Make a College Survival Kit With Dollar Tree Items (Easy First Day of College Gift!)
Looking for college survival kit ideas? Make your own to send them back to school with all the essentials!
Looking for college survival kit ideas? Make a frugal and useful basket using snacks and other practical items from Dollar Tree!
Consider making this fun DIY College Survival Kit gift basket and then attaching our free printable card! I went to Dollar Tree for filler items. The goal is to create a simple college gift basket with items you think your recipient will both need and love.
I remember how bummed I was in college to have to spend and budget for essentials like soap, detergent, toothpaste, and batteries for the first time. My freshman college roommate received a college gift basket like this, and I remember being kind of jealous at the time! 😂
This is such an exciting time in a young person’s life, and receiving a thoughtful gift like this is special and also easy to accomplish at any price point!
Make a super affordable college survival kit from Dollar Tree!
When it comes to college gift baskets, Dollar Tree can help you make one cheap! This store has inexpensive snacks and practical items to fill a gift basket for college students, including large baskets to use as containers! I scored everything pictured below at Dollar Tree for about $13!
Hip Tip: If you want to make multiple graduation gift baskets and need ideas, consider shopping DollarTree.com for personal care, cleaning supplies, snacks, and more in bulk.
Here are some fun college survival kit ideas to consider:
-
- Flip flops (for shower shoes)
- Earplugs
- Sleeping masks
- Laundry detergent
- Dryer sheets
- Laundry basket
- Laundry bags
- Hangers
- Snack foods (ex. Ramen noodles, microwave popcorn, etc.)
- Shower gel
- Loofah
- Coffee mugs and/or cups
- Instant coffee
- Hand soap
- Hand sanitizer
- Personal care items (ex. deodorant, toothpaste, etc.)
- Handheld tools
- Flashlight
- Charger
- Can opener
- Batteries
- First Aid kit (antibacterial gel, bandages, pain reliever, etc.)
DIY College Survival Kit
PrintSupplies Needed
- Free printable card
- Small laundry basket
- Tape and ribbon
- Collection of gift basket fillers
- Clear cellophane wrap
Directions
1
Print the card and attach it to the basket using tape.
2
Fill the basket with all your goodies.
3
Cover the basket with clear cellophane and attach a bow or ribbon.
This is such a thoughtful and practical college gift idea!
Other than gift cards or cash, I honestly struggle with what to give as graduation gifts. College gift baskets don’t have to cost much as they can mean so much to someone that you thought enough of them to hand-pick every item in a large basket like this!
For more college survival kit ideas, try adding in items from our dorm room essentials checklist!
I did this and it’s allwayssss a hit!!
Since I first commented, I have added a few other things, since the weather has been crazy where some of the kids go to school. A flashlight with batteries ( better than the one on the phone), fully charged power packs for their phones or computers, ziplock bags to hold some valuables, body wipes. All in case the power goes out- which it has.
Ohhh yes great ideas! Especially the charger packs. Thank you for sharing these.