8+ Ways for Schools To Celebrate the Solar Eclipse

The total solar eclipse is happening on April 8, 2024. You can get the full schedule of upcoming eclipses on the NASA website and learn more about the path of totality (and what you might be able to see). If your school is lucky enough to view the total or partial eclipse, why not make it extra special and treat your teachers or students? Below, we round up a few ways to celebrate the solar eclipse at school.  

Treat tags and eclipse themes

Because, let's be honest...no one can eclipse the teachers and staff at your school! Package up eclipse themed snacks (more on that below), set up in the teachers' lounge, or deliver via an "out of this world" treat trolley.

• "We love our teachers to the moon and back"
• "Our teachers are far out!"
• "Have an out-of-this-world kind of a school year!"
• "You're TOTALLY awesome! No one can eclipse the teachers and staff at our school" (use free editable treat tag Canva template)

Eclipse themed snacks and drinks

• Sun chips
• Moon pies
• Sunkist orange soda cans
• Milky Way fun size candy bars
• Eclipse chewing gum
• Starburst candy
• Capri Sun drinks
• Cosmic Brownies

Eclipse decorations

• Star and moon garland for the teachers' lounge
• Eclipse banner
• Hanging moon (45 inches)
• Galactic stress balls

Must-have songs on your eclipse playlist

Make a playlist full of songs about the sun, moon, stars, and (of course) the eclipse! Play from a Bluetooth speaker while delivering eclipse snacks to teachers via your treat trolley, or during drop off and morning announcements.

• Total Eclipse of the Heart (Bonnie Tyler)
• Hear Comes the Sun (Beatles)
• Walkin' on Sunshine
• Eclipse (Pink Floyd)
• Steal My Sunshine (Len)
• Bad Moon Rising (Creedence Clearwater)
• Ain’t No Sunshine When She's Gone (Bill Withers)
• Blackhole Sun (Soundgarden)
• Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me (George Michael & Elton John)
• You Are My Sunshine (Johnny Cash)
• Walking On Sunshine (Katrina And The Waves)

Simple eclipse photo backdrop

Set up a photo backdrop where students can pose for photos to remember this memorable moment in time. Use black and orange plastic tablecloths and sunshine tissue balls to assemble this easy eclipse photo backdrop display. These sun sunglasses are a fun prop for photos, too! 

ISO compliant eclipse glasses 

Be sure to check with your district or school admin before purchasing glasses for students and/or staff to avoid any potential liability concerns. You must have solar-safe eclipse glasses to safely look at the sun! To find solar safe eclipse glasses that meet the certification requirements for solar viewers, reference the AAS (American Astronomical Society) website.  Keep in mind the eclipse builds for an hour or so before totality and then recedes for an equal amount of time after totality.

Planet lollipops for students

If you can find them at a low enough price point, these planet lollipops are a fun fundraiser or free treat for students.

Prime parking for eclipse viewing (fundraiser)

One creative PTO decided to sell parking spaces to visitors for the solar eclipse! PTO leaders think of everything, don't they?!

Hold an eclipse party at school

Want more appreciation ideas? Check out our FREE mega bundle of appreciation gift tags and ideas for teacher appreciation week, bus driver appreciation day, school custodian day, and more!