If you were a kid in the ’90s, you probably remember the thrill of picking out new school supplies before the start of the year. That magical trip down the aisle meant finding the perfect Trapper Keeper binder, the boldest pack of Lisa Frank folders, a handful of gel pens, and maybe even a stash of scratch ’n sniff stickers to trade with friends.
Fast forward a few decades, and here you are—homeschooling your own kids. The supplies look different now (hello, digital planners and color-coded apps), but the excitement of back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to disappear. In fact, you can bring back some of that nostalgic fun while making your homeschool space more creative, organized, and engaging.
Let’s take a walk down memory lane with our favorite ’90s school supplies—and explore how to recreate their magic with modern homeschool hacks and creative learning tools.
The Trapper Keeper: The King of Organization
Nothing said “ready for school” in the ’90s quite like the Trapper Keeper. With its iconic Velcro flap, bold, colorful designs, and countless pockets, it wasn’t just a binder—it was a status symbol that let you express your personality. Whether you opted for neon colors, funky geometric patterns, or images of your favorite characters, the Trapper Keeper was as much a fashion statement as it was a school supply.
It was designed for ultimate functionality, allowing you to organize loose-leaf notes, homework, doodles, class schedules, and even those secret notes passed between friends.
It wasn’t just about staying organized; it was about making a statement and carrying your world in one compact, stylish package.
Homeschool Hack Today:
- Swap the Trapper Keeper for a customizable homeschool binder system. Use dividers for each subject, clear plastic sleeves for projects, and printable planner pages to keep lessons organized.
- For younger kids, create a “homeschool hub binder” where they can track progress with stickers, showcase artwork, and store their favorite assignments.
- If you really want the throwback, you can still buy retro Trapper Keepers online (yes, they’ve made a comeback!). Imagine the joy on your child’s face when you hand them a neon binder that once ruled your school desk.
Lisa Frank: Rainbows, Dolphins, and Sparkle Everywhere
Lisa Frank wasn’t just school supplies—it was a lifestyle. Walking into the school year with a brand-new Lisa Frank folder or binder instantly made you the envy of your classmates. Her designs were unmistakable: neon dolphins jumping over rainbow waves, unicorns prancing under glittering stars, and pandas with heart-shaped sunglasses. Everything was bold, bright, and unapologetically fun.
And it didn’t stop at folders. Lisa Frank pencil cases, notebooks, stickers, and trapper keepers turned even the most ordinary math worksheet into a glittery experience. Many kids remember sitting at their desks, lost in the swirls of rainbow colors decorating their notebooks, or trading Lisa Frank stickers with friends at recess like they were priceless treasures.
Part of the magic was that Lisa Frank supplies made school feel special. A spelling test didn’t seem quite as bad if you were writing on a dolphin-covered notebook. Even homework time felt a little brighter when your binder was bursting with colors. The art was so vibrant and whimsical that it wasn’t just about staying organized—it was about carrying around a tiny piece of joy every single day.
For many ’90s kids, Lisa Frank was the ultimate expression of individuality. Whether you were a unicorn fan, a kitten lover, or obsessed with rainbows, there was a design that matched your personality perfectly. It was school supply shopping, but it was also self-expression at its best.
Gel Pens: The Ultimate Writing Tool
Few supplies scream ’90s more than the gel pen collection stuffed into every backpack. Whether you had a neon pink, metallic blue, or glitter-sparkle version, writing with a gel pen instantly elevated your notes. Remember how fun it was to swap pens with a friend, test out a new shade, or doodle bubble letters that shimmered in the light? And if you had the elusive scented gel pens, you were basically the ruler of study hall.
Gel pens weren’t just about writing—they were about expression. Homework felt less like a chore when you could underline your answers in glittering green, and your journal entries seemed extra meaningful when written in metallic purple. They turned the ordinary into something magical, one ink stroke at a time.
