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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$24.49Shop 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!
08/20/2025 07:02 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$11.88Shop nowLisa Frank stickers haven't gone out of style since they first came in to style. They're as fun and motivating as ever!
08/20/2025 07:03 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.
08/21/2025 02:04 am GMT -
$19.99$14.54Shop 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!
08/21/2025 02:05 am 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!
08/20/2025 02:03 am 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.
08/20/2025 05:03 am 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!
08/20/2025 02:01 am GMT
12 more nostalgic things to remember from 80s school days
Stranger Things school supplies
- It's a creature double-feature. Stay organized even when face-to-face with otherworldly monsters.
- 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...
- Size: :1.96-3.15inch(5-8cm). Perfect to embellish Laptops, Trackpads, Keyboards, Backpacks, Skateboards, Luggage, Water Bottles, Scrapbooks, Mirrors, Notebooks, Journals, Cars
- This series of stickers including 60pcs are specially designed for Music Decal. What surprises you is that you will never find two same stickers in one pack
- Our assortment of the graffiti decals is your right choice when choosing a gift for your friends, kids. These creative patches will be the best present to make a cool room or for DIY decoration
- Big things are on the horizon. Stay bold, stay alert and stay organized.
- 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...
- Fine Point Precision: 0.5mm fine point tip delivers clean, precise lines perfect for detailed note-taking, journaling, and everyday writing tasks
- Smooth Gel Ink: Black gel ink flows smoothly across the page without skipping or smudging, providing a consistent and comfortable writing experience
- Complete Set: Includes 5 gel pens so you always have a backup ready for school, office, or personal use
- Great Gift for Girls & Teens: A charming addition to any collection of cute school supplies, this notebook makes a perfect gift for birthdays, back to school, or just because.
- Premium Quality: This Spiral Notebook uses high quality and thick paper to avoid the ink feathering and seepage. ,erase fraying and shade issues,Sturdy Hard Cover binding keeps your notebook intact.
- Great Size: Every journal notebook is filled with 80 Pages. The insert size is 5.8 X 8.3inch, which is very convenient so that you can take it everywhere with you when you are on travel or vacations...
- TV SHOWS-THEMED COLORED PENCILS WITH FOIL-STAMPED NAMES : This 12-piece colored pencil set features foil-stamped TV shows phrases that match the color of each pencil. Each title is stamped directly...
- PRE-SHARPENED COLLECTIBLE SET: Includes 12 count colored pencils, each foil-stamped with a unique small-town TV shows inspired phrases. These novelty pencils arrive ready to use and make a colorful...
- SMOOTH STEADY COLOR: Double-coated wooden colored pencils feature smooth cores for consistent laydown and comfortable grip. These artist colored pencils work well as coloring pencils for adults, or...
- Stranger Things Backpack: Step into the the mysterious world of Hawkins with this nostalgic 16-inch backpack featuring the iconic "Speilbergian" bike graphic, bold Stranger Things logo, and 3D rubber...
- Durable Materials: The lightweight school bag is made from water resistant nylon twill and foam mesh for long-lasting performance and safety. Durable enough to last the school year, it’s perfect for...
- 16” backpack: Backpack measures 16” x 12” x 5” and offers plenty of storage space including a main compartment, front zip pocket, 2 side foam mesh pockets, and an interior laptop pocket that...
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.