Heading back to school can rattle even the most confident kid. This easy Back to School Survival Kit turns a handful of small, inexpensive items into a thoughtful gift that says, “you’ve got this” without making a big production out of it.
Tuck everything into a sandwich bag or small gift bag, add the printable topper, and you have a cheerful little sendoff for the student in your life. It works well for first-day jitters, a new classroom, or that awkward “I don’t know anyone yet” stage that kids pretend doesn’t bother them.
What You’ll Need
Collect each of the following items and tuck them into a baggie or small gift bag. The charm is in the message, not the price tag, which is nice because school supply season already does enough damage to a wallet.
- Band Aid to remind you that feelings get hurt easily
- Chocolate Hug to comfort you when you are feeling sad or alone
- Cotton Ball to remind you that the classroom is full of kind words and warm comfortable feelings
- Eraser to remind you that everyone makes mistakes and this is okay
- Fruit by the Foot to remind you to put your best “foot” forward
- Almond Joy candy bar because we hope this year brings you great joy
- Lollipop to remind you that you can “lick” any problem that comes your way
- Ribbon to remind you that friendship ties our hearts together
- Paperclip to help you “hold it all together”
- Pencil to let you know that we think you’re sharp
- Smarties to remind you to boost your brain power
- Sponge to remind you to soak it all in
- Starburst candy to remind you that you are always a star in class and everyone shines in their own way
- Sticker to remind you that the class sticks together and helps each other
- Tissue to remind you to help dry someone’s tears
- Toothpick to remind you to pick out the good things in your classmates and yourself
If you’re making several at once, line everything up assembly-line style first. It goes much faster, and you won’t be digging through a pile of ribbon and loose candy like you’re searching for buried treasure in a junk drawer.
For kids who feel anxious about the first week, a steady routine and a little reassurance go a long way. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that many children get nervous about new classrooms and recommends practicing routines ahead of time in these back-to-school tips for families, which fits this gift perfectly.
Printable Topper
Print the topper, trim it neatly, and staple or tape it over the top of the bag. That one little step makes the kit look finished instead of looking like you swept random things off the counter into a sandwich bag. Presentation matters, even when the budget is behaving itself.
Free Printable Topper:
How to Assemble It
- Gather all 16 items, plus a sandwich bag or small gift bag, tape or staples, and the printed topper.
- Place one of each item into the bag, arranging taller items like the pencil toward the back so the kit sits neatly.
- Print or handwrite the item meanings if you want the child to read through them one by one.
- Fold the top of the bag over once to keep everything snug.
- Attach the printable topper to the folded edge with tape or staples.
- Give the kit to a student before the first day of school, at orientation, or tuck it into a backpack for a surprise.
If you’re pairing this with another small gift, tuck in a note card or add it to a lunchbox on the first day. For older students, keep the same idea but swap the kid-style baggie for a plain pencil pouch so it feels less cutesy and more useful.
Helpful Tips
- Use lightweight items. This kit works best when everything fits in a sandwich bag without tearing it open.
- Keep candy sealed. Individually wrapped pieces stay cleaner and hold up better if the kit sits for a few days.
- Choose age-appropriate items. Very young children may need larger, safer swaps for small items like paperclips or toothpicks.
- Print extra toppers. One always seems to smudge, vanish, or get cut crooked at the worst possible moment.
If you enjoy these thoughtful little themed gifts, you might also like the Teacher’s Survival Kit or the College Freshman’s Survival Kit for the same cheerful idea in a different season of life.
Gift Variations
You can adapt this kit without losing the point of it. For a classroom handout, skip bulky pieces and use flatter items that fit inside treat bags. For a tween or teen, trade a few playful candies for practical school extras like a highlighter, sticky notes, or gum if that’s allowed.
If you’re making one for a child who doesn’t eat nuts, swap the Almond Joy for another individually wrapped candy bar and keep the same sentiment about hoping the year brings joy. The message still lands, and nobody needs a surprise allergy situation on day one.
Want a similar idea for another milestone? The Graduation Survival Kit uses the same simple formula for a different celebration.
Storage and Make-Ahead
Once assembled, store the kit in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. For the best texture and appearance, use it within 2 to 4 weeks. That’s a practical estimate based on the mixed candy, paper goods, and craft items in the bag. Heat and humidity are the two usual troublemakers here.
If you’re making kits ahead for a class, keep the candy sealed in its original packages until assembly day, then build the bags a day or two before you need them. That helps prevent sticky wrappers, crushed tissue, and that tired-looking “I made this three weeks ago and regretted it” vibe.
Skip the refrigerator. Condensation does none of these items any favors, and nobody wants a damp cotton ball with a sweaty chocolate hug tucked beside it.
