Gumball Class Valentine... with free printable labels

Kids have a lot of fun giving and receiving Valentines on Valentines Day, but I've always struggled to find versions my boys aren't embarassed to pass out to their classmates. They NEVER want to share anything that says "LOVE" on it. lol To solve this problem, I usually purchase little treats and trinkets and add a cute / "punny" tag. Today, I am sharing a fun "gumball" Valentine that works perfectly for classrooms.

To make the gumball Valentines, you'll need: gumballs, curling ribbon, clear plastic bags, and the tags I designed.

Don't you love the adorable "I couldn't CHEWS a better friend" tags I designed?

To download the tags: click on the photo below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

This is such a unique and inexpensive Valentine idea, and it's a little more fun than just a plain paper card.

I'm absolutely in love with how bright and colourful these Valentines are. This really is an easy and inexpensive class Valentine idea. Would your child like to share these free printable Valentines with their friends? I bet they would!

Happy Valentine's Day!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You can find MORE easy and inexpensive 

Valentine's Day ideas 

here.

10+ LAST DAY OF SCHOOL treats and gifts... including FREE printable tags

The last day of school is a special milestone for kids. Children spend a lot of time with their teachers and classmates, and it's important to celebrate these relationships. Bringing class treats and teacher gifts on the last day of school is a great way for kids to say goodbye.

Here are some of my favourite treat ideas for sharing with classmates on the last day of school. I've included edible and non-edible options, and they all have adorable FREE printable tags.


1) "CEREAL"sly cute treats - The little boxes of cereal are adorable when packaged with a spoon and the free printable tags I designed (which you can download here).

2) SWEET treats - Dollar store splash balls look like scoops of ice cream when you package them with ice cream cones. Wrap the sweet treats in cellophane bags, tie with curling ribbon, and add the tag that you can download here.

3) Dollar store balls and trinkets - Dollar store balls and trinkets make adorable treats when they are packaged in cellophane bags with "It was a BALL having you in my class!" tags (which you can download for free here). 

4) Bubbles or gum - Bubbles and gum make adorable class treats when packaged with "This year BLEW by." tags. You can download the tags I designed (for free) here.

5) Starburst Treats - My boys love these fruity candies, and they would jump at the chance to share them with their friends. They can be packaged in small cellophane bags with "I hope your summer is BURSTing with fun!" tags (that you can download here).

 

6) Crazy straws - Silly straws are inexpensive and perfect for summer. I love the idea of packaging them with these adorable cards I designed (which you can download for free here).

7) Cool treats - Summer is the the perfect time to indulge in cool treats, so freezies are wonderful for sharing with friends on the last day of school. You can download the "It was COOL having you in my class this year." tags for free here.

8) Happy face balls - These cheerful happy face balls make adorable last day of school class treats. You can download the "I'm happy you were in my class!" tags here.

Teachers love gift cards, but kids also like to give their teachers a thoughtful gift. I love the idea of coming up with practical gifts and cute packaging ideas for gift cards. Here are some of my favourite end of year teacher gifts.


9) Bath bombs and/or lip balms -  Bath bombs and lip balms are cute on their own or paired with a gift card. They make an even better gift when packaged with a punny tag that says, "You are the BOMB!" You can download these tags for free here.

10) Sweet treats - Goodies that teachers can eat or share with their families are always appreciated. You can purchase something, or you can bake some of your favourite treats. Don't forget to add the "Thank you for making my year so SWEET!" tags I designed (that you can download for free here). 

11) Kit Kats - Wish your teacher a wonderful "summer BREAK" with a Kit Kat bar, gift card, and the adorable punny tags I designed (which you can download for free here).

12) Orange goodies - What could be more refreshing than an orange summer drink? Make it extra special by adding an "ORANGE you glad it's summer?" tag (that you can download here). It makes a wonderful gift card holder too.

13) "Tote"ally awesome bag - What could be better for summer than a super-cute bag to carry books and summer treats? Just add a "Thanks for being a 'TOTE'ally awesome teacher!" (which you can download for free here).

14) DIY Cookie Mix - A cookie mix in a jar is an inexpensive (and useful!) teacher gift. It's even better with the FREE printable gift tags you can download here.

I love all of these class treat and teacher gift ideas, don't you? Are you ready for the last day of school? I hope you find these ideas helpful. Happy summer!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Last Day of School Class Treats... Happy Face Balls... with free printable tags

Sharing treats with classmates on the last day of school is a fun tradition, but in today's world, allergies and nutrition policies need to be considered. So, instead of edible treats, my boys like to bring dollar store trinkets packaged with cute tags. Check out this "happy face ball" option.

