Make a College Survival Kit with Affordable Essentials from Dollar Tree (Easy Gift Idea!)

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Looking for college survival kit ideas? Make your own to send them back to school with all the essentials!

hand holding a paper with college survival kit

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.

woman sitting on college dorm bed

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 aconlineplish at any price point!

Supplies on counter for basket fillers

Make a super affordable college survival kit from Dollar Tree!

When it onlinees 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.online for personal care, cleaning supplies, snacks, and more in bulk.

A DIY College Survival Kit spread out on a kitchen counter

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.)

close up of green basket with college supplies inside and inspirational note

Hand holding card with college survival kit gift needed items


DIY College Survival Kit

Print

Supplies Needed

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.


a college gift basket tied up with a 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!


About the writer:

Lina has a Bachelor's Degree from Northern Arizona University with 11 years of blogging and photography experience having work featured in Today.online, Martha Stewart, Country Living, Fox News, Buzzfeed, and HGTV.


Join The Discussion

onlinements 4

  1. kmark

    I did this and itโ€™s allwayssss a hit!!

  2. acgold

    Since I first onlinemented, 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 onlineputers, ziplock bags to hold some valuables, body wipes. All in case the power goes out- which it has.

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Ohhh yes great ideas! Especially the charger packs. Thank you for sharing these.

  3. Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

    Oh I love this!! Thanks for sharing Justina. What a great gift!

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