They are so easy even the kids can paint them! 

Here’s how to make and play!

Pencil Themed Clothespins

This time of year is always a fun time to spark your child’s love of learning and school. Playing games inspired by back to school supplies help you kick off the school year with a focus on taking good care of all those products you just spent your money on.

Here’s how you can make simple but fun pencil themed clothespins with your child.  You can even make them personalized pencils for a special school work art display to highlight their special work this year.

One way to prep your child for reading success is to start off the year by working on the Dolch Sight Word List.

Disclosure: Affiliate links used to Amazon.  

Materials Needed for Pencil Themed Clothespins and Literacy Game

• Mini Wooden Clothespins 
• Shimmering Silver Acrylic Paint
• Acrylic Paint Canary Yellow
• Acrylic Paint Pink Parfait
• Paint Brush
• Scrapbook Paper 
• Scissors 
• Sharpie Permanent Marker Black
• Handwriting Paper
• wax paper or paper plate

Instructions for Pencil Themed Clothespins

1. Use the yellow paint to create the pencil by painting on both sides of the chunky clothespin covering 3/4 of the wood.  Be sure to also paint the sides too. Get your kids involved in this craft, it’s really easy and a fun memory to do together.

2. Then using the pink paint, it’s time to add the pencil eraser to the end of the pencil.  I made the end where you pinch the eraser portion so I could also paint the inside portion too.  Be sure to paint the edges on this task too pink.

3.  The last step is to use your silver paint to create the metal portion of your pencil.  The Shimmering Silver Acrylic Paint adds a special sparkle to the whole pencil craft which I highly recommend.  You can use it later in the year to create holiday crafts too, instead of using glitter.

4. OPTIONAL: You can paint a little black potion of the end for a pencil point, we left it off to make them easier to make.  Plus, if you really want your pencil painting to last you could also add an Acrylic Paint Sealer

Pencil Themed Sight Word Game

This can be a fun hands-on way to work on those high-frequency words for Kindergarten & First Grade! To create the pencil themed literacy game for sight words take your Scrapbook Paper and cut out with Scissors  24 squares.  They can be the size of around 2 inches by 2 inches for easy handling, you go make them smaller if you’d prefer. Add a few more if you’re planning to do spelling words for those double letters in words like the word “that.”

Write one letter per square with your Permanent Marker Black.  You can do it with your child watching you write the letters and discuss letter formations for younger kids OR I would have my child do it and have an alphabet chart on the table close by so that they can work on proper letter formations with you watching their handwriting skills.

Once you write all of the letters, it’s time to play!  You can start off with letter writing practice by choosing a letter card and putting it onto the Pencil Clothespin as a stand. 

Next, you can move to practice forming word families like choosing the word family -at and then selecting a few letter cards that would go with it like s, c, m, p, f, r.  Then challenge your child to see if they can read those words.

This activity would be ideal for spelling word practice too!  Have your child gather the letter cards and place them onto the Pencil Clothespins and then write them out on their Primary Handwriting Paper for spelling word practice in a hands-on way.

You can have them practice writing down each word that they made with the pencil themed sight word game!

Literacy Game with Pencil Clothespins

• Work on Spelling Word Lists
• Word Families
• Alphabetical Order
• Matching Upper Case to Lower Case Letters

Did you know that sight words make up around 75% of the words used in beginning children’s print materials? Sight words can give your child a better start in learning to read.

If your child is able to quickly recognize sight words then as a beginning reader they will be able to spend more time concentrating on the meaning and comprehension of the words as they read them instead of having to decode every single word.

Learning Materials for Back to School Writing

• My First Pencils Large Round
• #2 Pencils Box of 96
• Primary Handwriting Paper

Learn now Why You Should be Using Beginner Pencils for Handwriting Practice with young children.

Can’t wait to hear how your child’s pencil themed clothespins turn out and how they use them at your house. They would be a cute little teacher gift idea for their teacher too. You could even attach magnets to the back to create pencil themed magnets for their classroom.

You may also enjoy these activities with your child…

More Sight Word Games for Kids

• Sight Words with Glass Gems 
• Sea Shell Sight Word Game 
• Pumpkin Sight Word Game with Sensory Bottle 
• Fish Themed Sight Word Game

Want the best pencil to learn to write? Here’s our favorite!

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Thank you Gift Ideas for Summer Camp Teachers

In my experience, summer camp teachers range from student volunteers to professional teachers. Although you do not NEED to give your summer camp teachers anything – It is a very sweet gesture to let the people who have cared for your children all summer long that you appreciate them.

