58 Best First Day of School Teacher Gifts for 2024

We have rounded up the BEST first day of school teacher gift ideas! From DIY projects and free printables to Handmade and survival kits! We know you will walk away with something amazing.

A collage of teacher gift ideas for the first day back to school.

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Sometimes it is hard to come up with ideas for back to school gifts because you don’t always know the teacher and what they like. We started handing out a teacher’s favorite things list that really took off! We give it them them before parent teacher night so we can give ideas from the start.

But, that’s okay if you don’t know them. They put in so much hard work throughout the year, they love all student gifts. But we did take the liberty to build the biggest collection so you have plenty ideas to choose from.

Be sure to save this list for later because it’s also great for holidays and teacher appreciation.

If you need last-minute gifts, be sure to check out our list of printable gift holders! They are free, you can print them right at home, and they also make the best teacher appreciation gifts and other school holidays.

✂️DIY First Day of School Teacher Gifts

Chalkboard Crayon Wreath

Your child’s teacher will be amazed at how cute this crayon wreath turns out! Not only does it add a personal touch because it’s handmade, but young students will love seeing it as they walk in the classroom.

DIY Glitter Pencil Keychains

If you have a crafty touch you can surprise the kids’ teachers with cute mini pencil keychains! Change the color depending on the glitter you add. I have to warn, these are a little addictive once you start making them!

Easy DIY Teacher Bracelet Set

These little beaded bracelets would make the cutest gift, especially for a kindergarten teacher. Oddly enough, they come together in just 30 minutes.

Cute and Easy Back-to-School Cookies

Sometimes at the beginning of the year you may be unsure of what your teacher really wants, but you can never go wrong with a sweet treat!

DIY Coffee Mug – Thanks For Helping Me Grow

For those who have a Cricut or other kind of cutting machine, you can use her free SVG to make a personalized coffee mug in no time.

Superhero Teacher Gift in a Jar

Start the new school year off right by letting teachers know they are a superhero. These are also great gifts for guy teachers. Pack it a handwritten note, candy, or other fun items that are jar sized.

Lego Hand Sanitizer

Classrooms always need hand sanitizer because by the end of the year most teachers have to come out of their own pockets for certain supplies. The Legos add a fun twist and the printable tag is super cute. I’ve always wondered how you get those things in there, turns out the secret is a dowel rod!

One Smart Cookie Box + Printables

Print out this template and pack it full with your famous chocolate chip cookies that no one can resist! After a long day, a cookie is just what the doctor ordered!

No. 2 Pencil Jar

I love the idea of making the sweet jars and packing them with Ticonderoga pencils. My sister is a former teacher and she says those are some of the best gifts because they are kind of pricey, but definitely the preferred number 2 pencil.

DIY Plastic Bottle Apple

If you want a first day gift that the kids can actually make check out these budget friendly apples. They recycle bottles to make them into a holder for little gifts.

Pencil Rice Krispie Treats

Have you seen homemade Rice Krispie Treats this cute?! AND they are actually easy to make with no creative skills required!

Mason Jar Gifts for Teachers

Have ideas that you want to fit into a mason jar? Add a little flair with this free printable gift tag.

DIY Personalized Teacher Nameplate

Need a quick last minute gift? Bust out your own Scrabble game and hot glue tiles to personalize your teacher’s desk.

✏️Teacher Survival Kits and Baskets

Most teachers (especially public school teachers) pay for many of their supplies out of pocket. You can never go wrong with packing a basket full of Clorox wipes, glue sticks, pencils, tissues, and dry erasers markers. All classrooms go through those pretty quickly.

Teacher Supply Kit

Snag a few extra school supplies towards the beginning of the year to turn a great gift into one teachers really appreciate!

Pop Pop Fizz – Drink and Snack Gift

Everyone needs a little pick me during the day! Pack a Diet Coke and few snack for a nice little gift that is also practical.

Composition Book Printable Teacher Gifts

These printable composition notebook tags make the school supply gift extra special. Every teacher will love this on their first day back!

First Day of School Survival Kit

Get crafty by turning ordinary baskets into these little pencils and pack it full with supplies. They will also love that the baskets are reusable. These also make great gifts for teacher appreciation week.

I Couldn’t Have Picked a Better Teacher – Strawberry Theme

Another fun idea to is create a themed basket like this strawberry one, how cute is that?!

