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12 Fun School Event Ideas Students (& Teachers) Will Love

Now, more than ever, we are in need of fun experiences that will bring our school communities together.
By 
Katie Neumeier
 | 
March 28, 2022

If you are looking for innovative and fun school event idea that will set your learning community apart, you are in the right spot! 

These events could be used for…

Nothing is better than instilling joy and fun into the lives of our learners; big and small. Let’s dive into 12 fun school event ideas you and your team can put together to incentivize and celebrate your students and communities. These are quick, easy, and of course super budget-friendly!

School Event Ideas: Fall

Meet the Teacher

A classic and fan favorite! In the cafeteria or auditorium, each grade level sets up a table to meet and greet their upcoming students and families. 

The tables can be decorated and small gifts such as pencils or snacks can be passed out. This is a great way for teachers to make a great first impression and for students to be less inclined to get those first day of school jitters. 

Meet the Teacher Event

Trunk or Treat

Happening the week of Halloween, this can be a great alternative to a typical party and also allows students to celebrate outside of standard trick or treating (which we all know can be disastrous if landing on a school night). 

Parents and volunteers decorate the trunks of their cars and park in a circle around the parking lot. At the end of the day, students walk from car to car and collect candy and other treats. This is a great opportunity for members of the community to get involved and spend a little extra time with their kids! 

Family Feast

This typically falls the week before Thanksgiving Break and is a great opportunity for families to join their children and teachers for a gratitude-centered meal. 

The feast can be donated from the community, made in-house, or a potluck depending on your school community! If you are looking for an easy way to get parents more involved in your classroom or school in general, this is the perfect place to start. 

School Event Ideas: Winter

Camp Read Away 

Searching for a way to bring the great outdoors into the four walls of your classroom? This may be it! Teachers ask families to send in sheets, blankets, and flashlights. In partners, students work to create the best reading fort they can imagine. 

Then, lights out! For the rest of the time, students flashlight read independently or with a buddy. S’mores and other campfire friendly snacks can be provided as well, but are not necessary to make this a fun and exciting experience. 

Winter Art Contest

This is a great event for either the whole school or individual grade levels that have multiple classrooms. Teachers decide on a winter themed muse and have students create their own interpretation of it. 

Once all artwork is complete, students submit their masterpieces for voting. In order to make it fair, different grade levels or classrooms would vote on each others’ to avoid favoritism and give everyone a fair shot! Categories for voting could include most unique, most creative, the cutest, etc. and the winners could receive a virtual prize

Holidays Around the World

This event is best held by individual grade levels to ensure there is adequate time in the schedule to fully enjoy the experience. Every classroom on a grade level picks a country that has a unique holiday tradition or celebration. 

Examples include Israel, Germany, England, Mexico, etc. The teacher in charge of each country plans a quick read-a-loud or video to teach the students about the tradition and its importance, as well as a craft activity. The students then spend the day rotating to each country to learn and experience cultures and fun traditions unlike their own. 

Holiday Multi-Culture Fair


School Event Ideas: Spring

Read Across America

Celebrated each year on March 2nd, Read Across America Day was first established as a way to celebrate Dr. Suess’s birthday. 

Today, its main purpose is to motivate and help children become aware and celebrate good reading habits. Students from similar or different classrooms and grade levels are partnered up to buddy read and share in their love of reading. 

STEM Field Day

This is a take on the classic field day event that students across all grade levels typically participate in each year. Instead of the average activities such as a cakewalk or relay race, students are challenged across all areas of STEM! 

This event could include activities such as a paper plate marble race, clothespin geometry, paper airplane challenge, or an array of engineering building challenges. The opportunities are endless and this event will get your kids involved in the many aspects of STEM-based fun. 

Graduation Celebration

Elementary and Middle Schools arrange with their affiliate or nearby high school an event where soon-to-be graduates visit the school and take part in a parade. 

The graduates wear their gowns or college apparel and stroll through the music-filled hallways to be celebrated as well as get younger students thinking and excited about their own futures. 

Students lining the hallways are encouraged to wear apparel from their favorite university and cheer as the graduates parade through.

Graduation Celebration


School Event Ideas for Any Season

Pie a Teacher

This event is the perfect class or school wide incentive, especially if they have a favorite teacher they would like to surprise with a splat! Once classes or grade levels reach their predetermined goal, a teacher is selected to get pied in the face in front of the whole student body. 

Maybe not the most fun for the targeted teacher, but a memorable experience for everyone else! 

Career Day

It is never too early to dream big about our future. This event allows students of all ages to explore the many opportunities they can explore in their adult lives. Each classroom represents an occupation and students can rotate or pick which ones they would like to visit to learn more about. 

Teachers can also invite members of the community to come in and talk about their occupations to give students first-hand experience.

Teacher vs. Student Competition

Calling all schools that have extremely competitive students and teachers, this one's for you. Once students or grade levels meet a goal, the students and teachers will go head to head in a friendly sporting event.

The competition could involve any sport or activity and snacks can be provided or sold to the audience. May the best team win!

Not only will these engaging and fun school events re-energize your students and offset rigorous learning time, they will also provide new and innovative learning experiences for your school community. 

And these are just a jumping-off point. Happy creating and celebrating!

For more information on student reward events, check out episode 30 of our podcast!

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12 Fun School Event Ideas Students (& Teachers) Will Love

Now, more than ever, we are in need of fun experiences that will bring our school communities together.
By 
Katie Neumeier
 | 
March 28, 2022
Walk into any school and you will see classrooms alive with rigorous learning and countless opportunities to show growth and student success. Now, more than ever, we are in need of fun experiences that will bring our school communities together.

If you are looking for innovative and fun school event idea that will set your learning community apart, you are in the right spot! 

These events could be used for…

  • Class Incentives 
  • School Spirit Weeks
  • Themed Days 
  • Community Building Opportunities

Nothing is better than instilling joy and fun into the lives of our learners; big and small. Let’s dive into 12 fun school event ideas you and your team can put together to incentivize and celebrate your students and communities. These are quick, easy, and of course super budget-friendly!

School Event Ideas: Fall

Meet the Teacher

A classic and fan favorite! In the cafeteria or auditorium, each grade level sets up a table to meet and greet their upcoming students and families. 

The tables can be decorated and small gifts such as pencils or snacks can be passed out. This is a great way for teachers to make a great first impression and for students to be less inclined to get those first day of school jitters. 

Meet the Teacher Event

Trunk or Treat

Happening the week of Halloween, this can be a great alternative to a typical party and also allows students to celebrate outside of standard trick or treating (which we all know can be disastrous if landing on a school night). 

Parents and volunteers decorate the trunks of their cars and park in a circle around the parking lot. At the end of the day, students walk from car to car and collect candy and other treats. This is a great opportunity for members of the community to get involved and spend a little extra time with their kids! 

Family Feast

This typically falls the week before Thanksgiving Break and is a great opportunity for families to join their children and teachers for a gratitude-centered meal. 

The feast can be donated from the community, made in-house, or a potluck depending on your school community! If you are looking for an easy way to get parents more involved in your classroom or school in general, this is the perfect place to start. 

School Event Ideas: Winter

Camp Read Away 

Searching for a way to bring the great outdoors into the four walls of your classroom? This may be it! Teachers ask families to send in sheets, blankets, and flashlights. In partners, students work to create the best reading fort they can imagine. 

Then, lights out! For the rest of the time, students flashlight read independently or with a buddy. S’mores and other campfire friendly snacks can be provided as well, but are not necessary to make this a fun and exciting experience. 

Winter Art Contest

This is a great event for either the whole school or individual grade levels that have multiple classrooms. Teachers decide on a winter themed muse and have students create their own interpretation of it. 

