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Some might argue that one of the best things about working at a school is school spirit days. Others might argue that it is one of the worst things about working in a school. Anything But a Backpack Day, Crazy Weather Day, and Spaced Out Day might make some school staff members cringe. Others get as excited as the students. No matter the point of view, I don’t think school dress up theme days are going anywhere any time soon! If anything, they seem to gain more and more traction each year. Read on for tons of ideas for school spirit day themes to implement at your school!
Before we dive into the full list, I will share my thoughts on some of my favorite and my questionable school dress up themes. Keep in mind I’m coming at you with 20 years teaching experience so I don’t really fall into the “older over it all” group or the young “let’s do all the things” group! These are things I have simply noted within these 20 years.Teachers are the queens and kings of easy DIY costumes so I have seen a lot of fun stuff as well as tons of creative student dress up day looks!
When Do Schools Plan School Spirit Days?
School spirit days can be planned year round! Some schools plan dress up days for the student body around certain holidays. Others find ways to include dress up themed days to boost morale – like the week before standardized testing is scheduled to occur.
A big trend is for schools to encourage that students dress up according to specific theme days for the school’s homecoming week or at least on the day of the homecoming game or a big pep rally for high schoolers. Some elementary schools and middle schools plan a school spirit week or at least a school spirit day every quarter. Others may limit their themed days to a special day here and there for truly memorable occasions.
Elementary schools often plan school spirit days for Red Ribbon Week in October.
Favorite School Dress Up Days
What kind of English as a Second Language educator would I be if I didn’t love the promotion of culture and identity? I love the “display your own culture” types of days where kids can really think more about their roots and try to represent something of their culture.
Another favorite day is the “Be You” day where kids and teachers sport their signature look.I also like the “Future Careers Day.”
Below are my girls – the future baker and the future “singing dancing hairstylist!”
School Dress Up Days to Avoid
I think the worst school dress up days are the ones that require people to spend money to put the look together. Right off the bat, you are excluding a certain percentage of the school population. Many students’ families simply do not have the money to run out and spend $20 on an outfit for one child to wear one time. Just because some families in the school are happy and willing to do it, don’t forget about the other students who can’t do it.
An example from my family would be the tie dye day. Neither my two daughters nor I owned any tie dye. When their school planned a tie dye day, I found myself running to Target and other places looking for shirts, leggings, hair accessories…anything…that would work. Not only did it cost me money, but it also cost me time. And then the items were hardly ever touched again.
Another one I really dislike are the twin dress-up days. I have never liked this school spirit theme. I feel like it allows for some kids (or even school staff members) to feel sad and left out if they don’t have a BFF on campus to “twin” with on this day. You want to build a sense of community with your school spirit dress up days – not make people feel excluded!
Easy Ways to Incorporate School Dress Up Days (That Include Everyone)
On the other hand, the easiest and most inclusive school dress up days for any time of the year would be the ones that use what the kids and teachers already have at home.
Our students LOVE the “anything but a backpack” school dress up day. So many kids participate in this one and come up with such creative ideas!I really think it is because they can use any old thing they already have at home.
Kids come to school using old ice chests from the attic, a small trash barrel with wheels from their backyard, an old suitcase, etc. I can always guess that a kid probably had his parents digging around in the attic or basem*nt the night before I see him rolling some old 30 year old dinosaur down the hall!
This girl brought her books inside this giant taco pinata!
One kid even found an old abandoned shopping cart – or at least he claimed it was an old abandoned shopping cart he had found somewhere!
Other easy school dress up themes are “inside out day” or “reverse day” where kids put their clothes on inside out, “mismatch day” where they simply intentionally put on mismatched clothes.“Thrifted or gifted day “is also one that most anyone putting in an ounce of effort could do.
Likewise, some othersuper easy ones are “favorite color day” or “blackout day.”In fact, you can easily set up a specific theme with color for a whole week. For St. Patrick’s Day, it might be fun to have a rainbow week with a color theme day each day of the week – ending with green on St. Patrick’s Day.
Take a Basic Theme Day and Add Some Word Play
One thing you can do is take one of the basic themes below (western day, superhero day, etc.) and add some fun word play to make the day seem more like a unique spirit week ideas.
For example, for a Red Ribbon Week theme day, you could take a general western day and come up with a cute-sy name like “Boot Out Drugs.” A 70s day could be transformed to “Peace Out, Drugs.” Or you could take a sports team day and name it “Winning Without Drugs” or something like that.
Be Mindful of School Dress Code
Some principals and school staff are sometimes hesitant about scheduling a school spirit day because middle school students and high school students often try to buck the school dress code.
It may be that the announcements about the themed days need to lay out some clear restrictions for the student body. For example, planning theme day ideas around the end of October can be a fun way to bring in the fun of Halloween. But you might set some ground rules in the announcement that say that face masks are not allowed – for reasons obvious to any of us who work in a school!
