Belonging

Staff Engagement Ideas That Build Belonging in Schools

The Little Wins Library from Alpaca is a free online resource hub of staff engagement ideas for K-12 schools and districts to help build belonging among staff. Belonging grows through casual conversations, shared meals, and time to connect across departments. School leaders can build a positive school culture where staff feel connected as a team with help from these resources.

Two sheets of paper lay on a wood table. Around them are apple slices, jars of caramel sauce, and a tray of nuts.
Two sheets of paper lay on a wood table. Around them are apple slices, jars of caramel sauce, and a tray of nuts.

Apple Nacho Bar: A Fall Food Idea for Your Next Staff Meeting

An apple nachos fall food idea for your teachers and staff.
10-15 min
A holiday present wrapped in red and white paper lays on a desk.

Classroom White Elephant

A staff gift exchange with items already in their classroom.
15 min
Printable holiday staff activities, including idea pages and a December 2026 countdown calendar, with markers and sticky notes on a green background.

12 Days of Festive Fun: Holiday Staff Activities Before Break

Holiday staff activities for 12 school days, with dress-up, treat, activity, and gift ideas
5-15 min per day for staff
Printable Snow Ya Later poem cards for a winter break staff activity, shown next to a plush snowman, pens, and washi tape

Snow Ya Later: A Winter Break Staff Activity

A winter break staff activity with a traveling snowman.
Ongoing over winter break
Printed gratitude question cards, a cover page, and a display sign for a staff gratitude activity laid out on a blue background with a yellow tape dispenser and red paper stars.

30 Days of Gratitude: Daily Gratitude Activities for Staff

A gratitude activity for staff with 30 daily questions you can place in your staff lounge.
2-5 min per staff member
Holiday staff appreciation printables on a pink background, including a staff checklist on a clipboard, door signs, note cards, and a directions sheet, surrounded by mini wrapped gifts and markers.

You’ve Been Wrapped: A Holiday Staff Appreciation Idea

A holiday staff appreciation pass-it-on chain idea
5-10 min per staff member
Find the Elf directions page and elf template for a holiday staff activity, with scissors, tape, pens, and paper clips

Find the Elf: A Holiday Staff Activity

A holiday staff activity with photo elves, prize ideas, and printables
Hunt runs over several days
Staff Thanksgiving potluck printables, including dip sign-up sheets and a staff appreciation sign, with a bag of chips and a napkin

Dipsgiving: A Staff Thanksgiving Potluck

A staff Thanksgiving food idea that offers a twist on the traditional potluck.
Ongoing
An orange notebook with two notecards on it, three small notecards, blue pens, and blue tape dispenser lay on a pink background.

5-Minute Professional Development Ideas for Teachers

Five simple, low-prep ideas for supporting staff growth and building confidence throughout the year.
5 min
Two woman stand in a library. They high-five each other.

High Five Friday

An activity to spark quick check-ins and conversations while offering a small reward.
Ongoing
A woman stands in front of a white pegboard with posters taped to it. Assorted office supplies are on the table in front of the pegboard.

Year of Thanks: Year-Round Teacher Recognition for Every Team

A yearlong staff recognition system that spotlights a different department or grade level each month.
Varies
A small cart with a glass jar, plant, pens and notes sits in front of a white wall. A poster above the card says "joy jar." A hand reaches in to drop a note in the jar.

Joy Jar: A Month-Long Staff Wellness Activity for Schools

A month-long activity where staff write down joyful moments and add them to a shared jar.
Ongoing
Notecards with handwritten notes on them lay diagonally on a light blue background.

Gratitude & Celebration: Teacher Appreciation Note Templates

Printable postcards for school leaders to thank staff in writing.
3-5 min
Four people sit around a table scattered with papers with images of food on them.

Soup, Salad, or Sandwich Game: A Staff Icebreaker

A quick warmup at the start of a staff meeting or gathering to get people talking.
10-15 min
A paper that says "place found pumpkins here" sits on a table with a pumpkin next to it. A hand places small pumpkins in a jar.

