The Best Teacher Gifts That Show Just How Much You Appreciate Their Hard Work

Best Overall: 40-Ounce Stanley Quencher H2.0

We all know Stanleys are the VIP of water bottles right now, but here’s the deal: if you’re buying a Stanley for a teacher (and you should because they need their hydration), you’re going to want to choose the H2.0 version, because it has a built-in spill-proof top around the straw. Previous versions may be a few dollars cheaper, but the spill factor makes those far less ideal for teachers who will most likely keep their water bottles out on a desk. 

Price at time of publication: $45

Best Gift Card: Visa $50 Gift Card

Sorry, but you can’t go wrong with cold, hard cash. Or a nice, plastic gift card encased in a lovely handwritten card that you can buy on Amazon—that totally works too.

Price at time of publication: $50

Best for New Teachers: Dry Erase Marker Holder

As the spouse of a teacher, I was not prepared for the number of dry-erase markers that would enter our household from the classroom each and every single day. I have ruined countless loads of laundry as a result of dry-erase markers gone rogue in my dryer. 

So allow me to do the new teacher (and potentially any other household members) a favor with this practical dry erase marker holder that can affix directly to the whiteboard. 

Price at time of publication: $12

Best Practical Gift: Mrs. Meyer’s Hand Lotion

Sure, everyone gives teachers hand sanitizer, but all of that sanitizing has one uncomfortable effect: dry hands. Hand lotion may be the practical gift the teacher in your child’s life appreciates, and if they want, they can keep this gift out and access it any time they need, thanks to the included hand pump. 

Price at time of publication: $5

Best for Daycare: Teacher Tote Bag

This teacher-themed tote bag is useful for a daycare professional because it comes with a zippered top closure to keep all of their crafts and snacks secure and it has a polyester lining to help with inevitable messes from “helping” little hands. 

Price at time of publication: $22

Best for Preschool: Beka’s Deluxe Child Easel

It might be helpful to check with your child’s teacher if they could use new art supplies before purchasing an easel, but many preschools use easels almost daily and they do go through some wear and tear. “Receiving educational tools and toys has been extremely helpful,” notes Fraley, whose company provides kindergarten assessments and private school preparation. “As an educator, you can never have enough equipment and supplies.”

This version works well for preschool rooms because it has a built-in paper holder on top, so it’s always set up for the next masterpiece. There’s also a wooden tray at the bottom to hold paint and brushes. 

Price at time of publication: $90

Best for Kindergarten: LEGO Classic Medium Brick Box

Same thought here: It’s a good idea to check with your child’s teacher before adding anything new to their classroom, but a classic set of LEGO bricks can go a long way for everything from building math to motor skills. Plus, this set comes with its own storage box, which is always a plus for any teacher. 

Price at time of publication: $28

Best for Elementary School: MeCids 360-Degree Rotating Desk Organizer

I am not a teacher, but I’m pretty sure I need this. Just look at all that beautiful organization! Nine multi-colored bins on a 360-degree rotating tray can hold crayons, glue, child-safe scissors, pencils, and more. Plus, each bin is removable, so it can be distributed to individual children or tables as needed. 

Price at time of publication: $28

Best for Middle School: Scotch Brand Pro Thermal Laminator

My middle school teacher used to send me on laminating runs, and they were the highlight of my young life. Maybe it’s just me, but doesn’t every young child secretly dream of owning a laminator? Just think of the possibilities! And as the mother of a middle schooler at the moment, I can attest that organizing and labeling everything you can is a must to help guide these youngsters through life, so your child’s teacher will appreciate this gift. 

Price at time of publication: $53

Best for High School: Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker

Surly attitudes, teenage hormones, and early start times? This gift is a no-brainer to help a high school teacher manage it all. Plus, it comes in a variety of unique colors, like yellow and forest green, to add a pop of color to the classroom.  

Price at time of publication: $70

Best for Retiring Teachers: Audible Membership

Replace the sweet sound of children in the classroom with the blissful sounds of an audiobook recording in the comfort of their own home with a renewable Audible membership. Choose from one-, three-, six-, and 12-month subscriptions when giving a gift membership. 

Price at time of publication: $15/month

Best for Dance Teachers: JBL Flip 6 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

If your child takes dance lessons, their teacher may appreciate this portable Bluetooth speaker to blast out jams in class—or just to take home to use on their own. Boasting 13 hours of playtime, it comes in a variety of patterns and colors and is waterproof and dustproof. 

Price at time of publication: $100

Best for Music Teachers: OneOdio Wired Over Ear Headphones

I’m sure your kids’ music teacher won’t use these over-the-ear headphones to drown out the sounds of kids in their classroom, but if they needed to, these could help deliver a soothing sound experience instead. They work with any device that has a 3.5 mm or 6.35 mm audio jack.

Price at time of publication: $32

Best Unique: Crave Box Gourmet Specialty Snack Box

Bring on the snacks! Whether your child’s teacher keeps these in the room for emergency snack cravings or takes them home to enjoy without the risk of being asked to share, they’ll enjoy snack selections that include fig bars, chips, pretzels, and cookies. Plus, you can choose to have the snack box gift-wrapped at checkout to make this gift even easier to give. 

Price at time of publication: $31

Best Memorable: I Wrote a Book About You Book by M.H. Clark

How cute would it be to have your child add to this fill-in book to give to a special teacher? All you have to do is follow the prompts, add in your memories and thoughts, and if you have extra mementos, like pictures, there are included envelopes to add those in too. 

Price at time of publication: $13

Best Personalized: Top Design Personalized Initial Canvas Tote Bag

Just about every teacher needs a tote, and this option allows you to personalize it with an initial, a pretty pattern, or an entire word or phrase. There are a total of 55 different designs, and for the last-minute shoppers among us, it’s also available for Amazon Prime one-day shipping. 

This gift also comes teacher-approved, thanks to its personalized touch: “Although all gifts received are appreciated, usually teachers prefer more personalized gifts versus a generic tote bag,” explains Fraley. She was given a personalized tote bag herself and it’s been a huge hit. 

“I love to bring it to teach with me on a daily basis,” she says. “The bag is a great reminder of the student that gifted it to me, and that particular student always brings a smile to my face when I carry this bag.”

Price at time of publication: $20

Best Desk Accessory: Acrylic Dry Erase Board

Not only is this adorable, but it’s also affordable, for only $6. And I’m certain students will use this to write kind and thoughtful notes to their teachers and never try to draw anything inappropriate. 

Price at time of publication: $6

Best Under $25: Norwich Portable Mini Voice Amplifier

Teachers who work in a large classroom, have hearing-impaired students, or are just quiet may appreciate this wearable voice amplifier. If they don’t want to use it to project their own voice, it can also be used to play music from a computer, audio player, or phone. 

Price at time of publication: $21

Best Under $50: Raemao Massage Gun

This highly rated massage gun from Amazon comes in under $50 when it’s on sale. It does everything from blast away pain to improve circulation in aching muscles. And I honestly can't think of anyone who deserves some relief more than teachers who spend all day standing in front of kids helping them to learn.

Price at time of publication: $50

Best Under $100: Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet

The Amazon Fire is small but mighty. It can handle pretty much any task you throw its way, from e-reading to gaming to education. And while the teacher in your life could certainly put a new tablet to use in the classroom, it’s also a great gift that they could enjoy in their downtime too. 

Price at time of publication: $100