55 Fun Teacher Survival Kit Gift Ideas (+Free Printable) 2025
It’s an understatement to say that teachers work hard. Every day, they cultivate a safe, positive learning environment, plan lessons, and attend countless meetings.
I taught in the elementary classroom for 12 years.
And it’s not a job for the faint of heart.
So, we are searching for ways to lift teachers up and thank them for pouring into the lives of our kids. How can we help our teachers prepare for the new school year? Use these ideas to make a DIY teacher survival kit gift that blesses your kiddo’s teacher year round.
*Also, grab the free teacher survival kit printable tag at the bottom to add to your gift!
This post contains affiliate links, and we may earn a commission at no cost to you. See our disclaimer for more.
Would you like to save this idea?
Enter your email and I'll send the link straight to you.
How to Make a Teacher Survival Kit
Hands down the BEST teacher gift I ever received was a teacher survival kit. There were many days I reached for the items in this kit to supply me with what I needed. (And I was so grateful for the parent who did it!).
Making a teacher survival kit is easy with the right ideas and supplies.
- Choose a bag.
- Fill it with necessities your child’s teacher can have on hand all year.
- Add from the school supplies, classroom and personal items list below.
- Give a gift card to a favorite store or place.
- Attach the Teacher Survival Guide Printable Tag to the kit and it’s ready to give away!
What Should be Included in a Back to School Survival Kit
You can’t go wrong if you choose any combinations of the ideas below to make your own DIY Teacher Survival Kit gift. Start with the necessities (think practical needs) and add in the other items as you want (think fun, but useful).
Grab a tote and get started!
Using a cosmetic bag like this is great for small necessities and personal items. It’s a perfect go-to bag that is easy to grab at a moment’s notice.
I love the idea of filling a larger tote because teachers carry a lot of STUFF back and forth from home to school. This personalized monogrammed, canvas bag is perfect for carrying anything a teacher needs AND can double as a DIY teacher survival kit!
The over the shoulder tote also contains a small inner zipper pouch for holding keys or important items.
This cute bag is another practical teacher emergency kit option for preschool or elementary teachers.
Add in Necessities
Most teachers have little time to take care of themselves during a busy school day. Any combination of these teacher survival kit gift items will save a teacher in a jam AND let them focus on themselves for a minute.
Emergen-C– Boosting your immune system is as easy as dropping a table in water! Battle the germs that go through the classroom with this vitamin C drink all year round!
Tide to go instant stain remover stick
Think practical. Travel size items work great. If you end up with too many items for one emergency kit, make another and save it for future use OR focus on buying what you would usually use in your own home to ensure there’s no waste.
Give School Supplies
Handy, useful, and fun, I guarantee these supplies will be used throughout the year. Grab a couple items and add to your emergency kit.
Lined Sticky Notes
Teachers will reach for these bright lined notepads whenever they have a bright idea to write down. Adhesive to most smooth services, easy to carry, and perfect for a teacher on-the-go.
Teacher To do List Sticky Notes
When you have an endless list of things to do, these large sticky notes will come in handy. Perfect for list-making, note taking, or reminders. Pick from two different fun designs.
Teacher Notepad For Your Survival Gift Kit
Help the teachers in your life stay organized and on top of all tasks with this notepad. Each page is split into convenient sections for practical note-taking purposes.
With 50 easy-to-tear pages, teachers can take notes, write a to-do list, and jot down reminders of calls or emails they need to make.
Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens
#1 Best Seller!
With 12 bright colors, this assortment of felt pens is a must have! (You can split the pack amongst different teachers). Smear-resistant ink that doesn’t bleed through pages make these pens ideal for grading papers, journal writing, and lessons planning.
Pencil Erasers
Perfect for smaller hands, bright neon colors will encourage students to erase instead of scribble out those pencil mistakes! Great to have on hand when teaching young students.
See the affordable erasers here >>
Paper clips, Blinder Clips, Colored Office Clips Set
*Good for all sizes!
Every teacher needs these colorful, must-have classroom supplies. The 300-piece set includes an assortment of binder clips, rubber bands, and paper clips. All in a container that makes organization easy.
EXPO Dry Erase Markers
*Bold colors that are easy to see AND erase after use!
This 4 count pack has low odor ink that makes them ideal for use in classrooms working math problems or writing out reminders. (Or check out the large pack above and split amongst teachers and your school supplies). Students and teachers alike will enjoy using them.
Hot glue gun with glue sticks
#1 Best Seller
For projects or quick repairs around the classroom, there is always a reason to have a hot glue gun on hand! Features a built-in stand and easy to squeeze nozzle. This dual temp hot glue gun will be ready for indoor or outdoor use in minutes.
Push Pin Clips
These are perfect for hanging student work and posters on any bulletin board surface. This combination push pin and wooden clip is a definite teacher must-have.
Magnetic Clips
A variety of bright colors is included in this pack of strong, heavy-duty magnets for the whiteboard or magnetic surface.
Pencils
Because there are never enough pencils.
“Cheers to all the teachers who give out pencils every single day who know that they’ll never get them back.”
– Unknown
Buy pencils here for your teacher survival kit >>
Teacher Stamps
*Affordable gift for a first year teacher survival kit!
These 8 self-inking stamps motivate students and communicate with parents on work that needs to be reviewed. This makes a practical gift for a teacher of younger students.
Add Personal Items to Your Survival Kit for Teachers
Any combination of personal items will help make a happier teacher- especially if it involves chocolate and caffeine!
Yeti Tumbler
Keep drinks hot or cold in a stainless-steel Yeti. A leak-resistant lid and no sweat design makes it great for the classroom and on the go. Plus, it’s dishwasher safe and easy to clean after a long day.
Crystal Light on the go drink mixes
*Very affordable option!