Once all artwork is complete, students submit their masterpieces for voting. In order to make it fair, different grade levels or classrooms would vote on each others’ to avoid favoritism and give everyone a fair shot! Categories for voting could include most unique, most creative, the cutest, etc. and the winners could receive a virtual prize

Holidays Around the World

This event is best held by individual grade levels to ensure there is adequate time in the schedule to fully enjoy the experience. Every classroom on a grade level picks a country that has a unique holiday tradition or celebration. 

Examples include Israel, Germany, England, Mexico, etc. The teacher in charge of each country plans a quick read-a-loud or video to teach the students about the tradition and its importance, as well as a craft activity. The students then spend the day rotating to each country to learn and experience cultures and fun traditions unlike their own. 

Holiday Multi-Culture Fair


School Event Ideas: Spring

Read Across America

Celebrated each year on March 2nd, Read Across America Day was first established as a way to celebrate Dr. Suess’s birthday. 

Today, its main purpose is to motivate and help children become aware and celebrate good reading habits. Students from similar or different classrooms and grade levels are partnered up to buddy read and share in their love of reading. 

STEM Field Day

This is a take on the classic field day event that students across all grade levels typically participate in each year. Instead of the average activities such as a cakewalk or relay race, students are challenged across all areas of STEM! 

This event could include activities such as a paper plate marble race, clothespin geometry, paper airplane challenge, or an array of engineering building challenges. The opportunities are endless and this event will get your kids involved in the many aspects of STEM-based fun. 

Graduation Celebration

Elementary and Middle Schools arrange with their affiliate or nearby high school an event where soon-to-be graduates visit the school and take part in a parade. 

The graduates wear their gowns or college apparel and stroll through the music-filled hallways to be celebrated as well as get younger students thinking and excited about their own futures. 

Students lining the hallways are encouraged to wear apparel from their favorite university and cheer as the graduates parade through.

Graduation Celebration


School Event Ideas for Any Season

Pie a Teacher

This event is the perfect class or school wide incentive, especially if they have a favorite teacher they would like to surprise with a splat! Once classes or grade levels reach their predetermined goal, a teacher is selected to get pied in the face in front of the whole student body. 

Maybe not the most fun for the targeted teacher, but a memorable experience for everyone else! 

Career Day

It is never too early to dream big about our future. This event allows students of all ages to explore the many opportunities they can explore in their adult lives. Each classroom represents an occupation and students can rotate or pick which ones they would like to visit to learn more about. 

Teachers can also invite members of the community to come in and talk about their occupations to give students first-hand experience.

Teacher vs. Student Competition

Calling all schools that have extremely competitive students and teachers, this one's for you. Once students or grade levels meet a goal, the students and teachers will go head to head in a friendly sporting event.

The competition could involve any sport or activity and snacks can be provided or sold to the audience. May the best team win!

Not only will these engaging and fun school events re-energize your students and offset rigorous learning time, they will also provide new and innovative learning experiences for your school community. 

And these are just a jumping-off point. Happy creating and celebrating!

For more information on student reward events, check out episode 30 of our podcast!

Let’s take this to your inbox
We’ll send you our monthly newsletter which is fully stocked with free resources like articles, videos, podcasts, reward ideas, and anything else we can think of to help you make your school awesome.
Walk into any school and you will see classrooms alive with rigorous learning and countless opportunities to show growth and student success. Now, more than ever, we are in need of fun experiences that will bring our school communities together.

If you are looking for innovative and fun school event idea that will set your learning community apart, you are in the right spot! 

These events could be used for…

  • Class Incentives 
  • School Spirit Weeks
  • Themed Days 
  • Community Building Opportunities

Nothing is better than instilling joy and fun into the lives of our learners; big and small. Let’s dive into 12 fun school event ideas you and your team can put together to incentivize and celebrate your students and communities. These are quick, easy, and of course super budget-friendly!

School Event Ideas: Fall

Meet the Teacher

A classic and fan favorite! In the cafeteria or auditorium, each grade level sets up a table to meet and greet their upcoming students and families. 

The tables can be decorated and small gifts such as pencils or snacks can be passed out. This is a great way for teachers to make a great first impression and for students to be less inclined to get those first day of school jitters. 

Meet the Teacher Event

Trunk or Treat

Happening the week of Halloween, this can be a great alternative to a typical party and also allows students to celebrate outside of standard trick or treating (which we all know can be disastrous if landing on a school night). 

Parents and volunteers decorate the trunks of their cars and park in a circle around the parking lot. At the end of the day, students walk from car to car and collect candy and other treats. This is a great opportunity for members of the community to get involved and spend a little extra time with their kids! 

Family Feast

This typically falls the week before Thanksgiving Break and is a great opportunity for families to join their children and teachers for a gratitude-centered meal. 

The feast can be donated from the community, made in-house, or a potluck depending on your school community! If you are looking for an easy way to get parents more involved in your classroom or school in general, this is the perfect place to start. 

School Event Ideas: Winter

Camp Read Away 

Searching for a way to bring the great outdoors into the four walls of your classroom? This may be it! Teachers ask families to send in sheets, blankets, and flashlights. In partners, students work to create the best reading fort they can imagine. 

Then, lights out! For the rest of the time, students flashlight read independently or with a buddy. S’mores and other campfire friendly snacks can be provided as well, but are not necessary to make this a fun and exciting experience. 

Winter Art Contest

This is a great event for either the whole school or individual grade levels that have multiple classrooms. Teachers decide on a winter themed muse and have students create their own interpretation of it. 

Once all artwork is complete, students submit their masterpieces for voting. In order to make it fair, different grade levels or classrooms would vote on each others’ to avoid favoritism and give everyone a fair shot! Categories for voting could include most unique, most creative, the cutest, etc. and the winners could receive a virtual prize

Holidays Around the World

This event is best held by individual grade levels to ensure there is adequate time in the schedule to fully enjoy the experience. Every classroom on a grade level picks a country that has a unique holiday tradition or celebration. 

Examples include Israel, Germany, England, Mexico, etc. The teacher in charge of each country plans a quick read-a-loud or video to teach the students about the tradition and its importance, as well as a craft activity. The students then spend the day rotating to each country to learn and experience cultures and fun traditions unlike their own. 

Holiday Multi-Culture Fair


School Event Ideas: Spring

Read Across America

Celebrated each year on March 2nd, Read Across America Day was first established as a way to celebrate Dr. Suess’s birthday. 

Today, its main purpose is to motivate and help children become aware and celebrate good reading habits. Students from similar or different classrooms and grade levels are partnered up to buddy read and share in their love of reading. 

STEM Field Day

This is a take on the classic field day event that students across all grade levels typically participate in each year. Instead of the average activities such as a cakewalk or relay race, students are challenged across all areas of STEM! 

This event could include activities such as a paper plate marble race, clothespin geometry, paper airplane challenge, or an array of engineering building challenges. The opportunities are endless and this event will get your kids involved in the many aspects of STEM-based fun. 

Graduation Celebration

Elementary and Middle Schools arrange with their affiliate or nearby high school an event where soon-to-be graduates visit the school and take part in a parade. 

The graduates wear their gowns or college apparel and stroll through the music-filled hallways to be celebrated as well as get younger students thinking and excited about their own futures. 

Students lining the hallways are encouraged to wear apparel from their favorite university and cheer as the graduates parade through.

Graduation Celebration


School Event Ideas for Any Season

Pie a Teacher

This event is the perfect class or school wide incentive, especially if they have a favorite teacher they would like to surprise with a splat! Once classes or grade levels reach their predetermined goal, a teacher is selected to get pied in the face in front of the whole student body. 

Maybe not the most fun for the targeted teacher, but a memorable experience for everyone else! 

Career Day

It is never too early to dream big about our future. This event allows students of all ages to explore the many opportunities they can explore in their adult lives. Each classroom represents an occupation and students can rotate or pick which ones they would like to visit to learn more about. 

