Let’s be honest! Schools are underfunded and teachers sometimes dip into their pockets for classroom essentials. Ideas for a teacher survival kit are all about lightening the load.
Things that can help the teacher during the school year are perfect for the kit. And, it won’t hurt to add a couple extra items to navigate flu season and boo boo’s that come their way.
While you are here, be sure to stop by my other teacher gift posts for end of year gift ideas, teacher shirt options and even male teacher gifts.
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Why a survival kit beats a single gift
A mug or candle would definitely be appreciated but a survival kit goes beyond that. It says you see all the small stuff, expenses that add up for the teacher and you want to help.
From the pens that eventually run out, scissors that often go missing and the headache that creeps in before noon, curating a kit removes some of the mental load while saying we appreciate you.
Most of the picks below are budget friendly so you can pull it together yourself. Or join with a couple other parents or the room mom to cover all the bases for the classroom and the teacher.
Stay healthy supplies for the teacher survival kit
Teachers are on the front lines of flu season and just about any bug that’s making its way around. To keep them protected, sanitizer and multivitamins are my go-to options for any teacher survival kit.
1. Vitamins
Ask them which vitamins they typically use and sponsor their next bottle. Add in supplements they usually take too. This Olly women’s multivitamin gummy is a great option. It has the immunity boosting Vitamin C, D and zinc along with the ever-so-important B vitamins.
Emergen-C vitamin C is another awesome option. The teacher can keep the box in her desk and pull out one whenever she feels a tickle in her throat. There’s enough in here to last a few months.
2. Sanitizer
Sanitizer is a teacher’s best friend during flu season. You can find small bottles of scented hand sanitizer in just about every convenience store. There are tons of options including this Purell soothing gel one.
If sanitizing sprays are more the teacher’s vibe, I love the Touchland ones. They’re adorable and make great gifts.
Antibacterial wet wipes are another idea and, of course, the classic isopropyl alcohol is always a super option for disinfecting anything. Lysol sprays are good too.
3. First aid essentials
A survival kit and first aid kit should go hand in hand, right? This kit comes with lots of bandages, gauze, ointment, wipes and more. It’s great for small cuts and scrapes the teacher or students may get.
4. Supplements
What supplements are the teacher into? There are lots to choose from: magnesium, melatonin, collagen, turmeric, ashwagandha and more. My faves are Olly’s goodbye stress and elderberry gummies.
Self care supplies
Much like the immune boosting items, self care supplies are great in any teacher survival kit. I mean, after spending so much time in the classroom, teachers deserve down time to take care of themselves.
Here are a couple self care things they won’t necessarily get for themselves.
5. Lotion
Sanitizing can take its toll on the skin, so lotion is a must. This CeraVe daily moisturizing lotion is a dermatologist’s favorite and great for the kit. It is fragrance-free and packed with ceramides, which are so good for healing skin.
This eos shea better body one is also awesome. It’s non-greasy and yet still super hydrating.
And, I had to mention this Aquaphor healing ointment too. I have this one and the healing balm stick and, let me tell you, they’re so good for my dry skin. If the teacher battles dry cuticles, hands and feet, pop these into her kit.
6. Mini sets
Mini self care sets are also great little gifts for the survival kit. I am such a fan of this classic Burt’s Bees one that comes with everything a teacher needs for moisturized hands, feet and lips.
The e.l.f hydration travel set is also a wonderful addition to the teacher gift. This one comes with eye cream, night cream, cleanser and moisturizer.
Besides hydrating sets, you can also opt for face mask and spa bundles. If the teacher is into Korean beauty, she might really love this TonyMoly sheet mask set.
Otherwise, get this Nurture by Nature bundle that comes with bath salts, scrubs, pillow spray, soap and more.
Stationery essentials for the teacher survival kit
7. Pens
Pens somehow always go missing. So, stock the teacher up with a bunch of cheap, regular pens she can use, share and even misplace.
But, for her use only, these aesthetic gel pens are ones that’ll stay in her drawer and definitely keep track of. Of course, no stationery supplies kit would be complete without flair pens. All teachers love it!