What to Give A Summer Camp Teacher? Try on of these Gifts for Summer Camp Teachers

Gift Cards:

Sure a gift card to an ice cream shop or coffee shop is a great idea. But what happens where there are several camp teachers or counselors that work with your child? This can add up and take a big chunk out of your family budget.

Hand Written Note:

My go-to teacher gift is truly a hand written note from either the parent of child. It is the most personable and meaningful in my opinion.

Want to sweeten the thank you up a bit?

Salt Water Taffy:

Salt water taffy’s are a great summer treat. They are also bright colored, liked by many, and are a bulkier candy (meaning even if you buy a small bag, it still feels like a nice sized gift). Salt water taffys are also a break from the traditional chocolate teacher gift.

Another added bonus is that they are a seasonal product and often seen as a symbol of summer!

Last, but not least, they are a sharable treat. If you have a team of summer camp teachers or counselors, you can give them a larger bag and address your thank you to the team.

My kids like to stop by Fresh Market to pick out the salt water taffy for their teachers from the bulk candy bins. I hand them a small plastic bag and let them choose away. I think the biggest bag that my eight year old JAMMED as many in as she could was only around $3.00 (pictured above).

Then comes the best part – the BOW!

MOST, but not all, floral sections of stores will let you have one of their bows for your gifts at no extra charge. Ours asked us if we wanted the small or BIG bows for our packages. You can, of course, see that my children chose the biggest ones possible. She even helped the kids tape the bows to their packages. We added a hand-written thank-you card and were set!

The Reasons Why I Try To Give Gifts to Summer Camp Teachers

As I wrote earlier, you shouldn’t feel that end of the summer – summer camp teacher gifts are needed. I personally like to say thank you for adults who were influential in my child’s life.

For me, it is also a time to teach my children how to show gratitude. Gratitude is being able to say thank you for an experience or gift that you have received. Gratitude is taking the time to notice the little things that made our lives better in some way.

No matter what you decide to give your summer camp teacher – make sure you at least give them a BIG SMILE and say THANK YOU for spending the summer with your child.

For more teacher gift ideas, we recommend

• Thank you teacher for helping me bloom
• Teacher appreciation gift ideas
• Back to school crafts and gift ideas
• Tips for how to Thank Summer Volunteers

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In this article I’ll show you how to create an “acts of kindness” bouquet with your kids. It’s the perfect gift for Mother’s Day, a birthday, teacher appreciation or anytime someone special needs a lift.

Look below for a few variations that are perfect for the male role model in your child’s life, too!

Why Make a Kindness Bouquet? 

As a parent, you strive to raise well-rounded kids who think of others. With busy schedules, you need to make the most of every opportunity. Wrapping acts of kindness into a special gift is certainly a way to do that.

Coming up with unique gift ideas can be a challenge, especially if you are trying to say thank you to someone who cares for you. Seriously, how do you wrap up love and appreciation?
Every woman loves a beautiful bouquet of flowers. The only thing a parent, grandparent or teacher loves more is a gift that kids make themselves.

An act of kindness bouquet is the perfect solution.

During this fun project, you and your kids will make kindness flowers using paper, paint and assorted art supplies and then add an “act of kindness” to each flower. Each act is a promise to do something special for the recipient of the gift.

You could also incorporate these flowers into a Mothers’ Day Scavenger Hunt.

DIY Flower Bouquet for Mother’s Day

It’s important to encourage your kids to pause and think of all the things that parents, teachers and friends do for them every day, and to think of acts of kindness they can do in return. Then put those ideas into action with this gift.

Plus these simple ideas can be used beyond the days surrounding special occasions. These random (and not so random) acts can become part of your routine, practiced throughout the year.

Materials for Painted Flowers Bouquet 

• Paper
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Recycled Objects for Stamping
• Pen
• Scissors
• Marker or crayons
• Tape
• Something to use as a flower stem (sticks, bamboo skewers, pencils, pipe cleaners, etc.)
• Ribbon
• Vase or box

Are you ready to make a kindness bouquet?

#1: Paint Kindness Flowers

To start, make 10 fun kindness flowers with your kids.
Have them take a few sheets of paper and paint all over them. Your kids can paint freeform or use random objects to create designs on the paper.

If you want to use items to create a pattern or design, try cotton swabs, cotton balls, lids, corks and straw. It’s important to cover each sheet of paper thoroughly.

Note: Make sure your kids know that they’re not necessarily painting shapes to look like flowers—that part will come later.

Messiness in this process is encouraged. Just have paper towels close by.
Give the painted paper time to dry before you go on to the next step. This is the perfect opportunity to start brainstorming lists for the acts of kindness.