School Supply Cake

Take the basket idea to another level and make a school supply cake instead!

Nacho Average Teacher Gift Basket

As school season gears back up, take a different approach with a tortilla chip theme and don’t forget the free printables that say “Nacho Average Teacher”.

Teacher Survival Kit

Here’s another school supply basket idea, but the free printable tag is really cute!

You’re a Lifesaver

Even kids can make this one with very little help, along with a few sweet notes and she will be in awe!

Teacher Survival Caddy

Following the same theme of the basket and survival kits, this one is a little different because it uses a caddy instead. This is super helper in the classroom. Plus, you could have it personalized with the teacher’s name on the side.

First Day Back Basket

I really like the dry erase pockets that this mom included in her basket. Not sure if these are used a lot in middle school, but definitely elementary the teachers love them.

🛍️Store Bought Back to School Gift Ideas

Sale

16oz. Teacher Life Glass

How cute is this little glass! It comes with a matching bamboo lid, glass straw, and a cleaning brush!

Stanley Cup

Who doesn't love the Stanley?! Be sure to check the Etsy section for a really cute personalization option that goes on top.

Lunch Bag

We love the aesthetic of the neutral lunch bag and it comes with 1 reusable snack storage bag.

Sale

Lap Desk

After a long day, teachers may want to curl on the couch to finish working, this lap desk is great for that or finishing up things on the go!

Teacher Stationary

There are tons of options to choose from and teachers will love all of the different sizes of notes!

Sale

Paper Mate Flair Pens

Ask any teacher! These are the number one pick when it comes to pens. Plus, they come in all of these fun colors!

Thermal Laminator

Since they can't always make it to the copy room, it's nice to have one of these in the class. Even if they already have one, most teachers also laminate things at home, so they could have one in both places!

Command Strips

Many times schools to do allow permanent hangings and adhesives, so command strips are always a must!

Erin Condren Teacher Planner

Her collection of planners are always amazing! Plus, teachers being planners themselves always love new stationary type gifts.

🧡Handmade Gifts for Teachers (from Etsy)

Crayon Resin Coasters

At the beginning of the school year you may be unfamiliar with what your teacher really likes, but you can never go wrong these cute resin coasters!

Custom Stanley Name Plate

This may end up being their favorite gift when paired with a new Stanley cup.

Rainbow Teacher Lanyard

Lanyards can be kind of boring, but these are out of the world!

Personalized 3D Teacher Door Hanger

I really think this is an extra special gift, plus she knows that it is handmade. No teacher wouldn’t want this adorable sign hanging on their door. These also make really nice holiday gifts.

Teacher Tumbler Gift

When you don’t have much time to put together I gift, I promise they will never turn down a travel tumbler! Plus, this custom coffee mug is sublimated, meaning it won’t peel or chip like some epoxy resin does.

Teacher Cotton Canvas Tote Bag

This tote and cup set makes the perfect gift for any elementary school teacher.

Teacher’s Gift Pencil Holder Desk Organizer

I love that this custom nameplate also doubles as a holder. You know first hand at how messy the desk can get!

Custom This Belongs To Labels

Some moms wonder if the future teacher is going to like what they buy. Here’s a fool proof idea, because we all know how things like to walk off.

Personalized Teacher Stamp

Custom stamps make some of the best teacher gifts and students really love seeing it after turning their work in.

Smells Like the First Day of School Candle

What a perfect way to wish all of the good vibes! I really haven’t seen one of these before so I thought the labeling make it a unique gift idea.

Custom Ombre Pencils

I know I said before Ticonderogas were the best, but I couldn’t resist adding these to the list because they are just too cute!

Floral Teacher Tote Bag

At the end of the day the work doesn’t stop. Teachers always have a ton of stuff to carry home, so this tote bag makes total since.

Teacher Rubber Stamp

Here’s another personalized stamp option that is really cute.

Personalized Notepad

Custom stationary is one of the best first day of school gift ideas. Not only is it cute, but budget-friendly, and totally practical.

Personalized Desk Supplies

If you liked the custom tumbler from earlier, check these out! You can deck out all of their desk supplies.

Smiley Face Reward Jar

Rewards jars are a great way to help the class to see how they are doing, so just about any teacher would like this idea.

🍎Free Printable Teacher Gift Ideas for the First Day Back

These printables make for the best last-minute gift ideas because you can print them right at home. The gift card holders are super cute and add a nice little touch.