13 Weird and Wacky Things Found in Old School Lunchboxes
Back in the day, opening your lunchbox was always an adventure—you never knew what you’d find inside. Some items were delicious, others were downright strange, and a few were just plain wacky.
Whether it was a snack that fizzed in your mouth or a dish that made your classmates do a double take, these lunchbox surprises made school lunchtime unforgettable.
1. Pop Rocks Candy
The Candy That Popped in Your Mouth
Nothing said lunchtime excitement quite like a pack of Pop Rocks. Introduced in the 1970s, this candy fizzed, popped, and crackled on your tongue, creating a sensation that felt like a tiny firework show inside your mouth.
Kids loved the thrill of eating something that seemed almost alive, and urban legends about the dangers of mixing Pop Rocks with soda only added to the excitement. Despite the rumors, Pop Rocks survived the decades and remain a nostalgic treat for those who love a little edible excitement.
2. Fruit Roll-Ups
The Snack That Was Also a Toy
Fruit Roll-Ups weren’t just food; they were a lunchtime activity. Launched in the 1980s, these stretchy, sticky snacks let kids peel off shapes, fold them into weird creations, or wrap them around their fingers before eating them.
The taste? Mostly artificial fruit, but the real joy was in the messy, hands-on experience. While they’ve changed a bit over the years, Fruit Roll-Ups are still around, offering kids (and nostalgic adults) a fun way to snack.
3. Space Food Sticks
Eat Like an Astronaut!
Space Food Sticks were marketed in the 1960s as the snack that astronauts ate in space. These chewy, tube-shaped snacks were supposed to provide energy and nutrition—though the taste and texture were questionable.
More protein bar than candy, they were a novelty item that made kids feel like they were part of NASA’s space missions. Though they’ve since vanished from store shelves, they remain a quirky relic of the space-age snack era.
4. Pudding Pops
The Coolest Dessert in the Lunchroom
A combination of pudding and popsicle, these creamy frozen treats were a hit in the 1980s. Kids loved the smooth texture and rich chocolate or vanilla flavors.
They were a perfect midday treat, but unfortunately, Pudding Pops disappeared from stores, leaving a generation of snack lovers longing for their return.
5. Wax Bottles
Chew It, Sip It, or Both?
Known as Nik-L-Nips, these tiny, wax bottle-shaped treats were filled with a small amount of flavored syrup. To drink them, you had to bite off the wax top, sip the liquid, and then decide whether to chew on the wax or spit it out.
The novelty of these weird candy drinks kept them popular for years. Even though they weren’t the tastiest, they’re still around today for those craving a nostalgic chew.
6. Pickled Pig’s Feet
An Unexpected Lunchtime Surprise
For some kids, opening their lunchbox to find pickled pig’s feet was totally normal. Tangy, vinegary, and gelatinous, this bold and adventurous snack was a common sight in some households.
While it might not have been every kid’s first choice, those who ate them swore by their unique texture and strong flavor. Definitely not your average school snack!
7. Triangular Milk Cartons
The Impossible-to-Pour Lunch Drink
Back in the 1950s, schools used triangular-shaped milk cartons instead of the familiar rectangular ones we have today. These strange little cartons were notoriously difficult to open and pour without making a mess.
Learning how to drink from one without spilling was a skill in itself, and though they disappeared over time, they’re still remembered as a quirky part of old-school lunchrooms.
8. Fizzies Drink Tablets
Drop It in Water, Watch It Fizz
Fizzies were flavored tablets that turned plain water into a fizzy soda-like drink. Just drop one into a glass, and suddenly, you had a bubbly, colorful beverage that felt like magic.
A mix between a soft drink and a science experiment, these were a hit in the 1960s, though they’ve mostly fizzled out today.
9. Candy Cigarettes
The Controversial Playground Trend
Candy cigarettes were chalky, white sticks of sugar that looked just like real cigarettes. Kids pretended to puff on them before chomping down on the sweet treat, making them a hit in the 1970s and ‘80s.
The controversy around giving kids candy that imitated smoking eventually led to their decline, though they’re still available today in some places under new, less controversial names.
10. Lunchables Pizza
DIY Pizza for Lunch? Yes, Please!
Lunchables revolutionized school lunch in the 1990s, and the Pizza Lunchables were the crown jewel of the lineup. Instead of a traditional meal, kids got to assemble their own mini pizzas with cold dough, tomato sauce, and cheese.
Was it gourmet? Absolutely not. But the fun of building your own lunch made it an unforgettable part of 90s lunchtime nostalgia.
11. Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich
Elvis’s Favorite Sandwich Shows Up in Lunchboxes
A favorite of Elvis Presley, this sandwich combined creamy peanut butter and sliced bananas on white bread. Some parents even grilled it for extra flavor, making it sweet, gooey, and totally unique.
While not as common in lunchboxes today, this combo is still beloved by fans of quirky retro food.
12. Prune Whip
A Dessert That Left a Lasting Impression
Prune Whip was a wartime-era dessert that consisted of whipped prunes mixed with egg whites and sugar. It was light, airy, and sweet—though some kids probably weren’t thrilled to find it in their lunchbox.
It was a creative way to use up rations and still have a sweet treat. While it has disappeared from modern lunchboxes, it remains a curiosity for those interested in vintage desserts.
13. Jellied Eels
A Slippery Surprise in the Lunchroom
Popular in England, jellied eels were exactly what they sound like—chopped eel cooked in stock until it formed a gelatinous texture. Some kids might have loved them, while others probably traded their lunch the moment they saw them.
Though it was once a common snack, you’re unlikely to find jellied eels in any school lunchbox today!