While some of the more well-known quirky observances like World Kindness Day and Star Wars Day are widely recognized, there’s a new trend gaining momentum, especially among Generation Z: No Backpack Day. This offbeat event sees students ditch their usual schoolbags for a day, opting for all sorts of inventive alternatives to carry their supplies.
The trend gained popularity after a TikTok video went viral, showing students at Jurong Pioneer Junior College in Singapore participating in this unusual event. Instead of backpacks, students arrived to class carrying their books and belongings in toolboxes, shoeboxes, and even plastic water basins. One particularly creative student went as far as using a plastic Cold Storage trolley as their “backpack,” to the amusement of classmates.
This fun and rebellious act isn’t just confined to Singapore. Students in Poland also took part in No Backpack Day last month, showcasing their own unique alternatives—ranging from trash cans to shopping carts. One student even dressed up as a food delivery person, complete with the entire outfit and gear, turning heads with their creative solution to carrying school supplies.
While the trend might seem harmless, it could have deeper roots. Last September, Rigby Middle School in the U.S. banned backpacks following two separate incidents involving guns on campus. In response, students mocked the ban by bringing their supplies in everything from prams to popcorn machines. This wave of anti-backpack creativity likely fueled the global No Backpack Day movement.
Although many find the trend amusing, some believe it’s veering into territory that might not be entirely appropriate. Regardless, it’s clear that students are using humor and ingenuity to challenge the norms and bring a bit of fun to their daily routines.