Mini Hunt: A Fall Employee Engagement Activity for Your School

A playful staff appreciation activity where teachers search the school for hidden pumpkins or leaves.
Ongoing
A white, stuffed alpaca sits on a shelf in front of green and purple bulletin boards. A handwritten note is propped up in front of the alapca.

Mascot Pass: A Weekly Teacher Appreciation Activity

A weekly recognition tradition that keeps appreciation moving all year long.
5 min
A notecard with a written note, scissor, and paper clips lay on a green background.

9 Ways to Welcome New Teachers and Staff to Your School

Pick the ideas that fit your team and your style.
Ongoing
A poster that says "I've been booed" Is taped on a glass door. A hand holds a Halloween bag and small note.

You've Been Booed: A Halloween Activity for School Staff

A teacher recognition idea keeps a fun BOO chain of treats and notes moving.
Ongoing
Four notecards taped to a desk chair. The chair is in front of a white desk with papers and jar of pencils.

Desk Drops & Daily Joy: Small Surprises that Boost Teacher Morale

A toolkit for school leaders to show appreciation, strengthen staff connection, and celebrate the everyday.
Ongoing
Two women sit at a table looking at each other and smiling. Pens, paper and coffee cups are on the table. There is a shelf with books and school supplies in the background.

One-on-One Meeting Template for Principals

A simple way to connect, listen, and grow with your team.
15 min
A stack of small paper coupons lay in a blue container with a pair of scissors on the side. On a bright green background.

Reward & Recognize: Printable Teacher Award Coupons

Printable recognition your staff will want to cash in.
Ongoing
Several sheets of paper a clipboard, tape dispenser, and pencil lay on a green bac

Teacher Check-In Tracker: Stay Connected With Every Staff Member

A simple staff and teacher wellbeing system for tracking check-ins.
1-2 min
Mini bottles of water, drink packets, and a water bottle sits on a wood shelf. A hand reaches in from the right to grab a drink packet.

Hydration Boost: A Month-Long Wellness Challenge for School Staff

A month-long habit challenge that gets staff drinking more water together.
Ongoing
Three people stand in front of a yellow wall with pens in their hands, pointing and laughing. Sheets of paper that say BINGO are taped on the wall.

Little Wins Write-In Bingo: Teacher Bingo for Your School

A shared board for Little Wins that add up.
Ongoing
A side view of a piece of paper with a plant vine next to it on a bright green background.

Center & Ground: Mindfulness for Teachers with 4 Practices

Simple grounding exercises for your staff to breathe, reset, and start the day steady.
1 min
Several handwritten notes are placed on a while bulletin board. Beside them is a whiteboard eraser in the shape of an alpaca in a holder that says "little wins."

Staff Shoutouts: Teacher Morale Boosters

A set of sentence-starter cards for quick, specific recognition.
1-2 min per card
An array of snacks in blue bags sits in front of a wall with a poster and blue sticky-notes.

Out of the Blue: A Snack Cart Idea to Delight Your Staff

A snack cart idea that shows appreciation to your staff with a fun, blue-themed cart.
Ongoing
A hand drops a handwritten note in a small tray on a desk. An open laptop, coffee mug, sticky notes and pens are on the desk.

Greatness Nextdoor: A Teacher Peer Observation Activity

A peer classroom observation activity for teacher growth and connection
10 min
A laptop with logos for MagicSchool and Alpaca on the screen sits on a wood desk with a coffee cup and jar of pens.

How to Use AI to Build a Stronger School Culture

A five-step leadership framework for building school culture and staff wellbeing, plus AI tools to help.
Varies
A computer with an open calendar on the screen sits on a table. A person is typing and holding a paper with newsletter tips on it.

Weekly Staff Newsletter Tips

Seven simple ways to write a newsletter your staff will actually read.
20-30 min
On a small round table lays a stack of children's books. Next to it is a sign-in sheet, and small pieces of paper with colorful papers on them. A colorful rug is in the background.

