205 Prepper Items to Get From the Dollar Store

Dollar store preps have become almost an obsession during my weekly errand running off of our survival homestead.

I don’t think that I can walk out of the Dollar Tree store in our region without spending a minimum of $35 – and having a whole shopping cart full of preparedness bargains.

My beloved prepper husband initially laughed when I insisted some of the copious amount of sacks I carried in from my first trip to the dollar store in the next county over right after it opened, actually contained preps.

Once I started opening up the dollar store sacks, he quickly realized he indeed needed to go grab our preps inventory list and start recording all of my $1 survival finds.

After that shopping trip, we developed a routine of buying at least one dozen preps from the dollar store each time either of us stopped in. Now, if you have ever been to a Dollar Tree or similar $1 store, you know those shops are not large.

Less savvy bargain shoppers might think they would run out of new items to buy and continually be stockpiling a handful of the same prepping supplies – but that just is not so folks.

What Kind of Preps Can You Find at a Dollar Store?

I put our dollar store preps shopping into 10 distinct categories, some of which might not seem like real prepper supplies at first glance. But when that “aha moment” is reached, you will see the frugal shopping genius of my shopping strategy.

Dollar Store Preps Categories

• Medical
• Food, Preparation, And Storage
• Gardening
• Hygiene
• Power – Light
• Barter
• Clothing – Footwear Items
• Homeschool
• Morale Boosters
• Cleaning – Sanitation

Dollar Store Medical Preps

When purchasing medical preps are a dollar store you must contain your bargain-hunting excitement long enough to read the quantity amounts on the labels of some items.

Although each item that you score will be a bargain, you cannot assume a package of bandaids, for example, will hold as many of the medical preps as do similar-sized boxes purchased at a typical retail store.

The quantity aspect of boxed preps is important if you keep a preps inventory (which you should), and have a habit of marking quantity amounts by box or package based upon the assumption that the dimensions of the container indicate standard industry quantity amounts.

1. Bandaids
2. Rolled Bandages
3. Rubbing Alcohol
4. 3 Percent Hydrogen Peroxide
5. Witch Hazel
6. Coconut Oil
7. Olive Oil
8. Vitamins
9. Single Use Hand Warmers
10. Single Use Ice Packs
11. Ice Packs – Reusable
12. Pain and Fever Reducers
13. Allergy Medications
14. Cold, Cough, And Flu Medications
15. Sleep Aids
16. Anti-Acid Powder
17. Anti-Diarrhea Medications
18. Tums
19. Laxatives
20. Generic Pepto Bismol Like Products
21. Gas Relief Tablets
22. Milk Of Magnesia
23. Epsom Salts
24. Lip Balm
25. Talc Free Foot Powder
26. Single-Use Muscle And Joint Pain Relief Pads
27. Arthritis And Sports Heat Rub
28. Analgesic Gel
29. Sore Muscle Rub
30. Ankle Supports
31. Knee Supports
32. Elbow Supports
33. Wrist Supports
34. Aspirin
35. Travel Size First Aid Kits
36. Athlete’s Foot Cream
37. Eczema Cream
38. Calamine Lotion
39. Hydrating Foot Cream
40. Psoriasis Medicated Rub
41. A&D Ointment
42. Hydrocortisone Cream
43. Hemorrhoidal Cream
44. Bug Bite Relief Rub
45. Diaper Rash Cream
46. Triple Antibiotic Ointment
47. Waterproof Medical Foam Tape
48. Athletic Tape
49. Dressing Bandages
50. Elastic Support Bandages
51. Liquid Skin Bandage
52. Gel Ball Of Foot Cushions
53. Reading Glasses
54. Eyeglass Repair Kits
55. Eye Drops
56. Eyeglass Cases
57. Contact Lens Cases
58. Cotton Swabs
59. Cotton Balls
60. Boxes Of Tissues
61. Individual Packets Of Tissues
62. Pregnancy Tests
63. Drug Tests
64. Ovulation Tests
65. Vapor Rub
66. Nasal Mist Spray
67. Cough Drops
68. Cough Syrup
69. Nitrile Exam Gloves
70. Doctor Mask
71. Thermometer

Dollar Store Food, Preparation, and Storage Preps

1. Canned Food
2. Plastic Food Storage Containers
3. Aluminum Foil Cookware
4. Paper Plates
5. Plastic Cups
6. Plastic Cutlery
7. Aluminum Foil
8. Wax Paper
9. Parchment Paper
10. Spices
11. Pet Food And Treats
12. Metal Baking Sheets
13. Pot Holders
14. Oven Mitts
15. Wood Serving Spoons
16. BBQ Grilling Manual Tools
17. Metal Cutlery
18. Condiments
19. Hard Candies
20. Toothpicks

Dollar Store Gardening Preps

1. Seeds
2. Seed Starter Trays
3. Planters
4. Hanging Planters
5. Gardening Gloves
6. Gardening Hand Tools
7. Garden Stakes
8. Watering Cans

Dollar Store Hygiene Preps

1. Toothbrushes
2. Toothpaste
3. Dental Floss
4. Mouthwash
5. Denture Care
6. Deodorant
7. Shampoo
8. Conditioner
9. Baby Shampoo
10. Baby Diapers
11. Baby Wipes
12. Adult Diapers
13. Adult Incontinence Pads
14. Feminine Hygiene Pads
15. Tampons
16. Bar Soap
17. Antibacterial Waterless Soap
18. Body Wash
19. Body Lotion
20. Razors
21. Shaving Cream
22. Petroleum Jelly
23. Sunburn Lotion
24. Sunblock

Dollar Store Power and Light Preps

One of my favorite Dollar Tree lighting preps are solar stake lights. These can be used indoors or out during an SHTF event – without causing a fire hazard like candles.

