Winter break is over, but the party is just beginning! The 100th Day of School is such a fun way to celebrate our students’ growth and learning while also beating the winter blues. This list of 13 awesome 100th Day of School ideas is sure to have just what you need.
How should we celebrate the 100th day of school?
The answer to this question varies, but I personally make it a whole-day celebration!
It’s not a day-long party with my students going nuts and getting hyped up on sugar. We do educational activities that involve:
- summarizing what we’ve learned so far this year
- having competitions to show off our knowledge
- reading stories about the 100th day of school
- making fun snacks and crafts
The best part is that these activities work across content areas because they are easily customizable. Read on to get the full list of books, games and activities!
100th day of school books
Whether you read aloud or have your students read independently, there are a ton of books written just to celebrate the 100th day of school!
I have many of these books, and I use them in all of these ways:
- add them to classroom library so students can read them during library center
- read loud to my class
- read with a buddy
- in small groups instruction
Here are the best books for the 100th day of school:
1. The Night Before the 100th Day of School
This book is a part of the super fun “The Night Before…” series, and I read it aloud on the 99th day. It gets us hyped up to celebrate tomorrow!
2. 100th Day Worries
I love this book! I read this a week before the 100th day, when I send home a project letter with my students. They get to design a T-shirt or bring in a collection of 100 objects to share with the class on the 100th day of school.
3. Biscuit’s 100th Day of School
Who doesn’t love the adorable adventures of Biscuit the puppy?! This book is a favorite of my students and they choose it the most in the library center.
4. Rocket’s 100th Day of School
Rocket is another iconic character that my students love! Follow Rocket in this book all about the 100th day.
5. Tiny and the 100th Day of School
Tiny is another fun character, similar to Clifford. See what happens when Tiny decides to go to school on the 100th day in this cute book.
100th Day of School Ideas
We’ve covered the books, so let’s dig into the activities, games and other fun stuff! The first thing I pick up is this really cute set of 100th day crowns, glasses and awards. I let my kiddos choose which what they want to wear (one, two or all three!). It adds a little flair! It’s a great deal and comes with 36 of each.
My absolute favorite activity is this packet: Things I Can Do in 100 Seconds! For this, you’ll need to copy the packet for each kiddo. You’ll also need a timer.
On each page, it gives the students a task: write your name, write sight words, write numbers, et cetera. For each page, time the students for 100 seconds and see how many they can do!
For example, how many times can they write their name in 100 seconds? Add them up and write how many at the top of the page, and see who is the winner!
Click here to download this packet for free!
Another great activity is the 100th Day of School project that I mentioned earlier. This is an optional thing, so my students can also decide not to do anything and that’s okay. For those that choose to, I give my students a few choices of things they can do:
- dress up like a 100 year old person
- bring in a collection of 100 things (must fit in a quart Ziploc bag!)
- decorate a T-shirt for the 100th day
- make a necklace with 100 items (like beads)
- draw a picture of yourself 100 years old
I’ve seen some super creative and adorable takes on all of these options! I definitely recommend giving this optional project to your kiddos to see where their creativity takes them.
If you’d like to do it, grab my free Letter to Parents for the 100th Day of School here on TPT!
100th Day of School Ideas for Classwork
I make the 100th day of school a day-long celebration of our learning, so we incorporate this into every content area. One thing I do in every subject (reading, math, etc) is Poster Summaries.
These aren’t anything fancy or formal. I let my students get into groups of up to 4, and each group gets a 12×18 sheet of construction paper. On the paper, they have to show, draw, or write all the things they’ve learned how to do this year.
I hang the posters around the room after each group shares out so we can see all we’ve learned!
Need more inspo?
I’ve got another blog post here that gives more freebies and 100th day of school ideas.
As an experienced educator with a passion for celebrating milestones in the academic journey, I can confidently say that the 100th Day of School is a fantastic opportunity to acknowledge our students' growth and learning while banishing the winter blues. Throughout the years, I have developed a range of activities that not only engage students but also incorporate educational elements. In this article, I will introduce you to 13 awesome ideas to make the 100th Day of School a memorable celebration.
