Fun and Easy 100 Days of School Ideas for Preschoolers to Celebrate This Special Milestone

The 100th day of school is widely celebrated as a major milestone in early childhood education across the globe. While the exact date varies by institution, many schools observe it around the end of January or early February. For preschoolers, this day doesn’t just mark 100 days of attendance. It marks 100 days of curiosity, growth, socialization, routine, and discovery. It offers a natural moment of pause to honour how much has been learned and how far young children have come.

In the weeks leading up to the 100 days of school, the classroom atmosphere often shifts. Counting becomes part of the routine as children add tally marks, build paper chains, and engage in playful discussions about the number 100. When the day finally arrives, it becomes more than a simple count. It becomes a celebration and a memory-making event. Teachers, referencing a variety of 100 days of school ideas, transform the classroom environment with posters, displays, themed activities, and dress-up fun. These purposeful moments help embed learning into meaningful experiences.

To support preschool teachers in creating memorable experiences, we’ve gathered a robust set of engaging 100th day of school ideas aimed at young learners. From hands-on crafts and dress-up themes to counting games and snack-time fun, the collection is crafted with preschool in mind. These 100 days of school ideas are simple, age appropriate, and guaranteed to make the celebration both meaningful and fun.

100 Days of School Ideas: Fun and Easy Crafts for Preschoolers

1. 100th Day Necklaces

Making necklaces with 100 beads is a classic and highly engaging way to celebrate the 100th day of school in preschool.

To prepare, set out trays with colorful pony beads and provide each student with a string or piece of yarn. For younger children, adding a piece of tape to one end of the string can help prevent beads from slipping off. You can also encourage counting by grouping beads in sets of 10 using different colors or patterns, which introduces early multiplication concepts in a visual and tactile way.

Not only does this craft strengthen habilidades motoras finas, but it also gives students something wearable they can proudly take home.

2. Gumball Machine Craft

The gumball machine is a fun, visual way to represent the number 100 and a big hit with preschoolers.

Begin with a simple printable or cut-out of a gumball machine. Then, invite children to glue on 100 “gumballs.” These can be made from colorful dot stickers, fingerprints, or pom-poms. Some teachers use bingo daubers or paint dabbers to keep things tidy. As children carefully count and place each gumball, they practice one-to-one correspondence and develop patience.

This craft also makes a vibrant classroom display that highlights each student’s work in a playful, candy-themed format.

3. 100-Cup Tower Challenge

This is a favorite activity that blends creativity with engineering.

Give each child or group of students 100 small paper or plastic cups and invite them to build the tallest or most creative structure they can. There’s no right or wrong way to build, and that’s part of the fun. Children explore concepts like balance, symmetry, and problem-solving while physically interacting with the number 100. Teachers can turn this into a class challenge or allow students to work freely.

Either way, the 100 days of school becomes a hands-on opportunity for spatial thinking y collaborative play.

4. Pom-Pom Art with 100 Fluffy Dots

Using pom-poms to create a colorful masterpiece is both simple and sensory-friendly.

Provide each child with a large sheet of cardstock or construction paper and a tray of pom-poms in various sizes and colors. Children can glue 100 pom-poms onto their paper in patterns, designs, or random arrangements. Some may make rainbows, others may fill a shape outline like the number 100.

The texture and color variety stimulate sensory engagement while reinforcing the concept of 100. This art project also supports counting, color recognition, and artistic freedom.

5. 100 Coloring Shapes Activity

For a quieter, independent activity, try a worksheet or printable that features 100 shapes such as stars, hearts, circles, or squares.

Students are invited to color in each shape one by one, using crayons or markers. This simple but satisfying task helps preschoolers develop focus, fine motor coordination, and number awareness. It is also an excellent option for early finishers or as part of a morning work routine on the 100th day. Some teachers even allow students to color the shapes in a pattern or sequence, reinforcing early math and logic skills in a calming, self-paced format.

Creative 100th Day Dress-Up Ideas for Preschool Boys and Girls

One of the most memorable and lighthearted ways to celebrate the 100th day of school in preschool is through dress-up activities. Unlike crafts or worksheets, dressing up allows children to step into imaginative roles, express their creativity, and feel a sense of participation the moment they walk into the classroom. It sets the tone for the day and instantly builds excitement. For teachers, dress-up themes also provide a great backdrop for photos, storytelling, and themed learning activities.

