As you welcome the students back from winter break, you may be looking for some fun New Year activities or wanting to give them a little something to let them know you are excited to see them again. Here is a list of some inexpensive New Year gift ideas for students that you can consider. It will allow you to welcome them without breaking the bank.
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New Year Gift Idea #1: Play Dough
Play-Doh is always a favorite amongst students. It is a great morning soft start activity. It also works great at centers for activities such as comma work mats.
Attach a little New Year tag, and it will make the perfect little welcome back gift.
New Year Gift Idea #2: Ring Pop
What kid does not love Ring Pops, am I right? It’s a fun little treat to give out during recess or at the end of the end. It’s also so easy to relate to New Year with a “Ring” in the New Year tag.
New Year Gift Idea #3: Springs
Do you remember how fun it was to play with springs when you were younger? I’m sure kids would love to play with these fun toys. Grab a bundle and add a tag, and you are all set to go.
Want to make the gift even more engaging and memorable? Take the time to read aloud The Marvelous Thing That Came From a Spring.
New Year Gift Idea #4: Rock Candy
There are so many options available to let students know “They ROCK!” Pick up little bags of Pop Rock candy or some rock candy on a stick.
If you teach science as well, these can tie in really well with a lesson on rocks.
New Year Gift Idea #5: Snowman
Another fun option as a soft start activity as students walk into your class the first day of the New Year is a snowman creation kit. This takes a little more work, but it sure would be fun for the kids.
Give them a little zip storage bag filled with a few marshmallows, pretzel sticks, fruit strip, and chocolate chips. Have them use the materials to build a snowman. Once everyone is done, allow them to eat while you read a fun winter read aloud book to them.
New Year Gift Idea #6: S’mores
Another fun option is to welcome them back to a fire playing on the Smartboard and a s’more kit on their desk. Read a fun marshmallow or camping theme read aloud and enjoy some s’mores.
I hope these New Year Gift ideas for students were helpful and inspiring. I’ve made some of these FREE NEW YEAR GIFT TAGS available for you. 😉