My Favourite End-of-Year Theme Days (and How I Make Them Work Every Year!)

Teaching Autism

29 May 2025

Hey friend! In this episode, I’m spilling all the details on one of my favourite ways to wrap up the school year: theme days! If you’ve been around here a while, you already know I live for a good theme - especially at the end of the year when routines go a little wonky, energy is through the roof, and we’re all counting down the days to summer. I’ve been doing theme days for years now, and I’ve finally nailed down a system that makes them feel magical, manageable, and totally reusable. In this episode, I’m sharing five of my go-to end-of-year themes, how I set them up, what activities I use, how I decorate (without going broke), and why I keep coming back to them every single year. 🎪 Inside the Episode, I Talk About: 1. Circus Theme Day Red and white stripes, silly hats, and sensory-friendly carnival games make this one a total hit. I share my favourite activities like ring toss, cutting clown hair (hello, fine motor!), and fake popcorn snacks — plus how I keep the vibe magical but calm. 2. Pizza Theme Day This one is always a class favourite! I talk about how I turn my classroom into a mini pizzeria with matching visuals, dramatic play, and play dough pizzas. It’s perfect for sequencing, communication, and even sneaking in a little math. 3. Lemonade Theme Day A calm, refreshing theme that’s perfect for those warmer days. I go all in with yellow decor, lemon-themed math games, and a tasting station with different flavours. We keep it visual and communication-friendly — and yes, there’s a “lemon squad” group photo. 4. Ice Cream Theme Day No school year ends without Ice Cream Day! I reuse pastel decorations, pull out my adapted books and matching activities, and we top it all off with a tasting session (or a fruit and cream option). I also share my go-to ice cream themed crafts and counting tasks. 5. Camping Theme Day This is my go-to for a chill, cozy final week. I talk about how I set up the “campfire,” decorate with fairy lights, and run the whole day by flashlight. You’ll hear about the literacy, math, and sensory activities I use — plus some sweet snack ideas to finish it off. 💛 You’ll Also Hear: How I store and reuse everything from year to year in labeled boxes Where I get low-cost (or free!) decorations and props My tips for keeping theme days low-prep but high-impact Why they’re perfect for time fillers, sub days, or when plans change last minute How these themed days still support structure, visuals, and calm for my students 🛍️ Resources I Mention: 🎡 End-of-Year Theme Day Bundle on TpT Get access to all five of the theme days I mentioned, including visuals, printables, and activities that are ready to go. 👉 Grab the bundle here 📁 End-of-Year Google Drive Bundle Packed with crafts, sensory supports, scavenger hunts, and more — everything digital and printable to finish the year strong. 👉 Grab it here 📝 Final Thoughts Theme days don’t have to be Pinterest-perfect to be special. I’ve found that keeping things visual, structured, and fun is the sweet spot — especially for our special education classrooms. My students love these days, and I love how simple they are to run once they’re prepped. If you try one of these theme days, tag me @teachingautism so I can cheer you on and see the magic you’re making! Thanks for tuning in - and don’t forget, it’s not about doing more, it’s about doing what works for you and your students. Talk soon, 💛 Nikki