3 Ways to Make the First Week of School Extra Fun (plus 3 bonus tips for busy teachers!)

3 Ways to Make the First Week of School Extra Fun (plus 3 bonus tips for busy teachers!)

Let’s be real. It’s not just the first day of school. For teachers, the first week of school (the first month, even!) is a lot. It's full of excitement, new faces, and the smell of freshly sharpened pencils. But it’s also full of the sound of thirty kids saying, “Wait, where do I sit again?” Whether you're a seasoned pro or about to start your first year in the classroom, the first week sets the tone, and we’re here to help make it a blast.

We know your classroom is packed with learning, fun, and a little bit of surprise. It can also be packed with smelly stickers! Believe it or not, here are 3 easy ways to celebrate your first week back and keep students smiling with reward stickers. Keep reading for some tips to keep you smiling, too!

1. Make introductions more interactive

Skip the standard icebreakers and let students earn a smelly sticker when they share their name and a fun fact. You’ll get giggles, participation, and a classroom that smells like victory.

Bonus: Have students choose between two stickers for some extra insight into what makes them tick. “Are you Team Apple or Team Banana?”

2. Celebrate the little wins

Did everyone turn in their supplies? Did someone raise their hand before shouting out? Reward those micro-milestones in the first week to build strong habits. You’ll be surprised how much a small reward like a Dr. Stinky’s sticker can motivate students.

Pro Tip: Our Blue Snowcone scent is a classroom fave!

3. Stock up now for success all year long

Need a classroom-ready stash of stickers that lasts all year? Our Teacher Reward Bundle includes 75 packs of our most popular sticker designs. The sayings on the stickers, like “Well Done” for Hamburger, are perfect for homework, tests, behavior charts, and more.

🎉 Right now, it’s on sale for 10% off, and as a teacher you can save even more when you sign up for our Rewards program.

Shop the Teacher Reward Bundle

Join the Teacher Rewards Program for 10% off every order and double rewards points for every dollar you spend.

Teacher Bonus! 3 simple ideas to make your school year even better

Teachers give their all to their students, and then some! Take some time now for you, too, to help your school year run smoother.

1. Make a morning moment for yourself

Before the bell rings, give yourself five minutes just for you. Whether it’s sipping your coffee in silence or accessorizing your planner with your favorite scratch-n-sniff sticker (teachers love them too!), a small ritual can help reset your brain and boost your mood.

2. Create a "Victory Drawer"

Keep a stash of backup rewards, emergency chocolate, positive notes from students, or self-care treats in your desk. Open it on tough days. You deserve it.

3. Automate the small stuff

Set up classroom routines that run on autopilot. Whether it’s students putting their own papers in folders or self-checking their work before submission, reducing your daily decision-making means more brain space for the big stuff.

Let’s make this school year the best (and smelliest) one yet!