Valentine’s Day is a time to let those in your life know just how much you care. For teachers, that means a chance to give your students a little treat. We’ve got lots of inexpensive gift ideas for students, so you can show some kindness without breaking the bank!
(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)
1. Bubble Wands
Dress up bubble wands with these cute free printable cards from Creating & Teaching. Grab a set of 36 mini bubble wands for pennies apiece on Amazon.
2. Valentine’s Day Plush Clip-Ons
Students will love clipping these little cuties to their backpacks or jacket zippers. They’re less than a buck apiece when you buy them on Amazon, and you get two each of 14 different designs.
3. Heart-Shaped Upcycled Crayons
This is such a clever way to use up all those all crayons bits and pieces you’ve got lying around. Learn how to make them from Princess Pinky Girl, using a heart-shaped silicone mold from Amazon.
4. Fuzzy Valentine’s Day Gnome Friends
How adorbs are these little plush gnomes from Dollar Tree? They’d make wonderful surprises for your students on Valentine’s Day.
5. Glowstick Heart Glasses
These heart-shaped glasses are fun to wear, but when you activate the glow stick rims, they’re completely amazing! Find them at Target.
6. Play-Doh Kit
Turn a container of Play-Doh in a Valentine’s Day activity by adding accessories like a heart-shaped cookie cutter. Grab the free printable tag from The Primary Parade, and get the other supplies here:
7. Kawaii Mochi Squishy Valentines
So cute, so colorful, so squishy! Kids will love collecting these and trading with their friends. Buy a set of 28 on Amazon.
8. Mini Stamps
These tiny stamps cost only about a quarter apiece when you buy them in bulk! Find this Valentine’s Day set on Amazon.
9. Valentine’s Day Activity Books
Keep kids busy while they enjoy holiday treats with these little puzzle books. You can get a dozen for a few dollars at Target, so this is definitely an affordable gift for your kiddos.
10. Valentine’s Day Word Search
Snag the free printable word search from Primary Playground, then pair it with these fun Valentine’s Day pop pencils from Amazon. You get two inexpensive gift ideas for students in one!
11. Personalized M&Ms
Buy some snack-size Valentine’s Day M&Ms, then add a personalized label for a sweet treat! You can buy this printable label from Lessons for Little Ones, or design your own.
12. Wack-a-Pack Self-Inflating Balloons
Every kid will love whacking these self-inflating balloons and watching them fill with air like magic! Find them in assorted designs at Dollar Tree.
13. Reusable Crazy Straws
Even plain water is much more fun when you’re sipping it through a crazy straw. Get a set of 32 in different designs on Amazon.
14. Fun Hand Sanitizer Bottles
Hand sanitizer continues to be a must-have, so give your students a fun way to carry theirs around. These cute designs are available on Amazon.
15. Puffy Stickers
What student doesn’t love puffy stickers? Packs are only $1 each at Dollar Tree.
16. Make-a-Face Sticker Sheets
Slip one of these cute sticker sheets into an envelope along with a cute valentine or personalized note. Get a set of 36 on Amazon.
17. Motivational Bracelets
Remind your students every single day just how special they are! Get 60 of these colorful motivational bracelets on Amazon.
18. Inspirational Sticky Notepads
Sticky notes are incredibly useful in any classroom. Give kids their own cute pads to use when they want to send a cheery message to a friend. Get these pads at Dollar Tree.
19. Reading Bookmarks
These printable bookmarks are free, so all you need is a printer and some cardstock. Get them here!
20. Animal Bookmarks
These animal bookmarks are cute and a real bargain. You can get 30 animal bookmarks for a great price on Amazon. These are easy to pop into the mail, too!
21. Emoji Bookmarks
Yes, more bookmarks! They’re such a good gift idea, and so useful. Get a set of 75 right here.
22. Book Lover Pins
Reward your star readers with these cute buttons, with clever slogans that any bibliophile will appreciate. Find them on Etsy.
23. Six-Color Pens
What’s old is new again with these retractable pens with six colors of ink. They make great gifts, and they’re affordable when you buy in bulk. Get them on Amazon.
