Gifts for Teachers Day: Mini Plant Pots

While teachers always deserve our appreciation, we think this past year might take the cake. Whether your children have been meeting with their teachers in person or virtually, there’s no doubt these humans have helped your kids navigate the challenges that the past year has brought. And we wouldn’t be surprised if they helped parents as well.

Teachers have dealt with preschoolers in masks, chemistry class over Zoom, and band practice in the parking lot. They’ve helped kids through quarantine, the loss of loved ones, and an unknown future. And they’ve done it all while facing the same challenges themselves. If they don’t deserve a heartfelt thank you, we don’t know who does.

Pot Up Your Appreciation

To help show teachers how much you and your child appreciate all they do, spend a day creating some cute mini plant pots. Your kid can put their own spin on their pot to help their teacher remember this year. As you watch your little artist in action, you’ll not only witness their creative skills, but you’ll also see their generosity shine.

After you’re all done with your pot, all you’ll have to do is fill it! You have lots of options, but we think Teacher’s Day flowers will surely bring a smile to any educator’s face. So go ahead and spend an afternoon together creating something your child’s teacher will love.

What You’ll Need

• Small terracotta flower pot(s)
• Acrylic paint in assorted colors
• Paper plates or newspaper to mix paint
• Small foam paintbrush(es)
• Small painter’s brush(es)
• Clear acrylic spray
• Optional: Painter’s tape for painting straight lines or geometric shapes
• Optional: Chalkboard paint (This lets your kids or their teacher write fun messages or greetings that they can change whenever they want!)
• Something to put in the pot: soil and plants, or other goodies

Painting Your Mini Flower Pot

1. Prep your flower pot. It’s a good idea to let it soak in warm water for about an hour, then scrub off any price stickers and adhesive residue. Let dry completely.
2. Plan your design. Your kids may want to do a simple design straight onto the terracotta base, and that’s fine. If they want to get a little wilder, though, they’ll want to choose the color they’ll use for the base coat as well as the colors they’ll use for their design. The possibilities are endless!
3. If using, paint the base layer with one of the foam brushes. Let dry.
4. Use foam brushes, painter’s brushes, and/or painter’s tape to create and paint whatever design your kids’ hearts desire. Let it dry and peel away any tape if used.
5. When everyone is happy with their designs and all the paint has dried, spray the entire pot with one or two even layers of acrylic spray to seal.
6. If using chalkboard paint, use painter’s tape to square off the chalkboard section. Fill in with chalkboard paint. Let dry and peel away the tape.

Fill Your Mini Flower Pot

The most obvious filler for your new DIY plant pot is, well, plants or flowers! For a thoughtful teacher’s gift, pick flowers or plants that will do well inside a classroom. Succulents make happy, low-maintenance indoor plants.
On the other hand, you may want to let your kids’ teacher choose what to plant in their pot. In that case, consider filling the pot with other back-to-school goodies, like:

• Fun pens, pencils, or erasers
• Candy or healthy snacks
• Gift cards for something relaxing, like wine, a movie, or a spa day (you know teachers need it!)

And, of course, if your little ones chose to use chalkboard paint, don’t forget to include some chalk and a heartfelt message for the hardworking recipient of your new hand-painted DIY plant pot!

Handpainted Pots + Beautiful Flowers = Love

Life can be hectic, but sometimes you need to slow down. Spending an afternoon crafting with your kiddo will not only give you a gift for a teacher, but it will also allow you to spend valuable time together. You might enjoy this activity so much that you’ll want to make a pot for all the other less known holidays.

These pots are also a great way to say thank you to all the important people in your family’s life. So paint another, fill with flowers or snacks, and spread a little kindness to those who have helped you through this year.

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