Teachers can also invite members of the community to come in and talk about their occupations to give students first-hand experience.

Teacher vs. Student Competition

Calling all schools that have extremely competitive students and teachers, this one's for you. Once students or grade levels meet a goal, the students and teachers will go head to head in a friendly sporting event.

The competition could involve any sport or activity and snacks can be provided or sold to the audience. May the best team win!

Not only will these engaging and fun school events re-energize your students and offset rigorous learning time, they will also provide new and innovative learning experiences for your school community. 

And these are just a jumping-off point. Happy creating and celebrating!

For more information on student reward events, check out episode 30 of our podcast!

If you are looking for innovative and fun school event idea that will set your learning community apart, you are in the right spot! 

These events could be used for…

  • Class Incentives 
  • School Spirit Weeks
  • Themed Days 
  • Community Building Opportunities

Nothing is better than instilling joy and fun into the lives of our learners; big and small. Let’s dive into 12 fun school event ideas you and your team can put together to incentivize and celebrate your students and communities. These are quick, easy, and of course super budget-friendly!

School Event Ideas: Fall

Meet the Teacher

A classic and fan favorite! In the cafeteria or auditorium, each grade level sets up a table to meet and greet their upcoming students and families. 

The tables can be decorated and small gifts such as pencils or snacks can be passed out. This is a great way for teachers to make a great first impression and for students to be less inclined to get those first day of school jitters. 

Meet the Teacher Event

Trunk or Treat

Happening the week of Halloween, this can be a great alternative to a typical party and also allows students to celebrate outside of standard trick or treating (which we all know can be disastrous if landing on a school night). 

Parents and volunteers decorate the trunks of their cars and park in a circle around the parking lot. At the end of the day, students walk from car to car and collect candy and other treats. This is a great opportunity for members of the community to get involved and spend a little extra time with their kids! 

Family Feast

This typically falls the week before Thanksgiving Break and is a great opportunity for families to join their children and teachers for a gratitude-centered meal. 

The feast can be donated from the community, made in-house, or a potluck depending on your school community! If you are looking for an easy way to get parents more involved in your classroom or school in general, this is the perfect place to start. 

School Event Ideas: Winter

Camp Read Away 

Searching for a way to bring the great outdoors into the four walls of your classroom? This may be it! Teachers ask families to send in sheets, blankets, and flashlights. In partners, students work to create the best reading fort they can imagine. 

Then, lights out! For the rest of the time, students flashlight read independently or with a buddy. S’mores and other campfire friendly snacks can be provided as well, but are not necessary to make this a fun and exciting experience. 

Winter Art Contest

This is a great event for either the whole school or individual grade levels that have multiple classrooms. Teachers decide on a winter themed muse and have students create their own interpretation of it. 

Once all artwork is complete, students submit their masterpieces for voting. In order to make it fair, different grade levels or classrooms would vote on each others’ to avoid favoritism and give everyone a fair shot! Categories for voting could include most unique, most creative, the cutest, etc. and the winners could receive a virtual prize

Holidays Around the World

This event is best held by individual grade levels to ensure there is adequate time in the schedule to fully enjoy the experience. Every classroom on a grade level picks a country that has a unique holiday tradition or celebration. 

Examples include Israel, Germany, England, Mexico, etc. The teacher in charge of each country plans a quick read-a-loud or video to teach the students about the tradition and its importance, as well as a craft activity. The students then spend the day rotating to each country to learn and experience cultures and fun traditions unlike their own. 

Holiday Multi-Culture Fair


School Event Ideas: Spring

Read Across America

Celebrated each year on March 2nd, Read Across America Day was first established as a way to celebrate Dr. Suess’s birthday. 

Today, its main purpose is to motivate and help children become aware and celebrate good reading habits. Students from similar or different classrooms and grade levels are partnered up to buddy read and share in their love of reading. 

STEM Field Day

This is a take on the classic field day event that students across all grade levels typically participate in each year. Instead of the average activities such as a cakewalk or relay race, students are challenged across all areas of STEM! 

This event could include activities such as a paper plate marble race, clothespin geometry, paper airplane challenge, or an array of engineering building challenges. The opportunities are endless and this event will get your kids involved in the many aspects of STEM-based fun. 

Graduation Celebration

Elementary and Middle Schools arrange with their affiliate or nearby high school an event where soon-to-be graduates visit the school and take part in a parade. 

The graduates wear their gowns or college apparel and stroll through the music-filled hallways to be celebrated as well as get younger students thinking and excited about their own futures. 

Students lining the hallways are encouraged to wear apparel from their favorite university and cheer as the graduates parade through.

Graduation Celebration


School Event Ideas for Any Season

Pie a Teacher

This event is the perfect class or school wide incentive, especially if they have a favorite teacher they would like to surprise with a splat! Once classes or grade levels reach their predetermined goal, a teacher is selected to get pied in the face in front of the whole student body. 

Maybe not the most fun for the targeted teacher, but a memorable experience for everyone else! 

Career Day

It is never too early to dream big about our future. This event allows students of all ages to explore the many opportunities they can explore in their adult lives. Each classroom represents an occupation and students can rotate or pick which ones they would like to visit to learn more about. 

Teachers can also invite members of the community to come in and talk about their occupations to give students first-hand experience.

Teacher vs. Student Competition

Calling all schools that have extremely competitive students and teachers, this one's for you. Once students or grade levels meet a goal, the students and teachers will go head to head in a friendly sporting event.

The competition could involve any sport or activity and snacks can be provided or sold to the audience. May the best team win!

Not only will these engaging and fun school events re-energize your students and offset rigorous learning time, they will also provide new and innovative learning experiences for your school community. 

And these are just a jumping-off point. Happy creating and celebrating!

For more information on student reward events, check out episode 30 of our podcast!

quote icon
Let’s take this to your inbox
We’ll send you our monthly newsletter which is fully stocked with free resources like articles, videos, podcasts, reward ideas, and anything else we can think of to help you make your school awesome.

If you are looking for innovative and fun school event idea that will set your learning community apart, you are in the right spot! 

These events could be used for…

  • Class Incentives 
  • School Spirit Weeks
  • Themed Days 
  • Community Building Opportunities

Nothing is better than instilling joy and fun into the lives of our learners; big and small. Let’s dive into 12 fun school event ideas you and your team can put together to incentivize and celebrate your students and communities. These are quick, easy, and of course super budget-friendly!

School Event Ideas: Fall

Meet the Teacher

A classic and fan favorite! In the cafeteria or auditorium, each grade level sets up a table to meet and greet their upcoming students and families. 

The tables can be decorated and small gifts such as pencils or snacks can be passed out. This is a great way for teachers to make a great first impression and for students to be less inclined to get those first day of school jitters. 

Meet the Teacher Event

Trunk or Treat

Happening the week of Halloween, this can be a great alternative to a typical party and also allows students to celebrate outside of standard trick or treating (which we all know can be disastrous if landing on a school night). 

Parents and volunteers decorate the trunks of their cars and park in a circle around the parking lot. At the end of the day, students walk from car to car and collect candy and other treats. This is a great opportunity for members of the community to get involved and spend a little extra time with their kids! 

Family Feast

This typically falls the week before Thanksgiving Break and is a great opportunity for families to join their children and teachers for a gratitude-centered meal. 

The feast can be donated from the community, made in-house, or a potluck depending on your school community! If you are looking for an easy way to get parents more involved in your classroom or school in general, this is the perfect place to start. 

School Event Ideas: Winter

Camp Read Away 

Searching for a way to bring the great outdoors into the four walls of your classroom? This may be it! Teachers ask families to send in sheets, blankets, and flashlights. In partners, students work to create the best reading fort they can imagine. 