🛒 Walmart Grocery List
- Adhesive Bandages, 20 count
- Hershey’s Hugs Candy, 10.6 oz
- Cotton Balls, 100 count
- Pink Pearl Erasers, 3 count
- Fruit by the Foot, 6 count
- Almond Joy Candy Bar, 3.22 oz
- Dum Dums Lollipops, 8.4 oz
- Curling Ribbon, 500 yards
- Paper Clips, 100 count
- No. 2 Pencils, 10 count
- Smarties Candy Rolls, 1 lb
- Household Sponge, 1 each
- Starburst Candy, 2.07 oz
- Reward Sticker Book, 700 count
- Pocket Tissues, 8 packs
- Toothpicks, 250 count
Not sure exactly what this batch costs you per serving? Here’s how to break down the real cost of any recipe so you know before you shop.
Frequently Asked Questions about Back to School Survival Kit
It works best for elementary-age kids, but you can easily tweak it for older students. Younger children usually enjoy the playful candy-and-message format, while tweens and teens tend to like a toned-down version with a pencil pouch, practical supplies, and fewer tiny trinkets.
Absolutely, and you should if the child or classroom has nut restrictions. Swap the Almond Joy for another individually wrapped candy and keep the same sentiment about hoping the year brings joy, because the message matters more than the exact candy bar.
A day or two ahead is ideal if you want everything to look crisp and neat. You can prep the nonfood items earlier, but wait to assemble the full bags until shortly before gifting so the tissue stays tidy and the chocolate doesn’t soften or scuff.
A sandwich bag works well for a flat, simple version, and a small cellophane treat bag looks a bit dressier. If you’re using a topper, choose a bag with enough room at the top to fold over once without crushing the items inside.
No, but the kit feels more complete when it includes a good mix of candy, school supplies, and soft little comfort items. If you need to trim it down, keep at least 8 to 10 pieces so it still reads like a thoughtful survival kit instead of a lonely pencil with commitment issues.
Store the assembled kit in a cool, dry spot and keep it out of direct sun or a hot car. Chocolate and chewy candy both go downhill fast in heat, so if you’re delivering these in August, bring them inside as soon as you arrive instead of leaving them in the back seat.
You can, and assembly-line prep makes it much easier. Lay out all 16 items in rows, fill every bag with one item at a time, then add the toppers last so you’re not stopping to fold and staple after every single bag.
The paperclip, toothpick, and small hard candies deserve the most caution. For preschoolers or any child who still mouths nonfood items, swap those for larger age-appropriate pieces so the kit stays sweet and doesn’t turn into a safety lecture.
Definitely. A handwritten tag works just fine, especially if you’re making only one or two kits, and it lets you shorten or personalize the item messages without changing the basic idea.
A simple note in the lunchbox, a new book, or a fresh set of school supplies all pair nicely without overdoing it. This kit already covers the encouragement piece, so a small practical extra is usually more useful than piling on more candy.
📌 Love this Back to School Survival Kit? Pin it!
Did you make this recipe? Did you put your own spin on this survival kit? Drop a comment and share what you tucked inside so other readers can borrow your best ideas.
🖨️ Print-Friendly Back to School Survival Kit
Back to School Survival Kit
Equipment
Materials
- 1 Band Aid
- 1 Chocolate Hug
- 1 Cotton Ball
- 1 Eraser
- 1 Fruit by the Foot
- 1 Almond Joy candy bar
- 1 Lollipop
- 1 piece Ribbon
- 1 Paperclip
- 1 Pencil
- 1 Smarties roll
- 1 small Sponge
- 1 Starburst candy pack
- 1 Sticker
- 1 Tissue
- 1 Toothpick
- 1 printable topper
Instructions
- Gather all 16 items, a small bag, and the printed topper.
- Place one of each item into the bag, arranging the taller pieces toward the back.
- Add the printed explanation or topper message.
- Fold the top of the bag over once.
- Tape or staple the printable topper to the bag.
- Gift to a student before the first day of school.
Notes
Estimated cost is based on current retail package pricing and the portion of each package used for one kit. Prices vary by store and date.
For best quality, store assembled kits in a cool, dry place and use within 2 to 4 weeks.
cute idea, thanks for sharing!
the link for the “print contents (4×6 size)” at https://www.budget101.com/survival/school.pdf
does not work.
You have to download it from the Downloads Section: Survival Kits:
Survival Kits – Downloads – Budget101.com
You can print the contents using the Print Button:
i love this idea !! i have school age kids and a college student and i plan to make this for all of them …
this is such an amazing idea, especially when a child moves to a new school and is scared. i have school age kids and a college student and i plan to use this for all of them this year.. thanks for the ideas
love it!! i think i am going to do this for my daughter who’s going off to college…. 🙂
you might want to use the Freshman College Survival Kit instead: Budget101.com – – College Freshman’s Survival Kit
in my area, local businesses “adopt” local schools and classrooms with a stuff the bus collection. people donate things to be provided to local schools.
my sister is a 3rd grade teacher. I am adopting her class room this year and hope to send little gifts throughout the year.
This will be a perfect way to start the school year.
what a cute idea! i hope to get these made and tuck them into their backpacks on the first day of school, which is wednesday. gotta get busy!