101 Hilarious Anything But A Backpack Day Ideas For Spirit Week

Looking for the best Anything But A Backpack Day ideas? Here are some of the most hilarious items you can bring to school instead of a backpack.

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Is your school doing Anything But A Backpack Day during spirit week this year? If so, you may be wondering what to bring to school for this spirit day.

Anything But A Backpack Day is when students come to school carrying their supplies in different funny household items.

This spirit day theme has gone viral in recent years because of how creative students get with it.

Every year, students bring more and more outrageous things to school like shopping carts, sleds, bird cages, kayaks, etc.

Here are some of the most hilarious and creative Anything But A Backpack Day ideas that you’ll want to copy for spirit week.

The Best Anything But A Backpack Day Ideas

  1. Laundry Basket: A laundry basket is a perfect idea for Anything But A Backpack Day. It has enough room for all of your school supplies and it has handles to make it easier to carry around!
girl holding laundry basket for anything but a backpack day
Image Source: Wadsworth Bruin
  1. Beach Pail: If you don’t have a lot of school supplies to carry around, you could definitely get by with a plastic beach pail for the day.
  2. Toy Shopping Cart: Borrow a little sibling’s toy shopping cart for the day. Such a funny but still practical item to bring for no backpacks day!
  3. Grocery Bag: Looking for a super simple item to bring your school supplies around in? A grocery bag is an easy and practical item to use.
  4. Dog Crate: Your dog definitely won’t mind you borrowing their crate for the day for this hilarious idea.
  5. Duffel Bag: Another easy and practical item to use as a backpack is a duffel bag.
  6. Plant Pot: Have an extra gardening pot laying around? Grab it to store your stuff in during anything but backpacks day.
  7. Tool Box: Anything with handles is going to be easier to carry around all day. A toolbox makes the perfect backpack alternative for spirit day.
  8. Toy Car: This is definitely one of the funniest Anything But A Backpack Day ideas. Put all of your school stuff in a toy car and wheel it around for the day.
pink toy car
Image Source: Instagram
  1. Lawnmower: A lot of lawnmowers have collections bags for picking up mulch and leaves as they mow. You can put your school supplies inside of the collection bag and cart it around with you to your classes.
  2. Pizza Box: Want to get some laughs on spirit day? Carry around a pizza box as your backpack for the day.
  3. Stroller: A stroller is a hilarious Anything But A Backpack Day idea that is also super practical. Wheels will make it so much easier to get your stuff from class to class.
  4. Rolling Drawers: This funny idea will give you lots of storage space for the day!
  5. Mop Bucket: Rolling around a mop bucket from class to class will definitely get people’s attention. Plus, there’s plenty of room in there for all of your school supplies.
mop bucket with school supplies inside
Image Source: Wadsworth Bruin
  1. Pillowcase: Looking for a simple item that will carry all of your school supplies? Bring them in a pillowcase!
  2. Bucket: A bucket is perfect because it has a handle, it’s big enough for your school supplies, and it isn’t too heavy to carry around at school.
  3. Plastic Kiddie Pool: How funny would it be to drag around a swimming pool filled with school supplies all day?
  4. Microwave: A microwave is another super funny idea for Anything But A Backpack Day at school. It’ll probably be annoying to carry around but you’ll definitely get tons of laughs!
  5. Trash Can: Just make sure you clean it out before putting all of your stuff inside! You don’t want to be stinking up all of your classes.
  1. Sled: Want to get lots of laughs on Anything But A Backpack Day? Bring your stuff around in a sled!
  2. Baby Car Seat: Have a car seat laying around at home? Use it as a “backpack” for the day!
  3. Cooler: Another idea I’ve seen a few times is to use a cooler as a backpack. It’s portable, not too bulky, and it has a handle that makes it easier to carry around.
girls holding various items for anything but a backpack day high school
Source: Pinterest
  1. Suitcase: A suitcase is one of the best items to bring for Anything But A Backpack Day. It’s lightweight, has wheels, and will keep all of your school items safe inside all day.
  2. Wooden Crate: A crate with handles is another creative backpack replacement. Just make sure you choose one that’s lightweight enough to carry all day, but still big enough for all of your stuff.
  3. Shopping Bag: Reduce, reuse, recycle, right? Grab a shopping bag from your last trip to the mall and use that instead of a backpack for the school day.
  4. Musical Instrument Case: An instrument case is a great item to carry around for no backpacks day. The large compartment is great for fitting everything you need for the day. And the handle makes carrying it from class to class really easy!
  5. Shopping Cart: How hilarious would it be to haul your stuff around in a shopping cart for the day? Just be sure that you have permission to use the shopping cart (no stealing from grocery stores) so that your school doesn’t get upset with you.
Source: Pinterest
  1. Wagon: A wagon is super easy to bring to school because it has wheels, it’s big enough for all of your belongings, and there’s a handle for easy maneuvering.
