Teacher Gifts They'll Actually Appreciate
Teachers deserve so much more than another "World's Best Teacher" mug. These are our favorite teacher gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week, the holidays and the end of the school year, including gift cards done right, classroom upgrades, self-care treats and personal touches from the kids. It's a small thank-you for a huge job.
Earlier guides
Explore our earlier guides, newest first. These are archived recommendations; prices and availability may have changed.
Frequently asked
What is a good gift for a teacher?
Teachers consistently say they appreciate gift cards (for coffee, books or classroom supplies), heartfelt notes from students, and practical treats over more mugs and trinkets. A note from your child is often the most treasured part.
How much should you spend on a teacher gift?
There's no set amount. Many families spend a modest sum, and class-wide group gifts are a great way to give something more meaningful without anyone overspending. Check your school's gift policy too, since some districts set limits.
How much should a teacher gift card be for Teacher Appreciation Week or the holidays?
Small, thoughtful amounts are completely appropriate. Pooling with other families for a larger group card is also popular. The note your kid writes matters as much as the amount.
What should you put in a teacher gift basket?
Mix a treat (good coffee or snacks), a small self-care item, a few classroom supplies they always run out of, and a handwritten note from your child.
Shop all picks
This guide contains affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission from some purchases to help support our team. All picks are determined editorially by our staff; there has been no compensation in exchange for our picks.
Artie 3000 Coding Drawing Robot
A drawing robot that teaches kids ages 7–12 basic coding concepts through guided activities (created with Mensa for Kids), making STEM learning fun and approachable.
From the guideVooks Animated Storybook Subscription
A kid-friendly subscription app that streams animated storybooks with read-along text — a calm, educational YouTube alternative for young readers.
From the guideRebel Girls Boundless (Digital Magazine Subscription)
A colorful, inspirational digital magazine featuring stories of remarkable women — a motivating gift for kids and teens who love empowering, story-driven content.
From the guideLibby (by OverDrive) - Library Audiobook App
Free app that lets students borrow and download audiobooks and ebooks from participating public and school libraries for offline listening—great for commutes and study time.
From the guideKindle Kids Edition (Kids E-reader)
A kid-focused Kindle e-reader that includes a durable case, parental controls, and a year of Kindle Unlimited for children’s books.
From the guidePlugable USB Digital Microscope
A USB microscope that connects to a computer for close-up exploration of specimens and small projects—great for curious kids and budding scientists.
From the guideSamsung Kids Tablet
A kid-friendly tablet with parental controls and upgraded features that offers grown-up performance at an affordable price—good for learning, videos, and apps.
From the guideYouTube Kids — Educational Cooking Shows Playlist
Curated YouTube kids' cooking shows make a fun, screen-based way for children to learn recipes, kitchen skills, and healthy eating at home.
From the guideCoding With Kids — Online Coding Classes for Children
Structured virtual coding classes and camps that teach programming and computational thinking to kids — a practical gift for tech-curious children.
From the guideCircle Round Podcast
Dramatized folk tales from around the world with lessons and application challenges—gentle, educational entertainment for children.
From the guideYoung Ben Franklin Podcast
A historical-fiction podcast narrated by kids that brings a youthful Ben Franklin to life—appealing to young history fans and budding performers.
From the guideVarsity Tutors Virtual Camps
Live instructor-led online camps on topics from forensic science to animals—great for curious kids who enjoy focused learning.
From the guideCamp Lessonface Virtual Music Camp
Two-week online music program with lessons, demos, and nightly events—ideal for kids exploring instruments or performance.
From the guideFinancial Literacy Virtual Camp for Kids
Game-based online money-management camp teaching budgeting, earning, emergency funds and financing decisions—useful for building practical life skills.
From the guideKindle app (Amazon Kindle)
A versatile reading app that offers free classics and subscription plans for modern YA and teen-friendly titles—great for middle and high school readers.
From the guide
Botley the Coding Robot
A screen-free coding robot that teaches basic programming to kids as young as five and includes activity pieces for hands-on obstacle-course play.
From: 7 hot toy trends from Toy Fair 2018Duolingo ABC (free kids reading app)
A free, kid-focused app that teaches the alphabet, phonics, sight words, and early reading skills through bite-sized, gamified lessons—great for young learners and parents wanting screen-based practice.
From the guide
Girl Up — SchoolCycle Sponsorship (United Nations Foundation)
A gift that helps provide bicycles and support to reduce distance barriers so girls can attend school — symbolic and practical support for education.
From: End-of-year charitable giving: 8 organizations raising the next generation of awesome women.Unspookable (Podcast Series)
An educational yet spooky podcast that explores myths and urban legends for kids (recommended ages 8+), good for curious listeners who like history and mystery.
From the guide
Language A to Z (The Great Courses)
A 26-part short-video series about language and linguistics—fun for word-nerd pairs to watch and discuss together.
From: 5 free online courses that look fun to take with your mom for Mother's DayTyping Club
A structured, freemium typing program combining guided lessons, diagnostics, and games—good for steady progress and saving progress with accounts.
From the guide
Secrets for a Powerful Memory (The Great Courses Plus)
A guided online course on memory techniques from The Great Courses, good for a shared learning experience with Mom.
From: 5 free online courses that look fun to take with your mom for Mother's DayTinker Crate STEM Subscription Box
Bimonthly hands-on STEM projects for tweens and teens that encourage engineering and problem-solving skills.
From the guide
Urban Intellectuals Black History Flashcards (52-card deck)
A 52-card deck introducing important figures and moments from Black history — a compact, educational gift for kids, classrooms, or home learning.
From: Black History flashcards that inspire and educate, 52 cards at a time.