Teacher Tool Kit Gift Idea: A Case Packed With Classroom Favorites
Picture a bright magenta double-sided storage case with snap-tight latches. Open it and you find rows of pens, sticky notes, tiny erasers, a lip balm and a bar of chocolate. That is the teacher tool kit. It is a back-to-school gift that needs no crafting skill, and it gives a teacher the supplies they use every day.
Below you’ll find what to put inside, why each item earns its spot, and how to finish it with a handmade tag.
What goes in a teacher tool kit?
Start with a divided case, ideally one with two sides and secure latches so nothing spills in a tote bag. Then fill it with these eleven items:
- Hand lotion and a lip balm in fresh, light scents
- Pens, pencils and extra pens, including felt-tip pens and a few colored permanent markers
- Sticky notes
- Miniature erasers
- Paper clips
- Adhesive bandages
- Clothespins
- Pink erasers
- Chocolate
- Glue sticks
- Crayons
Why these supplies?
Each item is something a classroom burns through or can never find at the right moment.
Writing tools and sticky notes. Teachers rarely complain about having too many pens. Sticky notes are useful for students and teachers alike, from reminders to quick feedback.
Miniature erasers. They work as small rewards and as counters in small-group math. They can also serve as reusable markers for BINGO.
Paper clips. They go missing constantly, so a fresh supply is welcome.
Bandages. Scrapes and small mishaps happen all day with a room full of kids, and a handy box saves a trip to the office.
Clothespins. They look random, but they are handy in classroom management systems. Teachers clip names, choices or jobs to a chart with them.
Pink erasers. Everyone makes mistakes, and a good eraser cleans them up properly.
Glue sticks. A class of 25 to 30 children goes through them quickly, mostly because caps get left off. Plan on more than you think you need.
Crayons. Choose a name brand if you can. Teachers notice the difference in color and in how well they hold up.
Lotion, lip balm and chocolate. These are the treats for the teacher. They are a small bit of comfort in a busy day.
How do you pack the case?
- Put the flat items, such as sticky notes, in the bottom of the larger compartments.
- Use the small dividers for paper clips, mini erasers and bandages, so they don’t mix together.
- Stand the pens, markers and glue sticks upright, or lay them side by side.
- Tuck the crayons and clothespins into the roomier sections.
- Keep the lotion, lip balm and chocolate on top, where they are the first things the teacher sees.
- Close both latches and check that nothing rattles loose.
How do you make the tag?
Keep the tag simple. Use white card stock, and write or print a short thank-you message, such as a line saying the teacher has everything needed for a great year. A tag of about 3 by 5 inches leaves room for the wording and a small border or doodle in a color that matches the case.
Trim the edges, punch a hole in one corner and thread a yellow grosgrain ribbon through it. Then tie the tag to the case handle. Any ribbon color that suits your case will work.
Tips for choosing and customizing
Ask around, or think about the grade level. A kindergarten teacher may enjoy extra stickers and crayons. A teacher of older students may prefer more pens and sticky notes.
Buy the supplies in bulk if you are giving several kits. Then you can split the packs between cases and keep the cost down.
Check for scent preferences before choosing lotion or lip balm. Light, fresh scents are usually a safe choice.
If you add chocolate, think about nut allergies in case it is shared. Also keep the kit away from very young children, because the erasers, clothespins and crayons are small parts.
