Parents of boys know one thing for sure: you must always check your son's pockets before doing his laundry. Why, you ask? Well, little boys love to shove just about anything and everything deep into their pockets — and nothing ruins a good clean load of laundry like a melted Chapstick or loose piece of gum. I have no idea why our young men love to keep such random treasures in their pockets, but it's just another one of the many joys of raising boys [1]. So take a look at some of the crazy stuff these mamas found in their kiddos' pockets.
Source: Shutterstock [2]
The Big Rock Pocket
Every mom-of-a-boy's rite of passage: the day she finds the first rock in his pocket.
Source: Instagram user ohmygwad [3]
The Acorn Collector's Pocket
He's got the acorn collection off to a good start. Can't really say the same for his earplug collection . . .
Source: Instagram user carissaalgea [4]
The Snake Bones Pocket
Yup, snake bones.
Source: Instagram user janielavo [5]
The I Spy Pocket
I spy with my little eye: corn.
Source: Instagram user minalovesbows [6]
The Leftovers Pocket
Let's hope that juice box was empty.
Source: Instagram user mommabar27 [7]
The Heavy Metal Pocket
Son, is that a wrench in your pocket, or . . . oh yeah, it is. OK, phew.
Source: Instagram user bedlamgurrl [8]
The Trashy Pocket
It looks like someone just obliterated a serious candy stash.
Source: Instagram user tiffanygjackson [9]
The Chapstick Pocket
Thank goodness the cherry lip balm was found before it hit the dryer.
Source: Instagram user mysoulfly [10]
The Glow-in-the-Dark Pocket
Honestly, that old key is pretty sweet. I probably would have pocketed it too!
Source: Instagram user mekaismom [11]
The A Little Bit of Everything Pocket
This boy took the phrase "finders, keepers" to a whole new level.
Source: Instagram user jacelyn305 [12]
The Colorful Pocket
Or maybe he thought the term was finders, keypers.
Source: Instagram user blairswest [13]
The Au Naturel Pocket
I'd love to know what he was planning on doing with that stuff.
Source: Instagram user jacksonink [14]
The He's-So-Grounded Pocket
Someone's got some explaining to do!
Source: Instagram user mybrileybunch [15]
The Shark Tooth Pocket
Where on earth would he even find a shark tooth?
Source: Instagram user jonesjodi [16]
The Emergency Preparedness Pocket
When disaster strikes, this kid is ready.
Source: Instagram user dora_et_al [17]
The Backpack Pocket
"This was in my son's backpack. I have now come to the conclusion my son is a clepto.... I know somewhere in his school there are desks being held together by chewing gum and sheer will power."
Source: Instagram user kchenna [18]
The Marbled Pockets
I'm beginning to notice a theme; almost all boys' pockets have a round object, something from nature, and at least one piece of trash.
Source: Instagram user rubyinthedustnz [19]
The Generous Pocket
"The hair clip he said was a gift for me."
Source: Instagram user skobel85 [20]
The Stick Pocket
When a boy finds a good stick, he holds onto it.
Source: Instagram user ruralpearl [21]
The Suspicious Catapult Pocket
I have a suspicion that someone got nailed with that Lego.
Source: Instagram user radianthomestudio [22]
The Happy Birthday Pocket
And he hasn't even had any birthday parties lately.
Source: Instagram user cvlaovich [23]
The Never-Ending Pocket
This kid has pocket-stuffing skills.
Source: Instagram user ambercamp [24]
The Balloon Pocket
Four balloons and one and a half bats. Not too shabby.
Source: Instagram user bondgirlbeth [25]
The Army Men Pocket
A mom never forgets her first time washing a load of her son's army men.
Source: Instagram user bexpics [26]
The Rocky Road Pocket
This boy has really upped the rock ante with his pocket full of treasures.
Source: Instagram user sybrowsky [27]
The Perfect Pocket
A feather, cards, a dinosaur, a balloon. This is what dreams are made of.
Source: Instagram user nanahuchy [28]
The Wocket Pocket
I have idea what a Wocket is, but I'm pretty sure it's in this kid's pocket.
Source: Instagram user akotnour [29]