Then, lights out! For the rest of the time, students flashlight read independently or with a buddy. S’mores and other campfire friendly snacks can be provided as well, but are not necessary to make this a fun and exciting experience. 

Winter Art Contest

This is a great event for either the whole school or individual grade levels that have multiple classrooms. Teachers decide on a winter themed muse and have students create their own interpretation of it. 

Once all artwork is complete, students submit their masterpieces for voting. In order to make it fair, different grade levels or classrooms would vote on each others’ to avoid favoritism and give everyone a fair shot! Categories for voting could include most unique, most creative, the cutest, etc. and the winners could receive a virtual prize

Holidays Around the World

This event is best held by individual grade levels to ensure there is adequate time in the schedule to fully enjoy the experience. Every classroom on a grade level picks a country that has a unique holiday tradition or celebration. 

Examples include Israel, Germany, England, Mexico, etc. The teacher in charge of each country plans a quick read-a-loud or video to teach the students about the tradition and its importance, as well as a craft activity. The students then spend the day rotating to each country to learn and experience cultures and fun traditions unlike their own. 

Holiday Multi-Culture Fair


School Event Ideas: Spring

Read Across America

Celebrated each year on March 2nd, Read Across America Day was first established as a way to celebrate Dr. Suess’s birthday. 

Today, its main purpose is to motivate and help children become aware and celebrate good reading habits. Students from similar or different classrooms and grade levels are partnered up to buddy read and share in their love of reading. 

STEM Field Day

This is a take on the classic field day event that students across all grade levels typically participate in each year. Instead of the average activities such as a cakewalk or relay race, students are challenged across all areas of STEM! 

This event could include activities such as a paper plate marble race, clothespin geometry, paper airplane challenge, or an array of engineering building challenges. The opportunities are endless and this event will get your kids involved in the many aspects of STEM-based fun. 

Graduation Celebration

Elementary and Middle Schools arrange with their affiliate or nearby high school an event where soon-to-be graduates visit the school and take part in a parade. 

The graduates wear their gowns or college apparel and stroll through the music-filled hallways to be celebrated as well as get younger students thinking and excited about their own futures. 

Students lining the hallways are encouraged to wear apparel from their favorite university and cheer as the graduates parade through.

Graduation Celebration


School Event Ideas for Any Season

Pie a Teacher

This event is the perfect class or school wide incentive, especially if they have a favorite teacher they would like to surprise with a splat! Once classes or grade levels reach their predetermined goal, a teacher is selected to get pied in the face in front of the whole student body. 

Maybe not the most fun for the targeted teacher, but a memorable experience for everyone else! 

Career Day

It is never too early to dream big about our future. This event allows students of all ages to explore the many opportunities they can explore in their adult lives. Each classroom represents an occupation and students can rotate or pick which ones they would like to visit to learn more about. 

Teachers can also invite members of the community to come in and talk about their occupations to give students first-hand experience.

Teacher vs. Student Competition

Calling all schools that have extremely competitive students and teachers, this one's for you. Once students or grade levels meet a goal, the students and teachers will go head to head in a friendly sporting event.

The competition could involve any sport or activity and snacks can be provided or sold to the audience. May the best team win!

Not only will these engaging and fun school events re-energize your students and offset rigorous learning time, they will also provide new and innovative learning experiences for your school community. 

And these are just a jumping-off point. Happy creating and celebrating!

For more information on student reward events, check out episode 30 of our podcast!

12 Fun School Event Ideas Students (& Teachers) Will Love

Now, more than ever, we are in need of fun experiences that will bring our school communities together.
By 
Katie Neumeier
 | 
March 28, 2022

If you are looking for innovative and fun school event idea that will set your learning community apart, you are in the right spot! 

These events could be used for…

  • Class Incentives 
  • School Spirit Weeks
  • Themed Days 
  • Community Building Opportunities

Nothing is better than instilling joy and fun into the lives of our learners; big and small. Let’s dive into 12 fun school event ideas you and your team can put together to incentivize and celebrate your students and communities. These are quick, easy, and of course super budget-friendly!

School Event Ideas: Fall

Meet the Teacher

A classic and fan favorite! In the cafeteria or auditorium, each grade level sets up a table to meet and greet their upcoming students and families. 

The tables can be decorated and small gifts such as pencils or snacks can be passed out. This is a great way for teachers to make a great first impression and for students to be less inclined to get those first day of school jitters. 

Meet the Teacher Event

Trunk or Treat

Happening the week of Halloween, this can be a great alternative to a typical party and also allows students to celebrate outside of standard trick or treating (which we all know can be disastrous if landing on a school night). 

Parents and volunteers decorate the trunks of their cars and park in a circle around the parking lot. At the end of the day, students walk from car to car and collect candy and other treats. This is a great opportunity for members of the community to get involved and spend a little extra time with their kids! 

Family Feast

This typically falls the week before Thanksgiving Break and is a great opportunity for families to join their children and teachers for a gratitude-centered meal. 

The feast can be donated from the community, made in-house, or a potluck depending on your school community! If you are looking for an easy way to get parents more involved in your classroom or school in general, this is the perfect place to start. 

School Event Ideas: Winter

Camp Read Away 

Searching for a way to bring the great outdoors into the four walls of your classroom? This may be it! Teachers ask families to send in sheets, blankets, and flashlights. In partners, students work to create the best reading fort they can imagine. 

Then, lights out! For the rest of the time, students flashlight read independently or with a buddy. S’mores and other campfire friendly snacks can be provided as well, but are not necessary to make this a fun and exciting experience. 

Winter Art Contest

This is a great event for either the whole school or individual grade levels that have multiple classrooms. Teachers decide on a winter themed muse and have students create their own interpretation of it. 

Once all artwork is complete, students submit their masterpieces for voting. In order to make it fair, different grade levels or classrooms would vote on each others’ to avoid favoritism and give everyone a fair shot! Categories for voting could include most unique, most creative, the cutest, etc. and the winners could receive a virtual prize

Holidays Around the World

This event is best held by individual grade levels to ensure there is adequate time in the schedule to fully enjoy the experience. Every classroom on a grade level picks a country that has a unique holiday tradition or celebration. 

Examples include Israel, Germany, England, Mexico, etc. The teacher in charge of each country plans a quick read-a-loud or video to teach the students about the tradition and its importance, as well as a craft activity. The students then spend the day rotating to each country to learn and experience cultures and fun traditions unlike their own. 

Holiday Multi-Culture Fair


School Event Ideas: Spring

Read Across America

Celebrated each year on March 2nd, Read Across America Day was first established as a way to celebrate Dr. Suess’s birthday. 

Today, its main purpose is to motivate and help children become aware and celebrate good reading habits. Students from similar or different classrooms and grade levels are partnered up to buddy read and share in their love of reading. 

STEM Field Day

This is a take on the classic field day event that students across all grade levels typically participate in each year. Instead of the average activities such as a cakewalk or relay race, students are challenged across all areas of STEM! 

This event could include activities such as a paper plate marble race, clothespin geometry, paper airplane challenge, or an array of engineering building challenges. The opportunities are endless and this event will get your kids involved in the many aspects of STEM-based fun. 

Graduation Celebration

Elementary and Middle Schools arrange with their affiliate or nearby high school an event where soon-to-be graduates visit the school and take part in a parade. 

The graduates wear their gowns or college apparel and stroll through the music-filled hallways to be celebrated as well as get younger students thinking and excited about their own futures. 

Students lining the hallways are encouraged to wear apparel from their favorite university and cheer as the graduates parade through.

Graduation Celebration


School Event Ideas for Any Season

Pie a Teacher

This event is the perfect class or school wide incentive, especially if they have a favorite teacher they would like to surprise with a splat! Once classes or grade levels reach their predetermined goal, a teacher is selected to get pied in the face in front of the whole student body. 

