The 100th day of school is a milestone that both students and teachers look forward to celebrating. It marks not only a significant achievement in the school year but also a great opportunity to bring about some fun and excitement into the classroom! Here in the northern United States, the 100th day of school typically falls sometime in February. (Southern states are usually a few weeks ahead.) In this blog post, I’ll share a few ideas on how you can celebrate the 100th day of school with your students.
But first, some disclosures. This post contains affiliate links. You are not obligated to make purchases using these links but when you do, it helps support my blog and small business at no additional cost to you. Now, let’s dive right in! Here’s a short list of ways to celebrate the 100th day of school:
1. Create a class project
Encourage your students to work together to create a class project that represents the number 100. This could be a giant poster made up of 100 individual drawings or a sculpture made from 100 objects. Be creative!
2. Dress up as 100-year-olds
This has to be one of my absolute favorite activities! Break out the walkers and the granny glasses. Encourage your students to dress up as if they were 100 years old, and have them walk around the school showing off their costumes.
3. Have a class parade
Coordinate with your building administrators for a schoolwide celebration! Plan a parade around the school, with your students dressing up and carrying signs or props that represent the number 100.
4. Do a 100th day art project
Display student artwork that represents the number 100 or the theme of the 100th day of school. For the less crafty, 100th-day student posters can be purchased to decorate and doodle. No judgment here!
5. Do a 100th day math challenge
Use the number 100 as the focus of a math challenge. You can have students work on problems that involve the counting, addition, and subtraction of 100, or have a challenge where students need to make 100 of something, with varying levels of difficulty for differentiation. For older students, I have these 100th day of school color by code printables.
6. Make 100th day crowns
Have your students make their own 100th day crowns from crafting supplies, which they can wear during the day’s activities and take home as a keepsake. I staple/glue to bulletin board border for a custom fit. For already-done 100th day crown templates, click here.
7. Do a 100th day scavenger hunt
Create a scavenger hunt where students have to find 100 items around the school or the classroom.
8. Have a 100th day feast
Plan a special snack or lunch for your students to enjoy on the 100th day of school. Be mindful of and check for allergies. Have students bring in different snacks (i.e. Cheese Its, pretzel rods, chocolate candies, Cheerios, etc.). Students can then create their own 100 item snack!
9. Do a 100th day writing prompt
Have your students write about what they think they’ll be like or what they want to do when they are 100 years old. Another option is to let them be creative and come up with a 100th day of school story. Once they’ve finished, I like to have students take turns telling their stories (or summaries) in 100 seconds.
10. Create a time capsule to be opened on the last day of school
Have students bring in items to put in a time capsule to be opened on a future date, such as the 200th day of school.
11. Have a “100 Days Smarter” ceremony where students share something they’ve learned in the past 100 days
Recognize and celebrate the progress and growth that students have made over the first 100 days of school. Students can make a list of all the things they’ve learned. I love giving kids the alphabet and challenging them to remember one thing from the last 100 days that starts with each letter!
12. Have a 100th day photo booth
Set up a photo booth with props and have students take pictures to commemorate the day! This is especially cute when they’re all dressed up in their 100-year-old garb. Absolutely precious… and hysterical.
13. Create a class book of “100 things we’ve learned”
Have each student contribute a page to a class book with a few things you’ve taught about this year. This requires a little math on your part. For example, if I have 20 students, I’d have each of them list 5 things learned (100 รท 20 = 5). Fill in gaps as needed and bind them into a book for display in your classroom library.
13. Read 100th day-themed books
For older grades with a longer attention span, choose a book with 100 chapters or pages. Read as a class over the 100th day of school. For younger grades, some 100th-day-themed book titles are:
- Miss Bindergarten Celebrates the 100th Day of Kindergarten by Joseph Slate
- 100th Day Worries by Margery Cuyler
- The 100th Day of School From the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler
- If I Were 100 Years Old by Mary Jantz
14. Create a class mural
Have students work together to create a mural that represents the number 100 or a unifying theme for the 100th day of school. You might even have 100 students trace their hands on different colored paper to make a larger image.
15. Create a class song or rap about the 100th day of school
Let the creative juices flow! My students love Flocabulary so the idea of creating their own educational rap is highly enticing. Some kids are dropping the beat while others are writing bars or spitting lines. It’s truly a whole group effort! For younger kids, you can show this 4-minute song from Epic! for free.
16. Play games that involve counting to 100
Plan fun games that incorporate the number 100! Younger students might go around the room counting up to 100. For a challenge, count back from 100! Other games might be rolling dice one at a time and adding (or subtracting) to 100.
17. Share a 100-item collection
Challenge students to bring in a collection of 100 items that fit a certain theme, such as 100 different types of leaves or 100 different colors of beads.
18. Write 100 things they are grateful for
Sometimes, it’s the little things that matter most. Always have an attitude of gratitude! Provide students with think time to write 100 things they are grateful for. This would make a great February bulletin board when finished! Sharing is caring.
19. Have a “100 seconds of silence” as a class mindfulness activity
Find a meditation video on GoNoodle or YouTube and encourage students to be fully present.
20. Do a 100th day of school math quiz
Set a timer for 100 seconds and challenge students to see how many math problems they can solve. Don’t teach math? See how many words they can spell in that time! Use spelling words, high-frequency lists, and word families to set the stage.
โญ Memory Maker Sheet for the 100th Day of School โญ
Whatever activity/activities you choose, make sure to take lots of pictures! Download this free scrapbook page for students to capture all the 100th day of school fun. Create a quick and easy keepsake for your classes to take home so they’ll always remember this special day of school. Remember that the important thing is to have tons of fun and make it a memorable day for your students!
ACTIONABLE STEPS: Pick an activity or two to celebrate the 100th day of school! Let students be creative and express themselves. Don’t hesitate to modify the activities above to meet the needs of your diverse learners.
Got any other ways to celebrate the 100th day of school? Don’t be shy; say hi! Let us know your 100th day of school activities in the comments below.
