Teachers play a big role in our lives and the lives of our children. They work hard to educate and go beyond for those they mentor. Teachers help develop social skills, emotional skills, responsibility, and so much more. The things teachers do for us and our kids are truly remarkable. That’s why we celebrate National Teacher Appreciation Day on the first Tuesday of the first week of May!
If you’re looking for a great way to show a teacher how much they mean to you, there’s no better gift than a DIY teacher appreciation gift. DIY gifts for teachers demonstrate how much you care. There’s no need to focus on perfection when creating a DIY gift—as long as you make it with lots of love.
Ready to get your DIY on? Read on to learn our favorite, budget-friendly homemade teacher gift ideas and a few quick and easy DIYs. Or, use the links below to jump ahead to a gift category of your choosing.
- Budget-Friendly Homemade Teacher Gifts
- Quick & Easy Teacher Appreciation Gifts
- Creative Teacher Gifts
- Practical Gifts for Teachers
- Make Teacher Appreciation Day Extra Special
Budget-Friendly Homemade Teacher Gifts
Teacher appreciation gifts don’t need to be expensive. DIY gifts are a great way to create a meaningful gift without spending a lot of cash. Use these gift ideas to guide your crafts for Teacher Appreciation Day or any other time you’d like to show a teacher that you care.
1. Bookmarks
Whether they’re reading a book to the class, studying up on a new lesson, or digging into a great new book, teachers do a lot of reading. Why not make them a DIY teacher appreciation gift that’s practical, too? A homemade bookmark is an easy DIY for kids and adults alike.
Design a bookmark on your computer and print it on cardstock for a sturdy bookmark that’s sure to last. You can include pictures of your kid for a forever reminder of who the gift came from. Or, gather some colorful construction paper and markers and get to work!
2. Pencil bouquet
This Teacher Appreciation Day, skip the flowers and create your own DIY pencil bouquet instead. You’ll need a vase, a pack of new pencils, and some craft supplies to complete this gift. Create flowers on the eraser end of each pencil using construction paper, washi tape, ribbon, or any other supplies you have handy. Once your flowers are complete, pop them in the vase. It’s as simple as that!
3. Pencil vase
A pencil vase is another fun and creative way to use pencils. This homemade teacher gift uses pencils to create a vase for flowers. Decorate the outside of a vase by gluing pencils around the sides. By the time you’re done, you should have a vase that looks to be made entirely out of pencils.
Use classic yellow pencils for a gift that screams “teacher,” or use colored pencils for a bright and cheery look.
4. Crayon picture frame
Just like a bookmark featuring a cherished photo, a crayon picture frame is a great DIY teacher gift that reminds your teacher exactly who gifted it. Grab a wooden picture frame and a pack of crayons. Glue the crayons to the picture frame in any pattern you’d like. In the center of the frame, you can put a picture of your child and their teacher, a photo of the whole class, or any other photo of your choosing.
Quick & Easy Teacher Appreciation Gifts
Life gets busy—and teachers know that better than anyone. If you don’t have time to go all-out with a DIY gift, consider these quick and easy teacher appreciation gift ideas instead.
5. Hand sanitizer
Hand sanitizer is a practical gift for a busy teacher! Get your teacher a convenient travel-size bottle of hand sanitizer and attach it to a card or note with a custom message. Children can write the card themselves for a sweet and personal touch.
6. Dry erase markers
Sometimes, there’s nothing better than new office supplies. Buy your child’s teacher a brand-new pack of dry-erase markers in fun colors. Be sure to add a personal note to say how much you value them. Each time they use the markers, they’ll be reminded how much they mean to you and your child.
7. Gift card
Gift cards are a simple and universally loved gift idea for Teacher Appreciation Day. You can get your teacher a gift card to their favorite coffee shop, a school supply store, or even a local spa for some rest and relaxation.
8. Potted plant
Potted plants add greenery and life to a classroom. Gift your teacher a potted plant that’s easy to take care of, such as a snake plant or money tree. It’s sure to brighten up their mood, and you can even decorate the pot however you'd like.
Creative Teacher Gifts
It’s fun to get creative with your DIY teacher appreciation gifts! Whether you’re crafting something from scratch or opting for a thoughtful teacher appreciation gift delivery, here are some unique teacher gift ideas they’re sure to love.
9. Thank you gift basket
Put together a gift basket of delicious treats. You can include different types of brownies, a selection of Mrs. Fields® original cookies, or even a homemade treat like red velvet cake!
10. Self-care kit
This DIY gift basket is all about rest. Gather a selection of bath and body supplies for an at-home spa day. You can include face masks, bath bombs, delicious-smelling lotions, and anything else that helps you unwind after a long day.
11. "Thanks a latte" gift box
Is your teacher a coffee lover? Make them a “Thanks a Latte” gift box! Include everything they need for a delicious cup of coffee, such as a bag of beans, a cute mug, a yummy coffee creamer, and more. Don’t forget to include different types of cookies and other delicious treats.
Practical Gifts for Teachers
The best gift is one your teacher can use again and again. Check out these practical ideas for Teacher Appreciation Week.
12. Personalized tote bag
A custom tote bag is an easy teacher gift idea. Visit your local craft store to pick up a blank tote bag and a pack of fabric markers or paints. Then, let your kids customize the tote bag for their favorite teacher.
13. Coasters
Coasters are another practical gift for teachers that they can use day after day. You can create custom coasters out of kid-friendly crafts like fuse beads, melted crayons, or even a few cork or wooden coasters and colorful markers.
14. Custom notepads
Most craft stores carry notebooks with blank colors you can easily customize with pens or markers. Grab a few and make custom notepads for your teachers! This is a great teacher gift idea for kids of all ages. They can even write surprise notes for their teacher on the pages of the notebook.
Make Teacher Appreciation Day Extra Special
Teachers deserve to know how much they’re loved and valued. Mrs. Fields® makes teacher appreciation gifting easy with a wide selection of gift boxes, baskets, and more filled with delicious treats. Browse thank you gifts for your favorite teacher and have them delivered to their classroom or doorstep. You simply can’t go wrong with Mrs. Fields®.