Maybe not the most fun for the targeted teacher, but a memorable experience for everyone else! 

Career Day

It is never too early to dream big about our future. This event allows students of all ages to explore the many opportunities they can explore in their adult lives. Each classroom represents an occupation and students can rotate or pick which ones they would like to visit to learn more about. 

Teachers can also invite members of the community to come in and talk about their occupations to give students first-hand experience.

Teacher vs. Student Competition

Calling all schools that have extremely competitive students and teachers, this one's for you. Once students or grade levels meet a goal, the students and teachers will go head to head in a friendly sporting event.

The competition could involve any sport or activity and snacks can be provided or sold to the audience. May the best team win!

Not only will these engaging and fun school events re-energize your students and offset rigorous learning time, they will also provide new and innovative learning experiences for your school community. 

And these are just a jumping-off point. Happy creating and celebrating!

For more information on student reward events, check out episode 30 of our podcast!

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About the Presenter

Katherine Neumeier has spent the last 8 years in education working with Title I schools to build strong classroom practices and close academic gaps with English Language Learners and Special Populations. She has taught across multiple grade levels as well as coached educators, served as a reading specialist, and built an intervention program from the ground up. Integrating EdTech platforms as well as utilizing behavior management tools such as Liveschool have transformed and supported her role as an educator. She earned a bachelor's degree from St. Mary's University and a M.Ed from The University of St. Thomas.

About the Event

If you are looking for innovative and fun school event idea that will set your learning community apart, you are in the right spot! 

These events could be used for…

  • Class Incentives 
  • School Spirit Weeks
  • Themed Days 
  • Community Building Opportunities

Nothing is better than instilling joy and fun into the lives of our learners; big and small. Let’s dive into 12 fun school event ideas you and your team can put together to incentivize and celebrate your students and communities. These are quick, easy, and of course super budget-friendly!

School Event Ideas: Fall

Meet the Teacher

A classic and fan favorite! In the cafeteria or auditorium, each grade level sets up a table to meet and greet their upcoming students and families. 

The tables can be decorated and small gifts such as pencils or snacks can be passed out. This is a great way for teachers to make a great first impression and for students to be less inclined to get those first day of school jitters. 

Meet the Teacher Event

Trunk or Treat

Happening the week of Halloween, this can be a great alternative to a typical party and also allows students to celebrate outside of standard trick or treating (which we all know can be disastrous if landing on a school night). 

Parents and volunteers decorate the trunks of their cars and park in a circle around the parking lot. At the end of the day, students walk from car to car and collect candy and other treats. This is a great opportunity for members of the community to get involved and spend a little extra time with their kids! 

Family Feast

This typically falls the week before Thanksgiving Break and is a great opportunity for families to join their children and teachers for a gratitude-centered meal. 

The feast can be donated from the community, made in-house, or a potluck depending on your school community! If you are looking for an easy way to get parents more involved in your classroom or school in general, this is the perfect place to start. 

School Event Ideas: Winter

Camp Read Away 

Searching for a way to bring the great outdoors into the four walls of your classroom? This may be it! Teachers ask families to send in sheets, blankets, and flashlights. In partners, students work to create the best reading fort they can imagine. 

Then, lights out! For the rest of the time, students flashlight read independently or with a buddy. S’mores and other campfire friendly snacks can be provided as well, but are not necessary to make this a fun and exciting experience. 

Winter Art Contest

This is a great event for either the whole school or individual grade levels that have multiple classrooms. Teachers decide on a winter themed muse and have students create their own interpretation of it. 

Once all artwork is complete, students submit their masterpieces for voting. In order to make it fair, different grade levels or classrooms would vote on each others’ to avoid favoritism and give everyone a fair shot! Categories for voting could include most unique, most creative, the cutest, etc. and the winners could receive a virtual prize

Holidays Around the World

This event is best held by individual grade levels to ensure there is adequate time in the schedule to fully enjoy the experience. Every classroom on a grade level picks a country that has a unique holiday tradition or celebration. 

Examples include Israel, Germany, England, Mexico, etc. The teacher in charge of each country plans a quick read-a-loud or video to teach the students about the tradition and its importance, as well as a craft activity. The students then spend the day rotating to each country to learn and experience cultures and fun traditions unlike their own. 

Holiday Multi-Culture Fair


School Event Ideas: Spring

Read Across America

Celebrated each year on March 2nd, Read Across America Day was first established as a way to celebrate Dr. Suess’s birthday. 

Today, its main purpose is to motivate and help children become aware and celebrate good reading habits. Students from similar or different classrooms and grade levels are partnered up to buddy read and share in their love of reading. 

STEM Field Day

This is a take on the classic field day event that students across all grade levels typically participate in each year. Instead of the average activities such as a cakewalk or relay race, students are challenged across all areas of STEM! 

This event could include activities such as a paper plate marble race, clothespin geometry, paper airplane challenge, or an array of engineering building challenges. The opportunities are endless and this event will get your kids involved in the many aspects of STEM-based fun. 

Graduation Celebration

Elementary and Middle Schools arrange with their affiliate or nearby high school an event where soon-to-be graduates visit the school and take part in a parade. 

The graduates wear their gowns or college apparel and stroll through the music-filled hallways to be celebrated as well as get younger students thinking and excited about their own futures. 

Students lining the hallways are encouraged to wear apparel from their favorite university and cheer as the graduates parade through.

Graduation Celebration


School Event Ideas for Any Season

Pie a Teacher

This event is the perfect class or school wide incentive, especially if they have a favorite teacher they would like to surprise with a splat! Once classes or grade levels reach their predetermined goal, a teacher is selected to get pied in the face in front of the whole student body. 

Maybe not the most fun for the targeted teacher, but a memorable experience for everyone else! 

Career Day

It is never too early to dream big about our future. This event allows students of all ages to explore the many opportunities they can explore in their adult lives. Each classroom represents an occupation and students can rotate or pick which ones they would like to visit to learn more about. 

Teachers can also invite members of the community to come in and talk about their occupations to give students first-hand experience.

Teacher vs. Student Competition

Calling all schools that have extremely competitive students and teachers, this one's for you. Once students or grade levels meet a goal, the students and teachers will go head to head in a friendly sporting event.

The competition could involve any sport or activity and snacks can be provided or sold to the audience. May the best team win!

Not only will these engaging and fun school events re-energize your students and offset rigorous learning time, they will also provide new and innovative learning experiences for your school community. 

And these are just a jumping-off point. Happy creating and celebrating!

For more information on student reward events, check out episode 30 of our podcast!

Register Now

About the Event

If you are looking for innovative and fun school event idea that will set your learning community apart, you are in the right spot! 

These events could be used for…

  • Class Incentives 
  • School Spirit Weeks
  • Themed Days 
  • Community Building Opportunities

Nothing is better than instilling joy and fun into the lives of our learners; big and small. Let’s dive into 12 fun school event ideas you and your team can put together to incentivize and celebrate your students and communities. These are quick, easy, and of course super budget-friendly!

School Event Ideas: Fall

Meet the Teacher

A classic and fan favorite! In the cafeteria or auditorium, each grade level sets up a table to meet and greet their upcoming students and families. 

The tables can be decorated and small gifts such as pencils or snacks can be passed out. This is a great way for teachers to make a great first impression and for students to be less inclined to get those first day of school jitters. 

Meet the Teacher Event

Trunk or Treat

Happening the week of Halloween, this can be a great alternative to a typical party and also allows students to celebrate outside of standard trick or treating (which we all know can be disastrous if landing on a school night). 

Parents and volunteers decorate the trunks of their cars and park in a circle around the parking lot. At the end of the day, students walk from car to car and collect candy and other treats. This is a great opportunity for members of the community to get involved and spend a little extra time with their kids! 

