🎉 Fun & Easy Ways to Celebrate the 50th Day of School with Your Students

The 50th day of school is such a fun milestone to celebrate, especially in early elementary grades! It’s the perfect excuse to mix a little retro 1950s fun with classroom learning, themed snacks, and creative crafts. Whether you’re a teacher, room parent, or homeschooling family, these 50th Day of School celebration ideas will make your classroom feel like a sock hop!

🏫 Why Celebrate the 50th Day of School?

Celebrating the 50th day helps young learners mark progress in a big way. It’s a mid-semester reminder of how far they’ve come since the first day! It’s also a great time to:

Practice counting to 50

Incorporate hands-on math and literacy activities

Encourage classroom community

Make learning feel like a party

👗 Dress Up 1950s Style

One of the most memorable ways to celebrate is by dressing up like it’s the 1950s! Encourage students (and teachers!) to come to school dressed in retro attire for a full “sock hop” effect.

Here are some easy, affordable ideas:

For Girls:

Poodle skirts or polka dot dresses

Cardigans or denim jackets

Cat-eyeglasses and scarves tied around ponytails

For Boys:

White T-shirts or letterman-style sweaters

Jeans rolled at the cuffs

Slicked-back hair or a fun pompadour style

If you’re on a budget, you can get creative, use felt to make a quick poodle skirt, or grab inexpensive accessories from a dollar store. Even just a scarf, sunglasses, or a hair bow can make a big difference.

Tip: Play 1950s rock ‘n’ roll hits like “Rock Around the Clock” or “Hound Dog” during the celebration for an authentic, fun atmosphere your students will never forget!

👑 Make 50th Day of School Crowns

Start the day with some festive fun by having your students make 50th day of school crowns!

You can print or trace crown templates on cardstock and let students decorate with 50 stickers, pom-poms, or dots. Have them write “I am 50 days smarter!” across the front. This doubles as a fine motor activity and a confidence boost for your little learners.

Tip: Pre-cut crowns and staple to fit each child’s head so you can focus on decorating instead of measuring.

👉 Free Printable 50th Day Crown:

Make it easy with this ready-to-print template! Just print on white cardstock, have students color and decorate, then cut and tape or staple to size.

📥 Download Your Free Printable 50th Day of School Crown Here

🖍️ 50th Day of School Coloring Sheets

Next, pull out some 50th day of school coloring pages for a calm, creative activity.

Look for designs that include numbers, vintage cars, jukeboxes, poodles, or phrases like “Hooray for 50 Days of School!” Coloring sheets are a great way to settle excited kids before the party begins.

You can even have them color while you set up snacks or craft supplies. I’ve linked a few free printable options below that are perfect for preschool, kindergarten, and first grade classrooms.
50th Day of School FREEBIE! {Coloring, Counting & # Puzzles}

🍫 Sweet Treats: MoonPies, French Fries, & Coke Floats

What’s a 50th day celebration without some classic 1950s snacks?

Channel that retro diner vibe with these easy ideas:

Mini MoonPies: Individually wrapped and perfect for a sweet treat.

French Fries: Serve oven-baked fries in paper cups for easy cleanup.

Coke Floats: Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to a small cup of Coca-Cola for that old-fashioned float flavor. (You can also use root beer or cream soda for a caffeine-free option.)

These snacks are simple, fun, and bring the 50s theme to life, your students will feel like they’ve stepped right into a sock hop!

🎁 "I'm a 50 Day Smartie!" Printable Gift Tag

End the day with a small gift your students can take home!

Attach this free printable “I’m a 50 Day Smartie!” tag to a pack of Smarties candies. It’s a simple, budget-friendly favor that reinforces the celebration’s theme.

👉 [Download the Free Printable Tag Here]

This is such a cute way to celebrate their achievement, and kids love getting a sweet surprise that shows how much they’ve learned!

📸 Bonus Idea: 50th Day Photo Booth

Set up a mini photo booth with a “50 Days Smarter!” banner, vintage props, and a fun backdrop. Have students pose with their crowns and Smarties. Parents will love these adorable keepsakes, and you can use the photos for your classroom newsletter or end-of-year slideshow!

🎈 Wrapping Up Your 50th Day Celebration

The 50th day of school is a great way to celebrate learning milestones while making lasting memories. Between the crowns, coloring sheets, 1950s snacks, and fun printable tags, your classroom will be full of laughter and joy.

Whether you’re teaching preschool, kindergarten, or first grade, these 50th day of school ideas are simple to set up and guaranteed to bring smiles. Remember, your students have already learned so much in just 50 days. That’s something worth celebrating!

Written by Diana Chastain from Nanny to Mommy

Nanny to Mommy