24. Mini Building Block Sets
Have you met a kid yet who doesn’t love LEGO bricks? These mini building block kits are basically the same thing, but you can get 12 of them for less than a couple of dollars apiece on Amazon.
25. Happy Journals
Give them a place to jot their happy thoughts and fun memories. These little notebooks are about a dollar each when you buy 24 on Amazon.
26. Spiral Art Sets
Spiral art is a throwback activity kids will totally love! Pair them with colorful pens for gifts that will keep kids busy for hours. Get these spiral art sets at Dollar Tree.
27. Earbuds
Your students could probably use some new earbuds. Luckily, they’re available in sets of 30 on Amazon for an unbelievable price.
28. Kawaii Squishies
These are so popular with kids of all ages. Your students will love choosing one, or you can choose it for them along with a special note. Consider turning them into desk pets, too! Get a 45-pack on Amazon.
29. DIY Fidget Sticks
Fidget toys are always a hit with kids. Learn how to make DIY fidget sticks, plus see a list of our favorites to buy here.
30. DIY Bouncy Balls Kits
Whether you send these home for families to try, or use them as an in-class science experiment, they’re sure to be tons of fun. Get a set of 12 on Amazon.
31. Pull-Apart Erasers
Kids can mix and match these erasers for some creative food combos. Get a pack of 30 at a great price on Amazon.
32. Stress Balls
You can find lots of options for stress balls on Amazon, and these globes are some of our favorites. Get a 24-pack here.
33. Kindness Posters
If you’re looking for an even more inexpensive way to spread kindness, you’ll love these free printable posters. Get the set here.
34. Punch Balloons
Give kids a way to work off some of their energy after sitting at a desk for hours each day. Here’s a set of 30 punch balloons on Amazon.
35. Suncatcher Kits
Give kids a creative outlet with these cute kits. The end result is a sweet suncatcher they can display on their window at home! Get the kits for $1 each at Dollar Tree.
36. Mini Puzzle Books
Puzzle books will keep kids entertained when they have some free time. Get a 12-pack for less than a dollar apiece on Amazon.
37. Coloring Books
We like these coloring books with more grown-up themes. They’re nice for older kids who still love this soothing activity. Find them at Dollar Tree.
38. Miniature Calm-Down Jars
Have you seen our calm-down jars? These are such a good experiment, and they can also make a good gift for students.
Get the supplies:
39. Superhero Slap Bracelets
There are lots of slap bracelet options out there, but these might be our favorite. You can get 38 of them for a really affordable price on Amazon.
40. Personalized Bracelets
This option is a little more pricey, but they are so cute and only $2 each at Etsy. They’re even less if you order in bulk!
41. Dig a Dino Eggs
You know your students will get a real kick out of these dino eggs! They’re less than a couple of bucks each when you buy a set of 12 on Amazon.
42. Mini Rainbow Springs
There’s something irresistible about spring toys. Pick up a bulk pack of 50 on Amazon for pennies each.
43. Slime Putty Unicorn Galaxy Eggs
These vivid putty and slime eggs are surefire inexpensive gift ideas for students. Find them on Amazon.
44. Mini Notepads
Colorful mini notepads make a practical, simple gift for kids of all ages. Get a 24-pack on Amazon here.
45. Personalized Clipboards
Students will love having their very own clipboards to use in class or at home. Check out this site for help creating and printing free word clouds like the ones shown here by Happily Working From Home.
Get the supplies:
46. Personalized Pencils
You can order personalized pencils, but if your budget is a little slimmer, learn how to make them yourself with a printer and clear tape.
Get the supplies:
47. Colorful Lanyards
These brightly hued lanyards include a breakaway mechanism, so they’re even safe for younger kids. It’s the perfect way for them to wear their school ID. Get a pack of 12 on Amazon here.
48. Globe Beach Balls
Combine a little learning with your inexpensive gift ideas for students! These inflatable globes are fun to throw around but can be used for reference, too. Snag a set of 10 on Amazon.