6. Dress Like You’re 100 Years Old

A classic favorite among 100 days of school ideas, this theme invites preschoolers to come dressed as centenarians.

Children can wear oversized glasses, cardigans, suspenders, gray wigs, and even use canes or walkers made from pool noodles. The transformation is often hilarious and adorable, and it helps children understand the concept of 100 as an age. Teachers can tie in learning activities such as “What will you do when you’re 100?” drawings or journals to extend the theme into literacy.

7. Wear a Shirt with 100 Items

This idea combines creativity with counting. Ask families to help their child decorate a plain shirt at home with 100 objects such as buttons, pom poms, stickers, stamps, or googly eyes. It is a simple but effective way to reinforce the concept of 100 while allowing each child to personalize their creation. In class, you can host a “shirt parade” so everyone can show off their wearable project.

8. 100th Day Superhero or “100 Days Smarter” Look

Encourage kids to become a 100th day superhero, celebrating how much smarter they’ve become. Provide printable badges that say “100 Days Smarter” or capes they can decorate with stars, numbers, or lightning bolts. It’s a playful way to boost self-esteem and recognize how far students have come since the first day of school.

9. Crown and Accessory Stations

If full costumes aren’t practical, consider setting up a crown-making station in the classroom. Children can decorate a simple paper crown with 100 stickers, stamps, or dots. Add-ons like beaded bracelets, number necklaces, or sunglasses labeled “100” help complete the celebration outfit without requiring families to prepare elaborate costumes.

10. Theme Color Days: Wear 100 Colors or Patterns

Turn the day into a color explosion by inviting students to wear multicolored outfits representing 100 hues or patterns. You can challenge the class to collectively wear 100 stripes or polka dots. This idea turns getting dressed into a fun group project, promoting cooperation and attention to detail.

Fun and Tasty 100th Day Snack Ideas for Preschoolers

Food-based activities are a delightful way to celebrate the 100th day of school, especially for preschoolers who love anything hands-on and edible. Incorporating snacks into the celebration not only keeps little ones engaged but also provides meaningful opportunities to practice counting, sorting, and even healthy eating habits. Whether you’re planning a snack station, a shared class activity, or a take-home treat, these 100 days of school ideas are guaranteed to add flavor to your festivities.

11. Make a Trail Mix with 100 Pieces

This is a crowd favorite for a reason. Create a “100 snack mix” by offering ten different items such as cereal, pretzels, raisins, crackers, mini marshmallows, and more. Each child counts out ten pieces of each item into a bag or bowl to make a personalized trail mix. It’s a great way to reinforce grouping by tens and practice counting to 100. Bonus: it’s nut-free and easily adaptable to most dietary needs.

12. Build 100th Day Snack Necklaces

Using round cereal like Cheerios or fruit-flavored loops, children can create edible necklaces by threading 100 pieces onto yarn or string. This snack doubles as a fine motor skill activity and a wearable treat. Teachers can even have students group the cereal into colors or patterns before stringing, adding an element of early math.

13. 100-Item Snack Sorting Mats

Print out mats with ten circles or squares on them. Give each student a mixed pile of small snack items (e.g., goldfish crackers, M&Ms, popcorn) and invite them to sort and count ten of each kind onto the mat. When finished, they’ll have 100 items total to enjoy. This approach also works great for centers or small group activities.

14. Graham Cracker “100” Cookies

Turn graham crackers into a “100” themed treat by having kids use frosting to write the number 100 on top, then decorate with mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, or raisins. It’s simple, interactive, and makes for a great photo moment. This activity combines creativity, number recognition, and fine motor work.

15. Layered Fruit or Yogurt Parfaits in 10s

For a healthier option, set up a parfait bar where kids layer fruits or cereal into clear cups using ten blueberries, ten banana slices, ten cereal pieces, and so on until they reach 100 items. It is colorful, delicious, and helps promote conversations around food groups and healthy eating, even in a preschool-friendly way.

Using 100 Objects for Preschool Learning and Display Projects

The concept of “100” can feel abstract to preschoolers, which is why physically handling 100 items is such a powerful learning tool. Whether students are building, organizing, or displaying objects, using tangible materials helps them internalize the magnitude of the number and strengthens foundational math skills like counting, sorting, grouping, and visual estimation. These 100 days of school ideas offer rich, hands-on learning opportunities that turn math into something they can literally see and touch.

