Fun Ideas to Boost Student Morale All Year Long
From positive office referrals to air mattress races, Rock Paper Scissors tournaments and "Dance Party Fridays", these fun ideas will help boost student morale at school.
Air Mattress Races
This fun idea went viral on TikTok for good reason! What's more fun than watching students race their teachers...on air mattresses...in the gym?
@teachingwithkristy #cms #schoolfun #airmatress #fyp#schoolspirit ♬ Get Ready - Steve Aoki Vocal Radio Edit - 2 Unlimited
Music at Morning Drop Off
The quickest way to change a moody teenager's mood before 7:00 am? Carpool music at morning drop-off!
Celebrate Positive Office Referrals
Catch students doing good, and celebrate when you see it! We love this idea from @AP_life_shenanigans on TikTok, who shares how "100 Positive Office Referrals" works below:
- Staff notices positive behavior tied to one of the school's character traits.
- Staff fills out a Google Form that includes student name, the character trait they displayed, and a short description of the observed positive behavior.
- Using the information from the Google Form, create a personalized certificate for the student.
- Assistant Principal calls the student down to the office and celebrates them on the spot by giving them a certificate, and calling home to brag on the student!
@ap_life_shenanigans For the SECOND TIME THIS SCHOOL YEAR we have recognized 100 students with POSITIVE Office Referrals! #teachersoftiktok #pbis #positivity #positive #celebrate ♬ Feeling Good - Michael Bublé
Student Cheer Cart
When the River Ridge PTO saw how excited students got on teacher cheer cart day, the PTO decided to do a student cheer cart, too!
Dance Party During Bell Change
While most students were apprehensive to join in (dancing in middle school...in public...with a teacher?!), there's no denying it lifted spirits and brought a smile to their faces!
Convince Your Principal to Play The Floor is Lava
Shout out to Ms. Cindy Meszaro at Clarence Randall Elementary in Taylor, Michigan, who surprised students on the last day of school with an impromptu game of The Floor is Lava!
@randallelementarypto THE FLOOR IS LAVA!! At least if you’re Ms. Meszaros today! Our amazing principal fulfilled our final incentive from our Color Run fundraiser which was to have her play “the floor is lava” on the last day of school. She traveled around the school and students were able to shout the famous phrase causing her to rush and find a safe place to get off of the floor! She got pretty creative! Absolutely a perfect way to end the school year! She even left a little message to our families at the end of this video ;) #randallmustangs #pto #elementaryschool #teachers #teachertok #schooltok #summerbreak #floorislava #principalsoftiktok #teachersoftiktokfyp #fyp ♬ The Floor is Lava - The Kiboomers
Fist Bump Friday
DJ at Lunch
Invite parents to come in as guest DJs on Fridays for lunch dance parties (breakdancing is not required, but highly encouraged!).
Celebrate Fun National Holidays & 100th Day of School
Who says middle school and high school students are too old for cookies and milk, or playing a competitive game of "how many rubber duckies can you find hidden around school"? There's no shortage of fun and silly days to celebrate, like National Rubber Ducky Day, National Oreo Day and National Pencil Day to name a few (you can get our full calendar of fun days to celebrate at school). Stick an uplifting note (like "You Matter" or "We're So Glad You're Here!") to treats for a fun and unexpected pick-me-up for students.
Dance Party Fridays
On Fridays, we dance! A quick dance party in the halls of the school every Friday is a great way to help students (of all ages) get out their wiggles and welcome the weekend. Make sure to invite your school mascot to make a special appearance!
Host a School-wide Rock Paper Scissors Tournament
During a school-wide rock paper scissors tournament, every student and teacher gets a Mardi Gras necklace. Between periods, students can challenge anyone wearing a necklace (winner takes the necklace). Once a student has a total of four necklaces, they can challenge a teacher. The tournament culminates at the end of the day with a championship showdown between the last two standing!
Check out one school's Rock Paper Scissors tournament in action below!
@christina.cavaliere Campus Wide Activity
♬ It's Tricky - RUN DMC
Give Those School Restrooms a Glow Up
A lot of drama happens in the restrooms at school (IYKYK), so why not give those restrooms the feel-good glow up they deserve? Paint the walls and add decals with uplifting, inspirational messages to stall doors. You can also use dry erase markers to write affirmations on restroom mirrors and windows.
Anything But a Backpack Day
"Anything But a Backpack" is a fun school-wide spirit day that invites students to bring their belongings to school in (you guessed it) anything but a backpack.
@ptotoday Any PTO or PTA groups done “Anything but a backpack day”? Love this, @TWASB 👏 #pto #ptomom #ptamom #schoolvolunteer #schoollife #ptoparents ♬ original sound - PTO Today ✨School Family Media
Start a School Store
At a school store, students can purchase candy, snacks (must-haves: Takis and Spicy Cheetohs!), drinks, supplies, spirit wear, and other items (like hair ties) before, during and after school. Consider using proceeds to enhance the school building, like murals to brighten the walls and recess benches so that students have somewhere to sit and socialize. Check out the ultimate list of ideas for school stores (elementary and middle school)
Hold a "Book Tasting" in the Library
A book tasting is a fun way for students to learn about different genres of literature by "sampling" different books (and cookies, for obvious reasons) in the school library.
Start a Care Closet (Hygiene Closet)
Students shouldn't have to worry about access to basic hygiene supplies. Partner with your school counselors or admin to create a “Hygiene Closet” or "Care Closet" that stocks basic hygiene supplies for students. Items to stock include travel-size deodorant, sanitary pads and tampons, hair ties, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap, laundry detergent, gel, nail clippers, safety pins (for wardrobe malfunctions), extra underwear, socks and spare leggings. Some brands (like Dove) may be willing to donate products if your PTO or PTA requests them.
Hot Cocoa Bar for Students
The week before winter break, plan something fun for students, like a hot cocoa bar! Make it even more fun by providing colorful stickers and sparkly gems that students can use to personalize their cups.
Underground Spirit Week
Yes, an underground spirit week is technically for staff (they dress according to the theme of the day, like "anything but a cup" and "dress like a student"), but it's just as fun for students as they're left wondering what's going on, and have to put two and two together! While some schools will do an Underground Spirit Week, others will do it once per week for "What's Up Wednesday" (because students are left wondering what's up!). Check out these great ideas and themes for a Staff Underground Spirit Week at school!
Student Singalong
We love how this teacher invited middle school students to a classroom sing along...the catch: they had to singalong to a song their parents jam out to!
Last Day of School Vibes
Send students into summer break feeling fine by encouraging them to walk out in style - watch the video below!
@thetrendyprincipal Last day of school vibes! 24-25 school year is a wrap!
♬ original sound - Dr. Brandy H
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