8+ Creative Teacher Appreciation Ideas You'll Want to Do ASAP

Teacher Appreciation Week starts May 5, 2025. If your PTO or PTA is looking to wow teachers, you've come to the right place! We round up some of the best (and most memorable) ways to show your teachers some love during Teacher Appreciation Week.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie: Teacher Edition (Gift Album)

We absolutely love this idea! One of teachers' fave classics, the book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie takes on a whole new meaning when it's written just for teachers (and includes free Flair pens and coffee gift cards).

Wicked (Awesome) Teacher Appreciation Week

Theming your Teacher Appreciation Week festivities around the year's hottest movie (or even a classic film) is always a good idea. The most popular movie this year? You guessed it! 🪄 Get the very best Wicked themed Teacher Appreciation Week ideas from our community, along with our free bundle of Teacher Appreciation Week printables.

Italian Soda Bar for Teachers

This fun spin on a hydration station for teachers swaps out still water for carbonated water to make it (you guessed it) extra fancy.

Dirty Soda Bar for Teachers

We're SODA-lighted to have teachers like you! Get our free dirty soda bar teacher drink recipes and signage, a shopping list and tips.

Target-themed Teacher Appreciation Celebration

Not sure if you heard, but some teachers kind of have a thing for Target. Audubon Elementary School in Foster City, CA decided to throw their teachers a full blown Target themed teacher appreciation celebration because teachers are, in fact, the "real deal"! The event featured lots of red and white decorations, miniature red shopping carts (to hold napkins, of course!), "sales", and even Bullseye, Target's mascot. Safe to say, teachers had fun enjoying their #targethaul themed snacks, drinks and supplies in the middle of the school day!

A Snuggle Sesh for Teachers and Rescue Puppies

"Pause and Paws" is the ultimate way to bring some Zen to the teachers' lounge! We're not gonna lie, this one's probably one of our most favorite teacher appreciation ideas! Bridgeway Elementary PTO in Bridgeton, MO invited Speak Rescue and Sanctuary from St. Louis, MO to bring rescue puppies in during Teacher Appreciation Week for teachers to have a little mid-day snuggle sesh. Not only did this adorable event boost teachers' moods, it also generated publicity for the rescue and adoption for the cute pups. We call that a win win!

Open Vending Machine

Yep, it's exactly what it sounds like - a vending machine that's open for teachers' taking! Brazosport Christian School in Lake Jackson, Texas added an open vending machine to their 90s themed Teacher Appreciation Week, featuring a mix of classic candies and snacks from the 90s and now. This is a fun, creative, and easy idea to bring to life in the teachers' lounge!

BYOB (Bring Your Own Banana) Day

Invite teachers to "BYOB" (Bring Your Own Banana) to make their own banana split in the teachers' lounge! PTO provides the toppings and ice cream for this fun spin on an ice cream sundae bar. Or, leave a banana with a note in each teacher's mailbox inviting them to the banana split bar! (Psst: National Banana Day is celebrated on the third Wednesday every April.)

Taylor Swift Teacher Appreciation Tour

Possibly one of the most popular Teacher Appreciation Week themes to date, Taylor Swift continues to make headlines at schools nationwide. Get more Taylor Swift inspired teacher appreciation ideas

Totally 90s Teacher Appreciation Week

Pump up the jam, because your teachers are all that and a bag of chips! Grab your windbreaker and find the nearest cardboard cut out of Zak Morris, and get ready to take your teachers down memory lane with a 90s themed teacher appreciation celebration.

50s Themed Teacher Appreciation Week

Mountainview PTA didn't miss any details serving up Teacher Appreciation Week with a trip through the decades, starting with the 1950s sockhop! From turning the teachers' lounge into a diner to taking lunch orders while wearing roller skates (we're impressed), check out their video below!

Flower Bouquet Bar

Set up a variety of flowers for teachers to make their own bouquets during Teacher Appreciation Week! Invite teachers to choose a vase, then fill with the flowers of their choosing.

"Hats Off to Teachers" DIY Trucker Hats

There's nothing like getting to design your own trucker hat using "Coffee Teach Repeat" and "Bruh" patches, right? This crafty idea started making the rounds this year and teachers are loving it!

Ice Cream Float Bar

Teachers pick their ice cream flavor and soda of choice for a delightful ice cream float. (Psst: a float bar pairs well with a 50s sock hop theme!)

Teacher Wellness Bar

Help your teachers recharge and stay healthy with a wellness bar! Get our free Teacher Appreciation Week wellness bar printables (part of our appreciation mega bundle), along with a list of healthy snacks, sips, self-care items and classroom supplies.

Get even more Teacher Appreciation Week ideas 👉