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Suggested Activites for 100th Day

Here are some favorite activities teachers are doing when celebrating the 100th Day of School!!

Have the children make a collection of 100 items and display them on a poster board

Make up your own trail mix using 100 items of each ingredient

Line up 100 children

Say hello in 100 languages

This idea is from Cathy N.:


After exercising 100 times, (10 jumping jacks + 10times touching toes, etc.), I take out a stop watch and we have 100 seconds of silence. I really enjoy that 100 seconds!

Here is an idea sent from Melissa Troutman, Pekin, Illinois:


We worked with a buddy and traced each others' feet. Each of the children colored and decorated one foot, and then combined with the other children in other classes, we taped the footprints down the hall and marked off every 10 feet until we reached 100, so the children could see exactly how many 100 footprints are. The children really enjoyed this.

We also made a class book: If I had $100.00 I would buy___________. I xeroxed a $100.00 bill onto the classbook page, and each child wrote and drew what they would buy. We worked together with other classes in our building (a multiage activity) on this project. Then we had a huge classbook to display during our Open House in February.

Here is an idea sent from Barbara W., East Newark, NJ:


As part of our 100 day celebration, we make several boxes of Jello "Booberry" flavored jello (it is blue in color). We pour it into a shallow glass pyrex plate and let it set for a little while. Before it completely sets, we insert 100 red candy sweedish fish. We count as we insert them. We then let the jello completely set. When set, you have a 100 fish aquarium. While it is setting we make an ocean mural. I have 100 clip art fish for children to color. We glue them one by one onto our ocean mural while counting. When finished, we eat our jello aquarium scene.

Here is an idea sent from Deborah Ford:


Since February is Black History month, select 100 book jackets of books that are written by or about an African-American. Overlap the edges. It looks great and improves ciculation! It's like a visual card catalog.

Here is an idea sent from Lindy S. Isley:


*Sung to the tune of "Yankee Doodle Dandy"

Verse 1:

I can count up to 100,
It's so easy if you try.
I can't believe that since we started school
100 days have gone by.
Now let's all count up to 100
Come on try it once with me
We'll finish up with 99,
And last we'll say 100
Let's start out with 1, 2, 3.
(then count as a group to 100 by 1's)

Verse 2:

I can count up to 100,
It's so easy if you try.
But this time instead of using 1's,
I'll try to count it by 5's.
Counting this way is much faster
So it doesn't take as long.
First say 5 and then say 10,
And end up with 100,
Come on and join in my song.
(count as a group by 5's)

Verse 3:

I can count up to 100,
Now I'll try it once again.
But this time instead of 1's or 5's,
I'll try to count it by 10's.
Counting this way is the fastest,
It is also lots of fun.
First say 10 and then say 20,
End up with 100,
Our song is almost done!
(count to 100 by 10's)

Here is an idea sent from Elle Hecht:


I hold a school wide contest entitled "Guess which jar has 100 pieces of candy". Each student is given a ballot prior to coming into my pre-first classroom and after they view my students 100th day projects (collections of 100), they get to guess which jar has the 100 pieces in it by dropping their ballot off in a basket next to that particular jar (and there are 3 jars of candy.) Then they go out into the hallway and walk of the 100 footsteps that are laminated on a roll of paper and taped down to the hallway floor. They count the footsteps and they walk on the roll as they return to their classrooms. At the end of the day, I announce the winning jar # of candy, and distribute one piece of candy to each winner. Their name and room # are on the ballots.

Here is an idea sent from Lori Lewis:


Because the hundreth day fell in February, Black History Month, I had the children compile a list of 100 African-Americans that have made a difference.

