Bring anything but a backpack ideas

Students ditch the backpacks and opt for other items like strollers, shopping carts, and much more.

Shopping carts, wheel barrows, traffic cones, clothes racks, baby strollers, a mailbox and even a dog were just a few of the several outrageous items brought to school this pastThursday as students participated in Anything But a Backpack Day. 

Anything but a Backpack Day was day four of Spirit Week, where students opted out of the regular strapped backpacks and substituted for other options.  Some brought shopping carts, pots, vacuums, clothes racks, baby strollers, and even a large tractor tire and a kayak. Madness could be felt in the air Thursday morning as students strutted the halls with bizarre items.  Senior Paap Ampomah flew around the school as he pedaled down the halls in his galaxy-colored bike.

Senior John Laser bring his Little Tykes Jeep into school for Spirit Week.

Senior Kara Burke brought her excessively large flat screen television with an attachable pole with a shelf for all her school belongings. 

Freshman Dayne Drake and Sophomore Will Waugh brought a baby stroller and suitcase.  Senior John Laser brought a Little Tikes Jeep and Junior Michael Schmidt brought a Radio Flyer red wagon.

Senior James Stone brought a shopping cart, which turned out to be a rather popular item during the day.

Throughout the day, the craziness continued.  Class changes were slower than usual due to the myriad oversized items slowing down traffic.  School security guard Mr. Mason said “The craziest thing I saw was an auto-tech student bring in the front bumper of his car with his stuff in it.”

Many students including sophomore Lillie Pittman and senior Collin Stells brought hand-held coolers. Pittman exclaimed “This is my favorite day.  It’s hilarious and I love it.”

Sophomore Augusta McNulty brought her grass seeder from home because it’s “better than a backpack.”

In the end, Anything But a Backpack Day proved to be a complete success with students.  The spirits of all Mildothian High School were heightened to new levels this Thursday as students and staff experienced a day of organized chaos.  With shopping carts galore, coolers and strollers, Anything But a Backpack Day will certainly be one for the books.

Have you heard of anything but a backpack day? This spirit day theme is going absolutely viral online right now.

Students are carrying around their school supplies in strange items like toy cars, strollers, wheelbarrows, and even old microwaves. But what is this spirit day activity and what are some of the funniest ideas for it?

In this article we’ll go over what anything but a backpack day is, what the rules are, and give you 30 hilarious ideas that you can copy if your school is doing it.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

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Anything but a backpack day is a spirit day theme that has gone viral on the internet over the past few years. On this day, students bring various household items to school to use as alternatives to backpacks.

This spirit day is one of my favorites because it allows students to express their creativity and imagination. The more outrageous the item, the better!

P.S. looking for another fun spirit day idea? Check out this post about Anything But A Water Bottle Day.

What Are The Rules For Anything But A Backpack Day?

Different schools will have different rules for this spirit day activity. Here are some common rules I’ve seen for anything but a backpack day:

• No stolen items (like shopping carts from grocery stores)
• Live animals are not allowed (do not bring your dog to school with your notebooks strapped to his back)
• No weapons or contraband
• Nothing that is too large that will interfere with regular school activities

If you’re not sure about your item, you may want to check with your school ahead of time. The last thing you want to have happen is that you’re denied entry into school because you bring an inappropriate item.

What Day Is Anything But A Backpack Day?

You may be wondering when schools typically host this spirit day. Each school that participates in this event will host it on a different day depending on their academic calendar.

Some schools have spirit week the week before homecoming, the last week of school, the week before finals, etc. You should consult with your school’s activity calendar to see when spirit week is and if they are doing anything but a backpack day as part of that schedule.

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The Best Anything But A Backpack Day Ideas

If you’re here, you’re probably looking for the most hilarious ideas for what to bring to school instead of a backpack. Here are some of the most creative ideas for anything but a backpack day:

1. Stroller

One of my favorite ideas for things to bring for anything but a backpack day is a stroller. A stroller is perfect because there’s plenty of room for your school supplies, it’s easy to push around, and it’s not too big or bulky to have at school.

