15 Inexpensive Gifts for Students from Teachers (that aren’t junk)!

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If you’re anything like me, you realize at the last minute that a holiday, or the end of the year, is fast approaching and you still need to get your gifts for students. Whether it’s Valentines Day, Christmas or the last day of school that is just around the corner, this list of inexpensive gifts for students from teachers should help you quickly find something nice without breaking the bank.

These student gift ideas are not specific to any one holiday. That means they can be given year-round for any occasion and are perfect for the inclusive classroom filled with various cultures and beliefs. As a bonus, none of these are cheap, plastic crap that will end up in the garbage or driving you crazy within hours!

Many of these student gifts also provide an opportunity to be used in class to fill a little time on a crazy day! Have your students decorate them during class or, especially if you have access to a Cricut cutting machine, personalize them ahead of time for an extra special gift!

Colouring Bookmarks

I love it when gifts for elementary students are also educational or designed to foster a love of learning. These colouring bookmarks will not only keep your class busy for a while, they just might encourage them to read!

Mini Plant Pots

I have bought mini clay pots to use for school crafts before from the dollar store, but these are actually cheaper! Allow time for students to decorate their pot and maybe even plant a seedling (or seed). Or perhaps you’d rather have the planting done before bringing them to school and add a cute little quote or design to each pot yourself.

Beach Balls for Student Gifts

I love to use this idea for our end of year gifts! I purchase enough beach balls for every student in class and then put it in my day plan for one of the last days of school.

We sit in a circle and give every student an inflated beach ball and a marker. Every student signs the beach ball before passing it around the circle one spot. Repeat this process until students have signed all of them (or all but one).

Not only do they have a beach ball to take to the beach all summer, it serves as a kind of yearbook autograph page to remember all their friends!

Journals with Positive Messages

Another wonderful idea for cheap student gifts for any age is this pack of journals. Each contains a positive message on the cover and can then be used to write jot notes, thoughts, ideas or whatever students desire. You could even pair it with a cheap pen or pencil from the dollar store.

Depending on the age of your students, you may prefer the more sophisticated journals, or the colourful versions.

Personalized Popsicle Sleeves

This is another great student gift idea for the summer! I used my Cricut Maker to personalize a sleeve for each of my kindergarten students with cute designs then popped a popsicle in each one.

You could leave them plain, have students decorate, or simply write their names using a stencil!

I made a couple extras for our nieces and nephews to use at our house as well. I can confirm they are a winner!

Mini Puzzle Cubes

Do your students enjoy mathematics? Are they interested in puzzles or problem-solving? This pack of mini Rubik’s cubes are perfect. Again, combining fun with exercising their brains. You could even turn it into a classroom challenge!