Walking through the halls, students can spot a variety of colorful bookbags. Bluey, Spongebob, and Paw Patrol adorn the backs of students. This isn’t a peculiar sight in kindergarten, but this is the newest trend sweeping the senior class at Merrillville High School.

“Every year, the seniors get kiddie book bags,” Kayla Newbern, a senior, explained, showing off her Disney princess bag.

In 2024, the idea exploded in popularity. Having been done for years in small communities, the trend was recently popularized on TikTok. 

“It’s all over TikTok. So it’s people- not just here- at other schools are doing it too.” Kayla said. “It’s just something seniors really do.”

Throughout Merrillville High School’s halls, you can find a variety of kiddish book bags. Cartoons, video games, and classic Disney and Pixar movies are popular choices.

Companies like Simple Modern produce a variety of bags in sizes that accommodate young adults. Other companies like Sprayground offer slightly more mature crossovers with Spongebob Squarepants, Mr. Monopoly and Cookie Monster.

“I’ve seen very cool bookbags. Someone had Cookie Monster, others had like Sophia the First,” Senior Suri Henley said.

The appearance of the nostalgic bags is seen as a symbol for students’ educational journey.

“The book bag represents how far you came,” Chaiyane Greenwood, a senior, said. “I like Fairly Odd Parents. I watched it when I was younger and it’s bringing back memories.”

Suri said that the bags reminded her of when she first started school.

“I chose Minnie Mouse for pre-school so that’s why I did Minnie Mouse for senior year,” Suri said.

Additionally to the nostalgic factor, people are being brought closer together by joining in with their friends.

“Almost all of the seniors do it but me and my best friend did it together. We have the same one,” Chaiyane said.