Read Together, Grow Together

A family reading activity that connects home and school.
45-60 min
One woman stands in front of a TV screen with words written on it. Two women sit at a table looking at her and smiling.

Spot It Charades Icebreaker

A silent, fast-paced icebreaker.
10-15 min
Sheets of paper, notecards, pens, and tape lay on a light purple background.

Hidden Superpowers

A chance for staff members to be seen for something beyond their job title.
10-15 min
A piece of paper that says "attendance bingo" lays on a desk with a calendar and open laptop.

8 Staff Attendance Incentives that Build Belonging

Options to turn consistent attendance into a shared moment of team recognition.
Ongoing
One person holds a clipboard with a piece of paper on it, and a pen in hand. Two others stand around, and all three point at the clipboard.

Common Thread

A fast, no-prep icebreaker where small groups race to find the most unique things they all have in common.
10-15 min
Cut-out puzzle pieces, sheets of paper, scissors, and pens lay on a dark blue background.

Piece By Piece

Celebrate every role on your school team, one puzzle piece at a time.
Ongoing
A man and woman stand facing each other. Each holds a clipboard. They are talking and laughing.

Together We Thrive: Team-Building for New & Veteran Staff

Find activities that build trust, connection, and belonging all year long.
15 min (per session)
Sheets of paper lay on a light blue background. A bin with notecards and a pen in it lays on top of the paper. A pair of scissors is next to the bin.

Shoutouts That Shine

A simple guide to recognizing staff on your school's social media pages.
5-10 min
Sheets of paper, clipboard, markers, and scissors lay on a yellow background.

Whose Clue is it Anyway?

A team building activity for teachers turns any staff meeting into a playful guessing game.
15-20 min
Three sheets of paper that say "team value ideas" streamers, sticky notes, and tape lay on a green background.

Establish Your Team Values

A collaborative staff activity that gets everyone on the same page from day one.
30–45 min
A hand writes on a postcard that says "welcome to the team."

Postcards to Welcome New Staff to Your Building

A low-prep onboarding activity that helps school leaders build connection from day one.
5 min
Two women sit at a table with pens in hands. they write on notecards.

Quick Quarterly Questions Icebreaker

A quick staff icebreaker activity for reflecting on quarterly wins, goals, and gratitude.
15-20 min
Four women stand in front of a yellow wall placing sticky notes under pieces of paper that say "start, stop, continue."

A School Staff Exercise: Start, Stop, Continue

A start, stop, continue template that invites big conversations.
15 min
A woman stands in a doorway to a school waving. Two women walk toward her.

Back-to-School Night Ideas That Families Will Remember

A list of ideas to engage families and students.
1-2 hours
A hand holds up a pennant that says "first day" on it. Blue sky in the background.

Celebrating the First Day: Fun Ways to Welcome Students

A menu of easy, high-energy ideas to make your school's first day feel like a celebration.
20-45 min
A binder with multiple sheets of paper and pen on it lays on a green background.

One Message, One School

A school culture guide helps principals plan a unified kickoff with scripts.
30-60 min (per session)
A person sitting at a table writes a hand-written note.

Celebration Notes

A ready-to-print stack of little notes that go a long way.
A crockpot, stack of bowls, and spoons lay on a green table. Behind it is a white wall with a poster on it.

Crocktober

A crockpot potluck with a free sign-up sheet, a cozy way to bring your staff together in October each year.
30–45 min
Sheets of paper, notecards, pens, and a clipboard with a piece of paper on it lay on a green background.

10 Ways to Support and Retain New Teachers

10 practical leadership habits principals can use all year long.
Ongoing
A man stands at a whiteboard writing on notecards with peoples' names on them.

Staff Superpowers

One of the easiest teacher recognition ideas for building a proud, connected school culture.
Ongoing
Two pieces of paper pinned to a bulletin board with a grid printed on them. Green string connects squares from each paper. Colorful pens lay around the papers.

