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The short answer: the best 100th day of school ideas are simple things kids can count, build or wear: paper crowns, 100 item projects, a 100 cup tower, counting collections, a 100 snack mix and a “100 years old” dress up. Pick one craft, one math activity and one snack, and the day plans itself.
The 100th day usually lands in late January or February, so this is a great one to plan now while it is quiet. Below are 20 ideas that work from kindergarten to 5th grade, with the supplies for each one.
Updated November 2026
SaveQuick supply list for the whole day:
- Craft pom poms in bulk: crowns, shirts and counting all in one bag
- A 100 count pack of plastic cups: the cup tower challenge
- A hundreds pocket chart: counting to 100 all year, not just on the day
- A 100 pack of gold balloons: literally 100 balloons for the door
100th day of school crafts
1. 100th day of school crowns
SaveCrowns are the classic for a reason. Give each child a paper crown and 100 small things to stick on it: dot stickers, pom poms or sequins in groups of ten. Younger kids count as they stick, older kids can make ten groups of ten in different colors.
Tip: pre-count the pom poms into cups of ten so the counting is the craft, not the cleanup. See the bulk pom poms on Amazon.
2. 100 gumball machine
SaveCut a red base and a big white circle, then kids fill the circle with 100 dot stickers as gumballs. It looks great on a bulletin board and doubles as a counting check: ten rows of ten.
3. Cereal necklaces in groups of ten
SaveThread 100 cereal rings onto yarn, switching color every ten. Wrap tape around the yarn ends so they work like a needle. Kids wear them all day and eat them at the end.
100th day of school projects and poster ideas
4. The 100 items project
SaveSend home a note two weeks before: bring 100 of something, glued or taped to a poster board. Buttons, cotton balls, stickers, pasta, pennies in a bag. Ask families to set them out in tens so the class can check the count together.
Tip: keep a big bag of spare buttons at school so every child can finish one, even if the home project didn’t happen. See the craft buttons on Amazon.
5. A 100 poster made from cereal
SaveLightly draw a big 100 on poster board and let kids fill it in with cereal, beans or pom poms. Do it as a class poster for the door, or give each table one digit.
6. A DIY 100th day of school shirt
Save100th day shirts are one of the most searched ideas every year. A plain white or navy tee plus 100 pom poms, buttons or fabric paint dots, in ten rows of ten. Use fabric glue the night before so it dries.
100th day of school activities
7. The 100 cup tower challenge
SaveGive each group 100 cups and ten minutes: who can build the tallest tower that stands on its own? It is a great STEM warm up and the photos are so fun. Restack and try again with a new rule, like no cups touching the wall.
8. Counting collections
SaveSet out tubs of small objects and ask pairs to count out exactly 100, sorted in ten frames or cups of ten. Kindergarten counts by ones, first grade by tens, second grade can try groups of 5, 20 and 25.
9. Hundreds chart mystery picture
SaveRead out numbers and kids color the squares on a hundreds chart until a picture appears. A heart works for February, and a hundreds pocket chart on the wall makes it a whole class game.
10. A 100 book reading challenge
SaveCount down to the day by reading 100 books as a class. Add a paper chain link for every book and hang the chain around the room. On the day itself, stack all 100 books and take a picture.
11. 100 second challenges
Set a timer for 100 seconds: how many jumping jacks, how many times can you write your name, how many blocks can you stack? Kids love trying to beat their own score in the afternoon.
12. A 100 facts challenge for older kids
SaveFor 3rd to 5th grade, turn the day into a 100 multiplication facts challenge: 100 questions, one try in the morning and one after lunch, and celebrate everyone who beats their first score.
Save13. 100th day writing prompts
SaveGood prompts: If I had $100 I would… When I am 100 years old I will… I wish I had 100… I can do 100 things, here are ten of them. Older kids can write 100 words exactly, which is harder than it sounds.
100th day of school dress up ideas
14. Dress up as 100 years old
SaveThis is the favorite for kids and teachers. A cardigan, reading glasses, a gray wig or baby powder in the hair, and a walking stick made from a paper towel tube. Keep a small box of props at school so nobody misses out.
15. A 100th day teacher outfit
Teachers can join in with a 100 years old look, a shirt with 100 sticky dots, or a skirt or vest with 100 pom poms safety pinned on in rows. Easy to take off for recess duty.
100th day of school snack ideas
16. A 100 snack mix
SaveTen bowls, ten pieces each: pretzels, raisins, cereal, crackers, popcorn, marshmallows and so on. Kids count ten from each bowl into a cup and end up with a 100 snack mix. Check for allergies and keep it nut free.
17. 100th day party favors
Send everyone home with something small: a sticker, a pencil or a 100th day bracelet. These 100th day silicone bracelets come in a class set.
100th day of school decorations
18. A 100 balloon door
SaveBlow up 100 balloons with the class (count them!) and tape them around the door frame. Add a big gold 100 in the middle. It is the easiest wow door of the year.
19. A 100th day photo booth
SaveA foil curtain, a pair of 100 balloons and a basket of silly glasses. Kids take a photo at the start of the day and families love it in the newsletter.
20. A class 100 days book
Each child makes one page: I have learned 100 things this year, and here is my favorite. Bind the pages and keep the book in your reading corner.
A simple plan for the 100th day
- Morning: crowns or shirts, plus the 100 snack mix count
- Math block: counting collections or the cup tower
- After lunch: 100 second challenges and the class photo booth
- End of day: writing prompt, then wear the cereal necklaces home
Planning February too? See our Valentine’s door decorations for the classroom.
Keep reading
- 20 Valentines Door Decorations for the Classroom (Easy February Door Ideas)
- 21 Elf on the Shelf Ideas for the Classroom (Easy, Funny and Teacher Approved)
- 30 Classroom Management Ideas for Elementary Teachers That Actually Work
- 25 Reading Corner Ideas for the Classroom That Kids Actually Sit In
Frequently asked questions
It is the 100th day kids are actually in school, so it depends on your start date and holidays. For most US schools it falls between late January and mid February. Count school days on your calendar or check with your district.
Most classes do a craft (crowns or shirts), a math activity like counting collections or a 100 cup tower, a 100 snack mix and a writing prompt. Dressing up as 100 years old is a popular extra.
Buttons, cotton balls, stickers, pasta, cereal, pom poms, paper clips or pennies in a bag. Ask families to group them in tens so they are easy to check.
A homemade 100th day shirt with 100 dots or pom poms, or a 100 years old look: cardigan, glasses, gray hair spray and a cane.
Pick one craft, one activity and one snack, and you have a 100th day your class will talk about all year.
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