Family Feast

This typically falls the week before Thanksgiving Break and is a great opportunity for families to join their children and teachers for a gratitude-centered meal. 

The feast can be donated from the community, made in-house, or a potluck depending on your school community! If you are looking for an easy way to get parents more involved in your classroom or school in general, this is the perfect place to start. 

School Event Ideas: Winter

Camp Read Away 

Searching for a way to bring the great outdoors into the four walls of your classroom? This may be it! Teachers ask families to send in sheets, blankets, and flashlights. In partners, students work to create the best reading fort they can imagine. 

Then, lights out! For the rest of the time, students flashlight read independently or with a buddy. S’mores and other campfire friendly snacks can be provided as well, but are not necessary to make this a fun and exciting experience. 

Winter Art Contest

This is a great event for either the whole school or individual grade levels that have multiple classrooms. Teachers decide on a winter themed muse and have students create their own interpretation of it. 

Once all artwork is complete, students submit their masterpieces for voting. In order to make it fair, different grade levels or classrooms would vote on each others’ to avoid favoritism and give everyone a fair shot! Categories for voting could include most unique, most creative, the cutest, etc. and the winners could receive a virtual prize

Holidays Around the World

This event is best held by individual grade levels to ensure there is adequate time in the schedule to fully enjoy the experience. Every classroom on a grade level picks a country that has a unique holiday tradition or celebration. 

Examples include Israel, Germany, England, Mexico, etc. The teacher in charge of each country plans a quick read-a-loud or video to teach the students about the tradition and its importance, as well as a craft activity. The students then spend the day rotating to each country to learn and experience cultures and fun traditions unlike their own. 

Holiday Multi-Culture Fair


School Event Ideas: Spring

Read Across America

Celebrated each year on March 2nd, Read Across America Day was first established as a way to celebrate Dr. Suess’s birthday. 

Today, its main purpose is to motivate and help children become aware and celebrate good reading habits. Students from similar or different classrooms and grade levels are partnered up to buddy read and share in their love of reading. 

STEM Field Day

This is a take on the classic field day event that students across all grade levels typically participate in each year. Instead of the average activities such as a cakewalk or relay race, students are challenged across all areas of STEM! 

This event could include activities such as a paper plate marble race, clothespin geometry, paper airplane challenge, or an array of engineering building challenges. The opportunities are endless and this event will get your kids involved in the many aspects of STEM-based fun. 

Graduation Celebration

Elementary and Middle Schools arrange with their affiliate or nearby high school an event where soon-to-be graduates visit the school and take part in a parade. 

The graduates wear their gowns or college apparel and stroll through the music-filled hallways to be celebrated as well as get younger students thinking and excited about their own futures. 

Students lining the hallways are encouraged to wear apparel from their favorite university and cheer as the graduates parade through.

Graduation Celebration


School Event Ideas for Any Season

Pie a Teacher

This event is the perfect class or school wide incentive, especially if they have a favorite teacher they would like to surprise with a splat! Once classes or grade levels reach their predetermined goal, a teacher is selected to get pied in the face in front of the whole student body. 

Maybe not the most fun for the targeted teacher, but a memorable experience for everyone else! 

Career Day

It is never too early to dream big about our future. This event allows students of all ages to explore the many opportunities they can explore in their adult lives. Each classroom represents an occupation and students can rotate or pick which ones they would like to visit to learn more about. 

Teachers can also invite members of the community to come in and talk about their occupations to give students first-hand experience.

Teacher vs. Student Competition

Calling all schools that have extremely competitive students and teachers, this one's for you. Once students or grade levels meet a goal, the students and teachers will go head to head in a friendly sporting event.

The competition could involve any sport or activity and snacks can be provided or sold to the audience. May the best team win!

Not only will these engaging and fun school events re-energize your students and offset rigorous learning time, they will also provide new and innovative learning experiences for your school community. 

And these are just a jumping-off point. Happy creating and celebrating!

For more information on student reward events, check out episode 30 of our podcast!

Let’s take this to your inbox
We’ll send you our monthly newsletter which is fully stocked with free resources like articles, videos, podcasts, reward ideas, and anything else we can think of to help you make your school awesome.

Walk into any school and you will see classrooms alive with rigorous learning and countless opportunities to show growth and student success. Now, more than ever, we are in need of fun experiences that will bring our school communities together.

If you are looking for innovative and fun school event idea that will set your learning community apart, you are in the right spot! 

These events could be used for…

  • Class Incentives 
  • School Spirit Weeks
  • Themed Days 
  • Community Building Opportunities

Nothing is better than instilling joy and fun into the lives of our learners; big and small. Let’s dive into 12 fun school event ideas you and your team can put together to incentivize and celebrate your students and communities. These are quick, easy, and of course super budget-friendly!

School Event Ideas: Fall

Meet the Teacher

A classic and fan favorite! In the cafeteria or auditorium, each grade level sets up a table to meet and greet their upcoming students and families. 

The tables can be decorated and small gifts such as pencils or snacks can be passed out. This is a great way for teachers to make a great first impression and for students to be less inclined to get those first day of school jitters. 

Meet the Teacher Event

Trunk or Treat

Happening the week of Halloween, this can be a great alternative to a typical party and also allows students to celebrate outside of standard trick or treating (which we all know can be disastrous if landing on a school night). 

Parents and volunteers decorate the trunks of their cars and park in a circle around the parking lot. At the end of the day, students walk from car to car and collect candy and other treats. This is a great opportunity for members of the community to get involved and spend a little extra time with their kids! 

Family Feast

This typically falls the week before Thanksgiving Break and is a great opportunity for families to join their children and teachers for a gratitude-centered meal. 

The feast can be donated from the community, made in-house, or a potluck depending on your school community! If you are looking for an easy way to get parents more involved in your classroom or school in general, this is the perfect place to start. 

School Event Ideas: Winter

Camp Read Away 

Searching for a way to bring the great outdoors into the four walls of your classroom? This may be it! Teachers ask families to send in sheets, blankets, and flashlights. In partners, students work to create the best reading fort they can imagine. 

Then, lights out! For the rest of the time, students flashlight read independently or with a buddy. S’mores and other campfire friendly snacks can be provided as well, but are not necessary to make this a fun and exciting experience. 

Winter Art Contest

This is a great event for either the whole school or individual grade levels that have multiple classrooms. Teachers decide on a winter themed muse and have students create their own interpretation of it. 

Once all artwork is complete, students submit their masterpieces for voting. In order to make it fair, different grade levels or classrooms would vote on each others’ to avoid favoritism and give everyone a fair shot! Categories for voting could include most unique, most creative, the cutest, etc. and the winners could receive a virtual prize

Holidays Around the World

This event is best held by individual grade levels to ensure there is adequate time in the schedule to fully enjoy the experience. Every classroom on a grade level picks a country that has a unique holiday tradition or celebration. 

Examples include Israel, Germany, England, Mexico, etc. The teacher in charge of each country plans a quick read-a-loud or video to teach the students about the tradition and its importance, as well as a craft activity. The students then spend the day rotating to each country to learn and experience cultures and fun traditions unlike their own. 

Holiday Multi-Culture Fair


School Event Ideas: Spring

Read Across America

Celebrated each year on March 2nd, Read Across America Day was first established as a way to celebrate Dr. Suess’s birthday. 

Today, its main purpose is to motivate and help children become aware and celebrate good reading habits. Students from similar or different classrooms and grade levels are partnered up to buddy read and share in their love of reading. 

STEM Field Day

This is a take on the classic field day event that students across all grade levels typically participate in each year. Instead of the average activities such as a cakewalk or relay race, students are challenged across all areas of STEM! 

This event could include activities such as a paper plate marble race, clothespin geometry, paper airplane challenge, or an array of engineering building challenges. The opportunities are endless and this event will get your kids involved in the many aspects of STEM-based fun. 

