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.
Donation to CARE (support for women and girls)
Make a charitable donation in the recipient’s name to CARE, which funds education for girls and assistance for poor women worldwide — a meaningful, give-back Mother’s Day gift.
From the guide
TIME for Kids Digital Library — Free Access to 2020 Issues
Grade‑specific digital issues, teacher guides, and quizzes for K–6 readers — a practical gift for families homeschooling or supplementing school.
From: All the best free classes and memberships online right now: Get fit, learn a language, read a book, have family movie night...
Ivy League Online Courses — Free Catalog (various providers)
Access to hundreds of free university‑level courses across subjects — a great educational gift for lifelong learners.
From: All the best free classes and memberships online right now: Get fit, learn a language, read a book, have family movie night...
Zoom Pro — Free Unlimited Video Conferencing for K‑12
Temporary free access to Pro features and extended meeting lengths for K‑12 staff and students — a practical gift for educators facilitating remote learning.
From: All the best free classes and memberships online right now: Get fit, learn a language, read a book, have family movie night...
Rosetta Stone — Free Language Immersion Lessons (24 Languages)
Interactive language lessons with pronunciation feedback in many languages — a useful gift for travelers, students, or language lovers.
From: All the best free classes and memberships online right now: Get fit, learn a language, read a book, have family movie night...
Brick by Brick (children's book)
A Corretta Scott King Award-winning picture book about enslaved laborers building the White House—a powerful, educational gift for kids.
From: 10 alternative ways to celebrate the 4th of July, if you're not feeling like waving a flag this year.
K12 career-oriented summer school courses
Three tuition-free, career-focused online courses for high school students to explore career paths and build skills over the summer.
From: 6 tuition-free classes that help your teens learn online this summer -- without you standing over their shoulders.
Big Universe leveled e-book library (student access)
Tuition-free access to thousands of leveled e-books across subjects and genres—great for encouraging independent summer reading.
From: 6 tuition-free classes that help your teens learn online this summer -- without you standing over their shoulders.
Kiwi Crate Monthly Subscription (Kids STEAM Activity Kits)
A monthly subscription delivering age-appropriate, hands-on STEAM and craft projects with materials included—great for encouraging creativity and screen-free play.
From: Kiwi Crate: Surprise! Supplies!!!
I'm the Chef Too Kids Cooking Kit Subscription
Monthly cooking kits that teach kids to cook with guided activities — an educational and hands-on gift for children.
From: 2025 Holiday Gift Guide: Last-Minute Gifts for Everyone On Your List
Hanukkah Activity Set
Curated activity set for kids with Hanukkah crafts and play items.
From: 25 wonderful Hanukkah gifts for toddlers to teens 2022 | Holiday Gift Guide
HelloFlo: The Guide, Period (book, preorder)
A humorous, frank puberty guide for modern girls — a thoughtful gift for tweens approaching or navigating their period.
From the guide
The Great Courses Plus (online course subscription)
Access to a large library of video courses on many subjects; a trial subscription makes a flexible gift for lifelong learners.
From the guide
MeritBadge.org Knot-Tying GIF Collection (Printable Guide)
Printable or downloadable set of step-by-step knot-tying GIFs and illustrations that teach kids official scout knots in a visual, easy-to-follow format — great for learning and practice.
From: 4 great websites and videos that teach kids how to tie knots. Road trip entertainment, check!
Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker (children's picture book)
A vibrant, illustrated children's picture book celebrating Josephine Baker's life—great for introducing young readers to an inspiring historical figure.
From: Josephine: A children's book as complex, vibrant, and endearing as Josephine Baker herself.
Snap Circuits Electronics Kit
An electronics kit that lets kids snap components together to build dozens of working projects while learning about circuits and electricity.
From: Holiday tech gifts: 11 of the coolest STEM toys and gifts for big kids and tweens
Black Girl MATHgic STEM Subscription Box
A monthly curated STEM activity box celebrating math and science for girls, delivering hands-on projects and learning materials.
From: Holiday tech gifts: 11 of the coolest STEM toys and gifts for big kids and tweens
The Art of Screen Time (book) by Anya Kamenetz
A research-based guide for parents about healthy, practical screen time approaches—easy to gift to new or seasoned parents.
From the guide
BitsBox Subscription (Kids Coding Kit)
Monthly subscription box that teaches kids to code with app-building projects and physical activity cards—great for learning-through-play.
From the guide
Premium Prep College Counseling (session)
Personalized college counseling service offering a free 30-minute session with mention of Spawned or Cool Mom Picks—useful as a practical gift for college-bound students.
From the guide
My Big Book of Nature Sounds
An interactive sound book with buttons for 100 nature sounds and words, ideal for helping kids recognize and appreciate natural environments.
From: Spark a love for our planet with these 13 enchanting Earth Day books for kids
LEGO Women of NASA set
A LEGO set celebrating pioneering women in NASA — an inspiring, educational gift for kids and adults interested in space, science, and history.
From: The new Queer Eye LEGO set is not just about building, but building people up.
Osmo iPad-Powered Learning Game System
An interactive kit that pairs with an iPad to offer hands-on games for drawing, tangrams, and early math/reading—good for ages about 3–13 to encourage creative and educational play.
From: Unique gifts for creative kids that I haven't seen before? Reader Q&A
Raising Humans in a Digital World by Diana Graber (book)
A practical parenting book that offers guidance on helping kids build healthy relationships with technology — a thoughtful gift for caregivers and educators.
From the guide