Easy Ideas for Celebrating Birthdays in the Classroom

Birthdays are a big deal in elementary school. Each year is a special milestone for kids. So, as a child’s teacher, student birthdays are a great opportunity to build connections. I’ve gathered together some easy classroom birthday ideas so that you can celebrate each birthday kid in a special way.

Why celebrate birthdays in the classroom?

As a classroom teacher, you’re busy. Still, it’s important to celebrate students’ birthdays because the sad reality is that not every student has someone who is going to tell them that their birth is an event worth celebrating.

As a child’s teacher, you have the opportunity to make each birthday child feel special. Birthday celebrations aren’t about presents, cakes, or parties. They’re about taking the time to rejoice that someone was born – that they exist. Each of our kids is a pretty darn amazing blessing. Let’s make sure they know we think so.

Birthday bulletin board displays

A birthday display is a great way to make keeping track of student birthdays easier. If you include each child’s name and the date of their birthday, you’ll always be able to see whose special day is coming up. There are lots of great options for classroom birthday boards. You can find a few ideas below.

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The beginning of the year is the perfect time to plan creative ways to make students’ birthdays special. You’ll be able to celebrate in whatever fun way you find to celebrate birthdays all school year long without worrying about missing anyone. Do any prep work before the school year starts and you’ll never be caught off guard by a child’s birthday again.

Make a birthday book

Years ago I co-taught with an amazing second-grade teacher who made a birthday book for each child’s birthday. It was always a big hit. The whole class participated. The birthday boy or girl colored the cover and all of the other students wrote a special note to the birthday kid. The whole book was then stapled together and sent home with the birthday kid as a special keepsake.

My co-teacher has long since retired, but I’ve made my own version of this special book. Grab the birthday book below if you’d like to try it with your class.

More easy classroom birthday ideas!

Every school has its own school policy regarding birthday celebrations. Some allow cupcakes, some require all food to be store-bought, and some only allow a non-food celebration. It’s important to know your school’s policy and whether there are any dietary restrictions in your classroom as you plan. Still, there are lots of ways to celebrate classroom birthdays, and you’re sure to find some creative school birthday treats below.

• Cupcakes – If your school allows them and any food allergies can be accommodated, this is a popular birthday treat. I suggest serving them either at lunch, directly before recess, or at the end of the day.

• Ice cream – Does your PTA sell ice cream on Fridays? Maybe they could offer birthday kids a coupon for a treat.

• Birthday bags – Add in some candy. Party favors are awesome for kids who can’t have special food items. Mrs. Patton from Mrs. Patton’s Patch pre-fills her goody bags and creates a birthday display at the start of the year. Then, she just pulls them down when the time comes.

Non-food birthday ideas

• Birthday cards – Grab a bulk pack of birthday cards and write a special note for each kid early in the school year. Stash the cards to pull out at the appropriate time. Send them home for kids with summer birthdays at the end of the year.

• Crazy straws – Pick up a pack of crazy straws and pair them with a note wishing your kids a crazy good birthday. Or, add them to treat-filled plastic cups like the ones Lisa from Learning is Something to Treasure does.

• Birthday certificates – Give your kids a certificate for no homework or a special privilege like writing in ink all day. Aimee from Primarily Speaking pairs birthday certificates with reward tags and pencils for a special little gift.

• Party hats or birthday crowns – A birthday hat or a special birthday crown lets all the school staff know that it’s a birthday. Some kids may not want to wear one, but a lot of kids will. So, why not offer one to each kid?

• Birthday buttons or stickers – Birthday buttons or stickers are easy options. Amanda from Teaching Maddeness makes her own. If you’re not crafty, you can find plenty of birthday buttons and stickers online.

• Birthday chair – A special chair cover is a fun and easy way to mark birthdays. They don’t require any extra prep work either.

• Special supplies – Fill a caddy with fun school supplies, such as smelly markers and gel pens. Let the kids use them on their birthdays.

• Line leader: Another free, no-prep way to celebrate is to let birthday kids pick their classroom jobs for the day.

How are birthdays going to be celebrated in your classroom this year?

You don’t need to go overboard, but celebrating students’ birthdays is an important way to build relationships. So, I hope that you’ve found some easy ways to celebrate each birthday student this year. Remember, it’s not about having a bunch of birthday parties in your classroom. Instead, the goal is to make sure each child feels seen and celebrated.

Want to use the FREE birthday book with your students?

Want the free birthday book to use in your classroom? Simply enter your personal email below. (Many schools block outside emails with attachments.) I’ll send you the FREE birthday book to use with your kids.