  2. Cereal Box: How hilarious would it be to carry around your school books in a cereal box all day? Just make sure to carry the cereal box by the bottom if you’re putting anything heavy in it.
  3. Piñata: When it comes to Anything But A Backpack Day, the weirder the better! A piñata is a super random item that would be funny to use as a backpack for the day.
  4. Picnic Basket: How cute would it be to bring your things around all day in a picnic basket? It’s definitely one of the more aesthetic ideas on the list. And handles make it super easy to carry all day.
  5. Sleeping Bag: This is definitely one of the more creative no backpacks day items to bring to school.
  6. Briefcase: This is perfect because it’s already designed to carry heavy items!
  7. Fishing Net: Another super hilarious idea is to carry all of your things around in a fishing net for the day. This is definitely one of the most unique ideas I’ve seen for this spirit day trend.
student holding fishing net full of binders for anything but a backpack day high school
Source: Pinterest
  1. Cooking Pot: Just grab a soup pot out of your kitchen and use it to store your school supplies for the day.
  2. Shoe Box: Or maybe a boot box so it’s big enough for all of your school items!
  3. Beach Bag: Turn your school day into a vacation by carrying your stuff around in a beach bag all day.
  4. Plastic Milk Crates: These are super durable and typically have handles, so they’re great to carry around all day.
  5. Wheelchair: If you have access to a wheelchair, this would be a really easy thing to push around all day.
  6. Shower Caddy: The shower caddies that students use in college dorm rooms would make a really funny backpack alternative.
  7. Scooter With A Basket: Put a bike basket on a scooter and wheel it around as your backpack for the day.
  8. Traffic Cone: Want to really go outside of the box? Use a traffic cone to carry around your stuff on Anything But A Backpack Day!
students holding items for anything but a backpack day
Source: Pinterest
  1. Burlap Sack: Put your stuff in and throw it over your shoulder. Easy and hilarious.
  2. Mini Fridge: This one may be kind of a pain to carry around all day, but it would definitely get some laughs.
  3. Rolling Chair: Place all of your items on the seat of a rolling office chair and push it around from class to class.
  4. Mailbox: How funny would it be to carry around your stuff in a mailbox?
  5. Golf Bag: Preferably one with wheels and a stand!
  6. Board Game Box: Is it monopoly or is it your textbooks? Your teachers will never know.
  7. Empty Paint Can: Just make sure you really clean it out before putting your stuff in! You don’t want to accidentally paint your textbooks.
  1. Halloween Bucket: Dust off your trusty trick-or-treat bucket and bring it to school as your backpack.
  2. Bindle: Carry around your things in a bindle (commonly called a hobo stick). All you really need for this is a large stick and a piece of fabric. Tie the fabric around the stick and put your stuff inside.
  3. Wheelbarrow: Another funny idea is to put your school supplies in a wheelbarrow. Not only is this shocking and outrageous, but it’s also pretty convenient. Wheelbarrows have wheels and handles, making them pretty easy to push through the hallways all day.
  4. Kayak: Looking for one of the most outrageous Anything But A Backpack Day ideas? Use a kayak as a backpack for the day!This will probably be pretty annoying to carry around with you, but it’ll get tons of laughs!
students posing with a kayak in the hallway at school
Source: Williston Herald
  1. Drawer: A simple (but funny) idea is to just take a drawer out of one of your dressers and use that to carry your things in.
  2. Popcorn Machine: This is definitely one of the most creative ideas for anything but a bookbag day. Instead of a backpack, why not take your things to class in a popcorn machine?
  3. Shopping Basket: This is along the same lines as a shopping cart, but way easier to take with you from class to class.
  4. Pool Cleaning Net: How hilarious would it be to carry around your school supplies in a giant pool cleaning net all day? Just make sure you’re careful where you’re swinging it! Those things are huge.
  5. Hand Truck: A hand truck (or dolly) is another super funny idea for Anything But Backpacks day. Just strap your stuff to it and wheel it around.
  6. Fertilizer Spreader: Dig through your parents garage to see if they have one of these rolling fertilizer spreaders. If so, it makes for a really funny “backpack”!
  7. Pop-Up Laundry Hamper: How creative is this idea? The two handles make it easy to carry it around like a backpack. Just make sure you have a secure way to fold it down when you want to carry it on your back.
student carrying a laundry hamper on his back with items inside
Source: ccaztec
  1. Toy Truck: If you have a little sibling, borrow their toy truck for the day to use as a backpack alternative. Make sure you tie a strap or string to it so you can easily roll it around from class to class.
  2. Recycling Bin: It doesn’t get much funnier than showing up to school with your giant recycling bin!
  3. Paint Roller Pan: This is simple, cheap, but still pretty funny.
  4. Watering Can: If your watering can has a big enough opening, it would be super funny to put your school supplies in it for the day.
