We have all of the basics. What else should S19 bring that would be fun to have? I’ve read to bring things like games. What else!?
Deck of cards, noise cancelling headphones
Nerf basketball hoop to hang on door.
Deck of cards is a great idea, need to remember that.
DD got a beach ball that looks like a globe to bat around. She’s also bringing a Wii (her room is fairly big- this won’t work for everyone).
If he likes watching movies with friends, a small wireless/Bluetooth speaker can be very nice (with roommate permission). Most laptop screens are big enough but their speakers lack power so it’s nice to have the boost from an external speaker. A movie and a few packets of microwave popcorn in the dorm common social area can be a great friend attractor.
Not for the dorm, but either a hammock or a large blanket for outside.
@itsgettingreal17 yep. He bought a hammock and a slack line (the kind you hook between trees and walk on) this summer. They are going to school with him!
Good snacks to share, frisbee/kanjam, a bike might be fun to have. Swim gear, if there is a lake, beach area, etc.
Case of booze, fake ID and a lava lamp!
(True story: last fall friends of ours showed up at a southern university you’d recognize to drop off their DD18 and meet the new roommate’s parents. Those parents brought the booze and lamp and took a series of photos * and then ordered the fake IDs for all the girls during move in.* Excuse me?!? It turned out the two girls got along wonderfully, laughed the whole thing off, and since they really aren’t drinkers they just gave away the booze over the first couple weeks.)
A basketball, football, couple of baseballs (and glove) if he likes any of those activities.
S loved his football and hammock. He also bought one of the cheep Nintendo systems with extra controllers that had all the old-time games built in. It turned out to be a big hit!
HiFi Sound System for gaming and movie watching (A Bose Lifestyle 650 is a must in my opinion), a Nice TV (55" or bigger to be worth the effort), and of course a gaming console of his choice.
Frisbee or ball of a sort that you enjoy playing with (basket, volley, soccer, whatever), hammock. Both my kids used their hammocks regularly, the light nylon ones (forget the brand now, they got for holiday from relative). Light blanket/sheet for grass is nice too.
@bjscheel My sophomore was excited to find unopened Elf movie playing cards from last year! And one roommate had moved in early and we saw the game set with backgammon, chess, checkers etc.
Depends on what your kid likes to do to relax!
We are leaving for year two tomorrow, and in the luggage are these items for fun:
Frisbee, ping pong balls and paddles, two tennis racquets and balls, two squash racquets, small balls for playing catch, a musical instrument, Rubik’s cube, deck of cards, iPad, and an Amazon Fire Stick (you can use your iPad or laptop or similar device with a fire stick or similar device to play movies for your friends on the big TV in the dorm’s common room).
My daughter’s idea of fun is her record player/album collection and art supplies. She’s not into ball type games and I’m guessing a hammock is a big no-no on her campus (campus is an arboretum). Hopefully she meets people who love to listen to/discuss music.
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
Deleted several posts that only derail the thread.
Tennis raquet.
Spikeball!
We have a set already that my kids love to play when we are at the beach. However someone gave S19 a set as a graduation gift. Perfect! He took it to school with him. Great for outside, but you could also set it up in a dorm lounge depending on the size of the room.
I found a light up frisbee on Amazon and had it sent to my S16 when he was a freshman as a surprise gift. I thought of it because groups of kids hang outside on the campus green even when it’s dark. Gift was a hit.