#2: Write Down Kindness Gifts

Sit down with your kids and talk about things that would be nice to do for the recipient of the bouquet. They’ll probably surprise you and come up with some great ideas for Mom, Grandma, Auntie or their favorite teacher at school. These written-down acts will be promises, chores or additional creative gifts that your kids will do throughout the month.

Click here for 40 Ideas for Acts of Kindness for Mothers’ Day  

Once you have your list, discuss which “gifts” are truly possible and pick 10 of your favorites.

Have your child write the finalized kindness acts on small slips of paper. Set them aside and go back to working on the flowers.

#3: Create Kindness Flowers

Once your painted paper is dry, you can go on to make the kindness flowers. Trace around a premade flower outline, a stencil drawn by your child or a large flower-shaped cookie cutter and have your child cut the flowers out of the paper.

Note: Younger kids may need help cutting intricate shapes. We cut the painted papers into quarters to make it easier for little hands.

#4: Assemble Your Kindness Bouquet

Once you cut out all the flowers, use tape to connect each one to a stem made from a stick, bamboo skewer, pencil or pipe cleaner.

Remember the acts of kindness you wrote on slips of paper? Attach each act of kindness to a flower stem, below the bloom. Just place the paper against the stem and tape it. Feel free to add extra paper to use as leaves for the flowers.

Next, tie a ribbon around the bouquet or arrange the flowers into a vase.

Note: You may want to add glass beads, marbles or something similar to the bottom of the vase. That will help keep it stable and help you arrange the paper flowers.

When you give the gift, explain that each flower represents a gift the receiver can redeem at any time. Draw a small picture—a heart, perhaps—on each flower as it’s redeemed.

Voilà! The perfect gift! One made with paper, paint and lots of love. And a great way to teach your kids to be kind and grateful.

Here are some additional Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Kids below:

Some Final Thoughts…
In this busy technocentric society, it’s important to give our children tools to express empathy and reach out to others with kindness. These fun acts should inspire joy, as well as a love of helping—and surprising—others! A kindness bouquet is the perfect way to turn these acts into a cherished present.

What do you think? How did the DIY Flower Bouquet for Mother’s Day turn out? Who received them? What gifts did your kids add to their kindness bouquets? I’d love to hear your ideas and see pictures in the comment section below.

Teachers truly are our modern day superheroes.

Teacher Appreciation Super Hero Themed Week

Day in and day out they show up before the sun rises to prepare for the day.  They work all day long making sure that each student is working to their fullest potential. 

They are usually there long after their contract tells them they are able to go and work unpaid ensuring that their classrooms and students are all taken care of with preparation, assessment, grading, and creating classroom environments to help maximize their learning. 

Lesson plans have become far different from what many were trained to do in college but yet they adapt and move forward becoming tech savvy in the process. 

They stretch behind their training to ensure that students physical and social needs are reaching their fullest potential as well. You know that teacher who went above and behind to ensure your child was successful.  They are in each and everyone one of our schools in the world… but do you tell them how amazing they are?

Teachers find themselves juggling their own families, their students’ families, their coworkers families and most likely they are evening juggling their children’s friends and teammates families at times. Typically they are the ones we all turn to when we need an answer about our child. 

And even though they are not on duty at school they find the time and energy to be there for you answering your questions and helping you solve problems.  It’s in a teacher’s core to ensure that everyone around us is learning and reaching their full potential. 

In my eyes…. that’s a superhero. 

This past week I had the joy of experiencing what happens when a school lifts up their teachers as SUPERHEROS! 

Here’s what our Teacher Appreciation Volunteers planned for the week. 

They sent home this attached handout to each family at the school and also shared on the school newsletter, website and facebook page.

Planning for Teacher Appreciation Super Hero Week

MONDAY

• WHAT IS YOUR TEACHER’S SUPER POWER? WRITE IT ON THE STAR AND ADD IT TO THEIR DOOR!

TUESDAY

• SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION! WRITE A NOTE OF THANKS TO OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF.

WEDNESDAY

• BRING YOUR SUPER TEACHER A SUPER SWEET TREAT!

THURSDAY

• STOCK OUR HEROS BY BRINGING IN A SCHOOL SUPPLY

FRIDAY

• EVEN SUPERHEROS NEED A BREAK! COMBINE POWERS WITH YOUR CLASS AND PLAN A SUPERHERO SURPRISE FOR YOUR TEACHER

How to Involve Families of All Budgets in Teacher Appreciation Week

One of the things that I adore about this week is that most of it is effort from students and parents and not a lot of money.  Finding ways to celebrate teachers that all students can participate is in important. 