  5. Camera Bag: This is one of the more convenient options on the list. Carry your stuff around in a padded camera bag for the day.
  6. Hamster Cage: Really any type of small animal cage will work for this.
  7. Cat Tunnel: If you have a cat, this would be a hilarious Anything But A Backpack day idea.
  8. Car Tire: If you have a tire with a solid side, this would be a hilarious backpack alternative for No Backpacks Day at school. Just make sure that you’re comfortable carrying it around all day. Those things can be so heavy!
student holding a tire with a laptop and notebooks inside of it
Source: The Lancer Spirit
  1. Bread Box: Those old-school bread holders are the perfect size for your school supplies.
  2. Trash Bag: This idea is super simple but still pretty hilarious. Just make sure you get one that’s strong enough for all your stuff!
  3. Bedsheets: Tie up a bedsheet to make a little carrying sack for your school stuff.
  4. Skateboard: How funny would it be to strap your stuff to a skateboard and roll it around school? You could even add a string to it so you can pull it behind you in the halls.
  5. Utility Cart: A metal or plastic utility cart with wheels is a convenient and funny item to bring for no backpacks day.
  6. Rolling Hamper: We talked about pop-up hampers already, but if you have a rolling one that would make a really good book bag alternative as well.
  7. Dresser: This has to be one of the most ridiculous Anything But Backpacks Day ideas. This student actually rolled around a giant dresser on a dolly for the day at school.
Source: TikTok (@elisa_gaarcia)
  1. Christmas Stocking: If you find a big enough stocking, this could be a really hilarious way to carry around your things.
  2. Apron: Some aprons have really big pockets on the front. You could use this to store your belongings throughout the school day. Definitely one of the more creative ideas on the list!
  3. Bike Basket: Take the basket off of your bike and use it as your backpack for the day.
  4. Large Hat: A big hat like a sombrero or bucket hat could work for carrying around smaller items.
  5. Filing Cabinet: If you have a filing cabinet with wheels, this would be a super funny item to bring to school.
  6. Jeans: This has to be one of the most creative No Backpacks Day ideas we’ve seen. Tie the ends of your jeans and fill them up with your school supplies.
  7. Plastic Storage Bins: They’re convenient, lightweight, and pretty much everyone has them.
  8. Cargo Vest: If you don’t have a lot of school supplies to carry around, you could get away with storing everything in the pockets of a cargo vest.
  9. Inflatable Pool Float: If you can find one with a solid bottom, this would make a hilarious backpack alternative for the day.
  10. Vintage Luggage: This is a super cool and aesthetic way to carry around your school supplies.
anything but a backpack day suitcase
Source: Pinterest
  1. Toy Chest: Take the toys out and carry it around for the day at school.
  2. Umbrella: Turn an umbrella upside down and use it to carry around lightweight items.
  3. Vacuum: Strap your stuff to a vacuum and roll it around all day. This is such a hilarious and unexpected item to bring for Anything But A Backpack Day.
  4. Safe: Just make sure you remember the combination to it!
  5. Air Fryer: Some of them are definitely big enough to fit your school items inside.
  6. Drum: Turn a drum upside down and use it to carry around your belongings from class to class. Super creative and unique.
  7. Motorcycle Helmet: Honestly, any helmet would work. Just turn it upside down and put your stuff inside.
  8. Folding Lawn Chair: You can use it unfolded or folded up, depending on how much stuff you have.
  9. Toilet: Ok, this one is pretty outrageous. But if you have a spare (clean) toilet, this would be a hilarious option. Just be aware that this is a super heavy option!
  10. Fish Tank: Another super funny backpack alternative!
  11. Mixing Bowl: Just grab a big mixing bowl from the kitchen and you’re good to go.
  12. “Frontpack”: Want to participate in spirit day but still bring your backpack to school? Wear it on your stomach and call it a “frontpack”.
  13. Grill: If you want to go for something super outrageous, put your things inside of a grill and wheel it around school all day.
  14. Crockpot: Chances are you probably have this in your house already. And most of them are big enough to fit your school supplies inside.
  15. Baby Bjorn: If you’ve never heard of this, it’s basically a baby carrier that is worn on the front of your body. It would be a hilarious item to use instead of a backpack for the day.
  16. Ikea Bag: It’s simple, easy to carry, and super affordable if you don’t already have one.

What Are The Rules For Anything But A Backpack Day?

Different schools will have different rules and policies, so make sure to check with your school ahead of time.

However, there are some common rules that we’ve seen for this spirit day:

  • Nothing dangerous or harmful (no weapons or contraband)
  • Nothing that will interfere with school activities
  • No stolen items (like shopping carts)

If you’re not sure about your item, you should always check with your school ahead of time. You don’t want to be sent home for having a banned item.

There you have it – the most hilarious and creative Anything But A Backpack Day ideas. Hopefully this gave you some inspiration for what to bring to school instead of a backpack during spirit week.

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