Connection Quest

A hands-on activity that encourages conversations and strengthens their sense of belonging.
15–30 min
Two women stand and each hold a small piece of paper toward one another.

Teacher Telepathy Icebreaker

A staff meeting icebreaker where teachers write words to match a colleague.
15-20 min
A poster that says "corner 2" is taped to an orange wall. A hand reaches in to place a list of questions below it.

Who's In My Corner Icebreaker

A fun, no-prep way to kick off any staff meeting or PD day.
15–30 min
Hands hold a small piece of paper that says "let's talk" on it. Several other small notecards lay on a table with notebooks and pens.

Let's Talk Table

A low-key way to connect with staff and build real trust, one conversation at a time.
15–30 min
A poster with "welcome back" sits on a wooden table. Next to it is a sticky note pad where someone writes a note with a blue pen. Scattered around are small bags of snacks.

Back to School Bash

A snack cart send-off to welcome your staff back and kick off the year right.
30–45 min
Two women sit at a table, one smiles at the other. There are notecards and pens in their hands.

Fun Fact Frenzy

A quick, no-prep staff meeting icebreaker where staff write surprising facts about themselves and the group guesses whose it whose.
2 min
A stack of small bags of chips sits on a table with a sign posted on the wall behind them. A hand reaches in to grab a bag.

All That and a Bag of Chips

A themed snack cart to celebrate your staff as the full package.
30-45 min
Multiple sheets of paper, markers, confetti and tape lay on a table.

Teacher Celebration Styles Quiz

A staff appreciation activity that helps you learn how each teacher likes to be celebrated.
15-20 min
Two women hold bingo cards and face each other. Each are writing on the cards. Background is a multicolored rug.

Back-to-School Team Building Bingo

A fun staff meeting icebreaker your team will love. This bingo activity gets staff moving, talking, and connecting in just 10 minutes.
10-15 min
A person writes on the sidewalk with chalk. Message says "outdoor movie night."

Outdoor Family Engagement Activities

Outdoor family engagement activities for schools, from picnics to glow runs, that help families and staff connect.
30-60 min
Two women stand in front of a whiteboard placing sticky notes underneath posters that say belonging, safety, and voice.

Pulse and Perspective

A yearlong bulletin board for staff reflection and connection.
Ongoing
Two women sit at a table with a large yellow posterboard on it. There is a sheet of paper and markers, and the women are writing on the poster.

Team Connection Poster Activity

A collaborative poster activity where grade-level teams or departments answer prompts.
30-40 min
The back of a woman with long blonde hair in a black sweatshirt stands. A hand reaches in with a notecard and handwritten note on it.

Behind Your Back

A peer recognition activity where staff write positive "gossip" about a colleague.
Ongoing
Three sheets of paper with lists of ideas are on a white bulletin board. A blue boarder and markers are around them.

35 Fun-Raisers for School Spirit

Ideas organized by category, from big events to quick wins, ready to help schools raise money.
Varies
A man stands in front of a bulletin board with photos on it. He writes on a piece of paper.

Guess the Classroom

An activity that works for any group size and gives teams a quick look into each other's classrooms.
Ongoing
Someone stands in front of a cart with pumpkins and orange treats on it.

Trick or Treat Trolley

A candy-filled cart leaders can wheel around to surprise staff with treats.
Ongoing
A tea station with flowers is set up on a table. A hand reaches in and pours water into a mug.

TEA-riffic Teachers

A simple, yet effective staff appreciation activity.
Ongoing
Two sheets of paper lay on a white table. Small bowls of nacho ingredients lay around them.

Taco + Nacho Bar

Let staff build their own lunch and connect over food.
30–45 min
A colorful poster lays on a table. Scattered around it are small snacks, and a hand reaches in to grab a snack.

Sweet + Salty Potluck

A staff potluck idea that is quick and easy for people to engage with.
Ongoing
A man stands in front of a table in a library reading off a piece of paper. At the table, two women stand and two women sit.