I purchased happy face stress balls from the dollar store, packaged the balls in cellophane bags, and added "I'm happy you were in my class!" tags.

To download the tags I designed: click on the photo below, save it to your computer, and print like a regular 4x6 photo.

Pretty cute, right?

What could be better than ending the school year with these cheerful class treats? It's a wonderful way to kick off the summer and spread happiness on the last day of school.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Last Day of School Treat... SILLY STRAWS... with free printable tag

The last day of school is a big deal for kids, so I like to help my boys celebrate by sending them to school with treats to share with their class. Allergies are often an issue, and we don't want anyone to feel left out, so we like to come up with fun class treats that can be enjoyed by everyone. This year, my two youngest boys are both bringing crazy straws with fun little tags that you can download (below) for free.

First, you'll need a bunch of straws. You can use plastic straws, or you can opt for reusable straws if you want to be more environmentally friendly.

Then, you can print the tags I designed, use an x-acto knife to cut slits in the tops and bottoms of the tags, and insert the straws. How cute are the "Sip Sip Hurray! It's our last day!" tags?

To download the tags I designed (in pink or blue): click on the photo you want (below), right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

Aren't these adorable last day of school treats the perfect way to kick off the summer break?

It's easy and inexpensive to put together enough of these treats for the whole class, and the kids will love them.

How do you celebrate the last day of school? I think bringing treats to share with friends is a fun way to celebrate, don't you?

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Easter Treats for Classmates... Mazes and Bunnies (with free printable tags)

Sharing Easter treats is a fun way to celebrate the holiday. My boys love sharing goodies with their classmates and friends, but we are always concerned with allergies because we never want to make anyone feel excluded. This year, my boys picked out some cute dollar store trinkets, and I designed some super-cute packaging. Today, I am sharing their choices for this year and the free printable tags we are using.

My middle son chose these little Easter "mazes" that we found at the dollar store. We added a couple of nut free chocolate eggs, and we attached a tag that says, "I hope you have an a'MAZE'ing Easter!" Cute, right?

To download the tags I designed: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

I love how cheerful these little treats are, don't you?

My youngest son opted for these little stretchy bunnies. I packed them in clear cellophane bags, and I added a tag that says, "SomeBUNNY thinks you're a good friend. Happy Easter!" 

Isn't this a sweet Easter treat idea?

To download the tags I designed: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

Seriously... who wouldn't love sharing these adorable bunnies with their buddies?

Do your have kids like to share Easter treats with their friends? These allergy safe Easter treat options are easy, inexpensive and fun. How will you be spreading joy this holiday season?

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more easy and inexpensive Easter ideas here.

Class Valentine (Have a HOPPY Valentine's Day!)

Yesterday I shared my youngest son's choice for this year's class Valentines, so today I am sharing the Valentines my middle son will be sharing with his class this February 14th. A week ago, I asked my 11 year old if he wanted to hand out Valentines, and he said he wanted to give out "some kind of stretchy animal". This is what I came up with! 

I found these inexpensive "stretchy" frogs at the dollar store, I put them in little heart-covered bags, and I tied them with curling ribbon.

Then, to make them extra special, I designed and added little tags that say, "HOPPY Valentine's Day!" Cute, right?

To download and print the Valentine's Day tags I designed: click on the photo below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

It was really easy and inexpensive to put together enough of these Valentines for my son's entire class, and I know he is excited to share them with his friends.

I love the idea of sharing a class treat that everyone can enjoy. There is no need to worry about nutritional policies or allergies with these adorable Valentines!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (You can find more "punny" Valentine ideas here.)

DIY Grinch Ornaments and Class Treats... with free printable tags

My boys love taking treats to share with their friends at Christmas, but allergies and nutrition policies mean that sweet treats are prohibited. So, I like to come up with fun trinkets that I can package in a fun and festive way. This year, my two youngest boys went with "Grinch" themed treats. 

I based my treats around my favourite quote from the Grinch movie... "Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more."

I found some heart-shaped ornaments, tiny presents, and green balls (that I DIY'ed with some red glitter glue) that fit my grinch theme perfectly!

Then, I designed these adorable tags. To download these tags: click on the photo below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

You can just add the tags directly to ornaments, or you can package a few trinkets in clear bags and secure the tags with curling ribbon.

My boys both chose different options, and they equally cute!

Aren't these Grinch treats an adorable Christmas class treat option? I especially love the green balls with the glitter hearts, don't you?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in this GRINCH movie night.