Teacher Appreciation Week, the first full week in May, is the perfect time to celebrate the incredible educators who nurture, guide and inspire young learners every day. Some things teachers always cherish are handmade gifts from their students. No matter your child’s age, there is a heartfelt craft you can help them make to show their teachers how much you appreciate them!
Crafts for Infants & Toddlers
Even the youngest learners can create special gifts with a little help from their family!
- Fingerpaint masterpiece. An abstract, Avant guard work of art made with tiny fingers (and maybe even toes)! You’ll need infant-safe fingerpaint, white cardstock or a canvas and smocks or old towels to keep the mess minimal. Then you can let your little artist have at their blank canvas! If you don’t want your baby to be covered in paint, you could add the cardstock to a resealable freezer bag that’s already filled with some paint to create a sensory bag work of art! Once it’s dry, you could write a cute message and frame it for your child’s teacher.
- Handprint or footprint keepsake. A classic and sentimental gift to cherish forever. You’ll need non-toxic ink pad or infant-safe fingerpaint, white cardstock or canvas and a marker for personalization. Press your child’s hand or foot onto the ink pad or paint. Stamp it onto the cardstock or canvas. Once dry, write a note like, “Thank You for Helping Me Grow!”
- Simple stamped thank-you card. Tiny hands can help create a special card! You’ll need large sponges or cut potatoes (for stamping), infant-safe fingerpaint and blank cardstock. Cut sponges or potatoes into fun shapes like hearts, stars or apples. Let your little one dip them in paint and stamp onto the cardstock and then add a simple message like “Thank You, Teacher!”
Crafts for Preschoolers
- Thumbprint thank-you card. Similar to the hand or footprint, this personalized thank-you card made with thumbprints is a sweet keepsake for any teacher. You’ll need blank cardstock or construction paper, infant-safe fingerpaint and markers or crayons. Fold the paper in half to create the card, then help your child dip their thumb into paint and press it onto the card. Once dry, you can use markers to turn their thumbprints into hearts, flowers or little characters. Don’t forget to add a personalized message and have your child sign their name!
- Handprint flower pot. A flower pot decorated with handprints makes a lasting gift that teachers can cherish —because they help little minds bloom! You’ll need a terracotta or plastic flower pot, a plant, infant-safe fingerpaint and paintbrushes. Let your preschooler paint their hand with a bright color and press it onto the flower pot. If they don’t want to use their hand, they can paint the pot however they want instead. Once dry, place a flower or plant inside for a gift that keeps growing — just like your little one!
- Personalized beaded keychain. A fun, fashionable gift that teachers can carry every day. You’ll need colorful beads including letter beads for personalization, keychain rings and sturdy string. First, tie a knot at one end of the string then let your child add beads to create a colorful design. If they want, you can help them create a strand that has their teacher’s name on it. Then attach the string to the keyring.
- “Why I love my teacher” book. A homemade book filled with love and appreciation. You’ll need blank paper; markers, crayons or stickers; a stapler or hole punch; and ribbon (if using a hole punch). Fold several sheets of paper in half to create a booklet. Ask your child to draw pictures and write (or dictate) sentences about why they love their teacher. Bind the pages with staples or a ribbon for a sweet, one-of-a-kind book that will make any teacher smile.
Let’s Celebrate Teachers!
Teachers play such an important role in a child’s early years, and these simple crafts help little ones show their appreciation in a creative and personal way. Whether it’s a handmade card, a colorful keychain or a beautiful plant, these gifts will remind teachers just how much they mean to you and your family. So grab some supplies, get crafting and let’s make Teacher Appreciation Week extra special!