Stand Up If

A fast, fun staff meeting icebreaker where teachers stand up if a statement applies to them.
5-10 min
A stack of books and a sheet of paper lay on a yellow table.

Staff Book Club

A staff book club gives your team a low-key way to explore new ideas, spark conversation, and grow together professionally.
20-30 min
A red soup pan, bowls and spoons, and vases of flowers sit on a table in front of a poster.

Soup Potluck

A cozy, low-prep way to bring your team together and show appreciation.
30–45 min
Three women sit at a table in a library. They write on piece of paper and talk with one another. Notebooks, papers, and pens are scattered on the table.

Small Group Brainstorm Breakouts

A low-prep way to get more voices to speak up.
10-15 min
Two women sit at a wooden table. One writes on a sheet of paper. Notebooks, pens, a laptop, and post-it notes are scattered on the table.

Similarities and Differences

A quick, low-prep icebreaker where staff mingle and discover one similarity and one difference with each colleague they meet.
15-20 min
Two women stand in front of an orange wall. They book look at a piece of paper one woman is holding. She points in one direction.

Schoolwide Scavenger Hunt

A schoolwide scavenger hunt with rhyming clues to get staff up and moving.
15-20 min
A man and a woman take a selfie in a stairwell. A woman goes down the stairs behind them.

Quick! Take a Pic

A fun team building activity for teachers.
10–15 min
A poster, containers of popcorn and candy lay on a table. Next to it is a clipboard with a signup sheet and a hand writes on the sheet.

Popcorn Bar

An easy way to treat your team and say thanks.
20-30 min
Two hands reach in to hand each other small pieces of paper that say "pay it forward." Background is a white brick wall.

Pay it Forward

A peer-to-peer recognition activity where staff pass along rewards.
Ongoing
A woman in a red dress stands in a library. In front of her is a table with three women at it, two of them are raising their hands.

Mystery Staff Member

A fun back-to-school icebreaker where staff fill out an "About Me" form.
15-20 min
In a classroom, hands hold up a corded phone and a piece of paper.

Morning Mantras

A low-prep habit for school leaders: share a positive quote or phrase during morning or weekly announcements.
1-2 min
A bowl of jumbo marshmallows sits on a shelf. Three toothpicks with paper flags and names on them are stuck in the marshmallows.

Marshmallow Wars

A playful all-day staff game where teachers compete to collect colleague names.
Ongoing
A woman sits at a wooden desk with markers and a potted plant on it. She is writing with a green pen on a sheet of paper.

Look Back on My Day

A simple end-of-day reflection printable for school leaders.
5 min
A hand-written note sits in a pencil and pen holders on a wooden desk.

Gratitude Notes

A set of free printable thank-you cards leaders can leave for staff throughout the year.
2-3 min
Two women stand in a hallway on stairs. They smile and exchange pieces of paper with images on them.

Find Your Match

A quick team building activity for teachers that sparks conversation and connection across your whole building.
Ongoing
Two women hold bingo sheets and write on them with pens. A colorful rug is in the background.

Find Someone Who Icebreaker

A staff meeting icebreaker that gets people moving and connecting fast.
10-15 min
A casserole dish, utensils, plates, pens and sunflowers sit on a table in front of a brick wall. Two posters are handing on the wall.

Family Favorites Potluck

An easy way for staff to share a favorite dish together this year.
30-45 min
A colorful paper chain lays on a yellow table. Two hands reach in to add another link to the chain.

Family Connection Projects

A year-round family engagement project for school leaders.
Ongoing
A woman sits at a white table writing on a notecard. A piece of paper, marks in a jar, stapler and water bottle site on the table beside the notecard.

Creating a Positive Mindset

A printable graphic that helps school leaders and their staff reframe challenges with a solution-focused approach.
Ongoing
A poster hangs on a bright green bulletin board. A hand reaches in from the right and places a handwritten note underneath the poster.

