch in a themed lunch box was the coolest way to show off your favorite TV shows or movies.
Photo: pinterest.com
15. Stylin’ in jelly shoes
These colorful shoes were a school fashion staple and made every outfit more fun
Photo: reddit.com/r/nostalgia
Photo: redbubble.com
16. Feeling cool with trapper keepers
These binders were the coolest way to organize your papers and show off your style.
Photo: Reddit.com
Photo: Reddit.com
Photo: Reddit.com
Photo: Ebay.com
Photo: poshmark.com
17. Overhead projector magic
Teachers used these for everything and there was something magical about seeing your notes on the big screen.
Photo: Reddit.com
Photo: Reddit.com
18. Poppin’ for pencil pops
These colorful, funky pencils were a fun way to add some flair to your schoolwork.
Photo: Reddit.com
19. Troll doll mania
These little guys with the wild hair were great for collecting and trading.
Photo: Etsy
Photo: Pinterest.com
Photo: Reddit.com
20. Pizza Hut Book It
Remember the excitement of Pizza Hut’s Book It! program? We used to devour books just to earn those personal pan pizza certificates. It was a school tradition—reading our way to a tasty reward!
Photo: reddit.com
Photo: brobible.com
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21. Box tops boost
Cutting these out from cereal boxes and turning them in was a small way to help your school.
Photo: myhomebasedlife.com
22. Cootie catcher fun
Making and playing with these paper fortune tellers was a fun way to pass time during recess or lunch.
Photo: Reddit.com
23. Music boosts
Listening to your favorite mixtapes or CDs on these gadgets to and from school, in between classes (Sometime in class) is priceless
Photo: gettyimages.com
Photo:totally-90s.com
24. Scratch-and-sniff stickers
Collecting scratch-and-sniff stickers was a serious hobby. Trading them with friends, getting them from teachers and trying to get all the different scents—whether it was fruity, floral, or even popcorn—was so much fun.
Photo: Reddit.com
Photo: thejerseymomma.com
Photo:gettyimages.com
25. Pencil cases were transformers
These pencil cases were the ultimate in organization. With spots for pencils, erasers and even secret compartments for notes or tiny treasures
Photo: Reddit.com
26. Marbled composition notebooks
These classic notebooks were sturdy and perfect for all your school notes. The marbled covers were iconic
Photo: Reddit.com
27. Fun and functional fanny packs
Convenient, easy access and stylish. Need I say more?
Photo: Ebay.com
Photo: Ebay.com
28. Knowing my vibe by checking my buttons
You’d deck out your backpack or purse with all kinds of buttons—fun designs, band logos, or just silly sayings. It was a great way to show off your personality and interests.
Photo: magicuniquetreasures.com
Photo: hotelfleurdelysdakar.com
Photo: Pinterest.com
29.Your locker aesthetic
Decking out your locker with cool decorations was a must. From sparkly stickers to mini posters of your favorite bands, these decorations turned your locker into a personal hangout spot.
30. Magic markers with crazy vibes
Markers in neon shades or wild colors were perfect for adding some extra pizzazz to your artwork or notes.
Photo: Ebay.com
Photo: Pinterest.com
Remember the thrill of unzipping your Trapper Keeper to reveal a world of Lisa Frank magic and the satisfying click of gel pens in every color of the rainbow? Those 90’s school supplies were the ultimate way to show off your style and creativity. Pure nostalgia, right?
