Looking for the best Anything But A Backpack Day ideas? Here are 32 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?
Anything But A Backpack Day is when students come to school carrying their supplies in different funny household items.
There are no real rules except that it can’t be too dangerous and it can’t be a backpack!
Whether you want to roll around a stroller all day, paddle through the hallways in kayak, or carry around your notebooks in a microwave, we have you covered.
Here are 32 of the most hilarious Anything But A Backpack Day ideas that you’ll want to copy for spirit week.
What Is Anything But A Backpack Day?
Is your school doing Anything But A Backpack day this year? If so, you’re probably wondering what exactly it is.
Anything But A Backpack Day is a themed day that usually takes place during spirit week. On this day, students will bring various items to school in place of backpacks.
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, and even a kayak lol.
Anything But A Backpack day is one of our favorite spirit week themes ever because it allows students to be creative and think outside the box (or backpack lol).
When Is Anything But A Backpack Day?
Each school will have a different date that they do Anything But A Backpack day. For most schools, it will probably fall within their spirit week.
This may be the first week of school, the week before the homecoming dance, or maybe even the last week of school.
Check your school’s activity calendar to see when they plan on having this themed spirit day.
Are There Rules For Anything But A Backpack Day?
If this is the first time your school is doing this spirit day, you’re probably wondering if there are any rules one what you can bring.
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)
You school also probably wouldn’t allow you to bring your dog with your notebooks strapped to his back, FYI lol.
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.
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!
Plus, you definitely have one at home so no need to buy anything new for this spirit day.
2. Dog Crate
How hilarious would it be to bring your school supplies in a dog crate for Anything But A Backpack Day?
Your dog definitely won’t mind you borrowing their crate for the day for this hilarious idea.
3. Pillowcase
Looking for a simple item that will carry all of your school supplies? Bring them in a pillowcase!
This isn’t one of the most outrageous ideas I’ve seen for Anything But A Backpack Day, but it’s still pretty funny. Plus, it’s easy to carry around to your classes all day.
4. Bucket
I’m a big fan of items with handles for this funny spirit day theme. You don’t want to be stuck lugging around a bulky item with no handles all day.
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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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!
8. Stroller
I love the idea of carrying around your school supplies in a stroller for this spirit day. You can buckle in your stuff so it doesn’t fall out.
Plus, there are wheels to make it easier to move from class to class.
9. Sled
Want to get lots of laughs on Anything But A Backpack Day? Bring your stuff around in a sled!
10. Trash Can
I’ve seen this idea a few times and I think it’s so hilarious. Bring your stuff to school in a giant 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.
11. 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.
12. Mop Bucket
I laughed so hard when I saw this Anything But A Backpack Day idea! 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.
13. Baby Carseat
Have a carseat laying around at home? Use it as a “backpack” for the day!
14. 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.
15. 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!
16. Bindle (Hobo Stick)
Want a super easy backpack alternative that’s cheap to put together? 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. Then you’re ready for class!
17. 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!
18. Lawnmower
Another outrageous idea for this spirit day is to cart your school supplies around in a 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.
19. Wheelbarrow
While we’re on the topic of lawn care tools, 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.
20. 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. Plus, you probably already have one laying around if your family does any traveling!
21. Crate
A crate with handles is another creative backpack alternative for this funny spirit day theme.
Just make sure you choose one that’s lightweight enough to carry all day, but still big enough for all of your personal belongings.
22. Wagon
Looking for one of the easiest backpack alternatives to lug around all day?
A wagon is super easy because it has wheels, it’s big enough for all of your belongings, and there’s a handle for you to roll it around with.
Just make sure you don’t leave any valuables in your wagon while you’re not looking. Because there’s no enclosure, it makes it easier for people to grab stuff out of it.
23. Cereal Box
How hilarious would it be to carry around your school books in a cereal box all day?
First of all, you’re definitely going to need family or “giant” size if you want to fit larger textbooks and notebooks.
I also recommend carrying the cereal box by the bottom like the girl in the picture is doing. These boxes aren’t meant to carry much weight so you risk the bottom breaking if you carry it by the top or sides.
24. Pop-Up Laundry Hamper
How creative is this Anything But A Backpack Day idea? Carry around your personal belongings in a pop-up hamper like this one from Amazon.
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.
25. 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.
Not only is it super easy to carry around, but you also get to show off your impeccable taste in clothing stores.
26. Guitar Case
A guitar case (or any bigger 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!
27. Plastic Shelf
How do people come up with these ideas?? It would be so funny if you carried your belongings around for the day on a plastic shelf.
I say plastic because you definitely don’t want to be hauling a wood or metal shelf around all day. Definitely go for the lightest option available!
28. Pizza Box
Want to get some laughs? Carry around a pizza box as your backpack for the day.
This idea is creative, funny, and eco-friendly!
Just make sure you get one that isn’t too greasy or covered with pizza crumbs. You don’t want your notebook covered in marinara sauce by the end of the day.
29. 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.
Just make sure you cut a hole that’s big enough for all of your school supplies.
30. 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!
31. Toy Truck
This is definitely one of the funniest Anything But A Backpack Day ideas I’ve seen!
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.
32. 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.
I love that there are handles to make it easier to carry with you for the day.
This post was all about the most hilarious Anything But A Backpack Day Ideas.
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