Collaborative Positivity Boards

A shared bulletin board where staff and students contribute uplifting quotes, artwork, gratitude notes, and school accomplishments.
Ongoing
Coffee mugs, to-go cups, a kettle, and coffee supplies sit on a wooden table in front of a peg board. A poster and handwritten notes are taped to the peg board. A hand reaches in to grab a coffee mug.

Coffee & Compliments

A coffee station paired with a compliment board where staff leave anonymous notes of appreciation.
Ongoing
Someone stands in front of a wood table with paper cuttters and office supplies on it. They place items in a blue folder.

Classroom Support Program

A list of tips for organizing classroom volunteer programs.
Ongoing
Small boxes of cereal, plastic spoons and bowls lay on a table. In the background is a brown wall with a poster that says "our staff is cereal-iously the best."

Cereal-iously the Best Staff

A low-prep treat that gives staff a quick break and a sweet reminder that you appreciate them.
Ongoing
A crock pot with potatos and small dishes with food toppings lay on a table. Two sheets of paper lay next to them.

Baked Potato Bar

An easy and filling way to treat your team and show appreciation this year.
30–45 min
Small dishes of ice cream with spoons in them sit on a table.

Attendance Adventures: Sundae in August

A sundae bar gives classes a visible reason to show up together.
20-30 min
A hand places a small alpaca sticker in a jar of pencils.

Mystery Mascot Hunt

A team building game that adds a bit of friendly competition.
All day
A tray with stickers in it is on a desk with school supplies around it. A hand reaches in to grab a sticker.

Sticker Sneak

A fun, all-day team building game for teachers.
All day
A man holds celebrate flags outside a door and hands one to someone.

11 Teacher Morale Boosters

Fun, doable ideas for school leaders who want to celebrate staff and keep culture strong.
Varies
Several notecards lay on a blue background. Markers are scattered around them.

What's Your W.I.N.?

An activity that combines recognition and a way to check in on staff.
15 min
Sheets of paper, scissors, marker, and a tin with notecards in it lay on a green background.

Top Secret Staff Tasks

An easy and low prep activity that provides your team with fun interactive ideas.
Ongoing
A laptop, set of gray over-the-ear headphones and two sheets of paper lay on a wood table.

Staff Podcast Picks

A collaborative activity where staff share podcast episodes focused on personal and professional growth.
10-15 min
A large calendar lays on a table. A hand reaches in to cross out a date that says "staff meeting."

The "No-Meeting" Staff Meeting

Low-lift ways to keep staff informed and connected without another meeting.
Ongoing
A bulletin board with a poster that says "moments that matter" on it and small notecards sits on a shelf next to two potted plants.

Teaching Triumphs

A bulletin board activity that gives teachers a dedicated space to share student breakthroughs, classroom wins, and proud moments.
Ongoing
A piece of paper with "bright futures" typed on it hangs on a white wall next to a window. Below is a string with small pieces of paper hanging on it with clothespins. A hand reaches in from the right side to hang one more piece of paper.

Student Success Story Toolkit

Celebrate student growth, recognize your teachers, and build a stronger school culture.
Ongoing (weekly or monthly)
Two men stand in front of a whiteboard and write on pieces of paper taped to the board. A woman sits at the table with a cup of coffee watching them.

Staff Standings Icebreaker

A quick staff meeting icebreaker where teams guess how a coworker ranks six items
10-15 min
Three women stand in a classroom. The woman in the middle holds a sheet of paper that they all look at.

Staff Scavenger Hunt Icebreaker

A team based scavenger hunt.
20-30 min
Three posters with sticky notes next to them are taped to a white pegboard. A hand reaches in to place a note.

Staff Joy Wall

A simple display where your team shares favorite books, shows, and feel-good picks.
Ongoing
A group of three women and one man sit at a table in a library playing a card game.

Staff Taboo Showdown

A school-themed word game that gets staff laughing and competing!
10 min
Hands reach into a circle, each one holds a small piece of paper with an image on it.

One Piece at a Time

An activity to get staff moving around the building and talking to people outside their usual circle.
Ongoing
Someone reaches into their pocket to pull out an piece of paper with an image of a basketful of apples on it.

