Let’s Make DIY Locker Survival Kits Because There’s Already Enough Drama in Middle School
Hi, Hip2Savers! It’s Cassandra, one of Collin’s sidekicks!
If you have kiddos in middle school or high school, you’re probably all too familiar with the super-specific and seemingly endless school supply lists. I mean, when you wistfully envisioned your future before having kids, did you ever think it would require this many binders?
Last month, my youngest started her second year of middle school, which meant seven classes and seven different supply lists. As I walked the aisles of Target looking for everything she needed (and wine) it dawned on me that there may be a whole assortment of things she might need that aren’t on any list. And frankly, your kiddos may need them, too.
I’m about to take it way back. Join me, won’t you?
Remember the days when you could reach into your jean purse hung on the corner of your desk chair and rifle through your collection of useless but adorable Lisa Frank erasers that you blew your Book Fair money on until you found your Dr. Pepper Lip Smackers, your favorite Scrunchie, or whatever random thing you needed? Good times.
No more, my friends.
No bags of any kind are allowed in middle and high school classes in lots of schools around the country. So I thought, why not make my mini-me a spiffy little kit full of things she might need during the year? Things I could have used looking back many… many years ago to when I was in middle school.
While I can’t claim credit for this idea, I did go ahead and put together a few different locker kits aka “school survival kits” to give you an idea of how easily you could throw one together for your own kiddos. Keep in mind that what is allowed in lockers will vary from school to school, so it’s a good idea to check before you get started.
Find a container and fill it with stuff. Yep, it’s that easy…
Firstly, my kiddo’s actual locker kit consists of two bags. One is for her might-needs, and one for unexpected visits from Aunt Flo (I think all of us gals can relate to being that age and stressing over that). I wanted her to have some peace of mind just in case (or to be able to be the “shero” should one of her friends find herself in that situation).
Aside from a heating pad and a foot massage, that little bag contains everything she would need… just in case.
Both of the bags were just extra cosmetics bags I wasn’t using. I also grabbed her some nifty locker shelves to keep things organized.
Can we all take a minute to appreciate the fact that Caboodles are back? My inner 80s kid might have had a cow-amundo when I saw these at Target. The smaller ones are just the right size for storing a few odds and ends.
Obviously, you won’t want to cram yours as full as this one. 😉
Did you get your Birchbox this month? Use it!
Yeah, girl, reuse the actual box! It’s the perfect size for storing a few things in a locker. Not familiar? For just $10 each month, Birchbox sends you five hand-picked beauty samples tailored to your personal style and skin type based on a profile you fill out. I definitely prefer it to Ipsy.
Note that the items shown were not included in my Birchbox. They were scrounged out of my purse and bathroom drawers.
We need to talk about that compact.
I ♥ my It’s My Cushion compact. I use it to customize and apply my foundation, but it can also be used for sunscreen or moisturizer for easy, no-mess application. It’s perfect for quick makeup touch-ups (like between classes).
AND, if your breath needs freshening or you feel a cold coming on, Uncle Harry’s Breath Freshener Spray has you covered. It’s made from only natural ingredients and helps with digestive issues, cleans your mouth, and will get rid of a sore throat in no time. Just spray, swish, swallow and you’re good to go! This stuff is ALWAYS in my purse.
One person’s trash is another person’s locker kit!
I’d be willing to bet you probably have an extra pencil box laying around. Don’t toss it! Let your kiddo decorate it with some cute washi tape, toss in a few items, and you’re good to go!
These are so quick, easy, and inexpensive to put together. You can shop your house for odds and ends, hit the Dollar Tree, the travel section of your local Target, or snag items online in your p-jams – because why put on pants if we don’t have to?
Prefer to shop from home? Here are a few items to snag online…
- Shout Wipe & Go 12ct Stain Removing Wipes – Walmart.com or Target.com
- Tide To Go Stain Remover Pen – Walmart.com or Target.com
- Hand Sanitizer
- Small First Aid Kit
- Travel-sized deodorant
- Travel-sized hair care products
- Lotion
- Floss
- Hair ties
- Tissues
- Gum
- Nail Clippers/ Nail files
- Pain Relievers
- Body Spray
Additional Items:
- Emergency Contact list
- Phone charger
- Cash
-
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No bags are allowed!? What!? I’ve never heard of such a thing.
