National Custodian Day 2024: Celebrate With These Unique Ideas

Honor these incredibly valuable staff members.

Ideas for celebrating National Custodian Day 2023
We Are Teachers; @delavan_darien_schools and @bcecougarpride via Instagram

October 2, 2024, is National Custodian Day, and we’ve got lots of unique ideas to help you celebrate!

What is National Custodian Day?

Every educator knows it: Schools would literally fall apart if it weren’t for the custodial staff. They keep your school running every single day (even when your latest craft project involves major glitter spills), giving students clean and tidy spaces to learn and grow. While we think they deserve to be celebrated every single day, National Custodian Day is the one day the calendar set aside just for them.

National Custodian Day 2024 is Wednesday, October 2. Consider kicking off your week with a school assembly in their honor, or greet them at the door with coffee and donuts. Or try one of these custodian appreciation activities, rounded up from real schools across the country.

National Custodian Day 2024 Ideas and Activities

Need some clever ways to honor your school’s custodial staff? We’ve got you covered!

The A+ Custodian book cover
Amazon

Invite custodians to story time

Invite your custodian to join your class on the carpet for story time! If they’d like to, they can even be the guest reader. Check out these 10 Books That Celebrate School Custodians to find the perfect read.

A selection of handmade thank you cards for National Custodian Day
@dmartinteach via Instagram

Create heartfelt thank-yous

Words of thanks really do mean a lot. Create individual cards, or work on a big version from each class instead. Be sure to express what makes your custodial staff extra special. Read this open letter to custodial staff for inspiration, then have students write their own.

Custodian holding a spiral-bound book of thank you notes
@delavan_darien_schools via Instagram

Write them a book

Take things a step further by putting together a whole book of thank-you notes! Have each student write a note or draw a picture, then bind them together into one sweet gift.

School custodian sits by a large banner saying We Heart James, covered in student signatures and notes
@tolechs via Instagram

Sign a banner

This big banner full of notes from kids and staff is easy to make and sure to make them smile!

Four members of a school custodial staff gathered in front of the school, with a note saying DWE appreciates you, in honor of National Custodian Day
@duewest_es via Instagram

Give them a social media shout-out

Feature their photos and maybe even a few fun facts about each custodian. Or show them in action, helping kids along their educational journey.

School custodian holds a miniature Caution standee sign that says Caution, Awesome Custodian
@sapulpapublicschools via Instagram

Craft a clever sign

How fun is this mini “Caution” sign, personalized for a custodian? These would be perfect for a class arts-and-crafts project.

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School custodians walking through a hallway filled with students thanking them for their hard work. Text reads Mr. Garrison!
@niskayunaschools via Instagram

Do a celebratory walk-through

Have students line the halls to cheer their custodians as they walk through! This is the kind of personalized touch that really shows staff members how valuable they are.

School custodian standing by a sign and balloons celebrating National Custodian Day
@oakstlions via Instagram

Deck the halls

Decorate the halls or the custodial office with signs, balloons, and other festive decorations. Let students get involved, since they’re the ones that really benefit from custodians’ hard work.

Decorate their door

Have kids decorate the door of the custodian’s room/closet with positive messages of how important the custodian is to them.

Custodian holds a sign reading Happy National Custodian Day with a appreciative note
@adventuresofaschoolmarm via Instagram

Create a certificate

Print a certificate they can hang on their wall to celebrate how much students and staff appreciate them. Include a picture for kids to color or room to draw their own.

A custodian's office door covered with sticky note thank yous
@heritageoakhuskies via Instagram

Leave them notes

This is an easy way to celebrate National Custodian Day 2024, involving nothing more than some sticky notes! It only takes a minute or two to write a message that can really make someone’s day.

Students helping to set up and clean lunch tables in honor of National Custodian Day
@cyfallshoops via Instagram

Give them a break

Ask if there are any daily tasks your students can do on National Custodian Day to give your cleaning staff a bit of a break!

Set of cookies decorated with a custodian and cleaning theme
@cuteeatcookies via Instagram

Customize some cookies

Visit a local bakery and ask them to customize cookies for the special day with a custodian or cleaning theme.

A rock painted for National School Custodian Appreciation Day, saying "thank you for making BCE sparkle"
@bcecougarpride via Instagram

Show them they’re your rock

This painted rock says so much! You could also paint a wall mural or decorate the sidewalks leading into the school.

School custodians standing by a nacho bar set up for National Custodian Day
@hssavanna via Instagram

Buy them lunch (or dinner)

Everybody loves a free meal! Be sure to ask what they’d like, and remember to accommodate dietary restrictions when necessary.

National Custodian Day Gift Ideas

While you may not be able to buy your school custodian a car the way these teachers did, you can still give them thoughtful gifts that show how much you appreciate them. Try these cool ideas.

Black shirt reading "Custodian: Because teachers need heroes too"
Amazon

Custodian Hero Tee

This shirt is sure to make your custodial staff grin, while teachers will nod knowingly every time they see it.

Buy it: School Custodian Shirt

Insulated mug reading Chaos Coordinator
Amazon

Chaos Coordinator Insulated Tumbler

When you stop to think about everything a custodian does each day, you realize they really are the ones that corral the chaos in your school buildings.

Buy it: Chaos Coordinator Insulated Tumbler

Black apron-style tool belt with pockets
Amazon

Work Belt Apron

Help them keep their favorite supplies handy wherever they are in the school. Personalize these strong work aprons using iron-on vinyl, or have them machine-embroidered for a special touch.

Buy it: Dickies Work Belt Apron

White coffee mug reading Relax, the custodian is here to save the day (again)
BeanMugs on Etsy

Custodian Mug

Fill this mug with candy or other treats, and tuck a Starbucks gift card inside to make a thoughtful National Custodian Day gift.

Buy it: Custodian Mug

Black t-shirt with colorful text reading School Custodian: I clear the trail for learning
Bardally via Etsy

Clear the Trail Custodian Shirt

This sweet message is also incredibly true. Custodians, we couldn’t do it without you!

Buy it: Clear the Trail Custodian Shirt

How does your school recognize your hardworking custodial staff? Come share your ideas and ask for advice in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Plus, check out What Is an Educational Paraprofessional?

National Custodian Day 2024 is October 2! Find creative ways to show your appreciation for these vital school team members here.