Your teen may be nearly done packing for college with piles of their belongings growing higher every day. Before you load up the car, however, consider these last-minute items for your teen to make the transition to college life even smoother.
And don’t forget to download your FREE Grown and Flown Off-to-College Checklist. Here are all the things you and your teen need to DO, not buy, while your son or daughter is still at home. Don’t forget that getting your teen a Prime membership will enable them to have free shipping on most items. Prime membership is on a 30-day free trial right now for young adults (18-24) and college students and then 50% off.
Note: We are a reader-supported site and receive compensation from purchases made through some of the links on this page.
Last-minute things for your college packing list
1. Levoit Air Purifier (Amazon)
We’ve recently seen terrible air in many parts of the country this summer due to wildfires; an air purifier may be something you haven’t thought about for your teen until now. Levoit is a highly-regarded brand that makes a mini size with a small platform for essential oils. Includes a genuine HEPA filter that filters smoke, allergens, dust, and odors. Air purifiers have become a very popular dorm item.
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2. Mama Bear Legal Forms (Mama Bear)
Did you know that when your teen turns 18, parents can no longer speak for them if they have a medical or financial emergency? Before your son or daughter heads out the door, make sure you have the legal documents to protect them. You want to ensure you can speak to healthcare providers, stay informed, and help make decisions for your teen if they cannot do so themselves. The process is easy, quick, and inexpensive. (Grown and Flown is an affiliate.)
3. Vicks Digital Thermometer (Amazon)
Since our teens were babies, we have functioned as their human thermometers laying our hand on a hot forehead Your teen must have a thermometer — and know how to use it. If your student gets sick at college, one of the first questions they will be asked is about their temperature. They can get a reading with this thermometer in 8 seconds.
4. She’s Birdie Personal Alarm (She’s Birdie)
This small personal alarm can help your daughter prepare for a situation where she feels frightened. Pull the pin to activate a loud alarm and flash the strobe light to create a diversion. The pin can be replaced and reused.
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6. Belkin 12-Outlet Surge Protector (Amazon)
Most dorms prohibit extension cords, and your teen will need a surge protector to protect their expensive laptop and keep their other devices powered up. This one has 12 AC outlets, 2 USB-A ports and 1 USB-C ports a 6-foot power cord.
7. AllerEase Mattress Protector (Amazon)
An AllerEase mattress protector can help your teen sleep in a healthier bed amid what may soon become a filthy and dusty dorm room. It is waterproof, keeping the mattress topper clean and dry in case of spills. It helps protect your teen from allergens and bed bugs.
8. Owala FreeSip Insulated Water Bottle (Amazon)
Insulated water bottles are ideal because they keep cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours — perfect for when your student spends all day on campus. Owala water bottles are available in dozens of gorgeous color combinations which is one reason why they’ve become a super-popular choice on campus.
9. Magnetic Paper Towel Roll Dispenser (Amazon)
Spills will happen, and easy access to a roll of paper towels is made easier when they are held in place by a towel bar attached magnetically to a mini-fridge. This one uses strong magnets that will not move around in use.
10. Master Lock Mini Safe (Amazon)
Consider a small personal safe for secure storage for prescription meds, jewelry, and/or other valuables.
11. Door Stop (Amazon)
A door stop will be a life-saver when your teen moves into their dorm room and in the early days when they want to make it easy to meet and become friends with hall mates.
12. Command Hooks (Amazon)
Check with your teen’s college to see if Command Hooks and Strips are allowed in the dorm room. If so, pick up this package of seven hooks, each holding up to five pounds.
13. Apollo Tools (Amazon)
Ensure your teen has a tool kit with the basics to prepare for dorm move-in and future apartments. This set comes in a lightweight case and includes 39 pieces of the most useful household tools.
14. Jan Sport Laptop Backpack Amazon)
Could your teen use a new backpack for college? They should pick one with a padded sleeve to protect their expensive laptop from breaking or exposure to liquids. The JanSport Laptop Backpack is the #1 rated laptop backpack on Amazon and is known for durability…plus it has a lifetime warranty. Available in 36 colors and designs.
15. Clear Everywhere Belt Bag (lululemon)
Football stadiums and other campus arenas often restrict what students can bring with them to watch games or attend concerts. This cute belt bag is clear and would be a great choice for your student to have so they can more easily carry their phone, lip balm or a card case.
16. Prescriptions and Toiletries
Make sure your teen knows where the closest store is to get a prescription filled, and if you have time to swing by there on move-in day, stock up on any toiletries they will need during those first weeks/months of school.
Before you leave home, locate the closest CVS or Target and begin the process of transferring prescription meds to a convenient pharmacy.
17. Fiskars Scissors (Amazon)
Scissors are an inexpensive, indispensable tool for your teen to have on their desk. They’ll be so happy when they realize they have a pair at hand when they need it…and they will. Fiskars gets top reviews by the Wirecutter team.
18. Clorox Wipes (Amazon)
You will want to wipe down some (all?) of the surfaces of your teen’s dorm room before they make up their bed and unload their toiletries. Plus, this fall your teen will get sick, their roommate and they will want to have Clorox wipes close at hand.
19. Bronax Pillow Slippers for Men and Women
Many colors, under $25, comfy, fast drying, great dorm slippers.
20. WOOZOO Small Desk Fan (Amazon)
WOOZOO fans have become very popular choices for dorm room use. This one is tabletop size which might be the compact option your student would appreciate. It has three speeds, is adjustable and well-priced. If you are looking for other models or colors, find the other WOOZOO fan options on Amazon here.
21. ViscoSoft Serene Mattress Topper (Amazon)
If you’ve not yet gotten your teen a mattress topper for their hard-as-a-brick dorm bed, here’s a great option from ViscoSoft. The Serene topper is made from a 2 inch gel memory foam plus a 1.5 inch plush down cover to provide comfort and support. The plush cover pad is removable and washable. This unique combination is a type of topper we have not seen elsewhere – it has 11,600 ratings on Amazon.
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22. Letter from YOU!
One more thing to remember is to write a letter to your new college student now, while you have time, and have it ready to leave for them to read after you have left.
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