Keep in mind that most schools have students who come from homes with a variety of incomes.  And if you ask most teachers it’s the little things that melt their heart, so go show your teacher how much you think of them as your SUPERHERO! 

Teacher Appreciation Ideas on Pinterest

Need ideas for how to plan your Teacher Appreciation?  My go to source would be Pinterest!  There are tons of superhero themed ideas there.  Here’s a link to get you started https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=teacher%20appreciation%20superheros

Psst… here’s a whole bunch of people who’s already starting boards about Superhero Teacher Appreciation… check them out! 
https://www.pinterest.com/search/boards/?q=teacher+appreciation+superheros

Image Source Happy Go Lucky Blog

Why Teachers are Real Life Superheros (Huffington Post)

Click Here for more Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas 

Teacher Appreciation Week is here! Do you have an idea of what to give your child’s teacher? We asked some of our favorite bloggers to share their ideas with us. 

Here are over 30 Ideas for teacher gifts to make it easy to share something special without having to create your own ideas. Plus many are budget-friendly teacher gift ideas to be able to share with all of the teachers that impact your child at school.

*indicates featured images 

30+ Teacher Gift Ideas

• Sharpie Bouquet Teacher Gift by Fantastic Fun and Learning*
• Teacher Relaxation Bucket from Coffee Cups and  Crayons*
• Thanks for Being So Sweet Printable from Coffee Cups and Crayons *
• Budget Friendly Teacher Appreciation Ideas by Fantastic Fun and Learning

• Bus Themed Teacher Gift Idea from Love and Lollipops*
• Thank You Notes to Teachers by Mama Smiles*
• Chapstick Teacher Appreciation Printable by Me Plus 3 Today *
• Foldable Thank you Flower from JDaniel4’s Mom
• Printable Tea Pot Gift from Messy Little Monster
• Printable Gift Tags from JDaniel4’s Mom
• Chocolate and Fortune Cookie Gift Ideas by Me Plus 3 Today
• Gumball Gift Idea and Printable for Teachers from Elemnop Kids*

• DIY Easy Heart Mug by Messy Little Monsters*
• Pringles Box Pencil by Sparkling Buds *
• You Are one Smart Cookie Printable *
• Colorful Pour Pots by KCedventures
• Handprint Appreciation Cards from There’s Just One Mommy
• Candy Bouquet for Teachers from East Coast Mommy *

• Crayon Monogram by A Mom with a Lesson Plan
• Mason Jar Teacher Gift Idea by Fireflies and Mudpies*
• 23 Teacher Appreciation Ideas from Lollyjane
• Simple Teacher Appreciation Gift from East Coast Mommy *
• Super  Hero Candy Bar for Teachers by I Heart Crafty Things  *
• Teacher Tote Bag Idea from East Coast Mommy  *
• Cute Sayings for Teacher Appreciation Week from Skip to My Lou

Teacher Gift Ideas from The Educators’ Spin On It

• Blueberry Gift Idea and  Printable
• Videos for Teacher Appreciation
• Gifts Ideas for all School Support Staff
• Classroom Wreath Tutorial
• Personalized Glass Vase
• Salt Water Taffy Gift for Teacher
• Fish Themed Teacher Gift Idea
• Cookie Themed Teacher Gift Idea with Printable
• Post It Note Gift Idea
• 30 Gift Ideas from Teachers and Parents for Teacher Appreciation
• Roundup of Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas
• “We Think the World Of You” Themed Teacher Appreciation Week
• Superhero Themed Teacher Appreciation Week

Take time this week to #THANKATEACHER They spend so much of their time, effort, and talents focused on your child and their success and well-being.

Have your child write a simple thank you note or draw a picture can be quite motivational to a teacher too.

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Looking for more ideas?  We’re sharing gift ideas on our Gift Pinterest Board… be sure to follow!

Follow The Educators’ Spin On It’s board Gifts for Teachers, Friends & Family on Pinterest.

Here’s how you can show your teacher appreciation with your child…

Planning Teacher Appreciation Week Celebration

This year, our school has chosen the theme: We Think the World of you.

Here are the planned events and some suggestions for participants.

• Monday: French Inspired Breakfast Before School
• Tuesday: Gracias Gift
• Wednesday: Italian Luncheon
• Thursday: “Xie Xie” (shia shia) from China
• Friday: “Thank You” from America 

The details for each of the days during Teacher Appreciation week are featured below. If you are helping to organize this event, we recommend getting a core team of parents and community members together. Planning an entire thank you week for teachers and staff takes time and effort.

