Say ‘Thank You’ With These Teacher Appreciation Ideas

We at the National Inventors Hall of Fame^® are amazed at everything teachers across the country do to lead, empower and encourage young minds. To recognize the incredible work they do all year long, you can give them a token of thanks this Teacher Appreciation Week. We encourage you to take inspiration from the ideas below and put your own spin on celebrating your child’s teachers to make them feel extra special.

Share a Meaningful ‘Thank You’

Honest, heartfelt appreciation goes a long way, and teachers value knowing the impact they are making on young lives.

Grab paper, markers, stickers and all of your child’s other favorite craft supplies and help them embrace their creativity by making a one-of-a-kind card for the important educators in their lives. Your child might want to share a favorite memory, write a poem or even list some of the important skills they’ve learned from their teacher. If your child is struggling to come up with exactly what to say, try downloading and printing out our free Teacher Appreciation Thank You Card Templates!

Give a Small Treat Each Day

If you have some time to plan, consider asking your child’s teachers about their favorite things in advance of Teacher Appreciation Week. Consider asking questions like:

• What is your most-craved snack?
• Where do you like to go for coffee or tea in the morning?
• Do you have a favorite scent?
• What are your top two candy picks?
• What supplies are you always searching for in your classroom?

Once you gather your list of answers, throughout the week, you can have your child bring in a few items as a daily pick-me-up for their busy teachers. Bonus points if you pair the treats with uplifting notes to make them smile!

Show Your Gratitude for Helping Kids Grow

Teachers work diligently each day to provide lessons, opportunities and resources that help your child blossom. So, if your child’s teacher has a green thumb and the space for a plant to flourish, you can bring some vibrancy to their classroom with an indoor plant.

This thoughtful gift will remind them that by nurturing young minds, they help entire classrooms of children grow each school year.

Create a School Day Survival Kit

Days can very quickly get hectic for teachers. While they have excellent problem-solving skills, you can help ensure their days go smoothly by giving them a school day survival kit. Fill a basket with a few items from your family or get together with multiple classmates’ families for a group gift that will provide a solution for any sticky situation. You know your teachers best, but here are a few ideas to get your brainstorm started:

• Fun scented hand sanitizer
• Gum or mints
• Coffee or lunch delivery gift card
• Disinfecting wipes
• Colored pens or permanent markers

When it comes to helping your child’s teachers have the best day possible, there’s no limit to the imaginative and thoughtful ideas you can put together!

Thank You to Teachers Everywhere

All of us at the National Inventors Hall of Fame remain amazed at everything teachers across the country continue to do to inspire, guide and care for their students. If you plan on celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week or want to shout out an awesome educator, we encourage you to share your ideas with us on our Facebook page.