And, don’t forget white out correction tape for any mistakes that need covering up.
8. Pencils and erasers
Pencils also vanish from the classroom at lightning speed. Stock the teacher with bulk packs of mechanical pencils like these BIC ones. They are sure to be used throughout the school year.
For a cuter pencil set that comes with 0.5mm and 0.7mm pencils, points and erasers, this Four Candies set is beautiful!
Regular erasers are also pretty good additions to any teacher survival kit. Staedtler erasers are classics.
9. Highlighters
Highlighters are important too! For classic, dependable ones, the BIC five pack is pretty hard to beat with their chisel tips.
But, for aesthetically pleasing, gorgeous highlighters, my favorite has always been the Mr. Pen pastel ones. They’re so pretty!
10. Everything set
Combining aesthetic and cute pens, pencils, points, erasers and highlighters together and you’ll get this beautiful everything set from Four Candies. It comes with its own case and a bunch of color variations to choose from. It really is something special for the teacher survival kit.
11. Notebooks and planners
Teachers adore notebooks and could never have too many. Academic planners are also pretty important for staying organized in the classroom. I’m a great fan of the notebooks from Paperage.
And, when it comes to academic planners, I think this one is so, so beautiful. It’s great for planning weekly lessons, tracking grades, and more.
12. Paper supplies
Notepads and sticky notes are also practical additions for the survival kit. Post-its are classics for sure. And, well, the teacher could always do with a couple more notepads.
13. Markers
When it comes to markers, you can opt for getting Sharpies and whiteboard markers. These are pretty practical for the classroom and sure to be used.
For special side projects and for creative teachers, acrylic paint markers are delightful ones to get. They can surely use them to decorate student gift bags, classroom corners and even mini classroom props.
Fix it, stick it supplies
Every teacher needs adhesives for putting up decorations, educational posters or homework. And, sometimes they can run out!
14. Hooks, tape and glue
Command hanging strips are my #1 pick for any teacher survival kit. Double sided mounting tape and scotch tape work too! They skip the need for nails and permanent hanging solutions while still ensuring the room can be decorated beautifully. The teacher can use them for posters, charts, and student art work. It’s definitely a must-have in the survival kit.
Glue is also pretty important. A tube of Gorilla super glue can save broken frames, containers, sharpeners and the occasional shoe heel emergency. As for regular glue, Elmer’s purple one is pretty cool. It goes on purple but dries clear. It’s fun for the class, for sure!
15. Scissors
A couple pairs of good multipurpose scissors are things a teacher absolutely needs. She can use them for just about everything from cutting tape, ribbon, banners, and cut outs for posters.
Keeping things organized
16. Labels!
For keeping things organized, a label maker is certainly a personalization tool the teacher can use for bins, binders, file folders, student supplies, and books. This one is awesome and prints from the phone.
17. Desk organizers
Plastic containers like these are great desk organizers to group pens, sticky notes, and small stationery supplies together. The clear bins keep things orderly and the teacher can see everything at a glance.
Classroom rewards
18. Stamps
Self inking stamps with great phrases like ‘great work’ are fun rewards for students while taking a little writing load off the teachers. These are sweet and awesome for the kit.
19. Stickers
Like stamps, stickers make excellent rewards for students in the classroom. And, well, teachers can never have too many stickers, right? They’re great when correcting homework, for sticker charts or just to say ‘you’re doing great kid!’
Appreciation sets
20. Simple tumbler set
How does a set that comes with fuzzy socks, tumbler and a makeup bag with the actual words ‘teacher survival kit’ on it sound? It’s cute, it’s fun and certainly has functional gifts the teacher can use.
21. For the religious teachers
Some teachers have the patience of saints. For those sweet teachers, consider getting this Bible verse jar. It has wonderful cards with scriptures that are sure to inspire and encourage the teacher. She can keep them in class or take them home to enjoy reading every evening after school.
Those are my ideas for things to include in a teacher’s survival kit. What would you add? Let me know in the comments below.
Also, if you enjoy gifting teachers, stop by these posts for male teacher gifts, preschool teacher ones and even teacher retirement gift ideas.
