Fun and Simple College Care Package

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The first month or two of a new college semester is exciting for most college students, but it can also be challenging.  Now that college is back in session, it’s the perfect time to make a fun and simple college care package that includes better-for-you options for your favorite college student. With parents weekends coming up soon, this is the perfect care package to take with you.   It’s a fun way to show your favorite college student that you’re thinking of them.

red basket with white note saying "thinking of you" filled with  brightly colored snacks, drink boxes, candy, rubber ducks and chalk

If you know me at all, you know I’m a big fan of sending a college care package to every college student I know. I enjoy creating care packages for different occasions and different interests. Your college student is away at college learning to be a productive adult. That’s a hard job. It makes all the difference when they know their family and friends are thinking of them and support them. Showing my support is the reason that I enjoy sending my baby and her college roommates care packages.

College care packages don’t have to be complicated. I’ve found that fun and simple care packages are the most appreciated. 

While learning to be an adult, it’s fun for your student remember your childhood. For that reason I always include some toys and silly fun items.  You can find lots of fun items in the party supplies aisle. 

Fun and Simple College Care Package Items

Modeling Clay

Sidewalk Chalk

Coloring Book and Crayons

Balloons

Small Toys

Stress Putty

Bouncy Ball

Fun Straws and Napkins

overhead view of colorful packs of clay, box of chalk and 4 little rubber ducks on white table

Bubbles

top image - colorful ribbon next to stack of yellow notepads fanned out, bottom image - 4 yellow note pads each tied with colorful ribbon

I also like to include a practical item that’s bright and cheerful. I purchased a pack of four notepads for $1. I found brightly colored ribbon in my recycled ribbon stash to tie around each pad to dress them up.

overhead view of colorful small candies, rubber ducks and packs of clay next to plastic zippered food bags decorated with colorful washi tape

When my baby is away at college, her roommates are her surrogate family. They’re important to my baby and so they’re important to me. I always try to include treats for the roommates when I send a care package to my baby. To make it easier for my daughter to share the care package with her roommates, I make individual gift bags with fun nostalgic treats. I used the same simple washi tape decorated bag idea for the individual bags that I did to help my family stay organized this school year.

If you know me at all, you know that I almost always include cookies and sweets in my care packages. But lately my baby has been asking for better food options.  To support her in choosing better choices, I included more treats that are made with natural ingredients. Be sure to read labels to make sure the choices you select meet your nutrition standards.

Better for You Food and Drink Options

Fresh fruit

Nuts

Dried Fruit

Vegetable Chips

Bottled Water

100% Fruit Juice

bottles and boxes of juice, container of pretzel sticks, bananas, stack of oranges and 4 green apples on white table

Drinks Made with Natural Ingredients

Make a fun and simple college care package for your favorite college student. #SipandBeFit [Ad]

On one of my many trips to Walmart, to purchase school supplies for my children that are still at home, I stopped by to purchase Snapple Diet Peach, Vita Coco Pure and Brasilia Blueberry Bai5 to add better choices to the care package. I found them on the drink aisle. I really enjoy the fresh, light taste of the Brasilia Blueberry Bai5 and it contains 25% of your daily Vitamin C recommendation along with additional antioxidants. That makes it a great drink for your college student (and for you).

Right now you’re able to take advantage of this coupon to save on drink items to fill your own care package. And to make it even easier to afford to make a care package large enough for all the roommates, you can also take advantage of this Ibotta rebate.

There’s nothing like a sweepstakes to make this care package even more fun. Your student can enter the #SipAndBeFit Sweepstakes! for the chance to win a$50 Walmart gift card and a $150 Fitness Tracker. There are three winners every week so your student and the roommates all have a chance to win.

overhead view of red basket with brightly colored snacks, drink boxes, candy, rubber ducks and chalk

Showing up on parents weekend with a care package filled with enough treats for your student and all the roommates will score you lots of parent points with your baby and with the roommates.

red basket with brightly colored snacks, drink boxes, candy, rubber ducks and chalk

Striking a balance between what your student will use and what is just plain silly fun is the secret to this fun and simple college care package.

red basket with brightly colored snacks, drink boxes, candy, rubber ducks and chalk

What better choices drink options would you include in your fun and simple college care package?

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8 Comments

  1. Great ideas! I am putting together a couple of care packages this week! Love the idea of a small toy – something simple to make them smile 🙂

  2. Susan, I really thing your daughter is the luckiest student in her school. You create the best packages I have ever seen. You think of everything – food, drinks and things to play with in the rare moment that they have time. Lets hope it is a rare moment!

    1. You’re too funny, Cynthia. I may have to rethink adding a fun toy to my “baby’s” care packages because you’re right, I want her studying (lots!).

  3. Great idea! Although college has been over 10 years ago for me, I don’t remember getting any fun packages like this. I’m sure my roommates would have loved the surprise too! #client

    1. Making college care packages is my way to handle missing my “baby” so much, Heather. If you head back to college, let me know and I’ll send you a care package. 🙂

  4. I would have LOVED a care package like this when I was in college! Fantastic ideas! I’m sure they appreciated the drinks, snacks, and cute notepads! #client

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