School Spirit Themes Based on Holidays
Explore this huge list of fun themes for school spirit days to celebrated holidays and occasions. Also, be sure to see my Christmas Dress Up Days post at the bottom – with tons of Christmas spirit day ideas!
Recycled Day (great for Earth Day)
Pink Out Day (for Breast Cancer Awareness)
Something of the Season (any holiday)
Derby Day
You are Spooktacular! (Wear an appropriate and Halloween costume)
Mardi Gras (Wear purple, green, and gold)
Have a Heart Day (Wear red for Valentine’s Day or for American Heart Month)
Always Be Proud of The Red, White, and Blue Day (Wear patriotic colors for Veteran’s Day, 9/11 Remembrance, or July 4th if in year-round school)
My girls’ school often asks the students to dress up in patriotic red, white, and blue for 9/11 observance.
Dress-Up Days Based on Color
As I mentioned above, color theme days are so easy!
Blackout Day
White Out Day
Favorite Color Fruit Day
Favorite Color Vegetable Day
School Colors Day
Opposite Colors Day (Wear two opposite colors for a contrasting outfit)
Shine Bright Day (Wear anything bright – shiny metallics or bright colors)
Color Wars (Different grades wear different colors)
Time Theme Days
These decade days or era theme days are so fun!
80s Day
70s Style
60s Style
50s Style
On This Day in History Day
Time Traveler (Wear something from any era of your choice)
In 70 Years…(Dress like you think you will look in 70 years)
Unique High School Spirit Day Ideas
These days could be used with pretty much any grade, but they might be most appreciated by older students.
Zoom Day (Wear business on the top, pajamas or lounge clothes on the bottom)
Mathlete Day
Athletes or Mathletes Day
Favorite School Administrator Day (Dress up like a school administrator)
More Fun School Spirit Day Ideas for Most Any Grade Level
Most of the following school spirit days can be used with elementary students, middle school students, junior high students, or high school students!
And the teachers can have just as much fun at the students!
Rock and Roll Day
Western Day
Dr. Seuss Day (This one is best suited for lower grades.)
Hat Day
Tacky Tourist Day
Zoom Day (Wear business on the top, pajamas or lounge clothes on the bottom)
Anything But a Backpack Day
Which Teacher Am I? (For a flip, teachers can choose one student to dress up like.)
Thrifted or Gifted
Twin Day
Mismatch Day
Pajama Day
Book Character Day
Movie Madness Day
Crazy Socks Day
Crazy Hair Day
Wacky Wednesday
Tie-Dye Day
Opposites Day
Backwards Day
Future Careers Day
Spaced Out Day
Old School Cool
Red Carpet Day
Favorite Cartoon Character Day
Zoo Day (dress like your favorite zoo animal)
Let’s Get Wild (dress like an animal in the wild)
Jersey Day
Grow Friendships (Wear green and meet someone new!)
Hometown Pride (Wear something that represents the town or state you were born)
School Spirit (Wear a school spirit shirt)
Blue Jeans and Boots Day
Beach Day (Set ground rules on what is allowed and what isn’t!)
Hawaiian Day
Disney Day
Ultimate Fan (Dress like your favorite real-life hero…parent/teacher/mentor)
Sparking Students and Staff (Wear shiny metallics or pieces with rhinestones, glitter, and sequins)
Celebrate Your Culture (Wear something representing your culture)
Inside Out Day (Wear your clothes inside out!)
Top Gun Day (Or any other Cult Movie Day like a Star Wars Day)
Country Club vs. Country
Favorite Day of the Week (Wear something that represents your favorite day of the week)
Favorite Professional Athletes Day
Farm Day
Tropical Vibes
Into the Jungle
Superhero Day
Inflatable AnimalDay
Crazy Weather Day
Be You Day (Wear your signature look)
Camo Day
Letter Theme Day (Where something that represents a certain letter of the alphabet)
Hopefully, you found some great ideas and fun themes here for your spirit week activities!
My girls love dress up days at elementary school. Here they are below wearing my old Easter dress from 35 years ago and my “vintage style” Arkansas Razorback t-shirt when their school hosted a “Vintage Day” for Earth day.
Check Out Our Other Fun School Posts
If you loved these school spirit theme day ideas, be sure to check out our Christmas dress up theme days below along with many other great teacher-y ideas!
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Dirty Santa Ideas for the Classroom
Secret Pal
Fun Group Game for Teacher Trainings
Halloween Classroom Treats
Tips for Back to School Shopping for Teachers and Parents
Teacher April Fool’s Pranks
Christmas Dress Up Days
School Spirit Days
Teacher Must Haves from Amazon
Christmas Party Ideas at School
Fun Quotes for the Classroom
Sharing Good Things with Students
Valentine’s Day Treats for the Classroom
Christmas Treats for the Classroom
Easter Treats for Kids
Decorative Hat Wall for the Classroom
Plants for a Dark Classroom
Boho Classroom Decor
Spanish Teacher Bulletin Boards
School Spirit Wear
Best Backpacks for Teachers
Back to School Outfits for Teachers
Teacher Appreciation Gifts Under $15
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