Remember playing dodgeball, flag football, and climbing those crazy ropes? While it wasn’t all fun, (remember square dancing?), physical education classes taught us how to get our bodies moving and introduced us to the basics of a wide range of sports. With budget cuts, some elementary schools don’t even have gymnasiums anymore, let alone enough equipment for creative instruction. Many teachers end up spending their own money on teaching tools.
Because of that, most enthusiastic teachers will be overjoyed to get gifts to use in their classrooms instead of another best teacher mug. Try some of these gifts for PE teachers that they can use with their students, plus some useful gifts for themselves to enjoy.
1. Parachute
Elementary school PE teacher gifts
I remember using these giant parachutes in elementary school. Everyone had to work together to lift it at the same time. Then we would all run underneath. Parachutes help teach coordination as well as improve listening skills and ability to follow directions. Get a size appropriate for the age they teach.
You can also get a bulk pack of skip balls. This is another great gadget to teach coordination to kids.
For young kids who might injure each other attempting to throw a ball back and forth, a toss and catch ball set will improve hand eye coordination without anyone having to take a trip to the nurses office.
2. Home Gym Power Cage
Home workout gifts for a P.E. teacher
Depending on what age they teach, they may or may not have access to gym equipment at work. Let’s face it, after being around loud kids all day they may prefer to work out at home instead of hitting a crowded gym at quitting time. A power cage will give them all the workout equipment they need without leaving the house.
If they are limited on space you can give them a dumbbell set with a rack or an over door pull up bar. My son has an over the door pull up bar that he got in high school. It is portable so he was easily able to take it with him when he went away to college.
3. Exercise Dice
PE teacher gift ideas
Sometimes it is easy to get into a fitness rut. It is also important to switch up a workout to target different areas. Exercise dice will help improve their fitness levels by keeping their workout new and fresh.
Exercise cards work the same way to keep up motivation. These are great gifts for anyone who works out.
Don’t forget a fitness tracker. These are important for monitoring heart rate, pulse, as well as other fitness stats, so they can keep track of their progress.
4. Collectible Ball
Collectible sports gifts for P.E. teacher
I don’t know any PE teacher who isn’t a fan of some sport. Find out their favorite team and give them a signed ball for the gift of a lifetime.
If they are a hockey fan you can give them a collectible hockey puck. My husband has a group of these displayed on a shelf in our family room.
You can also choose from a selection of photo collectibles that can be prominently hung on any wall.
5. Dumbbell Water Bottle
Funny presents for PE teacher
Instead of another boring mug, pump up your gift with a water bottle that looks like a dumbbell. They can stay hydrated while having a good laugh.
After a lot of physical activity, everyone needs a bit of mindfulness to refocus. PE teacher coloring books will help stress management while adding humor to their lives. Some of these books tend to be a bit on the rude side.
Or try a novelty finger weightlifting set. This gag gift is great for those with a good sense of humor.
6. Novelty Beer Glass
Gifts for P.E. teacher after work
After teaching those wild kids all day, it’s time to relax. What better way to chill out than with a cold brew in a quirky dumbbell glass!
If they prefer vino to beer, this novelty wine glass will work out their smile lines.
Don’t forget a set of weight lifting coasters to keep their furniture from getting ruined due to condensation.
7. Healthy Cookbook
Best gifts for PE teachers
PE teachers aren’t just into muscle tone. Part of physical fitness is eating healthy. A book on healthy meal prep will help them get organized with healthy dishes that they can prepare ahead of time. Then they can avoid getting stuck in a take-out rut after a long day at work.
Meal prep containers will help with proper proportions for meals.
If they create healthy smoothies for breakfast, give them a juicer to incorporate all those nutrients to energize them for a morning dealing with kids.
8. Reward Punch Cards
Physical education teacher gifts
Most of us know these from businesses we frequent, but they are useful classroom incentives as well. Help make their lives easier by motivating their class with rewards cards.
Most of us probably wouldn’t think of a label maker as being a good gift. However, no teacher likes coming back after a few days off to find everything misplaced. Labeling where things go will make it easier for substitutes and students to return everything to their proper places.
Even old dogs can learn new tricks. Whether they have been teaching for years or just starting out, books on teaching PE to kids will open up some new ideas to keep their curriculum fresh. When they get nominated for teacher of the year, they will owe it all to you.
You might want to take a look at gifts for other jobs too!
9. Scooter Boards
PE class gifts for gym teachers
I remember playing a version of floor hockey while scooting around on these as a kid. We ended up getting some at the preschool I worked at, and of course I had to test them out for old times sake. Whew! Let me tell you, it was quite a workout!
A flag football set is a great way to make use of outdoor space when a school has no gymnasium. A kickball set will teach skills needed for softball and baseball, without kids getting knocked out by a ball.
10. Tracksuit
Gifts for PE teachers
Whether male or female, their typical work uniform is going to be a tracksuit. They can never have enough of these.
If you are looking for PE teacher gifts for guys who live in a warmer climate, get them a few pairs of workout shorts instead of the track suit.
You can also get them a cooling towel. While the kids are only getting a workout for one class period, a PE teacher may be outside or getting a workout most of the day. A cooling towel can help prevent heat exhaustion.
11. Engraved Whistle
Holiday stocking gifts for gym teachers
We all had that teacher that we looked up to who positively influenced our future. A personalized whistle is a great keepsake to show your appreciation.
A PE Teacher Ornament can either be tucked in a stocking or hung on the tree as an unexpected surprise.
For a practical stocking stuffer, a stopwatch can be used to time those miles, sprints, or laps in the pool.
12. Protein Filled Snacks
Good gifts for PE teachers
PE teachers spend a big part of their work day getting exercise. They need to refuel. Give them a protein packed snack basket to keep their energy up without a sugar crash.
Instead of another water bottle with their name, give them a reusable water bottle to infuse with fruit. This way they are getting extra vitamins while rehydrating, along with extra flavor. Then there will be no need to resort to sugary beverages from the vending machine.
Or if they fuel up with protein shakes, give them a blender bottle. These drink containers have a gadget inside that acts as a mini whisk, creating perfectly blended protein shakes. They can say goodbye to the clumps.
Don’t forget a fitness journal to help them plan their work outs.
13. Custom Sports Book
Gift for a sports teacher
Take a good gift and turn it into an unforgettable gift. Instead of just getting them a book about their favorite sport, give them one about their favorite team, engraved with their name on the cover.
If they are a baseball fan, choose one of these unique baseball gifts that will be hit out of the park. Or give hockey fans one of these cool NHL gifts to score the winning goal.
14. Sack Races
Field day presents for PE teachers
Remember field days? Ours always ended with a tug of war and a peanut hunt. Then we would eat a picnic lunch along with some watermelon. Sack races are one of those old fashioned forms of fun that brings us all back to simpler times.
Get some colorful relay batons to teach them about working together as a team.
Then get a tug of war rope for the grand finale.
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