My kids are 20 and 24. We lived in two states during their school years and they didn’t allow bags. My nieces and nephews in two separate states now are not allowed bags or purses at school. In fact, some schools are doing away with lockers completely. With a classroom set of books or electronic devices for students, lockers are really no longer needed.
When my kids attended a Catholic elementary school in WI, it was an old school, so it had lockers, but no locks. Middle school was a newer charter school in another state, no lockers. They just put their stuff and bags in the classroom or outside the classroom. High school was a brand new school, no lockers at all. I think it’s a safety issue.
Our middle school allows backpacks, but they stay in the lockers during the day. They are only allowed to carry around the folders, books and binders from class to class. It’s the norm around here.
I know, Taylor S. It’s kind of crazy. Students can keep bags in their lockers but they’re banned from classrooms. This is her 2nd year so she’s used to it but it was definitely a change from elementary school and took some getting used to – especially with seven classes.
What a great idea!!
Thank you, christinaz!
Cute idea but please check with what is allowed at you child’s school. The majority of the items pictured here are against our schools policy to bring to school or have in your locker.
Yes no cough drops allowed at some schools.
Our schools wouldn’t allow the cough drops, any type of aerosol, no hair products, eye drops, food of any kind, makeup, hand sanitizer, etc. Our lockers are strictly for jackets and books.
Especially the pain relievers, and don’t share. I can imagine drug charges nowadays.
Totally agree! The majority of these items aren’t allowed in my daughter’s middle school.
Hi Amy! Great idea. The majority of the items pictured in the post are still allowed at my daughter’s school (even the cough drops). But like you suggested, I would recommend finding out what is and isn’t allowed at your kiddos’ school before you tackle this project since rules can vary by district.
Girls in middle school on up are likely getting their periods, so I’d include a sanitary napkin and/or tampon and possibly a pair of panties.
Yes! And 5th or 6th grade girls get periods too! That’s when I got mine. There is nothing more mortifying than having a period-related accident at school or a social setting. Always be prepared! Pads pads pads! Or tampons.
This is so cute! I’ve been meaning to make one for my nieces and nephews.
I’m not too surprised about no bags, when I was in college a decade ago, I noticed backpacks weren’t in classrooms (at least in San Diego elementary schools). Bags were on hooks outside the room
I did the exact same thing just a few days ago with the pencil box for my desk at work when prepping for the hurricane. btw… no lockers at all in my kids schools.
I guess they can’t ban bags here in South Florida since we barely have lockers! At my local high school of about 2500, there are 500 for sophomores and up. Middle schools don’t have any at all.
Wowza! That’s a lot of students! That no-locker situation stinks.
I totally get the idea of doing away w/ backpacks these days, but I don’t understand why schools would get rid of lockers too. Where else are students storing their books, gym clothes, outerwear, any instruments that they might play, their wallets, and other personal items?
I work in a high school with 1500 kids (10-12) and nope no cough drops or any OTC meds. Kids have literally been suspended for carrying those items. We do have lockers but students can still carry backpacks because our school is so big and kids don’t have time to go to lockers between classes.
FYI, right now, Walmart has pencil boxes for 10¢.
Nice! Thanks for sharing!
Maybe it was just my school, but the only reason a high schooler ever needed Visine was to get rid of red eyes after smoking pot. I hadn’t thought of that in AGES until I saw the Visine in these locker kits. LOL!!!
Uh oh, LOL! I used to use it when my allergies were acting up in school or I didn’t get enough sleep but it’s probably not allowed in a lot of schools for that very reason. 😀
I’m in Pearland, Tx just outside of Houston & our kids do not have lockers in JrHi or HS. They never have & our 3rd HS is just 3 yrs old & jHi opened this yr. it stinks bc the kids backpacks are so heavy bc they bring books, folders, comp books & tablets to school for class work. If in band, u drop off instrument in am. Gym clothes stay w/u R n a gym locker which my kids won’t use. Coats are carried all day as is lunch kit. It’s nuts bc they are loaded down & traveling in the crowded halls makes it worse. It’s been fought but parents never win!
I think putting a kit together like this is a great idea for the car, especially if you drive a lot or long distances. I aleways remember to throw a few things in my console, but can never remember everything and always wish I had something I didn’t think about, so Thanks!
Yep, in our city in So Cal no bags are allowed but it is mandated that the schools supply feminine hygiene products in all public schools.