On their feet all day and often doing workouts alongside the kids, every PE teacher deserves heartfelt gifts of appreciation. These teachers are an absolute treasure. I feel like they were the “fun” kids in school—always rounding up other kids for games or races across the playground. And as anyone with a wonderful PE teacher in their life knows, they totally transferred that recreationalist attitude right into their job as a teacher.
We’ve gathered up a list of quality, thoughtful PE teacher gifts that will fit any budget and show your gratitude, whether it’s for creating core memories with a huge parachute for elementary students or coaching a varsity volleyball team at the state finals. Go, team!
Quick tip: Check your school’s gift policy before giving; some prohibit homemade treats and/or gifts over a certain monetary value.
(WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)
1. Thank-you note
Ask any teacher: We love a kind note. How fun (and true) is this card about PE teachers?
Buy it: Card at PaperSource
2. Amazon eGift card or other gift card
Gift cards are the best way to ensure that teachers really get what they want. (Plus, Amazon eGift cards are super easy and give the option to send a thank-you note via email right away!)
Buy it: Amazon e-Gift Card on Amazon; Target Gift Card at Target
3. Personalized whistle
We love that this whistle doesn’t just have space for the teacher’s name—it has space for a sport and school name too. Perfect for after a single season or even as a retirement gift.
Buy it: Personalized whistle on Etsy
4. PE shirt
Isn’t this what PE is all about?
Buy it: It’s a Good Day shirt on Etsy
5. Comfy sneakers (group gift)
In addition to being stylish, Allbirds are unbelievably comfortable. I wore my Allbirds throughout my pregnancy—including around the house, because toward the end they actually felt better than being barefoot.
Buy it: Wool Runner Mizzles at Allbirds
6. Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds (group gift)
With their sleek ear pieces, these earbuds won’t fall off even when a PE teacher is demonstrating a burpee or getting hit by an errant dodgeball. (And if you’re saying to yourself, “Why would a PE teacher have earbuds in while teaching?”—have you heard how loud a PE class can be?!)
Buy it: Powerbeats on Amazon
7. Peloton membership (via Apple gift card)
The Peloton app has a huge range of classes way beyond cycling. They offer downloadable classes in meditation, yoga, running, stretching, cardio, and other fun fitness methods that don’t require any additional equipment. With an Apple gift card, teachers can download the app and sign up for the length of membership they want.
Buy it: Apple Gift Card on Apple
8. W&P Ceramic Insulated Bottle
It’s giving celebratory confetti at the end of a marathon. It’s giving weird old gym floor. It’s giving ’90s workout leotard. This bottle is everyone’s dream, but particularly a PE teacher’s.
Buy it: W&P Insulated Bottle on Amazon
9. Super-comfy bubble slides
These cloud-like massage slides will be a treat when PE teachers get to relax at the end of a long day. Don’t they look like little tennis or golf balls?
Buy it: Ultra Cushioned Bubble Slides on Amazon
10. FabFitFun box
Who doesn’t love an extended present? FabFitFun collects beauty and lifestyle products (like makeup samples, candles, workout leggings, etc.) from great brands and sends them to subscribers in seasonal boxes. They’re a fun way to treat a beloved PE teacher or coach to a year’s subscription as a group gift, or you can give them as a single box.
Buy it: FabFitFun box at FabFitFun
11. Gift certificate to a local spa
Support a local business and treat your PE teacher? Win-win!
Buy it: Check out a spa in your area!
12. This pretty sweat-proof necklace
Classic, simple, and understated, this necklace will be a wardrobe staple. And it won’t get tarnished!
Buy it: Heart Necklace at Hey Harper
13. A cooling hat
A hat that cools when it’s wet? Thanks, I’ll take four.
Buy it: Mission hat on Amazon
14. Epsom bath salts
Dr. Teal’s has tons of bath solutions, but the Pre & Post-Workout and Soothe & Sleep combo sounds like it was made for a PE teacher’s weeknight.
Buy it: Dr. Teal’s Epsom salts on Amazon
15. Personalized school spirit sweatshirt
With its sporty varsity lettering and customizable colors and lettering, this sweatshirt will be an instant favorite.
Buy it: School Spirit Sweatshirt on Etsy
16. A treasure chest of healthy snacks
OK, but have you had Bada Bean, Bada Boom? Or Boom Chicka Pop popcorn? Or Bobo’s? So. Good. Bring any PE teacher (actually, any teacher) a cornucopia of snacks like this and it’ll feel like they won the lottery. (Are they still healthy if you eat seven snacks in one sitting? Asking for a friend.)
Buy it: Healthy snack gift box on Amazon
17. Decorative storage basket
I’m about to tell you one of my gift-giving secrets: Instead of using gift wrap or a gift bag, stick your gift in a cute basket. Where else would you possibly put the aforementioned snacks other than this delightful little storage nugget?
Buy it: Basket at Target
18. Personalized water bottle
You can never have too many tumblers. Especially not a personalized one that’s so cute they will squeal.
Buy it: Personalized Teacher Tumbler on Etsy