Perfect for mixing on the go, add this popular Fruit punch flavor to your water. Made with zero sugar and only 10 calories per packet.
Coffee Mug
Another great mug, because let’s face it, some days we need ALL the caffeine. Keeps drinks hot for 3 hours and cold for 9 hours….and it’s really cute!
Tea
This is a great sampler tea pack (decaf and caffeinated) and includes honey sticks!
Personalized Wooden Coaster
Perfect for your teacher’s desk, he/she will never lose track of coffee! Choose from different colors and personalize for your teacher.
Popcorn
A quick and easy snack when working late after school.
See healthy microwave popcorn here >>
Note cards with envelopes
Teachers write notes ALL the time. Add a few of these great blank cards with envelopes for thank-you notes or any personalized note.
Tip: Save a few notecards to write to your kid's teacher throughout the year.
Lotion (Great in your emergency kit for teachers!)
*From the #1 dermatologist-recommended skincare brand!
Practical and therapeutic, this lotion is good for restoring dry hands. Considering all the hand-washing teachers do, it’s an excellent addition to your survival kit gift for teachers.
Find the fragrant free and fast absorbing lotion here >>
“Things My Students Said” A Teacher Journal
*Perfect for teachers in younger grades and preschool
Kids always say the funniest things! Remember everything with a sweet, budget friendly notebook to write down the memorable things students say.
Kind Bars
Dark chocolate and almonds make this a great snack to refuel on the go.
Portable Travel Utensils with Case
*A unique teacher survival gift idea!
Because no one wants to eat leftover spaghetti lunch with their hands!
Daily Positive Affirmations Flip Calendar
Any teacher could benefit from daily positive affirmations.
Give the gift of a positive affirmation flip calendar filled with 365 days of empowering thoughts.
Blue Light Blocking Glasses
Add a pair of these glasses to a kit to help avoid fatigue and headaches that come with staring at the computer all day.
Survival Kit Ideas For the Classroom
Pick out any of these gifts for everyone in the classroom to enjoy and benefit from.
Essential Oil Diffuser
*Can also be used as a cool-mist humidifier
This is an affordable essential oil diffuser for a classroom or small space. It’s easy to move around with two mist modes, 8 colors, and an automatic shut off.
Use it with the Stress Relief Essential Oil Blend or add any of your favorite essential oils for calming aromatherapy.
Candle
*A great gift for any teacher!
This 100% soy wax candle is scented with Jasmine and Sandalwood to create a calm environment.
Air Purifier
This is a pricier option, but an air purifier provides fresher air to any classroom.
Indoor plant
Bring nature into the classroom! Pick an easy succulent like this snake plant that doesn’t need much care and is perfect for beginners. Other low maintenance plants include pothos, peace lilys, zz plants, and aloe vera plants.
Give a Gift Card
A gift card is always a win with teachers. They can pick out exactly what they want and need. To make this idea even more thoughtful, survey your teacher at the beginning of the year to see what their favorite places are.
- Manicure/pedicure gift card
- Favorite or popular restaurant
- Favorite or popular store (think Target)
- Gift card to a nearby coffee shop
*Don’t miss this free “thank you” teacher printable for kids to do later in the year too! Print it out now!
Related:
Survival Kits For Teachers To Buy
If you’re short on time or can’t decide what to put in your kit, grab one of these pre-made varieties. The work is done for you!
1. Etsy Back to School Teacher Gift Box Tin
This smaller kit is designed to look like a composition notebook. It includes Emergen-C, an Advil packet, a bandaid, an anti-bacterial wipe, a package of chewing gum, a mini Wisp toothbrush, a Shout wipe, an eraser, mini Tic Tacs, and 2 paper clips.
2. Amazon Teacher Appreciation and School Survival Kits (Includes 12)
A cute spin on the survival kit, this candy kit is great for multiple teachers.
3. Etsy Teacher Survival Kit Gift
If you want the basics put together for you, this is a great, budget friendly survival kit.
4. Etsy Teacher Survival Kit Personalized Plastic Pencil Box
Here’s another one-stop shop for a customizable care package with back-to-school necessities in a pencil box.
5. Teacher’s Survival Kit Wine Gift Bag
DO NOT take a bottle of wine into your kiddo’s school as it’s against school policy. But if you have a good teacher friend going back to school, this is a fun survival kit on its own.
Buy the bag and fill!
Related: Ice Breaker Questions for Kids & Teens
Teacher Survival Kit Free Printable!
Looking to get organized for back to school?
Don’t miss the free August organization calendar BELOW! You’ll be ready to send your kids back in no time!
“Educators are the only people who lose sleep over other people’s kids.”
– Nicholas A. Ferroni
Related: Parents Back to School Checklist Printable
To Consider With Survival Kits For Teachers
Your teachers will be beyond grateful for any teacher survival kit you gift to them. And 100% appreciate that you made their year a little easier. Grab these free printable teacher appreciation gift tags for more easy ideas.
One final idea (it’s free!)…
The other day, a good teacher friend shared that one of the best gifts is when a parent takes the time to tell her administrator positive things he/she noticed. It feels amazing to be told you are doing a good job.
What a great, easy, AND budget friendly action we can all do this new school year!
Enjoy putting together survival kit for the teachers in your life!
We see you teachers, and we thank you for all you do. Wishing you all a healthy, happy, and impactful school year!
More back to school posts you’ll love…
- 30 Best Family Traditions for Back to School
- 10 Tips to Organize for Back to School
- A Good School Morning Routine For Your Kids
I’m a teacher and got those blank notecards from a friend one year. What a perfect gift! I love them and use them all the time!
Oh good! I notice that many awesome teachers take the time to model gratitude and show kindness with notes. Thank you and good luck with the upcoming school year!