Here are several ideas sent from Margo Ennis:


• One year we had K -2 collect hundreds of pennies. As the children brought them in each classroom counted them, tallying each set of 100. As the pennies were collected, they were put on display in a large aquarium in a display case where the entire school community could watch its progress.. We collected pennies for a week. As one of the ways to get grades 3 -8 involved we encouraged students in those grades to keep track of the progress of the penny project and to submit their estimates of the total number of pennies collected. The child whose estimate was the closest was recognized during announcements and given a large candy bar as a prize. The money became the beginnings of our Lenten donations to the needy. (If able, arrange with a local bank to count the pennies, free of charge. Otherwise, arrange for lots of parent volunteers to count the money. The children want to know the results of the estimate contest pretty quickly, and the final counting can take a long time.)
• Laminate individual hundreds counting charts, with the numbers,for a small group. Using a commercial die, each child takes turns throwing the die and coloring their chart the same number as is shown on the die for their turn e.g. roll 5, color the first 5 squares, next turn, roll 3, color next 3 squares etc. The first child to get to 100, filling the entire grid is the winner. A faster version is for all to have their own die and the child to get 100 first wins. No prizes but applause from the group.
• In a group have the children decide the fastest way to cut 100 squares the same as a sample square from a piece of paper. (Or have the squares pre-cut.) The group uses the 100 squares to make a picture. Can also be an individual project.
• If it is near Valentine's Day, make 100 Valentine cards for local nursing home residents.
• Snack - Use one pretzel and two oval crackers to make the numeral "100". Using a oval template a little smaller than the cracker, cut two pieces of chesse to go on the cracker.
• Clip 100 paper clips together. With a partner measure things in the room that are as long, shorter than, and longer than the paper clip chain We use third grade partners to work with the kindergarten students. They measure together. After each measurement the third grader writes the word for the item, the kindergarten student draws a simple picture of it.
• We sing the following song to the tune of "Ta-ra-ra boom de ay"

  It's the 100th day.
  So shout hip-hip hooray!
  We'll count and eat and play,
  On the 100th day!

  See all we've collected.
  100's on display.
  Join in the fun and say,
  Hooray for the 100th Day!

  We sing this over the PA at the beginning of the day.

• Each child estimates how long his/her collections will be if he/she lays them end to end. They place a piece of tape at the beginning and at the end of their estimate. They then check their estimate by actually laying out their collections. An alternate is for them to work in pairs and to verbally guess which of the two collections will be longer, and then they check their guess.
• For Phys. Ed. Do and count 10 sets of:
  • sit-ups
  • touching the toes, then the shoulders, the waist etc.
  • jumping on both feet
  • jumping jacks
  • wiggles all over
  • hops on one foot, then on the other
  • bounces of a ball
  • claps
  • shrugs
• Can also use the Phys Ed. movements individually as actions during transitional moments during the day.
• One Hundred Hanging Objects

  As a group decide how many of a set item (hearts for Valentines Day or some other object which correlates with your current curriculum theme) each child has to make to have 100 hanging items in the class. Have each child trace and cut-out that shape. Have them illustrate something related to the theme. ( For hearts I have them draw kind actions they can do for others.) Attach ten of the objects to various lengths of yarn and hang in the classroom. (By using varying lengths the children can see that different arrangements of the same-sized objects do not affect the number.)

• Before the 100th day our students make posters by each stamping 10 times on a piece of paper. Children each stamp 10 times till we get to 100 on each poster. We write "Happy 100th Day!". We post them around the school.
• The night before the 100th Day tecahers decorate the entrance to the school with crepe paper, posters showing the various individual 100's Day collections, "Happy 100th Day" posters and a larger than life poster of "Zero the Hero" . All the grades love looking at the collection posters.

Here is an idea sent from Sandra D. Litteken:


• Students draw a picture of how they will look when they are 100 years old. (These are hysterical!) They also write about the picture.
• Another idea is how many times can students write their name in 100 seconds - predict, then actually do it.

Here is an idea:


Last year, we had the students break into groups and put together 100 piece puzzles. We did the activity with the entire school (250 students). After we finished with the puzzles, we used some of them as prizes and took the rest to the nursing home.

Here is an idea sent from Lenore Nier:


On the 100th day of school we put together a list of 100 things in which we are thankful for. I encourage the students to be very creative and thoughtful as they come up with their ideas. The word "things" does not really mean material items.

Here is an idea sent from Mary Ellis:


Have the students illustrate and write about each of these four topics: 100 miles, 100 dollars, 100 pounds, 100 years. Share with the class. It is very interesting to see the perceptions the students have!