49. Painted Rocks
If you’ve got an artsy side, make personalized painted rocks for your students. Here are a few ideas we put together for inspiration.
Get the supplies:
50. Hand Clappers
These are so fun to use in the classroom! Give each student one so they can show their appreciation during presentations or book reports. Find these at Dollar Tree.
51. Game Boards
Grab our free printable game boards here and use them to create personalized games for your students. Pair them with some vibrant dice like these, and you’re ready to gift!
52. Sunglasses
What kid doesn’t love sporting a cool pair of shades? Get a dozen pairs for a bargain price on Amazon.
53. Miniature Game Tins
Save up those tins or just buy empty tins in bulk on Amazon. Check out the fun games we made with these free printables.
54. Sidewalk Chalk
Here’s another fun activity for kids to do during recess. They’ll love the unicorn-horn shape, too! Find them on Amazon.
55. Jump Ropes
Give kids something to do on the playground or a fun way to exercise at home. Get these jump ropes for a couple bucks each on Amazon.
56. Frisbees
Here’s another great playground toy that makes a perfect student gift. Only $1 for each Frisbee at Dollar Tree.
57. Motivational Cards
Sometimes all you need is a reminder that you’re special to make the day better. Get 100 of these motivational cards for only pennies each on Amazon.
58. E-Books
Amazon has lots of terrific children’s e-book options for a dollar or two each, and they make it easy to send a selection to a large group. Explore children’s e-books here.
59. Children’s Books
If you’d like to give traditional books, there are all sorts of ways of finding them at affordable prices. Buy a set of fun-fact books or classic fairy-tale books for $1 each from Dollar Tree, or hit yard sales and thrift stores for gently used favorites.
60. Thank-You Notes
Knowing that their teacher sees them for who they are can make all the difference for some kids. You can write them on any kind of paper, or grab a set of cards like these from Amazon.
What’s your go-to when you need inexpensive gift ideas for students? Come share on the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.
Plus, Student Gifts You Can DIY for a Dollar or Less.
Valentine’s Day is a time to let those in your life know just how much you care. For teachers, that means a chance to give your students a little treat. We’ve got lots of inexpensive gift ideas for students, so you can show some kindness without breaking the bank!
(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)
1. Bubble Wands
Dress up bubble wands with these cute free printable cards from Creating & Teaching. Grab a set of 36 mini bubble wands for pennies apiece on Amazon.
2. Valentine’s Day Plush Clip-Ons
Students will love clipping these little cuties to their backpacks or jacket zippers. They’re less than a buck apiece when you buy them on Amazon, and you get two each of 14 different designs.
3. Heart-Shaped Upcycled Crayons
This is such a clever way to use up all those all crayons bits and pieces you’ve got lying around. Learn how to make them from Princess Pinky Girl, using a heart-shaped silicone mold from Amazon.
4. Fuzzy Valentine’s Day Gnome Friends
How adorbs are these little plush gnomes from Dollar Tree? They’d make wonderful surprises for your students on Valentine’s Day.
5. Glowstick Heart Glasses
These heart-shaped glasses are fun to wear, but when you activate the glow stick rims, they’re completely amazing! Find them at Target.
6. Play-Doh Kit
Turn a container of Play-Doh in a Valentine’s Day activity by adding accessories like a heart-shaped cookie cutter. Grab the free printable tag from The Primary Parade, and get the other supplies here:
7. Kawaii Mochi Squishy Valentines
So cute, so colorful, so squishy! Kids will love collecting these and trading with their friends. Buy a set of 28 on Amazon.
8. Mini Stamps
These tiny stamps cost only about a quarter apiece when you buy them in bulk! Find this Valentine’s Day set on Amazon.
9. Valentine’s Day Activity Books
Keep kids busy while they enjoy holiday treats with these little puzzle books. You can get a dozen for a few dollars at Target, so this is definitely an affordable gift for your kiddos.
10. Valentine’s Day Word Search
Snag the free printable word search from Primary Playground, then pair it with these fun Valentine’s Day pop pencils from Amazon. You get two inexpensive gift ideas for students in one!