 It is helpful to involve and notify parents of the festivities via

• Printed newsletter
• E-mail
• School Facebook posting.
• Kids (get them excited about the week during the school-wide morning announcements)

Tips for involving all families in Teacher Appreciation Week Celebrations.

1. Keep the information short, sweet, and to the point.
2. Include details on when, where, and what to bring.
3. Make sure to include celebrations that ALL families no matter what their socioeconomic status may be.  That means, having some homemade, no-cost ways for children to contribute to the festivities.

We Think the World of You Week Activities for Teacher Appreciation

Monday: French Inspired Breakfast Before School

“Merci” from France. On this morning, a French inspired breakfast will be served to teachers and staff. Parents are asked to make and donate French inspired breakfast items.

• Baguette
• Cheese platter
• Crepes
• Fruit
• Croissants
• Pastries

Make sure to plan for silverware, plates, napkins, and cups!

Our school buys nicer tablecloths and re-uses them for different occasions. Chose a solid color tablecloth for the most versatility.

10+ Volunteers needed:

• Breakfast Table Set Up
• Someone to accept family food donations and place on the tables.
• Runner (to get needed items such as ice)
• Greeter to smile at teachers and thank them as they arrive
• Clean Up Crew

Tuesday: Gracias Gift

“Gracias” Senoritas & Senors. A special “Spanish” style gift & treat will be given to all teachers and staff. This gift is purchased by the PTA and distributed in the teacher’s mailboxes with a printed message.  Your school may consider a small gift of:

• Candy
• Chocolate
• Magnet
• Gift Certificate

Chips and salsa in the break room is always a hit too!

3+ Volunteers Needed:

• To purchase the gifts
• Assemble the note and gifts
• Distribute the gift

Wednesday: Italian Luncheon

“Grazie” from Italy.  Italian style luncheon & raffle.  This lunch will be catered and served in the cafeteria.  Work with the neighboring restaurants to see if they would be willing to sponsor this event or offer the meal at a discounted rate.

Ask your principal if you can write a blurb about them in the school newsletter as a thank you. (Start contacting them months in advance)

Volunteers needed:

• Organize and purchase decorations.
• Someone to meet the caterers and show them where to place the food
  Decorate the room and tables
• Runner (to get needed items such as ice)
• Greeter to smile at teachers and thank them as they arrive
  5+ parents to serve the teachers and staff
• Clean Up Crew

Thursday: “Xie Xie” (shia shia) from China;

The teachers will be given a special Chinese treat. It will be delivered to all Teachers & Staff. Some items your school may consider purchasing for this Teacher Appreciation day are:

• Fortune Cookies
• Bookmarks
• Candy filled take out box.
• Fan
• Chopsticks
• Coin Purse

3+ Volunteers Needed:

• To purchase the gifts
• Assemble the note and gifts
• Distribute the gift

Friday: “Thank You” from America

The homeroom parents are helping out with Friday’s events and have asked each teacher what classroom supplies they needed and shared this information with the parents.

On this day, students are asked to send in a special hand-made thank you letter to their teachers.

Our teacher has specifically asked for several books and

• Any ream of copy paper
• Colored copy paper
• Card stock
• Fun colored grading pens
• Thick pocketed folders used to organize her plans
• Pencils
• Nice erasers
• Post it notes
• Large hand scissors
• Thin Crayola markers

Volunteers Needed:
All homeroom parents

For additional Teacher Appreciation Week Ideas

You might also find these helpful in your planning a special day for your child’s teacher.

We like to give teachers holiday gifts that are part home-made, part store-bought, within our budget, cute, AND something they can use.

Several years ago, these snowman candy bar wrapped chocolate bars were a hit and a tradition was born.  Each year, the kids have wrapped a candy bar and decorated them using the materials we have on hand. Affiliate links to products.

We have made:

• Holiday Bear Candy Bar Wrappers
• Snowman Candy Bar Wrappers
• Gingerbread Man Candy Bar Wrapper

We’ve even given them for other holidays too!

• Turkey Candy Bar Wrapper
• Pumpkin Candy Bar Wrapper

These are perfect if you’re doing Kindness Elves with your child this holiday season. (Print your daily kindness elves prompts here)

Disclosure: This post contains amazon affiliate links.

Reindeer Candy Bar Wrappers

For this project, you will need:

• Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Bar
• Kids Scissors
• Tape
• School Glue
• Construction Paper
• Brown Chenille Stems 
• Permanent Marker
• Christmas Tissue Paper

Directions to Make Reindeer Wrappers 

1. Cut rectangles out of paper grocery bags.  Wrap the chocolate candy bar with the brown paper bag rectangle, keeping any printing on the inside.