Graduation Celebration

Elementary and Middle Schools arrange with their affiliate or nearby high school an event where soon-to-be graduates visit the school and take part in a parade. 

The graduates wear their gowns or college apparel and stroll through the music-filled hallways to be celebrated as well as get younger students thinking and excited about their own futures. 

Students lining the hallways are encouraged to wear apparel from their favorite university and cheer as the graduates parade through.

Graduation Celebration


School Event Ideas for Any Season

Pie a Teacher

This event is the perfect class or school wide incentive, especially if they have a favorite teacher they would like to surprise with a splat! Once classes or grade levels reach their predetermined goal, a teacher is selected to get pied in the face in front of the whole student body. 

Maybe not the most fun for the targeted teacher, but a memorable experience for everyone else! 

Career Day

It is never too early to dream big about our future. This event allows students of all ages to explore the many opportunities they can explore in their adult lives. Each classroom represents an occupation and students can rotate or pick which ones they would like to visit to learn more about. 

Teachers can also invite members of the community to come in and talk about their occupations to give students first-hand experience.

Teacher vs. Student Competition

Calling all schools that have extremely competitive students and teachers, this one's for you. Once students or grade levels meet a goal, the students and teachers will go head to head in a friendly sporting event.

The competition could involve any sport or activity and snacks can be provided or sold to the audience. May the best team win!

Not only will these engaging and fun school events re-energize your students and offset rigorous learning time, they will also provide new and innovative learning experiences for your school community. 

And these are just a jumping-off point. Happy creating and celebrating!

For more information on student reward events, check out episode 30 of our podcast!

All Reward Ideas for Students

🎉
👑
🎁
Emcee the Announcements
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Digital Escape Rooms
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Privilege
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Rolling Chair Rental
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Sports Tickets
Grades 3-12
Student
Tangible
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Game-Based Simulation Learning
Grades 9-12
Class/House
Event
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Show & Tell
Grades K-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Wristband
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Final Fridays
Grades K-8
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Homework Pass
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Hat Pass
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Student Messenger
Grades 3-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Stairway Messages
Grades 9-12
Class/House
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Be a Comedian.
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Stuffed Animal in Class
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Camp Read Away
Grades K-8
Class/House
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Trip to the Treasure Box
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY

All Reward Ideas for Elementary School Students

🎉
👑
🎁
Books
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Class Book
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Backpack
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Virtual Field Trip
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Show & Tell
Grades K-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Firebird of the Month
Grades K-12
Student
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Pie a Teacher
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Read Across America
Grades K-8
School
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Holiday Delivery
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
STEM Field Day
Grades K-8
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Extra Reading Time
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Wristband
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Career Day
Grades 3-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Seating Choice
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Trip to the Treasure Box
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Snack Party
Grades 3-12
Class/House
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY

All Event Ideas for Schools

💰
🎨
Bonfire
💰
🎨
Career Day
💰
🎨
Silent Disco
💰
🎨
Family Feast
💰
🎨
Trunk or Treat
💰
🎨
Kickback Vibes
💰
🎨
Blood Drive
💰
🎨
Karaoke Night
💰
🎨
Amazing Race

All Free Reward Ideas for Schools

🎉
👑
🎁
Special Screening
🎉
👑
🎁
Meet the Teacher
🎉
👑
🎁
Parking Spots
🎉
👑
🎁
Class Jobs
🎉
👑
🎁
House Induction
🎉
👑
🎁
Operate Equipment.
🎉
👑
🎁
Dance Party
🎉
👑
🎁
Vote
🎉
👑
🎁
Meme Party

All Reward Ideas for High School Students

🎉
👑
🎁
Tech Time
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Dress Up or Down Day
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Blood Drive
Grades 9-12
School
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Social Media Reporter
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Host a Virtual Party. 🎶
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Dance Party
Grades K-12
Student
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Video Game Rewards
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Positive Note or Call Home
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Pie a Teacher
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Snacks
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Music Fest
Grades 9-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Brain Break
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Game Week
Grades 9-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Color a Teacher’s Hair
Grades 9-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Snack Party
Grades 3-12
Class/House
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Be a Comedian.
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free

All Reward Ideas for Middle School Students

🎉
👑
🎁
House Induction
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Event
Free
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Final Fridays
Grades K-8
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
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Be a Comedian.
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
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Meet the Teacher
Grades K-8
School
Event
Free
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👑
🎁
Hat Pass
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
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👑
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Rolling Chair Rental
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
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Vote
Grades 6-8
Student
Privilege
Free
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Free Dress
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
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Extra Computer Games
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
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Hallway High-Five
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
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🎁
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Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Wristband
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
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Teacher v Student Competition
Grades 6-12
School
Privilege
Free
🎉
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Classroom DJ
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
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The Love Soiree
Grades 6-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
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Lunch with an Admin
Grades K-8
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY

All Student Reward & Incentive Ideas

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Lunch with an Admin
Grades K-8
Student
Privilege
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Play Games
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Privilege
Free
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🎨
Teacher v Student Competition
Grades 6-12
School
Privilege
Free
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🎨
Passing Period Music
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Special Screening
Grades K-12
School
Privilege
Free
💰
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Holiday Delivery
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
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Grades 6-12
Student
Tangible
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Virtual Field Trip
Grades K-12
Class/House
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Hallway High-Five
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
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🎨
Class Book
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Free
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Class Jobs
Grades 3-8
Student
Privilege
Free
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Sports Tickets
Grades 3-12
Student
Tangible
Deluxe
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Free Dress
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
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Morning Meeting Leader
Grades 3-8
Student
Privilege
Free
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Lunch With the Teacher
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Free
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🎨
Toys
Grades K-8
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY

All Virtual Reward Ideas for Schools

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Brain Break
Grades K-12
Student
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Grades 6-12
Class/House
Privilege
Deluxe
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Morning Meeting Leader
Grades 3-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
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Stickers
Grades K-5
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
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Podcast
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
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Social Media Reporter
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Student Spotlight Board
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
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Virtual Field Trip
Grades K-12
Class/House
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Free
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Certificate of Achievement
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
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Extra Computer Games
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
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Classroom DJ
Grades K-12
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Virtual Talent Show. 🎤
Grades 3-12
Class/House
Event
Free
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Show & Tell
Grades K-8
Student
Privilege
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Positive Note or Call Home
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
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Host a Virtual Party. 🎶
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Event
Free
🎉
👑
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Donate $1
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
See all Rewards

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Walk into any school and you will see classrooms alive with rigorous learning and countless opportunities to show growth and student success. Now, more than ever, we are in need of fun experiences that will bring our school communities together.

If you are looking for innovative and fun school event idea that will set your learning community apart, you are in the right spot! 

These events could be used for…

  • Class Incentives 
  • School Spirit Weeks
  • Themed Days 
  • Community Building Opportunities

Nothing is better than instilling joy and fun into the lives of our learners; big and small. Let’s dive into 12 fun school event ideas you and your team can put together to incentivize and celebrate your students and communities. These are quick, easy, and of course super budget-friendly!

School Event Ideas: Fall

Meet the Teacher

A classic and fan favorite! In the cafeteria or auditorium, each grade level sets up a table to meet and greet their upcoming students and families. 

The tables can be decorated and small gifts such as pencils or snacks can be passed out. This is a great way for teachers to make a great first impression and for students to be less inclined to get those first day of school jitters. 

Meet the Teacher Event

Trunk or Treat

Happening the week of Halloween, this can be a great alternative to a typical party and also allows students to celebrate outside of standard trick or treating (which we all know can be disastrous if landing on a school night). 