16. Create a 100-Item Collection Box

Invite each child to bring a collection of 100 small, safe objects from home such as pennies, cotton balls, buttons, paper clips, or even toy figurines. Display these items in shoeboxes or ziplock bags with labels. You can create a classroom “100 Museum” where students take turns showing and explaining their collections. This activity encourages number sense, communication, and pride in personal contributions.

17. 100 Things That Fit in a Jar (Or Don’t)

Pose a fun question to your class: “Can 100 pom-poms fit in this jar?” Let students estimate first, then test it out. Repeat the activity with different objects like cotton balls, LEGOs, or blocks. It’s a playful way to explore concepts of size, volume, and quantity, and it sparks natural curiosity and problem-solving.

18. Sorting and Grouping Activities Using 100 Objects

Provide sets of 100 manipulatives like counting bears, cubes, or beads and challenge students to group them in various ways: by color, shape, size, or sets of ten. Use sorting trays or placemats divided into sections to support visual organization. This kind of structured play reinforces early math concepts and fine motor development.

19. Make a 100-Step Path in the Classroom or Playground

Lay down 100 foam footprints, stickers, or chalk marks and have students walk, hop, or tiptoe across them. Along the way, you can add fun stations like “Do 10 jumping jacks” or “Name 10 animals.” This large-scale display combines physical movement with number awareness and gives kids a visual sense of how big 100 really is.

20. Create a Class Poster with 100 Objects

Work as a class to create a large poster filled with 100 glued-on items such as stickers, stamps, shapes, or handprints. Arrange them in rows of ten or in a creative collage. This is not only a math-rich task but also a great way to foster collaboration and celebrate shared effort.

How Parents Can Get Involved in 100 Days of School Celebrations

Parent involvement can add a special touch to the 100th day of school, especially in preschool where young learners thrive on encouragement and connection. Teachers can invite families to participate in simple, meaningful ways that support both the classroom and the celebration itself. A short note or message sent home ahead of time is often all it takes to open the door for involvement.

Some parents may choose to volunteer in the classroom by helping monitor crafts, assisting with counting games, or guiding snack-making activities. Others might prefer to contribute materials such as pre-packaged snacks, stickers, or 100 small items for displays. Even at home, families can take part by completing simple activities with their child, like turning a photo into a 100-piece puzzle or helping them count out items for a poster.

In some schools, the 100th day is also a chance to teach kindness and giving. Parents may support class-led donation drives by collecting 100 books, canned goods, or winter items to donate to a local charity. These projects not only reinforce the idea of “100” but also connect children to their communities in a positive, age-appropriate way.

100 Days of School Planning Checklist for Preschool Teachers

Planning a celebration for the 100th day of school can feel overwhelming, especially in a preschool setting where attention spans are short and routines are essential. However, with a clear plan and a few well-organized steps, the day can run smoothly and leave lasting memories for both students and teachers. This simple planning checklist is designed to help preschool teachers stay organized and reduce last-minute stress.

Start by setting the date early and counting your school days in advance so you can notify families in time. Once you have a date, decide on the core activities you’d like to include such as art projects, dress-up day, counting games, snack stations, or a classroom display. Keep in mind that 100 days of school ideas don’t have to be complicated. Even one or two thoughtful activities can make the day feel special.

Next, make a list of any materials you’ll need and consider creating a supply sign-up sheet for families who want to contribute. In the week leading up to the event, prepare visual reminders in the classroom such as countdown charts or interactive number lines to build excitement. On the day itself, stick to familiar routines as much as possible while weaving in your planned activities. Having centers or small group rotations is a great way to manage energy and keep things moving.

Finally, don’t forget to capture the moment. Take photos of projects, group activities, or children wearing their “100 Days” shirts. Send a thank-you message to parents who participated or donated supplies, and consider making a simple class book or poster to commemorate the day. With a little planning, the 100th day of school can become one of the most joyful and meaningful events in your preschool year.

Celebrating Growth, Creativity, and Community

The 100th day of school is more than just a fun milestone—it’s a celebration of growth, learning, and connection in the preschool classroom. With the right mix of crafts, dress-up, snacks, counting games, and family involvement, teachers can turn this day into a joyful and educational experience that children will remember.