Here is an idea sent from Marcia at Vacaville, California:


I make a 100th Day Word Book. I compiled a list of appropiate Dolch list words for the children in my class. Then I designed a booklet to put these words in. We will to ten words a day starting 10 days before the 100th day. SO, we will finish the last words on the 100th day. The covers for the books (all on half sheets of paper) will be made from colored paper, and the insides on white.

Here is an idea sent from Marilyn Lewis:


• Estimate how much space 100 popcorn kernels will take up (unpopped). Then using an air popper, pop them and estimate how many will pop and how much space they will take up. I also like to take the lid off the air popper and let the popcorn fly out the top. I have the students sit in a circle way around the popper and put a small piece of paper (one half of a 3x5 card) with their name on it around the popper. If a piece of popcorn lands on their paper, they get a prize. The popcorn doesn't go very far from the popper, just don't let the kids get too close in case an unpopped kernel flies out.
• I also have the kids eat 100 pieces of popcorn and write their numbers each time they eat until they get to 100.

Here is an idea sent from Meg Harms:


• Last year in my kindergarten, the children popped 100 balloons in our gym while I timed them to see how long it would take. I enlisted the aide of the high school students in our school to blow up the 100 balloons while in study hall. They were more than willing! My kindergarteners loved it. It really got them "pumped " for our special day!
• I also have the children (kindergarteners) bring two "collections" to school in zip-lock bags. One baggie is labeled "100" and in it are exactly 100 items that their parents helped them count out by groups of 10. The second baggie is labeled "?" and it has an estimation of 100 items. On the 100th day, I have the children partner up the items in each bag to see if the estimation bag equals 100 or not. That way they do not have to count, but only match 1-1.
• I divided the class up into equal groups of 3 or 4 children. I then gave them a bag with 100 pattern blocks in it. They were to cooperatively create a design using the blocks in their bag. I will warn you that for some kindergarteners, this can be a challenge! After the designs were made, I took pictures of them to display.

Here is an idea sent from Judy Pilcher:


My kindergartners are learning to write to 100. I have them work with a partner (I usually pair up a child that is struggling with this with someone that is good at it), and they write to 100 on adding machine tape. Each child had a different colored marker, and they alternate writing the numbers. (For example 1 is red, 1 is blue, 3 is red, 4 is blue.....on and on to 100). The kids absolutly love to do this, and it is amazing how much they teach each other!!

Here is an idea sent from Chuck Yeager:


1. EACH student makes a book of 100 words which he/she can read. This book may/may not be in story form. It can be written, computer generated, cut out from magazines, newspapers, etc... Students bring in very creative books ("feely" books, pop-up books, shape books, etc...). (Students create these books at home prior to DAY 100.)
2. Also, my students keep a list of 100 books they read up to this point. All students who have read 100 books receives an award!

Here is an idea sent from Flinn Elementary in Charleston, West Virginia:


• Set up 100 cereal boxes in domino fashion and have children knock them down to watch them fall.
• Take a indoor parachute and popcorn 100 pair of rolled up socks or put 100 one dollar bills in the parachute (not real ones).
• Dance for 100 seconds

Here is an idea sent from St. John's Episcopal School in Oklahoma City:


We plan 10+ centers worth 10 points each. The children's goal for the day is to comlpete all ten and earn 100 points! We make a record sheet for them to mark each center as it is completed. (Children work all day in these centers instead of our regular 45 minute center time.) Any centers over 10 are extra points for the day. Some center ideas include:

• Each student illustrates a picture of how he/she will look at age 100.
• Using the number line we have made from day 1, students count 100 items.
• Students stamp numerals 1 to 100 using rubber stamps.
• Students type numerals 1 to 100.
• Using a lite-brite, children create a design using 100 lights.
• Students complete 100 addition facts.
• Students complete a 100 piece puzzle.

