Nostalgic moments in Stranger Things: 80s school supplies edition
Back in the 1980s, school shopping was a ritual that went beyond just grabbing pencils and paper. Walking into a store meant being greeted by bright colors, bold designs and items that were as much about personality as practicality. The Trapper Keeper ruled the hallways, letting kids customize their binders with velcro flaps and glossy cover art. Lisa Frank’s neon animals and rainbows covered folders and stickers, while a four-color BIC pen or a pack of Mr. Sketch scented markers could instantly make note-taking more fun.
Lunch was an event of its own thanks to metal lunchboxes that doubled as fashion statements. Whether you were carrying Luke Skywalker, E.T., or He-Man to the cafeteria, these boxes had as much personality as the kids holding them. Pencils were far from basic, too. A classic yellow Ticonderoga could still earn a spot in a teacher’s good graces, while Paper Mate’s Eraser Mate pens introduced the thrill of erasable ink. And for projects, Elmer’s rubber cement offered the rare combination of repositionable glue and that unforgettable smell that every 80s kid remembers.
Even with modern tech at their fingertips, kids today can still get their hands on many of these iconic school supplies. Retro Trapper Keepers, Star Wars lunchboxes, and colorful sticker sets have returned to store shelves, proving that simple, analog fun never really goes out of style. For some parents, shopping these throwback items for their own kids is like stepping into a time machine.
Below, we’ve collected some of our favorite 80s school supplies in photos and articles, celebrating the colorful, quirky essentials that defined a generation of classrooms. Whether you’re a Gen X alum or introducing a new student to these retro treasures — here are some of our sentimental faves!
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$17.58Shop nowRemember leg warmers, bold colors, big hair, and oversized blazers? This original style (but brand new) Trapper Keeper keeps the 80s school supplies vibe alive. A silhouette of palm trees is enhanced by hot pink and purple – totally tubular!
08/13/2025 12:09 am GMT -
$49.99Shop nowEleven won’t be the only one rocking these bold stripes this back-to-school season! Jansport has outfitted a Superbreak Plus in this instantly recognizable pattern as a tribute to the fashion sense of one of our very favorite Stranger Things heroes.
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$12.99$11.95Shop nowLisa Frank stickers haven't gone out of style since they first came in to style. They're as fun and motivating as ever!
08/13/2025 12:14 am GMT -
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$7.99$6.99Shop nowBefore we had smart phones and other Information Age wizardry, kids were totally impressed with the voodoo of these all-in-one 4-color pens. Turns out you can still capture that nostalgic magic today.
08/12/2025 06:06 pm GMT -
$19.99$14.00Shop nowShare your back-to-school nostalgia with the littles in your life! Mr Sketch chiseled, scented markers are still around and just as yummy-smelling as ever!
08/12/2025 06:06 pm GMT -
$6.50$5.59Shop nowSome products are so enduring they manage to survive extinction. Even in this age of revolutionary tech, Ticonderoga pencils are still so vital to the education experience that many teachers name the brand explicitly on their school supplies list. No cheap and crappy pencils for their classes!
08/12/2025 07:06 pm GMT -
$6.50Shop nowWith the advent of glue sticks, you don't see rubber cement on many school supplies lists these days, but yes -- you can still buy it! Gen X and older know what's up. Besides the fact that it smells so-bad-it's-good, rubber cement is that rare liquid adhesive that won't wrinkle the paper when it's applied -- plus it allows for easy repositioning.
08/12/2025 10:07 pm GMT -
$7.48Shop nowLaunching in 1979, when many Gen Xers were around middle school age, these erasable pens were basically magic. Never a perfect technology (and largely displaced by other options like Pilot's Frixion pens these days), the Eraser Mate brand persists, seemingly still useful for those of us trying to keep sharp with off-line crossword puzzles!
08/12/2025 07:01 pm GMT
12 more nostalgic things to remember from 80s school days
Stranger Things school supplies
- Take on the year and stay organized with the help of your favorite adventuring group
- No need to fear the Upside Down. The hook and loop closure helps trap all your stuff inside – even if you drop it!
- Two folders help keep your papers secure. Each folder has a vertical pocket that holds loose sheets so they won't fall out. Common stats are printed right on the folders, so you don’t forget the...
- STRANGER THINGS-INSPIRED & COLLECTIBLE DESIGN: Each of the 12 pre-sharpened colored pencils features a fun, Stranger Things-Inspired term related to its color, making them a must-have for Stranger...
- GIFT-READY PACKAGING & DISPLAY: This Stranger Things-Themed pencil set comes in a stylish display box with an opening to showcase the clever foil-stamped sayings. It’s the ideal gift for those who...
- CRAFTED WITH CARE & SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES: Hand-stamped and assembled by a small business in Greenville, South Carolina, each pencil is made with care. These non-toxic colored pencils are ASTM...
- Unsharpened Pencils
- Hot Foil Stamped
- Gift Wrapped
- Dimensions: 5.75” x 11.13”
- Officially licensed decals
- 100 various size decals
- 🐾 Trendy Design - Stunning Stranger Things composition book designed with a case binding system with incredible details that will make you stand out! Start your academic year in style! Includes a...
- 🐾 Plenty Of Space - A versatile A5 notebook that includes 192 lined pages ideal as a notepad, exercise book, scketch book, address book, or memo pad. You can also use it as diary 2024! It also...
- 🐾 A5 Size - This fantastic note pad has ideal measurements of an A5 making it easy to take it with you everywhere you need. Ideal for school, university or office use. Carry it with you in your...
- Custom Design: Showcases the Stranger Things logo and character silhouettes with vibrant yellow, red, and blue accents for a bold fan look
- Adjustable Straps: Includes adjustable shoulder straps for a comfortable and customizable fit
- Front Zipper Pocket: Features a front zipper pocket for convenient storage of smaller items
- 4-Piece Set for Everyday Adventures: Includes a Stranger Things backpack, insulated lunch bag, water bottle, and key ring—fun travel essentials for kids and cool gift idea for any fan!
- Back to School and Gifting Ready: This Stranger Things bookbag set makes a unique gift bag for birthdays, holidays, or back to school—perfect for fans who love stylish school supplies.
- Insulated Lunch Bag and Water Bottle Combo: The lunch box keeps food fresh with PVA lining and Velcro closure, paired with a matching water bottle—great for travel or lunch box gift sets.
- THIS STANGER THINGS MAGNETIC PAGE CLIPS is a unique type of bookmark that clips onto pages so you can easily keep your place in books, journals, planners and more
- INCLUDES 6 PAGE CLIPS that feature fun shapes and designs
- BOOKMARKS ARE PERFECT for keeping your page and showing your enthusiasm for reading
One Response
I swear I’d never seen anything by Lisa Frank until the 90s.
80s Trapper Keepers lacked the suprematism pazzaz of the 90s ones.