How to Make a Period Kit for School

Last Updated: October 10, 2021 Approved

Having your period at school can be embarrassing, especially if you’re unprepared. You don’t want people around you to know, and sometimes it’s hard to deal with nosy friends and classmates. Make a period kit to have with you at school — either in your binder, your backpack, your locker, or a combination of the three — and you’ll be prepared to deal with your period when it comes with as little fuss and embarrassment as possible.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Making a Binder Kit

1
Grab a small, non-transparent pencil bag with grommets to latch into your binder. It should have a zipper or some other way to seal it. This kit, which fits inside your school binder, is ideal if you're looking to have supplies on hand during every class. You can find a pencil bag at most office supply or big box stores.
2
Choose your desired supplies. Decide if you want pads or tampons, and how many you’ll need throughout the day. Figure out how much will fit without bulging. You want enough to get you through a whole day. You can always restock when you are getting low, since you should be taking your binder home, or you could restock periodically from your locker.

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3
Add something to freshen you up. Look for individual wipe packets. Add baby wipes or feminine wipes to the bag. Have body mist or a spray fragrance of some type if you are worried about smells.
4
Place the bag in your binder. When you need it, you can grab the whole thing and take it with you to the bathroom so you don't need to walk around holding a pad or tampon.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Keeping Supplies in your Backpack

1
Find a zippered bag. Don’t use one that’s see-through — it needs to be colored so that you have your privacy. Look for one that is medium-sized and will fit in one of the front areas of your backpack. You won’t be able to pack lots of supplies, but should have enough for a few days before you will need to restock.
2
Bring underwear and pants (if they can fit). Put in an extra pair or two. If you’ve had an accident, it’s important to be able to change and get comfortable. Choose some pairs that you don’t mind getting dirty.^{[1]
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3
Add a plastic bag or wet bag. If you need to change, you’ll need a place to put your used underwear and/or pants. Using a watertight bag can keep it separate from the rest of the contents of your kit and backpack.
4
Get some small plastic bags that can be thrown away. Sometimes you have to throw away your products outside of the stall, and it can be messy. Pack some bags to make it cleaner and easier to get rid of your used sanitary products.^{[2]
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5
Pack hand wipes or hand sanitizer. Sometimes you’ll be in a place where it’s difficult to clean up, and having a way to sanitize your hands is essential. If you’re having to change your underwear or pants, it can be really useful to have in the stall with you. Use travel size packs that fit easily into your kit.^{[3]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Creating a Locker Kit

1
Choose a large zippered bag, small backpack, or even a box. If you have the room, a box might be the best choice. If you’re really embarrassed, you could put the kit into a box advertising something else — granola bars, cereal — so that people think you’re keeping a snack in your locker. If you choose a bag, it should be one you’re willing to keep in your locker at all times and only take home to restock in between your periods.
2
Add your supplies. Put in 10+ pads or tampons. Include some extra containers of wipes or other cleaning supplies. Keep track when you’re getting low so you can restock.
3
Stash some clothing. Because a locker is larger than a binder or backpack, you will have some more room. Use this to cover the big possible emergencies: Add a few pairs of underwear. Find some other clothing to leave in your locker in case your pants or skirt get dirty. Black leggings are a good choice, since they roll up small and can be stored easily. Hopefully you won't need them, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Exploring Other Options

1
Try a menstrual cup. Made of rubber, it can stay in your body for 12 – 14 hours at a time (so you won’t have to take it out at school) and can provide you with the ultimate in privacy. With a menstrual cup, no one at school would know you’re having your period. Keep in mind that they are uncomfortable for some people — the only way you know if it will work for you is to try it out.
2
Keep a pad or tampon in a zippered pocket. Look for a sweatshirt or jacket with an inner zippered pocket. Place your smallest pad or tampon inside so you don’t have to take anything different with you into the bathroom. This can help you keep your privacy.
3
Stash a pad or tampon in a tissue container. This could work in either your backpack or your locker. Keep tissues in the container as well, but hide your supplies inside. You can wrap a tissue around the pad or tampon and take it with you from class to the bathroom.
4
Keep some tampons in a pill bottle (like Aspirin). If you can’t see through the bottle, people won’t know that it contains your supplies, and you can easily take it with you to the bathroom. Make sure that you’re allowed to have pain relievers at your school and that your bottle wouldn’t be confiscated.

Expert Q&A

Question

Is it normal for an 11 year old girl to get her period?

Carrie Noriega, MD
Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist
Dr. Noriega is a Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist and medical writer in Colorado. She specializes in women’s health, rheumatology, pulmonology, infectious disease, and gastroenterology. She received her MD from the Creighton School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska and completed her residency at the University of Missouri - Kansas City in 2005.

Carrie Noriega, MD

Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist

Expert Answer

Yes it is normal to be having your period at 11 years old. Most girls start their period by age 12 but some girls can start as early as 9. All of these ages are considered normal for starting your period.
Question

I'm scared to ask my teacher to go to the bathroom with supplies! She can be kinda strict and everyone in class stares when some one gets up! What do I do?

Carrie Noriega, MD
Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist
Dr. Noriega is a Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist and medical writer in Colorado. She specializes in women’s health, rheumatology, pulmonology, infectious disease, and gastroenterology. She received her MD from the Creighton School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska and completed her residency at the University of Missouri - Kansas City in 2005.

Carrie Noriega, MD

Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist

Expert Answer

It may help to talk with your teacher before class to let her know why you may need to leave. It may not seem like she will understand but this is a natural process that she goes through too. It may also help to try to find a way that you can hide your supplies before you stand up to go to the bathroom. If you have a pocket that would be the easiest place to hide your supplies. If you use tampons, you can hide one in the sleeve of a long-sleeved shirt or sweatshirt. For both tampons or pads you can always hide it in a sock if you are wearing pants to cover it. Just get creative about ways to hide your products to decrease your embarrassment.

Warnings

Add some medicine for cramps, if you want. Just remember in some schools you can get suspended for having medicine in your possession, so find out your school's policy.

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