Celebrate Dolly Day at School on September 25 (Includes Canva Templates!)
Dolly Day is September 25! Get Dolly Day ideas, a "Dolly Trolley" supply list + free Canva templates to make your school celebration shine.
September 25 is Dolly Day—and the date is no coincidence! It’s a nod to Dolly Parton’s iconic 9 to 5, making it the perfect day to bring a little Dolly-inspired fun to school. Below, we’ve rounded up easy ways to celebrate, from book activities and Dolly spirit day ideas to a “Dolly Trolley” coffee cart for teachers and staff. We’ve even put together a list of supplies to help you deck out your trolley. Plus, grab our FREE Dolly Parton Day Canva template bundle, which includes a Dolly Day social media post and a “Dolly Trolley: Pour Yourself a Cup of Ambition” sign.
Incorporate a reading or book-themed activity for students
Take inspiration from Dolly’s Imagination Library and make books part of your Dolly Day celebration. Give each student a book to take home, host a schoolwide book drive, or set up a book swap. Looking for something even simpler? Kick off the school day with 15 minutes of reading or have teachers read a Dolly-authored book aloud to their classes, like The Coat of Many Colors.
Invite teachers and staff to "pour a cup of ambition” from the Dolly Trolley
Set up a coffee station in the teachers’ lounge—or take the coffee to them with a rolling cart. (A microphone is optional, but highly encouraged. 🎤) Give your coffee cart the full Dolly treatment with a “Dolly Trolley” sign and our “Pour yourself a cup of ambition” sign (free Canva template).
And don’t forget a little something to snack on! Dolly has shared her love of banana pudding, making individual banana pudding cups topped with Nilla Wafers an easy, grab-and-go treat for teachers and staff.
Ready to deck out your trolley? Here’s our list of Dolly-themed decorations and supplies to help bring it all together:
- Iridescent pink plastic tablecloth
- Hot pink disco balls
- Hot pink disposable coffee cups with lids
- Pink feather boas
- Cowboy boot and disco ball balloons
- Pink cowboy hats
- Blonde wig
- Heart-shaped sunglasses
- Coffee + Snickerdoodle "pink" creamer
- Pink canned drinks, like bubly grapefruit sparkling water or Schweppes Raspberry Ginger Ale
- Portable speaker to play this classic Dolly Parton playlist (Spotify)
Make September 25 a Dolly Spirit Day
Encourage students and staff to wear pink, rhinestones, fringe, denim, cowboy hats, boots, Western wear, or just something that makes them feel fabulous. Keep it optional and inclusive: no special outfit required to join the fun. Use our Dolly Spirit Day social media graphic to get the word out!
Extra Dolly Fun
Play Dolly Parton songs during drop-off or lunch. Create a simple backdrop for teachers with pink, glittery or Western-themed decorations and props like cowboy hats, sunglasses and bandanas. Add a sign that says “Working 9 to 5 3!" or “What a way to make a livin’!”
For a fun activity, invite students to "make a butterfly as unique as you":
However you celebrate, Dolly Day is a fun way to bring books, music and a little extra sparkle to the school day, and give your school community something to smile about.