11. Personalized M&Ms
Buy some snack-size Valentine’s Day M&Ms, then add a personalized label for a sweet treat! You can buy this printable label from Lessons for Little Ones, or design your own.
12. Wack-a-Pack Self-Inflating Balloons
Every kid will love whacking these self-inflating balloons and watching them fill with air like magic! Find them in assorted designs at Dollar Tree.
13. Reusable Crazy Straws
Even plain water is much more fun when you’re sipping it through a crazy straw. Get a set of 32 in different designs on Amazon.
14. Fun Hand Sanitizer Bottles
Hand sanitizer continues to be a must-have, so give your students a fun way to carry theirs around. These cute designs are available on Amazon.
15. Puffy Stickers
What student doesn’t love puffy stickers? Packs are only $1 each at Dollar Tree.
16. Make-a-Face Sticker Sheets
Slip one of these cute sticker sheets into an envelope along with a cute valentine or personalized note. Get a set of 36 on Amazon.
17. Motivational Bracelets
Remind your students every single day just how special they are! Get 60 of these colorful motivational bracelets on Amazon.
18. Inspirational Sticky Notepads
Sticky notes are incredibly useful in any classroom. Give kids their own cute pads to use when they want to send a cheery message to a friend. Get these pads at Dollar Tree.
19. Reading Bookmarks
These printable bookmarks are free, so all you need is a printer and some cardstock. Get them here!
20. Animal Bookmarks
These animal bookmarks are cute and a real bargain. You can get 30 animal bookmarks for a great price on Amazon. These are easy to pop into the mail, too!
21. Emoji Bookmarks
Yes, more bookmarks! They’re such a good gift idea, and so useful. Get a set of 75 right here.
22. Book Lover Pins
Reward your star readers with these cute buttons, with clever slogans that any bibliophile will appreciate. Find them on Etsy.
23. Six-Color Pens
What’s old is new again with these retractable pens with six colors of ink. They make great gifts, and they’re affordable when you buy in bulk. Get them on Amazon.
24. Mini Building Block Sets
Have you met a kid yet who doesn’t love LEGO bricks? These mini building block kits are basically the same thing, but you can get 12 of them for less than a couple of dollars apiece on Amazon.
25. Happy Journals
Give them a place to jot their happy thoughts and fun memories. These little notebooks are about a dollar each when you buy 24 on Amazon.
26. Spiral Art Sets
Spiral art is a throwback activity kids will totally love! Pair them with colorful pens for gifts that will keep kids busy for hours. Get these spiral art sets at Dollar Tree.
27. Earbuds
Your students could probably use some new earbuds. Luckily, they’re available in sets of 30 on Amazon for an unbelievable price.
28. Kawaii Squishies
These are so popular with kids of all ages. Your students will love choosing one, or you can choose it for them along with a special note. Consider turning them into desk pets, too! Get a 45-pack on Amazon.
29. DIY Fidget Sticks
Fidget toys are always a hit with kids. Learn how to make DIY fidget sticks, plus see a list of our favorites to buy here.
30. DIY Bouncy Balls Kits
Whether you send these home for families to try, or use them as an in-class science experiment, they’re sure to be tons of fun. Get a set of 12 on Amazon.
31. Pull-Apart Erasers
Kids can mix and match these erasers for some creative food combos. Get a pack of 30 at a great price on Amazon.
32. Stress Balls
You can find lots of options for stress balls on Amazon, and these globes are some of our favorites. Get a 24-pack here.
33. Kindness Posters
If you’re looking for an even more inexpensive way to spread kindness, you’ll love these free printable posters. Get the set here.
34. Punch Balloons
Give kids a way to work off some of their energy after sitting at a desk for hours each day. Here’s a set of 30 punch balloons on Amazon.
35. Suncatcher Kits
Give kids a creative outlet with these cute kits. The end result is a sweet suncatcher they can display on their window at home! Get the kits for $1 each at Dollar Tree.