Today’s Spin: Encourage your homeschooler to make writing just as fun by adding colorful pens into their supply stash. Color-coding subjects (blue for math, green for science, pink for reading) can help with organization, while gel pens in metallic or neon shades can make journaling and creative writing feel extra special.
Scratch ’n Sniff Stickers: Motivation in Sticker Form
Nothing motivated a ’90s kid quite like the promise of a scratch ’n sniff sticker. Grape, bubblegum, pizza—those scents live rent-free in our memories. Teachers used them as rewards, and we treasured every one. Kids proudly displayed them on notebooks, sticker books, or binders, sniffing them over and over like they were gold.
There was a thrill in comparing collections at recess, showing off the rare ones, and carefully scratching just enough to release the scent without “using it up.” Earning one of those coveted stickers wasn’t just about completing a worksheet—it felt like a true accomplishment.
Today’s Spin: Stickers are still an easy (and fun!) way to motivate kids. Scratch ’n sniff versions can still be found online, but even regular reward stickers or scented markers bring back that joyful feeling. Create a sticker chart for progress in reading or math, or let kids earn stickers for acts of kindness and creativity.
Overhead Projectors, Chalkboards, and Old-School Tools
Remember the clunky overhead projector? Or the squeak of chalk on the board? While not exactly beloved, these classroom tools were staples of the ’90s learning environment.
Homeschool Hack Today:
- Replace the chalkboard with a magnetic whiteboard or chalkboard wall decals. These give kids a big space to brainstorm, practice spelling, or solve math problems.
- Use a document camera or tablet stand to create a projector-like effect when displaying worksheets or books.
- Turn it into a game: let kids play “teacher” and explain lessons on the board, which reinforces their learning.
Pencil Cases and Supply Boxes: A Treasure Chest of Fun
In the ’90s, your pencil case was more than a storage box—it was a treasure chest. Opening it up meant revealing glitter glue, novelty erasers shaped like animals or food, slap bracelets, and maybe even a secret folded-up note from a friend. The bigger and flashier the case, the better. Plastic ones with snap lids, zippered fabric ones with wild prints—each one was a reflection of your personality.
There was nothing more satisfying than trading erasers, showing off your new set of scented markers, or carefully organizing your pens in perfect rows. Pencil cases weren’t just about being prepared for class—they were part of the fun of school itself.
Today’s Spin: Give your homeschooler their own personalized supply box or caddy to capture that same excitement. Let them decorate it with stickers or washi tape, and rotate in fun supplies—sparkly pens one week, stamps or novelty erasers the next. For an extra bit of 90s-style joy, try creating a “mystery pencil case” filled with little surprises as a reward for finishing tough assignments.
Bringing ’90s Fun Into Today’s Homeschool
The magic of ’90s school supplies wasn’t just about the supplies themselves—it was about how they made learning exciting. That’s something every homeschool parent can tap into today.
Here are a few ways to bring back the fun:
- Retro Day – Dedicate one homeschool day to going “old-school.” Use gel pens, folders, and classic music from your childhood.
- DIY Projects – Let kids design their own binders, folders, or sticker charts to personalize their learning space.
- Mix Old with New – Blend nostalgic supplies with modern tech. Pair a Trapper Keeper binder with digital lesson planning apps for the best of both worlds.
By adding a dash of ’90s nostalgia to your homeschool routine, you’ll not only make learning more fun for your kids—you’ll also enjoy the journey a little more yourself.
Bring the Magic of the ’90s to Your Homeschool Routine
Homeschooling doesn’t have to feel like endless worksheets and online modules. By pulling inspiration from the past—whether it’s the organizational power of a Trapper Keeper, the sparkle of Lisa Frank folders, or the motivation of scratch ’n sniff stickers—you can create a learning space that’s colorful, fun, and memorable.
After all, if those supplies could make us excited to learn back in the ’90s, imagine what they can do for our kids today.
So dust off your old sticker book, grab some gel pens, and add a little retro flair to your homeschool. Because sometimes the best homeschool hack is simply making learning feel magical again.