2. Tape or glue ears to each side and a Brown Chenille Stem folded in half at the top. Make a line inside the ear if desired and bend the brown chenille stem to look like antlers.

3. Glue a red oval nose in the middle.

4. Draw eyes, mouth, and other facial features.

5. Twist a small rectangle of Christmas Tissue Paper into a bow. Glue on as a hair bow or a bow tie.

Want a holiday treat that is easy to make for the whole class? Try these reindeer noses treats!

Write a message with the permanent marker on the back that says who the reindeer candy bar wrapper is to and who it is from.

To:

From:

Then give your gift!

*** As shown in the set-up picture, I set all the materials on a table and let my kids make their own reindeer candy bar wrappers.

My 9 and 6 year old made theirs 100% on their own, my 3 year old did need my help wrapping, taping and writing. All three couldn’t wait to deliver their gifts this morning.

Such a quick and easy way to tell a special teacher or loved one you are thinking about them during this holiday season.

Who will you make a Reindeer candy bar wrapper for this Christmas?

For more reindeer themed fun this holiday season be sure to check out these reindeer craft ideas and gift ideas!

These Easy to Make, DIY Art project for kids are the perfect fall treat for teachers!

Handmade Teacher Gift: Pumpkin Chocolate Bar Wrappers

Hand-made gifts come from the heart. This cute pumpkin gift is no exception. The combination of watercolor crayon resist and sweet chocolate candy is sure to win the heart of any teacher!

Materials Needed

• white printer paper
• orange crayon
• orange watercolor
• paintbrush
• tape
• green paper
• scissors
• printer or black marker
• chocolate bar

Directions for Making the Cute Pumpkin Wrapper Homemade Teacher Gift

Turn the paper vertically. Using the crayon draw vertical lines, pressing hard for a strong line.

Water color orange over the entire paper. The paint will resist the vertical crayon lines.

When the painting is dry, gather supplies and begin wrapping the candy bars.

Fold the edges just like you would when wrapping a present.

Add a green stem

Make a green leaf tag.  We wrote:

You’re the pick of the patch. Thanks for being an awesome teacher.

3 Dinosaurs made this cute fall Thank You gift tag, which would also be a cute addition to your chocolate pumpkin homemade teacher gift! Stop by Fall Thank You Notes to download the set.

For MORE DIY Budget Friendly, but still SUPER CUTE Holiday Gifts for Teachers, Neighbors, and Friends:

• Turkey Candy-bar Wrappers and Thank You Note
• Teddy Bear Candy-bar Wrappers Thank You Gift
• Snowman Chocolate Bar Homemade Gift
• Gingerbread Man Chocolate Bar DIY Gift Wrap

We decided we’d ask our favorite teacher friends the most memorable thank you gifts they’ve received while teaching.

Thank You Gift Ideas for Teachers

These thank you gift ideas for teachers were inspired for the individuals who are involved in our children’s lives. We’ve included ideas that would be great for Teachers, Babysitters, Dance Instructors, Music Teachers, Gymnastic Coaches, Soccer Coaches, Sunday School Teachers, Program Directors and more!

Here’s what they had to say for Thank You Gift Ideas for Teachers!

Gift Cards for Teachers

One of the easiest gifts to give for teachers is a thank you card. Pulling together as a class can make one big impact for a git too. Here’s what some of our teachers remember as their favorite gift cards.

•  “I loved a Starbucks gift card. Useful and a nice treat on someone else’s expense.”
• “Gift card for a massage and last year I got a date night packet with a gift card to the movies, dinner and mall so I could buy myself something new before date night.“
•  “Yes, gift cards to the spa!! I loved it when the whole class went in together on a gift. I even got a $200 gift card to Target once (obviously a class gift). Loved that too!!”
• “My class pulled together and got me a gift card for the mall. I was able to buy my first Florida winter coat with it since I didn’t own one. “
•  “A few massage gift cards-what a blessing after a LONG year of service!”
• “Gift cards were always nice.  My favorite ever was a small cactus terrarium. The kids and I enjoyed it for years!!!”

Food Gifts for Teachers

You can win over a teacher’s heart with a delicious food gift idea. Plus it doesn’t have to be just for Teacher Appreciation week, sometimes stopping by at dismissal with a treat is so thoughtful and memorable.

