Inside: Find out how you can celebrate student birthdays in your classroom in inexpensive ways that are fun and meaningful.
I fluttered from child to child, making sure they each had their coats zipped to their chins, hats placed upon their heads, mittens on their hands, and backpacks on their backs. 3:00 pm was nearing and I was determined to get them outside on time so their parents wouldn’t have to freeze while waiting for them.
I was just about to lead them out of the classroom when one of my more chatty students raised her hand. “Olivia, you can tell me whatever it is when we reach the dismissal door”. (I had no time to spare!)
“But Mrs. Glenn… what about David’s* party?”
I froze. What… Oh. No. 😱
My eyes searched for David in the line, and settled on him at the end, shyly looking at the ground in front of him.
My gaze moved to the back wall, where the cupcakes and juice his mother had sent in remained stacked, untouched.
I felt the heat rise to my cheeks. Yep. I had forgotten to celebrate David’s birthday. 🫠
I wish this story wasn’t true.
Definitely not one of my finer moments. I was so wrapped up in everything I thought I needed to get done that I completely forgot to have the party.
Thankfully his mother was incredibly kind and forgiving to me and we celebrated his birthday the next day without incident. But I felt like absolute garbage and I still feel sick to my stomach when I think about it to this day.
Since then, I have made it a point to make student birthdays a priority in my classroom. (That is if the student celebrates it). But when it comes to student birthdays, things can get a little out of hand and add up pretty quickly. Thankfully, there are plenty of affordable ways to make your students’ special day extra special. 💥
Table of Contents
1- Small Gesture, Big Impact: Why You Should Give Each Student a Birthday Card
While student birthdays might sometimes get lost in the hustle and bustle of the school day, giving each student a birthday card is one tradition that can really make a difference in helping them feel important and celebrated on their special day. It’s a small, simple gesture that makes students feel special and lets them know that they are valued members of the classroom community.
Now, you don’t need to head to the local Hallmark store to buy a card for each student. And thank goodness– as cards can be upwards of $7 each today. Yikes.
You can find affordable sets of birthday cards at teacher supply stores or online. If you enjoy creating art, you might even want to make special cards for your kids. (If you choose to do this I APPLAUD you- you are a treasure).
But if that’s not your thing, check out my Birthday Cards for Students resource. It includes a variety of printable birthday cards in color and black and white in two different sizes. Buy it once and you can use it every year! The best part? You can type your students’ names directly onto them, making them extra special (and saving precious time!) Click the link to check them out!
2- Celebrate Your Students in Style with Minimal Effort: Quick and Easy Decor
Okay, I know what you’re thinking. You’re wondering if I’ve lost my mind, suggesting that you decorate for every student’s birthday. But I promise this idea isn’t as time intensive (or expensive) as it sounds! The key is to keep it simple.
Consider investing in decorations that can be reused easily throughout the school year. A “Happy Birthday” banner hung over the board is an easy way to celebrate student birthdays without hassle. Keep it in your desk or filing cabinet with some magnets or tacks to hang it and bring it out before school whenever there’s a birthday. It’ll take two minutes to put it up and will bring joy to all your students, especially the birthday child.
If you don’t mind spending a few extra minutes decorating, you can find more decorations at the dollar store that will last all year– a bag of balloons or tassel garlands are great options.
Another super easy option is to create a birthday bulletin board or display to keep up year-round. This can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. Put it up at the start of the school year and keep it up until the end.
There are many birthday charts or bulletin boards you can find at stores, but I love using my super cute cupcake-themed birthday chart. Each month is a separate cupcake so you can arrange them in whatever space you like, however you like. You can type student names and birthdays directly on the candle pieces which keeps things looking neat (and saves time!)
The best part? The images are in black and white so you can print them on colored paper to make them coordinate well with your classroom theme. (Ah, I just love coordination!) Click the image to check it out!
By taking a few steps on the front end, you can make celebrating student birthdays very easy- no matter how small! With these strategies, student birthdays can be turned into memorable occasions that your whole class will enjoy.
3- The Secret to Celebrating Student Birthdays on a Budget: Birthday Coupons
If you’d like to give your students something special for their birthdays, consider birthday coupons. Students are over the moon excited to choose a special privilege and it will cost you nothing. 🙌
Check out my free set of student birthday coupons. These are perfect for teachers who want to make student birthdays more meaningful without breaking their budget. With these coupons, students can choose from a variety of privileges such as being the line leader for the day, sitting near a friend for the day, or acting as the teacher’s assistant.
All you have to do is print and cut out your student birthday coupons to instantly uplevel student birthdays with an inexpensive yet thoughtful gesture that they will love. And again- it won’t cost you a cent.
Don’t forget to click the image above to grab your free copy!
4- Celebrate Your Students’ Birthdays on a Budget: Inexpensive Gift Ideas
If you wanted to give students a more tangible gift, there are many ways to do it inexpensively. A great option is to collect a few smaller items from places like dollar stores that can then be presented in an assortment to choose from on the student’s birthday. You could also buy novelty assortments from places like Amazon or Oriental Trading.
Whatever you decide, your students will be thrilled at the chance to pick out something of their own on their special day. Plus, your thoughtful gesture will help create a lasting connection with them. Read on for some cheap but sweet ideas!
Inexpensive Birthday Gift Ideas
- Special pencil or pen
- Small notebook or journal
- Sticker sheet
- Bookmark
- Miniature toy or figurine
- Temporary tattoos
- Mini coloring book
- A book or a book token
- Small bag of candy or healthy snack
- Pencil topper eraser
- Glow-in-the-dark star stickers
- Personalized birthday crown or badge
5- Fun and Free: Celebrating Student Birthdays with Show and Tell in Your Classroom
Allowing students to do a show and tell on their birthdays is an easy way to make students feel special. Plus, it’s free and you can fit it into your classroom schedule with minimal disruption. I’d suggest setting aside 5-10 minutes for having the child share their item.
Have the birthday child bring in one item of their choice to show the class. Ask them to tell the class what they brought and why it is special to them. Then, allow the rest of the class to ask questions about the item.
With a little preparation from you and some enthusiasm from the student celebrating their birthday, show and tell can be a great way for everyone in the classroom to share an experience – something even more valuable than gifts!
6- Get Moving: Turn Up the Music and Celebrate with a Class Dance Party
Another fun idea to celebrate student birthdays that won’t cost a thing is to plan a class dance party. Check popular music sites like YouTube’s Kidzbop page or Go Noodle and allow the student to choose 1-2 songs for the class to dance to. At the end of the school day when pencils are put away, turn the music on full blast and let your students cut loose and have some fun.
Your students will all love having time to stretch their legs and dance to songs they chose. Plus, your whole class will get an opportunity to show off their moves! 💃🕺
A Little Thoughtfulness Goes a Long Way: Make Student Birthdays Memorable
Sometimes I think of David and wonder if he remembers how I botched his birthday in first grade. I have a feeling that it’s left a deeper impression on me than on him… or at least I hope. 🫠 In any case, the events of that day have led me to make student birthdays a priority in my classroom. With a little thoughtfulness and a little preparation, each student can be made to feel like a star on their special day.
And there’s no need to break the bank. There are plenty of affordable and easy ways to make their day special. Get creative with some simple decorations, send a fun birthday card, give them an inexpensive gift or privilege they will love, and throw a dance party for the whole class!
Don’t forget to grab your free set of student birthday coupons before you go!