If you have a younger sibling at home, you probably have an extra stroller laying around. Borrow it to bring to school for the day and you’re sure to get plenty of laughs!

2. Shoe Box

Looking for a super low effort but still hilarious anything but a backpack day idea? Bring your school supplies around to class in a shoe box! It’s simple, cheap, but still so funny.

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3. Laundry Hamper

Another genius idea is to bring your stuff to school in a laundry hamper for this spirit day. Try to find one with handles so it’s easier to carry from class to class.

4. Wagon

I’m a big fan of bringing something with wheels for anything but backpacks day. It just makes it so much easier to cart your stuff around from class to class. A wagon is the perfect item with wheels to carry your school stuff in.

5. Toy Truck

How funny would it be to roll your stuff around in a toy truck all day? If you have a little brother or sister who plays with toy trucks, ask them to borrow it for the day. You’ll definitely get lots of laughs from your classmates!

6. Shopping Cart

A shopping cart is a hilarious item to bring for anything but a backpack day. Just be sure that you have permission to use it before bringing it in. Your school will probably not be happy if you bring in any sort of stolen item for this spirit day.

7. Shopping Bag

A shopping bag is another super easy item to use for not a backpack day. I’m sure you have plenty of shopping bags lying around the house already so just grab one that’s big enough to fit your school supplies.

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8. Pots and Pans

One really popular item for this themed spirit day is a kitchen pot or pan. It’s such a hilarious idea to walk around with your school supplies in a soup pot all day.

9. Bucket

Another great alternative for a backpack is a large bucket. It’s big enough to fit your school supplies, super cheap, and it has a handle for easier carrying.

10. Briefcase

Going for a classy look on anything but a backpack day? Bring your school supplies around in a briefcase. You can probably borrow one from your dad or another adult family member.

11. Bird Cage

One of the funniest ideas I’ve seen for this spirit day theme is a bird cage. If you have one of these laying around this would make a great backpack alternative for the day.

12. Suitcase

Another genius item to use as a backpack for the day is a suitcase. It’s so easy to roll around, it has a handle, and it’s big enough to hold all of the school supplies you’ll need for the day.

13. Rolling Cart

Another funny idea is to bring your things to school in a rolling storage cart. This is definitely a unique and unexpected anything but a backpack day idea.

14. Picnic Basket

I absolutely love the idea of bringing your stuff around to class all day in a vintage picnic basket. It’s cute and definitely unique. It also has handles which makes it easy for carrying around.

15. Dog Crate

If you have a dog at home then this is the perfect idea for you. A dog crate is a hilarious backpack alternative that will definitely get lots of laughs.

16. Microwave

How hilarious is this? Bring your stuff to school in an old microwave for this spirit day.

17. Pillow Case

A pillow case is another perfect backpack alternative because you probably already have a few extras laying around at home! It’s also pretty easy to carry around from class to class, even when it’s full of school supplies.

18. Piñata

This is one of the most unique ideas I’ve seen for anything but a backpack day. Cut a slit in the top part of a piñata and use that to carry around your belongings.

19. Mop Bucket

Another hilarious idea is to use a mop bucket as a backpack for the day. It’s easy to roll around to your classes and the bucket portion should be big enough to carry all of your school stuff.

20. Guitar Case

Do you (or a family member) play the guitar? Bring your case to school as a backpack for the day!

More Anything But A Backpack Day Ideas

Here are a few more hilarious ideas for what to bring to school on anything but a backpack day:

21. Wheelbarrow

22. Sled

23. Trash Can

24. Laundry Basket

25. Computer Case

26. Cooler

27. Mini Fridge

28. Cereal Box

29. Baby Car Seat

30. Garbage Bag

This post was all about our favorite anything but a backpack day ideas. Has your school done this fun spirit day? Send us your pictures at and we may feature you in a future article!

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