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

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