What started off as a sentimental tradition as a way to reminisce about childhood nostalgia has now become another show-off contest when it comes to clout chasing for popularity online. As Gen Z teens try to search for the unique designs to show off, the prices can become increasingly disconnected from what the backpacks originally cost. Backpacks with these cartoon characters: Shopkins, Barbies, Strawberry Shortcake, Lalaloopsy and Monster High, are appearing for sale on TikTok, Depop, eBay and other platforms, with some listings reaching up to hundreds of dollars. All these screenshots from TikTok posts just show just how expensive the outrageous sale prices were increasingly in August 2026.

A TikTok posted on August 23 shows a Lalaloopsy backpack listed on Depop for $475.19, accompanied by text joking about how these sellers are charging basically “1 billion dollars.” For a 10-12 inch backpack originally targeted for an average kindergartener being listed for nearly $500 now is appalling . In previous years, similar children’s backpacks as such would typically be found for $30 or less, showing how the viral backpack trend is causing more room for consumerism at an all time high for the starting high school year. 

Another post shows a Shopkins backpack being offered for $60 as a “cute senior backpack.” The other two screenshots show Monster High and Lalaloopsy backpacks being advertised approximately between $63-$330. 

Although it’s not determined whether these users ultimately purchased the backpack for those prices. This is still important to consider when examining how much the trend is truly driving the resale market. Raising the question: why are people willing to pay so much for a kid backpack? A backpack’s main purpose is for storing books, chromebooks and other school supplies, but social media’s popularity have given these bags an entirely different value. Over the summer, many teens who want the specific cartoon backpack may be more willing to pay significantly more because the item is being showcased as rare or it may be the best "bargain" they can get as September approaches.  

The demand for finding the most unique character can also create pressure for parents. Families potentially paying $60- $200 or even more for a toddler-fitting backpack are far different when comparing a purchase for a typical high-school backpack. Households with multiple children, spending hundreds of dollars on a trendy senior backpack can become an even bigger financial risk. The issue is less about whether a student wants a particular backpack and more about how much one is willing to spend in order to keep up with a trend.

Big corporations (Amazon, Walmart, Target, etc) and resellers also contribute to the high demand of consumerism with their marketing strategies. When a product suddenly becomes popular, scarcity can make it more valuable in the eyes of consumers. These corporations and resellers can list the “rare” or “vintage” backpacks purposefully at significantly higher prices, benefiting from the profit when these purchases are being done. Constantly buying new products to participate in short-lived trends contributes to a larger culture of consumption. A backpack that is still perfectly usable may be replaced simply because another design has become more popular online. When trends eventually disappear, some of these purchases could end up sitting unused, being resold or eventually becoming waste.

The viral senior backpack trend may look harmless through a phone screen, but the prices tell a different story. What was once a basic school supply has become a nostalgic status symbol, with some consumers willing to pay hundreds of dollars to own one. The question is not simply why seniors want these backpacks, but how social media transformed something sitting in a closet from a childhood memory into something people are willing to spend hundreds of dollars to obtain.