In Your Pocket Staff Activity

A fun team building activity for teachers with a scavenger hunt style game.
Ongoing
Four people stand in a circle with a colorful rug in the background. They each hold a small piece of paper with an image on it and the images meet in the middle of the circle.

Connect Four

An activity to have fun and build connection across grade levels or departments.
Ongoing
Hands hold up a small bag of pretzels and a small piece of paper in front of a white wall.

Snack Notes of Appreciation

Ready-to-go notes to pair with a snack for a fun, easy staff appreciation activity.
Ongoing
A glass jar with pieces of paper in it sits on a table next to a paper sign up sheet. A hand reached in and grabs a piece of paper with a name on it.

Secret Staff Support Swap

A recurring, low-cost gift exchange gives staff an easy way to connect.
Ongoing
A man holding a clipboard stands in front of a woman seated at a desk in a classroom.

Quick Check-In, Real Connection

Ready-to-use one-on-one check-in questions for every moment of the school year.
5 min
A woman in a black dress sits at a desk and fills out paperwork. A laptop, school supplies, and a coffee cup sit on the desk.

Purposeful Presence: Visibility Strategies for School Leaders

A guide for school leaders who want to build a more consistent presence in their building.
10-15 min
A football themed poster hangs on a glass wall in front of a yellow table with snacks, paper plates, and napkins.

Tailgate Favorites

A resource to bring game-day energy to the staff lounge.
30-45 min
A piece of paper that says "pass the phone" scissors, and rolls of tape lay on a green background.

Pass the Phone: Staff Connection Game

Give staff a reason to notice and name the good things about each other.
5-10 min
Sheets of paper, clipboard, markers lay on a light green background.

Never Have I Ever Educator Life

A staff meeting icebreaker school leaders can use in minutes.
5-10 min
A white peg board sits in front of a white wall with shelves on it. Small notes are attached to the peg board. Two men reach in from either side to place more notes.

Morning Boost

A daily practice for principals who want to show up for their staff before the first bell.
5-10 min
A small trophy and prize cards lay in a blue tray on a desk.

Mission Accomplished: Celebrate School Goals

Easy, low-cost ways to celebrate school-wide goals and recognize student and staff effort.
Varies
Two people sit at a table talking to each other.

Would You Rather Icebreaker

Fun, quick questions that get teachers laughing, talking, and connecting fast every time.
10-15 min
Someone holds a piece of paper with "this" and "that" on it. People in the background stand to one side of a room.

This or That Icebreaker

A get-on-your-feet icebreaker where staff vote on fun "this or that" prompts.
5-10 min
Two women and two men sit at a wooden table writing on pieces of paper and smiling at each other.

Teacher Mad Libs Icebreaker

A silly, fill-in-the-blank story starring teaching life.
10-15 min
Hands write with markers on pieces of paper laying on a wood table. A timer sits in the background.

School Scategories

A quick staff meeting icebreaker where teachers race to fill in school themed categories using one letter.
10-15 min
Sheets of paper, hearts with images on them lay on a pink background.

Perfect Pairs Staff Activity

A staff meeting icebreaker where teammates match heart halves to find their partner.
15-20 min
Four sheets of paper, rolls of tape, and paper clips lay on a light blue background.

Jumble Jargon Icebreaker

A quick staff icebreaker activity where teams guess phonetic word jumbles.
5-10 min
Three people sit at a table laughing and smiling at each other.

Give Me Five Icebreaker

A fast, fun staff meeting icebreaker where teams call out five answers to a prompt.
5-10 min
A hand places a small piece of paper with a green shamrock on it in a glass jar of pencils.

Hide and Peek

A playful team-building game for teachers, with monthly themed picture cards.
Ongoing
A poster that says "helping hands, happy hearts" is taped to yellow lockers. Around it are small notes and a hand reaches in to place another note.

Helping Hands, Happy Hearts

A simple staff appreciation activity where teachers share small requests.
5 min
A hand reaches in from the side and holds a coupon that says free favor. Another hand reaches in with a drink bottle and small snack.

