Celebrate your students and their special day by giving them a birthday they will not soon forget. For some of them, it may be the only celebration they get all day. Whether they will be celebrating at home or not, you have the opportunity to make their day special from the moment they enter your classroom. Let the 15 ways below help inspire you to birthday fun.
- Birthday Sign – Have a “Happy Birthday!” sign on the classroom door when the student enters.
- Tie a few helium balloons to the birthday child’s chair.
- Decorate the birthday child’s chair with a “Happy Birthday” chair pocket.
- Have a birthday card from you waiting on the child’s desk.
- Present the child with a small goody bag filled with Happy Birthday pencils and treats, as well as a birthday crown.
- Have the class sing Happy Birthday to the child.
- Invite the birthday child to tell something about himself during morning circle/meeting time.
- Ask the principal to announce the child’s birthday over the loud speaker.
- Have a special “birthday lunch with the teacher” where the birthday child can invite two friends and enjoy a special lunch in the classroom with you.
- Make a call home to the birthday child’s parents (with the child present) telling them how wonderful you think their son or daughter is.
- Have the class sign a birthday poster or card for the student with things that they like about him.
- Take the birthday child’s picture and post it to the class’ password protected website.
- Let the birthday child choose a treat from the Birthday Treasure Box.
- Give the birthday child the special job of line leader or something else that is held as a special responsibility in your class.
- Shower the birthday child with attention, praise, and let him know how very happy you are to have him in your class.
What are some of your favorite ways to celebrate your students’ birthdays? Share with us below!
This year I have lots of little goodies for my bday kids.
I made little balloons(paper printed balloon taped onto a twisty straw), printed the same message on a little card that I sign, give them a bday certificate(the is shaped like a cake), and let them wear a crown.
We sing Happy birthday to them as well when we eat the treat they bring in. 🙂
Last year I wore a birthday cake hat and gave the kids a special cupcake at lunch while singing happy birthday song! They loved it
I have 2 Birthday Comments
1. When I was in 5th grade I had a teacher who was very artistic. For your birthday, she would create a Happy Birthday Puzzle for you using a blank puzzle and permanent markers. She would break the puzzle pieces apart and put them in an envelope on your desk. I remember everyone being so excited to see what their puzzle was going to look like, as each one was personalized. My first year teaching I decided to follow her footsteps and did the same things for my students. I would create a different puzzle for each student including their interests (such as sports, music, dance, etc.). I would usually write “Happy ___(age) Birthday _____(name)” but I also include my name and the date. It is a wonderful keepsake and something that students looked forward to. I did this with my 5th and 6th graders and it was a hit. This is definitely something you can do at all grade levels! I also include a Happy Birthday Homework Pass!
2. As a child born in the summer, I didn’t get to celebrate my birthday in school until I was in 4th grade. This teacher allowed us to celebrate our half birthday by bringing in treats during the school year. So if your birthday was July 12, you brought treats and the class celebrated your birthday on January 12th. I loved this idea because everyone was able to have a day where their birthday was celebrated.
I have the birthday child come to the front of the room and they get to wear a birthday cape for the day. They get to pick students to be candles by their age. We all sing the birthday song and they go over and gently blow on each candle which slowly melts to the floor. Everyone loves getting to be a candle and more children get to be up front with the birthday child.
We make a birthday book for the birthday girl/boy. I have each child draw a picture of them with him/her and write something they like about the honoree! To try to stay away from just “She is nice.” we come up with several different examples. I usually write their sentence since it’s the beginning of first grade. I laminate the pages and we have a binder machine at school that I use to make the book. My niece’s class did this at her school and you can take away/add to for whatever works for you.
I have “Happy Birthday Student’s Name!” written on the whiteboard when they come in! I decorate all around their name with stars and hearts and squiggles! I always snap a quick photo of them by their sign. During the day, all of my students decorate a page for the birthday child including myself and our class helper! Then I print out their picture, hole punch and tie all the pages together, paste the picture inside and VOILA! A birthday book from the child’s classmates!
I take gift wrap and wrap their desktop!!
I purchase a mylar balloon for each birthday boy or girl. It is at their desk when they arrive along with a “Nerds” rope and a birthday crown. We sing “Happy BIrthday” and share any treats that were brought in.
I do a few if these (birthday greeting on the door in window paint, special pencil, everyone sings). I also give the child a get out of homework free pass and the student gets to be the teacher for morning meeting that day. I’ve had students give saxophone and dancing performances, share soccer information, give drawing or origami lessons, and recruit for 4-H. For some, it becomes a chance to share a passion or hidden talent.
I just recently started the birthday celebrations. These are some great ideas. I used to think this wa elementary but I love how excited my middle school students get when you simply have the class sing happy birthday…even my so called tough 8th graders. Thanks for the ideas.
I play Happy Birthday by the Ting Tings & the bday kid leads the class in a follow the leader style dance!
I teach 5th grade so for birthdays I give them a certificate that allows them to choose between a homework pass, lunch with me or a buddy, or a pencil. I also write a happy birthday message on the board with the morning directions. For summer birthdays, I usually give them their certicicate in June if their birthday is late June or July.
I bought some boxes at the dollar store… the lid has a bow on it and the lid comes off. I stick a happy b-day pencil and a little spiral bound notebook and special eraser in the box. I also fill out a happy b-day certificate. I place the lid back on and put it on the birthday child’s desk. They keep the stuff inside and I keep the box to reuse for the next child. I used to do this a long, long time ago and when one of my former students (now 31!) asked if I still did it I was guilted into starting the tradition again! LOL! He said it made him feel very special and that I needed to start doing it again!
Another thing you could do is buy the child a snack/ice cream of their choice at lunch. I know for some kids this would be a real treat! 🙂
Great ideas Brandi! Mine have always gotten something from the treasure chest, a special pencil, and sometimes a birthday crown when I remember to order them. LOL
Another important thing to remember is to pick a day to celebrate summer birthdays – different day for each of those summer birthdays. They deserve their special day as well and can’t help that they aren’t in school!