Video Games
This massive, free-to-play battle royale game remains a giant in 2026, known for its changing seasons, live concerts, and pop-culture skins.
What is Fortnite?
If you do something super cool or smooth, you are said to have gained a massive amount of this legendary "energy."
What is Aura?
The ultimate footwear choice in 2026, often worn with socks and heavily customized with little plastic charms.
What are Crocs?
When asked what they want to be when they grow up, this modern digital career path is officially the #1 choice for Gen Alpha kids.
What is a YouTuber (or Content Creator/Streamer)?
This live-action Netflix series about a creepy, kooky, and gothic daughter attending Nevermore Academy remains a massive favorite as fans eagerly await its newest episodes.
What is Wednesday?
This classic block-building game teamed up with McDonald’s this year for a massive "Happy Meal" collaboration to celebrate its upcoming theatrical movie.
What is Minecraft?
When a teacher tells the class to stop goofing off and pay intense attention, they will tell everyone to do this two-word phrase.
What is to "Lock in"?
The specific name for the small, pop-in charms used to decorate the holes of your foam clogs.
What are Jibbitz?
This iconic, spinning plastic toy—which was banned by teachers in elementary school back in 2016—officially turned 10 years old this year.
What is a Fidget Spinner?
This animated Disney/Pixar sequel became an absolute powerhouse by introducing a chaotic, orange, frizzy-haired new emotion named Anxiety to Riley's brain.
What is Inside Out 2?
A legendary pink Nintendo character who made waves in 3D gaming by using "Mouthful Mode" to inhale cars and vending machines.
Who is Kirby?
This is the collective phrase 6th graders actually use to describe their own hyper-fast internet humor and repeated TikTok jokes.
What is Brain Rot?
To show off your personality, it is a massive trend to cover your giant metal water bottle or laptops in these vinyl items.
What are stickers?
Thanks to TikTok audio trends, 6th graders are suddenly obsessed with older rock bands like Deftones and Korn because they use these "old school" objects to make music.
What are real instruments?
This insanely popular indie animated YouTube series about a group of colorful, sentient objects competing for a prize island is a staple of 6th-grade internet culture.
What is BFDI (Battle for Dream Island)?
This classic, fast-paced mobile runner game took over the lunchroom this year after launching a highly competitive live multiplayer mode.
What is Subway Surfers?
If a 6th grader tells you that your shoes are "cooked," they mean your shoes are in this condition.
What is ruined, bad, or out of style?
This 90s vintage clothing aesthetic—featuring baggy tracksuits, dark colors, and heavy skate shoes—is making a massive comeback with 2026 middle schoolers.
What is Nu-Metal (or Grunge/Skater) fashion?
This incredibly popular DIY goop made of glue and borax started as a 2016 trend but remains a multi-million dollar online industry for ASMR videos in 2026.
What is Slime?
This hit animated show features a teenage boy named Mark Grayson who inherits superpowers from his alien father, Omni-Man—a show that launched a million internet memes.
What is Invincible?
Even though it’s rated M, this upcoming, highly anticipated Rockstar game set in "Leonida" is the #1 gaming topic 6th graders talk about at lunch.
What is GTA 6?
This popular internet slang word means you are acting "sus" or weird, but it is also the literal name of an adorable Sanrio character who wears a black jester hat.
Who is Kuromi?
These collectible card items, originally huge in the late 90s and 2010s, have made a massive comeback for trading at 2026 recess.
What are Pokemon Cards?
This specific genre of heavy-bass, atmospheric internet music (combining rap and video game beats) has fully broken into the mainstream 6th-grade playlist.
What is PluggnB (or Phonk)?
6th graders love this viral, brightly-colored indie horror game and animated series set in a twisted digital circus hosted by a floating teeth-and-eyeballs ringmaster named Caine.
What is The Amazing Digital Circus?