Parents and volunteers decorate the trunks of their cars and park in a circle around the parking lot. At the end of the day, students walk from car to car and collect candy and other treats. This is a great opportunity for members of the community to get involved and spend a little extra time with their kids! 

Family Feast

This typically falls the week before Thanksgiving Break and is a great opportunity for families to join their children and teachers for a gratitude-centered meal. 

The feast can be donated from the community, made in-house, or a potluck depending on your school community! If you are looking for an easy way to get parents more involved in your classroom or school in general, this is the perfect place to start. 

School Event Ideas: Winter

Camp Read Away 

Searching for a way to bring the great outdoors into the four walls of your classroom? This may be it! Teachers ask families to send in sheets, blankets, and flashlights. In partners, students work to create the best reading fort they can imagine. 

Then, lights out! For the rest of the time, students flashlight read independently or with a buddy. S’mores and other campfire friendly snacks can be provided as well, but are not necessary to make this a fun and exciting experience. 

Winter Art Contest

This is a great event for either the whole school or individual grade levels that have multiple classrooms. Teachers decide on a winter themed muse and have students create their own interpretation of it. 

Once all artwork is complete, students submit their masterpieces for voting. In order to make it fair, different grade levels or classrooms would vote on each others’ to avoid favoritism and give everyone a fair shot! Categories for voting could include most unique, most creative, the cutest, etc. and the winners could receive a virtual prize

Holidays Around the World

This event is best held by individual grade levels to ensure there is adequate time in the schedule to fully enjoy the experience. Every classroom on a grade level picks a country that has a unique holiday tradition or celebration. 

Examples include Israel, Germany, England, Mexico, etc. The teacher in charge of each country plans a quick read-a-loud or video to teach the students about the tradition and its importance, as well as a craft activity. The students then spend the day rotating to each country to learn and experience cultures and fun traditions unlike their own. 

Holiday Multi-Culture Fair


School Event Ideas: Spring

Read Across America

Celebrated each year on March 2nd, Read Across America Day was first established as a way to celebrate Dr. Suess’s birthday. 

Today, its main purpose is to motivate and help children become aware and celebrate good reading habits. Students from similar or different classrooms and grade levels are partnered up to buddy read and share in their love of reading. 

STEM Field Day

This is a take on the classic field day event that students across all grade levels typically participate in each year. Instead of the average activities such as a cakewalk or relay race, students are challenged across all areas of STEM! 

This event could include activities such as a paper plate marble race, clothespin geometry, paper airplane challenge, or an array of engineering building challenges. The opportunities are endless and this event will get your kids involved in the many aspects of STEM-based fun. 

Graduation Celebration

Elementary and Middle Schools arrange with their affiliate or nearby high school an event where soon-to-be graduates visit the school and take part in a parade. 

The graduates wear their gowns or college apparel and stroll through the music-filled hallways to be celebrated as well as get younger students thinking and excited about their own futures. 

Students lining the hallways are encouraged to wear apparel from their favorite university and cheer as the graduates parade through.

Graduation Celebration


School Event Ideas for Any Season

Pie a Teacher

This event is the perfect class or school wide incentive, especially if they have a favorite teacher they would like to surprise with a splat! Once classes or grade levels reach their predetermined goal, a teacher is selected to get pied in the face in front of the whole student body. 

Maybe not the most fun for the targeted teacher, but a memorable experience for everyone else! 

Career Day

It is never too early to dream big about our future. This event allows students of all ages to explore the many opportunities they can explore in their adult lives. Each classroom represents an occupation and students can rotate or pick which ones they would like to visit to learn more about. 

Teachers can also invite members of the community to come in and talk about their occupations to give students first-hand experience.

Teacher vs. Student Competition

Calling all schools that have extremely competitive students and teachers, this one's for you. Once students or grade levels meet a goal, the students and teachers will go head to head in a friendly sporting event.

The competition could involve any sport or activity and snacks can be provided or sold to the audience. May the best team win!

Not only will these engaging and fun school events re-energize your students and offset rigorous learning time, they will also provide new and innovative learning experiences for your school community. 

And these are just a jumping-off point. Happy creating and celebrating!

For more information on student reward events, check out episode 30 of our podcast!

All Reward Ideas for Students

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👑
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Student Messenger
Grades 3-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Parking Spots
Grades 9-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Lunch Reservations
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Positive Note or Call Home
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Board Game Party
Grades 3-12
Class/House
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Water Bottle Stickers
Grades 6-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
TikTok with the Teacher
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Seat Swap
Grades 3-5
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Read Across America
Grades K-8
School
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Loudspeaker Shoutout
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Holiday Classroom Carousel
Grades 9-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Snowball Fights (& Popsicles!)
Grades K-8
Class/House
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Holidays Around the World
Grades K-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Decades Party
Grades 6-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Video Game Rewards
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
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Family Feast
Grades K-8
Class/House
Event
Deluxe

All Reward Ideas for Elementary School Students

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Stuffed Animal in Class
Grades K-5
Student
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Snacks
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
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Grades 3-12
Student
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Hallway High-Five
Grades K-12
Student
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Free
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Passing Period Music
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
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Career Day
Grades 3-12
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Event
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School Spirit Day
Grades K-12
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Grades 3-12
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Special Screening
Grades K-12
School
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Grades 3-8
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Grades K-12
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School Assembly
Grades K-12
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Grades 3-12
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Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
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Grades 3-12
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Grades K-12
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All Free Reward Ideas for Schools

All Reward Ideas for High School Students

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Special Screening
Grades K-12
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Grades 9-12
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Grades 6-12
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Grades 6-12
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Grades K-12
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Grades 9-12
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Grades K-12
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Grades 3-12
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Grades 9-12
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Event
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Grades K-12
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Grades 6-12
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Grades 3-12
Student
Tangible
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The Love Soiree
Grades 6-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
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Holidays Around the World
Grades K-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
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Grades 6-12
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Grades 6-12
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Grades K-12
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Student
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Grades 6-12
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Grades 3-12
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Grades K-8
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Grades 6-12
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Grades K-12
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Grades K-12
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Grades 3-12
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Grades 6-8
Student
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Grades 3-12
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Privilege
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Grades 3-8
Student
Privilege
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🎉
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Holiday Delivery
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
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Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Social Media Reporter
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free

All Student Reward & Incentive Ideas

💰
🎨
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Grades 3-8
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
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Holiday Delivery
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
💰
🎨
Early Lunch Dismissal
Grades 9-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
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Teacher Serenade
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Snack Party
Grades 3-12
Class/House
Privilege
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💰
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Morning Meeting Leader
Grades 3-8
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
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Grades K-12
Class/House
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💰
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Grades 6-8
Student
Privilege
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Grades K-5
Class/House
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Grades K-5
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💰
🎨
Parking Spots
Grades 9-12
Student
Privilege
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💰
🎨
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Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
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Show & Tell
Grades K-8
Student
Privilege
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Digital Escape Rooms
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Privilege
Deluxe
💰
🎨
Wristband
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
💰
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Stuffed Animal in Class
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Free

All Virtual Reward Ideas for Schools

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👑
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Brain Break
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Virtual Field Trip
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Extra Computer Games
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
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Host a Virtual Party. 🎶
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Event
Free
🎉
👑
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Stickers
Grades K-5
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
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Student Spotlight Board
Grades K-5
Student
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Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
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Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
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👑
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Classroom DJ
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
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🎉
👑
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Digital Escape Rooms
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Privilege
Deluxe
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🎁
Teacher Q&A
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
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Show & Tell
Grades K-8
Student
Privilege
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Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Donate $1
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Morning Meeting Leader
Grades 3-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Certificate of Achievement
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
See all Rewards

Want more ideas?

Rewards that Rock 🎸 has 100+ rewards, incentives, and event ideas to build your school culture.
Find Rewards
Learn more about the author, 
Katie Neumeier
 

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