Here is an idea sent from Resa Bash:

• About a week before our l00th Day, I have each child bring in $2.00 in order to purchase a white t-shirt. Then with the help of parent volunteers we paint 20 handprints or l0 sets of handprints on the front of the shirt leaving a space at the top of the shirt (around the collar) where we paint "l00 Days". Then the children wear the shirts on the l00th Day! We also parade around the school "showing off" our shirts as we are singing l00 Day songs. And of course we take pictures of each class in a group picture for the yearbook! What's really neat is seeing the children wearing their shirts the next year when they're in first grade!!
• Another activity we do is after I've made a GIANT ladybug (bigger than the kids), the children then cut out black construction paper dots (discuss how many dots each child would need to do to equal l00), then have them glue the dots on the ladybug in rows of 5 (count by 5's). Then I make a giant leaf that says "Our l00 dot ladybug" and put the leaf and the ladybug in the hallway with our display of our other l00 activities.

Here is an idea sent from Sherri Schrock:

We had painter's caps donated from a local lumber yard and sent one home with each child. The parent and the child together decorated the hat with 100 things. It was super and involved the parents too. We had 100 dots, stripes, ribbons, macaroni's, popcorn's, cereal, buttons, and stickers!

Here is a Penny Harvest idea sent from Holly Filson/Heath:

We held a 'Penny Harvest'. Each child was asked to bring 100 pennies (they harvested up the loose change at home) to school.

• The students estimated how much 100 pennies would weigh, how high they could stack 100 pennies, how many pennies it would take to outline a child, and what the grand total amount would be of the pennies.
• There were many math activities we could do with the pennies: number of shinny pennies vs. dull pennies, find your birth year on a penny, if 100 pennies weighs so much, how much would 200, 300 pennies weigh, graph pennies by date, etc.
• We then donated ALL the pennies the students in the whole school had brought to a local charity. It's fun to roll a wagon weighed down with ice cream buckets full of pennies into the bank for counting!

Here is an idea sent from Dean Gugler:

As each child entered the door on the 100th day, they were given a number. Then, all through the day a timer went off every 10 minutes. At that point someone would choose a name from a hat and the person with that number got a small prize. Every 100th minute, the winner would get two small prizes. All the children enjoyed the anticipation and we counted by tens everytime the timer went off and kept a record on the blackboard. I made sure that I was outside during recesses with the timer and the prize box. We stopped after every child had at least one prize.

Here are some ideas sent from Carol Bostian:

• 100 Day Crowns
  1. Cut a crown to fit each child's head
  2. Have 10 rubber stamps and stamp pads available. Each child stamps each of the 10 stamps 10 times. Then children can count the sets of 10 by tens to 100.
  3. Children wear their 100 crown during the 100th day celebration.
• Ask each child to dictate what they would buy with $100. Then the children illustrate their items and display on a classroom bulletin board.

Here are some ideas sent from D. Quirk:

1. See what you can make with 100 legos
2. Give your students 100 pennies and see how many pennies would be in each group if they were divided in 2,4,5 and 10 groups.
3. Make a poster for your hallway that has 100 painted handprints
4. Make 100 Valentines if your 100th Day is close to Valentines Day

Here's an idea sent to us from Hawaii:

1. Make a lei necklace using any kind of cereal with holes (Cheerios, Fruit Loops, etc.).
2. Take a piece of yarn (or use red rope licorice) and tightly wrap a piece of masking tape at one end (this aids in threading the cereal).
3. Thread 10 pieces of cereal on the yarn, then add a short piece of straw, add ten more pieces of cereal, then straw, etc. until you have 100 pieces of cereal on your neclace. You're teaching place value: 10 tens make 100!
4. Wear your lei to lunch, then eat your lei at lunch if you want!

Here's some great ideas from P. Mackenna:

1. Read the book 100 Hungry Ants
2. Predict how far 100 steps would take you ...to the gym? ...to the lunchroom?
3. How many teachers' ages would we have to add together to get 100?

Here's some great ideas from L. Wilson:

1. Have a 100 day party using baking sheet cakes and have students count out 100 candles.
2. Have contests: who can count backwards from 100 fastest, who can jump 100 jumping jacks the fastest, etc. Use $100,000 candy bars (or Pay Days) for prizes.

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last updated October 12, 2001 *­* pages created January 4, 1997
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