36. Mini Puzzle Books
Puzzle books will keep kids entertained when they have some free time. Get a 12-pack for less than a dollar apiece on Amazon.
37. Coloring Books
We like these coloring books with more grown-up themes. They’re nice for older kids who still love this soothing activity. Find them at Dollar Tree.
38. Miniature Calm-Down Jars
Have you seen our calm-down jars? These are such a good experiment, and they can also make a good gift for students.
Get the supplies:
39. Superhero Slap Bracelets
There are lots of slap bracelet options out there, but these might be our favorite. You can get 38 of them for a really affordable price on Amazon.
40. Personalized Bracelets
This option is a little more pricey, but they are so cute and only $2 each at Etsy. They’re even less if you order in bulk!
41. Dig a Dino Eggs
You know your students will get a real kick out of these dino eggs! They’re less than a couple of bucks each when you buy a set of 12 on Amazon.
42. Mini Rainbow Springs
There’s something irresistible about spring toys. Pick up a bulk pack of 50 on Amazon for pennies each.
43. Slime Putty Unicorn Galaxy Eggs
These vivid putty and slime eggs are surefire inexpensive gift ideas for students. Find them on Amazon.
44. Mini Notepads
Colorful mini notepads make a practical, simple gift for kids of all ages. Get a 24-pack on Amazon here.
45. Personalized Clipboards
Students will love having their very own clipboards to use in class or at home. Check out this site for help creating and printing free word clouds like the ones shown here by Happily Working From Home.
Get the supplies:
46. Personalized Pencils
You can order personalized pencils, but if your budget is a little slimmer, learn how to make them yourself with a printer and clear tape.
Get the supplies:
47. Colorful Lanyards
These brightly hued lanyards include a breakaway mechanism, so they’re even safe for younger kids. It’s the perfect way for them to wear their school ID. Get a pack of 12 on Amazon here.
48. Globe Beach Balls
Combine a little learning with your inexpensive gift ideas for students! These inflatable globes are fun to throw around but can be used for reference, too. Snag a set of 10 on Amazon.
49. Painted Rocks
If you’ve got an artsy side, make personalized painted rocks for your students. Here are a few ideas we put together for inspiration.
Get the supplies:
50. Hand Clappers
These are so fun to use in the classroom! Give each student one so they can show their appreciation during presentations or book reports. Find these at Dollar Tree.
51. Game Boards
Grab our free printable game boards here and use them to create personalized games for your students. Pair them with some vibrant dice like these, and you’re ready to gift!
52. Sunglasses
What kid doesn’t love sporting a cool pair of shades? Get a dozen pairs for a bargain price on Amazon.
53. Miniature Game Tins
Save up those tins or just buy empty tins in bulk on Amazon. Check out the fun games we made with these free printables.
54. Sidewalk Chalk
Here’s another fun activity for kids to do during recess. They’ll love the unicorn-horn shape, too! Find them on Amazon.
55. Jump Ropes
Give kids something to do on the playground or a fun way to exercise at home. Get these jump ropes for a couple bucks each on Amazon.
56. Frisbees
Here’s another great playground toy that makes a perfect student gift. Only $1 for each Frisbee at Dollar Tree.
57. Motivational Cards
Sometimes all you need is a reminder that you’re special to make the day better. Get 100 of these motivational cards for only pennies each on Amazon.
58. E-Books
Amazon has lots of terrific children’s e-book options for a dollar or two each, and they make it easy to send a selection to a large group. Explore children’s e-books here.
59. Children’s Books
If you’d like to give traditional books, there are all sorts of ways of finding them at affordable prices. Buy a set of fun-fact books or classic fairy-tale books for $1 each from Dollar Tree, or hit yard sales and thrift stores for gently used favorites.
60. Thank-You Notes
Knowing that their teacher sees them for who they are can make all the difference for some kids. You can write them on any kind of paper, or grab a set of cards like these from Amazon.
What’s your go-to when you need inexpensive gift ideas for students? Come share on the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.
Plus, Student Gifts You Can DIY for a Dollar or Less.