Simply put the solar lights anywhere outdoors now to light your path and then bring them inside as needed to use – replacing them outdoors for charging once again the next day.

1. Flashlights
2. Indoor Candles
3. Citronella Candles
4. Nightlights
5. Solar Lights
6. Lighter Fluid
7. Disposable Lighters
8. Batteries
9. Tiki Lights

Dollar Store Barter – General Preps

Many of the dollar store preps items on the other categories could be used as barter. The items in this section are preps that would fall into a miscellaneous category for you to stockpile, and also grab ample extra to use for barter, as well.

1. Matches
2. Manual Tools
3. Ink Pens
4. Spray Paint
5. Duct Tape
6. Calendar
7. Sewing Kit

Dollar Store Clothing and Footwear Preps

You can typically find plain-colored T-shirts in a vast array of sizes at a dollar store. Clothes will get worn out over time during a long-term disaster. Not only will you be in need of extra work shirts, but they will make superb bartering items, as well.

Also, do not forget how much children can grow in a short amount of time. Stocking up on simple and cheap clothing from a dollar store and yard sale will help keep the little ones properly clothed.

1. Memory Foam Sole Inserts
2. Shoe Laces
3. Boot Laces
4. Flip Flops
5. Socks In All Sizes and Thicknesses
6. Gloves
7. Toboggans
8. Scarves
9. T-Shirts
10. Baby – Toddler Clothing Items
11. Hats
12. Ball Caps
13. Bandanas
14. Drawstring Bags – Small Backpack Style
15. Baby Blankets
16. Rain Ponchos
17. Hook And Latch Velcro

Dollar Store Homeschool Preps

Many preppers or survival homesteaders already homeschool their children, but during a doomsday disaster, the learning will only continue if you do it at home yourself.

Regardless of what is going on in the outside world, the little ones will need to learn to read, write, know how to measure, and have an understanding of some scientific principles in order to cook, build, do repairs, read and leave notes, etc.

Also, keeping a routine as normal as possible when the family is bugging in or living on a prepper retreat full-time during a disaster will be extremely effective in preventing stress, fear, and anxiety from overwhelming the children.

Engaging in homeschool activities as normal or to replicate a school day, can go a long way in keeping the children calm and focused on the activity of the moment, and not on what is going on in the outside world.

Our local Dollar Tree store, as most dollar stores nowadays, has an excellent teacher resource area. Many of the same items that would cost up to 10 times more from an educational supply store can be found at these types of discount stores for only a single dollar.

I also highly recommend buying clear contact paper in bulk from a dollar store so you can cover the activity sheets in workbooks so they can be used repeatedly for practice.

1. School Workbooks by Grade Level
2. Crayons
3. Markers
4. Pencils
5. Highlighters
6. Story Books
7. Counting Manipulatives – foam-colored squares
8. Dry Erase Boards
9. Dry Erase Markers
10. Chalk
11. Scissors
12. Notebooks And Loose Leaf Paper
13. Educational Games
14. Index Cards
15. Poster Board
16. Solar Calculators
17. Flashcards
18. Scissors
19. Rulers
20. Construction Paper
21. Glue And Glue Sticks
22. Craft Paint

Dollar Store Morale Boosters Preps

Everyone, regardless of age, can benefit from some simple morale boosters during a long-term disaster. Forcing yourself to relax and unwind even momentarily can help prevent additional stress, fatigue, and depression.

1. Puzzles
2. Novels
3. Puzzle Books
4. Toys
5. Craft Kits
6. Bubbles
7. Play-Doh – Clay
8. Holiday Decorations
9. Air Fresheners
10. Travel Size Board Games

Dollar Store Cleaning – Sanitation Preps

Keeping the bug in location clean will help prevent the development or spread of disease. Stocking up on the items on this list will not only help keep germs and bacteria from growing in your own home but could be used as valuable bartering preps, also.

1. Bleach
2. Distilled White Vinegar
3. Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Spray
4. Toilet Paper
5. Paper Towels
6. Dish Soap
7. Laundry Soap
8. Baking Soda
9. Borax
10. Toilet Cleaner
11. Glass Cleaner
12. Sponges
13. Scrubbing Brushes
14. Brooms
15. Mops
16. Buckets
17. Rubber Gloves
18. Trash Bags

If you spend just $10 per week buying dollar store preps at a location near you, the survival stockpiles at your home would grow rapidly.

While there are many essential preps you cannot find at dollar stores, the number of the ones you can will help round out the survival supplies you are accruing in an extremely budget-friendly manner.

No dollar store located near you? You might still be able to score some super cheap preps. Some dollar stores offer online shopping with discounted or flat-rate shipping straight to your home.