To start, let's address the question of how to celebrate the 100th day of school. While the answer may vary depending on personal preferences, I personally believe in making it a whole-day celebration. However, it's important to note that this is not a day-long party filled with sugar-induced frenzy. Instead, I design educational activities that encompass various aspects such as summarizing what we have learned so far, showcasing our knowledge through friendly competitions, reading stories about the 100th day of school, and engaging in fun snack and craft making sessions. These activities can be easily customized to fit different content areas, making them versatile and adaptable.
One aspect that adds excitement to the 100th Day of School is the selection of books specifically written to celebrate this milestone. Whether you choose to read aloud or encourage independent reading, there is an abundance of options to choose from. Personally, I have incorporated these books in multiple ways, such as adding them to the classroom library for students to enjoy during library center time, reading them aloud to the class, having students read them with a buddy, or incorporating them into small group instruction. Here are some of the top books for the 100th Day of School:
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"The Night Before the 100th Day of School": This book, part of the delightful "The Night Before..." series, is best read aloud on the 99th day to create anticipation for the upcoming celebration.
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"100th Day Worries": A favorite of mine, this book is perfect to read a week before the big day when students receive a project letter. It encourages students to design a T-shirt or bring in a collection of 100 objects to share with the class.
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"Biscuit's 100th Day of School": The adorable adventures of Biscuit the puppy in this book make it a popular choice among students, who often gravitate towards it in the library center.
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"Rocket's 100th Day of School": Rocket, another beloved character, takes center stage in this book that explores the 100th day in a delightful way.
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"Tiny and the 100th Day of School": Similar to Clifford, Tiny is an engaging character who embarks on a school adventure on the 100th day, capturing the imagination of young readers.
Moving on to activities, games, and other fun stuff, one of my favorite picks is a set of 100th day crowns, glasses, and awards. This allows students to choose and wear their preferred items, adding a touch of flair to the celebration. Additionally, I highly recommend the "Things I Can Do in 100 Seconds!" packet. Each student receives a copy, and a timer is used as they complete tasks such as writing their name, sight words, numbers, and more within 100 seconds. This activity fosters a sense of competition and allows students to see how many tasks they can accomplish within the given time frame. It's an engaging and interactive way to celebrate the 100th day.
Another notable activity is the 100th Day of School project, which I mentioned earlier. This project is optional, and students can decide whether or not to participate. For those who choose to take part, I offer a few choices, including dressing up like a 100-year-old person, bringing in a collection of 100 items that fit in a quart Ziploc bag, decorating a T-shirt for the 100th day, making a necklace with 100 items like beads, or drawing a picture of themselves as 100-year-olds. I have witnessed some incredibly creative and adorable takes on these options, and I encourage you to give students the freedom to explore their creativity. To assist with this optional project, I have provided a free Letter to Parents for the 100th Day of School on TPT (Teachers Pay Teachers).
In terms of classwork, I consider the 100th Day of School as an opportunity to infuse the celebration into every content area. One activity that works well across subjects is Poster Summaries. These summaries are not overly formal or complex. Instead, I divide my students into groups of up to four, and each group receives a 12x18 sheet of construction paper. On this paper, they showcase their learning by illustrating or writing about all the things they have learned throughout the year. After each group shares their poster, I hang them around the room, creating a visual representation of our collective knowledge and accomplishments.
If you're seeking more inspiration and freebies for the 100th Day of School, I invite you to explore another blog post I have written on the topic. It offers additional ideas and resources to make the celebration even more special.
With these ideas and resources in mind, I am confident that your 100th Day of School celebration will be a resounding success, filled with joy, learning, and a sense of accomplishment. Embrace the opportunity to engage your students in innovative ways and celebrate their growth throughout the year. Happy 100th Day of School!
