Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Week is October 23-31, and this year’s theme is “Celebrate Life. Live Drug Free™.” Red Ribbon Week was first recognized in 1988. Although its origin was sparked by a tragic event, kids everywhere celebrate each year as a positive way to demonstrate how important it is to make healthy choices by remaining drug-free. Red Ribbon Week can be enjoyed with dress-up days and meaningful activities. In today’s post, I’ll be sharing 10 daily themes I’ve done over the years.
10 Red Ribbon Week Dress-Up Themes
Over the years, I’ve typically planned dress-up themes for as many days as I could during Red Ribbon Week. Sometimes there was a workday or picture day that interfered, but we made it work. Here are just a few possibilities:
1. Being Drug Free is My Superpower! – Dress Like a Superhero
This is probably one of my favorites! The first time we used this theme, I channeled my crafty side and made a t-shirt and a cape complete with the letters SC in rhinestones on the back for Super Counselor. It was so fun seeing all of the little ones in their superhero attire. Another year, I used a Batman t-shirt and cape.
2. Let’s Put Drugs to Rest! – Wear Pajamas
This is a great Monday theme! I know Mondays can sometimes be difficult, so knowing you can throw on some comfortable PJs is a huge PLUS! It is usually cool enough to wear your favorite flannel PJs by this time of the year. Of course, slippers are a natural companion to PJs, but make sure students have sturdy shoes at school for recess and other activities outside of their classrooms.
3. Team Up Against Drugs! – Wear Your Favorite Team Gear
Encourage your students to wear their school spirit attire or their favorite college or professional team gear to school on this day. Lots of kids will even wear their soccer uniforms.
4. Hats Off to Being Drug Free! – Wear your Favorite or Silly Hat
Because hats aren’t typically allowed to be worn in school (at least not where I’ve been), kids really look forward to wearing their hats for the entire school day. I’ve always loved to wear my favorite “Mini” Minnie ears.
5. Say “BOO” to Drugs! – Wear a costume
This theme day came about when the 31st landed on a school day. Many kids (and teachers) were always more inclined to dress for the holiday, so we turned it into a theme. Students were only allowed to wear “school-appropriate” costumes. This year, the 31st falls on a Monday. You may choose to end your RRW celebrations that Friday or carry it over for the last official day with this theme. We’ve also used the theme “Orange You Glad to Be Drug Free?” and worn orange on the 31st.
6. Be All You Can Be! Drug Free! – Wear Camo Attire
As an Army brat, this was right up my alley. The students wore everything from camo hats and tops to camo pants.
7. We’re Drug Free from Head to Toe! – Wear a Crazy Hat and Crazy Socks
This theme was really a combination of Crazy Hat Day and Crazy Socks Day which is themed, “Sock it to Drugs!” This a good one to combine if you have several themes you’re trying to squeeze in. The crazy socks could also work independently on picture day (if there’s a conflict} as well as number 8.
8. My Future is Bright! I’m Drug Free! – Wear Sunglasses
Eventually, the secretary made sure picture day didn’t happen during Red Ribbon Week, but there was a time when it happened regularly. Sunglasses are fun for kids to wear in the building and they are easy to put to the side during picture time. Another option for this theme is to”Dress for Success” which is perfect for pictures! And, if it’s not picture day, dress up in clothes that represent each person’s career choice.
9. We “Mustache” You Not to Do Drugs! – Wear a mustache
It’s pretty funny seeing staff and children in mustaches. You can usually find them at Dollar Tree, but don’t wait until the last minute. I like the idea of using the self-adhesive ones, but they can also be drawn with an eyeliner pencil.
10. Being Drug Free is No Sweat! – Wear Sweat Clothes
This is another great one for Mondays. Like the PJs, sweats are a nice comfortable way to start the week.
Red Ribbon Week Activities
Although dress up days are fun, the most important thing to drive home with your students is WHY we celebrate Red Ribbon Week. Take time during the classes you work with during that week to teach them about why being drug free is so important. They need to know how drugs can affect a person’s body negatively.
Kids also need to learn that there are drugs they may take that don’t fall under the same category as the drugs they should stay away from like cough medicine or Tylenol. You can also discuss with older students how drug abuse may affect a person’s body. Additionally, it’s a good time to discuss what peer pressure is and why they shouldn’t allow themselves to be pressured into ever doing something that could affect their health.
You can use The Red Ribbon Week Files to have these discussions with your students. Like the majority of the Savvy Files, it has both a lower-grade and upper-grade version and pamphlets for a print-and-go option. Be sure to grab yours!
Leave a comment below with one of your favorite Red Ribbon Week dress-up days.
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