Free Favor

A set of printed coupons redeemable for small, personalized favors.
5-10 min
A woman stands in front of a whiteboard that has a poster on it. She tapes a notecard near the poster.

Idea Parking Lot

A way to give staff a standing place to submit ideas between meetings.
Ongoing
A coffee make, to-go cups, and a pumpkin bucket with candy in it lay on lays on a table. A poster hangs behind it, and a hand reaches in to grab a ghost coffee mug.

Freshly Booed Coffee

A fun, low-prep teacher appreciation idea for fall.
Ongoing
A clipboard with a school supply bingo sheet on it, and a jar of pencils lay on a desk with flowers.

School Supply Bingo

A team building activity where you share daily riddles, and staff fill in bingo cards.
5 min per day
Two hands play rock, paper, scissors. In the background is a white peg board with bead necklaces hanging on it.

Bead Battle: Rock, Paper, Scissors Staff Challenge

A low-prep way to add some energy to the school day.
Ongoing
A sheet of paper and blue pen lay on an orange tray on a green background.

Staff Self-Care Bingo

A staff wellbeing bingo board to help teachers and staff build simple self-care habits.
Ongoing
Three women sit at a table in a cluttered classroom. They converse and write while at the desk.

Vertical Planning Guide for School Leaders

A practical guide to aligning your teachers across grade levels.
30-45 min
A man sits at a desk with a notebook, coffee cup, and open laptop. He fills in a bingo card with a blue pen.

Family Connection Bingo

A bingo card full of family engagement activities.
Ongoing
A hand places a note on a desk. Behind it is a gift bag and sparkling birthday hat.

Staff Appreciation Activities for Birthday Celebrations

Simple staff appreciation activities for celebrating birthdays all year.
20-30 min
An arm with a white wristwatch reaches in from the left side and a hands points to the watch in front of a white brick background.

Ideas to Give Your Staff More Time

Practical ideas to give teachers extra planning time.
10-60 min
A hand places a postcard into a cubby.

Positive Postcards

Send handwritten postcards to staff as a quick, personal appreciation activity.
5 min
Two women write on a whiteboard underneath a piece of paper taped to it.

Creative Whiteboard Prompts to Spark Connection and Community

A simple way to spark conversation, build connections, and add a little fun to the staff lounge.
Ongoing
A coffee maker, coffee supplies, and colorful mugs sit on a counter. A hand reaches in to grab a mug.

Mug Exchange

A simple team building activity for teachers where staff swap mugs.
15-20 min
A basket full of orange colored snack bags sits on a desk along with orange office supplies. On the wall is a sign and orange sticky notes with handwritten messages.

Orange You Glad It's Friday?

A low-effort, high-joy way to close out the week.
Ongoing
A woman sits as a table completing a bingo card.

Professional Growth Bingo

An activity to encourage your staff to try new professional growth ideas.
Ongoing
Three hands reach in to clink glasses that have an Italian ice drink in them.

Attendance Adventures: Italian Ice in September

A fun staff appreciation activity that rewards classes with perfect attendance.
5 min
A woman holds a piece of paper. Two men stand on each side of her pointing at the paper.

Riddle Challenge Icebreaker

A printable icebreaker that gets teachers thinking, laughing, and working together in minutes.
10-15 min
Several sheets of paper and makers lay on a blue background.

60+ This or That Questions for Staff Connection

Team building activity for teachers turns a weekly this or that question into an easy way for staff to vote, compare answers, and start conversations.
Ongoing
A bulletin board with a sheet of paper that says "a drop in the bucket" and small metal pails hanging on it.

A Drop in the Bucket

A personal spot for staff to collect encouragement and positivity notes.
Ongoing
A hand reaches across a messy desk to pace a notecard near a pencil holder.

5-Minute Personal Growth Ideas for School Leaders

Five quick, low-prep ideas principals can use to support professional growth.
5 minutes

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