• “My room parents got together and provided my family with homemade meals for the entire week. It was delivered to the back of my car in a cooler every day at the end of the day, complete with paper plates and jugs of tea!”
• “Loved a homemade meal! Complete with wine one time!”
• “A special tray of cookies delivered with a smile and handmade thank you note”
• “One year I had this sweet Mom who would arrive at dismissal with a plate full of handmade spring rolls, I thought it was one of most thoughtful things ever!

Personalized Thank You Gift Ideas for Teachers 

Your child surprisingly will learn quite a bit about their teacher over the course of the year.  Ask if they’ve gone on any trips, or have a favorite tv show or movie. Pinterest has made it even easier to create a gift idea with their personalized name on it as well.

• Personalized Gifts for Teachers as a teacher, my favorite appreciation gift I ever received was a book made for me by one of my parents. She had all the kids color a picture and finish the sentence, “I like Mrs. Stewart because….” Then she put all the pictures together into a book with a cover. The parents then signed the back of the book . It was super cool! Deborah from Teach Preschool
•  “I loved getting a 31 lunch bag with my name on it packed with a lunch from a local deli!”
• “A parent made me a scrapbook with pictures from the year and notes from the parents and kids.”
• “I loved a beach towel & bag theme for summer”
• The one that I received from students wasn’t a book but a picture of all of the students and they signed the back of it. Maria from Mama Mias Heart 2 Heart
• “I loved a planted pot I received one year with all of my students’ fingerprint personalized by them into people with their handwritten names below.  Around the top the parent had written “Bloom where you are planted” I kept that plant in my classroom for years, so sweet.”
• I got one my first year teaching 2nd grade from an awesome mom and I still have it! LOVED the drawings and writing the kids made. She also made a cookbook – where the kids made up a special dish just for me – hilarious stuff! It was great! Bernadette from Mom 2 Posh Lil Divas
• The best gift I ever received as a teacher was a dvd picture movie a parent made for me. They took pictures of things all over my classroom, of all the kids doing different things over the year, shots of the school, displays etc. It was all set to The Jackson Five, ABC 123 and is the most fun and lovely little movie… especially as I’ve been off from teaching for the past 3 years and I’d forgotten lots of little details of my classroom that this parent photographed.  I’ll keep it forever.   Deborah @ with Learn with Play at Home

This picture my 5 year old drew the other day for her teacher before school.

Handmade Thank You Gift Ideas from Students for Teachers

It’s no surprise that teachers did not go into their profession for the big dollars, they choose it to make a difference in the life of a child.  That same sentiment goes along with a simple handmade card or drawing means the world to them.  It’s really that simple at times.

• Handmade Gifts for Teachers“Might sound cheesy, but I enjoyed a few homemade Christmas ornaments that I still put on my tree almost 20 years later.”
• “I just like being remembered, from the candles in the obviously child decorated baby food jars, to the mugs, to the gift certificates. My mother, who taught 3rd grade MANY years ago, got lovely sets of costume jewelry that I used to love playing dress up with. It truly is the thought that counts.”
• “A really sweet gift I received was a drawing. A little girl in my class realized she didn’t get me anything so she quick sat down and drew me a beautiful picture.”
• “My favorite teacher’s gift was a children’s book (that we all loved and had read) the children had written messages on labels, then the labels were placed inside the covers of the book.  Love the handwriting and precious little notes!  It’s an all time fave.  ” Kristi from Creative Connections for Kids
• My favorite teacher’s gift was a children’s book (that we all loved and had read) the children had written messages on labels, then the labels were placed inside the covers of the book. Loved the handwriting and precious little notes! It’s an all time fave.
•  “I got a Tervis tumbler with single servings of lemonade and ice tea packets that you just mix with water… All tied up with a bow. Love it! Also got (for two different holidays from same child) two matching totes from Lands End that are monogrammed. One is good as a purse, the other would be perfect for beach for whole family. I’ve gotten and appreciated the gift cards, but I’ll always remember the children and parents who gave me these! Whatever the gift, knowing that I’m appreciated is wonderful!”
• “Gift cards are great, but the gifts that I remember are really the ones that were homemade from the kids…A Hello Kitty picture to hang on the wall made of Legos, a message board surrounded by tiles, each painted by a different student, and some hand folded origami shapes attached to the sweetest notes ever…those have to be my top three.”
•  “One year I had a student who would bring me handpicked flowers from her garden on random days throughout school year.  It was so sweet!

Need more Teacher Appreciation Ideas?

Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas from The Educators’ Spin On It

• 30+ Teacher Gift Ideas for Teacher Appreciation and End of School Year 
• “A Very Special Teacher”  Party inspired by Eric Carle’s Very Hungry Caterpillar
• Videos to Share with Teachers or Show at Teacher Appreciation Luncheon
• Round Up of Teacher Appreciation Gifts!
• Pencil Themed Thank You Gift
• You’re “Berry” Special Printable 
• Cookie Themed Gift Idea with Printable  
• Teacher Appreciation Classroom Wreath 
• Customized Notepad for Teachers
• Appreciation Gift Ideas for All of School Staff 
• Personalized Vase for Teachers 
• “We Think the World Of You” Teacher Appreciation Week 
• Superhero Themed Gift Ideas for Teacher Appreciation Week 
• 30 Ways to Say Thank you to Teachers 

Teacher Thank You Gift Ideas from Parents

Need a quick idea that a parent has already thought of? Here are a few that were easy to put together.

• “I’m not a teacher, but I have a couple of inexpensive ideas. One year I got plain clipboards from Target. I got cute scrapbook paper and cut it to fit the clipboard. I mod podged the paper to the clipboard and sanded the edges a little. I took a piece of ribbon and tied a cute pen to the metal part of the clipboard. You can attach a handmade note from your child or clip on some stationary or note pad. “
• “One year I got those huge plastic summer cups from Target (they have all kinds of cute designs and are $2). I put in a can of Izzy’s sparkling soda and a couple of snacks. Tied it with cellophane and ribbon. Kinda cute!”
• “I have given Mary Kay gifts in the past (coffee & cream – a coffee mug with hand cream) and some samples. I also did this same gift at Christmas with hot chocolate and a candy cane and it came with a cute poem. I’ve also done mini-Satin Hands sets that have always been a hit (<$10) and packaged them according to the season…Christmas, Valentine’s, etc. I have a variety of products that are enjoyed by just about all women and the gift can be as little or big as you want. ”
• “We created a photo book for our daughters’ Dance Teacher using images on the girls over the course of the years of lessons with our group of girls.”
• You’re Officially the BEST! Throw together some swedish fish candy with a fish shaped note!
• You’re Beary Special!  Grab some gummy worms and a bear shared note for a sweet thank you card.

As you can see the gifts vary, every teacher is unique, but the message is always received with heart felt appreciation. I hope you find this list helpful and are able to find that special gift for someone in your child’s life that you want to Thank for making a difference.

No matter your budget is there is always a way to tell someone THANK YOU for sharing their lives and with your child. The most important thing to remember is to take a moment and remember how hard they are working for your child.

A simple smile and a “thank you” when you pick them up or a handmade card from your child will bring such joy to their day.

For more ideas Teacher Appreciation Ideas Visit our Pinterest Gift Board!

Here are some tips for thanking all of your non-homeroom teachers and school support staff this year.

Appreciation Week Ideas for Including All School Staff Members

Take the opportunity during teacher appreciation week to show your appreciation for the other staff members as well.  

These individuals include:

• office staff
• custodial staff
• kitchen staff
• art teachers
• music teachers
• PE teachers
• librarians
• computer teachers
• gifted teachers
• classroom aids

Celebrate All Your Child’s Teachers at School During Teacher Appreciation Week:

These “teachers” deserve a big thank you for being part of your child’s educational community too.  Although you could purchase a small gift or write a card for each of these individuals, it may be easier to connect with other parents at your child’s school and pool your resources.

If your school does not do this already, I would strongly encourage you to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of these important teachers during teacher appreciation week. You could:

1. Write a card.

2. Send in food for a teacher appreciation brunch or breakfast.

3. Send in a bowl of candies or fruit with a sign of appreciation to all.

4. Collect $ and gift cards and distribute.

Asking parents and families to contribute $5-$25 to purchase gift cards for the teachers and staff without a homeroom can be an effective way to provide each of these non-homeroom teachers and school support staff with a little gift of gratitude. These donations may be requested from homeroom parents through an e-mail or in a school-approved paper flier home.  

Often the PTA will assist in organizing this.

Teacher Appreciation Week – YES We Appreciate You!

To the teachers and staff of our children, our friends, and our readers who are teachers, we are thankful.

We are grateful.

We value and recognize the time and commitment you are making to our children.

We appreciate you.

For More Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas here at The Educators’ Spin On It

1. Sweet and Simple Teacher Thank You Gift
2. Thank You Teacher for Helping Me Bloom
3. You are One Smart Cookie – Thanks for Being My Teacher
4. Make a Classroom Wreath to Thank a Teacher
5. The Best Teacher Gifts: A list of REAL gifts teachers loved.
6. Make an Eric Carle Inspired Gift Basket
7. 30+ Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas