Red Ribbon Week Door Decorating Ideas

Red Ribbon Week is held each year from October 23-31. It's the largest drug-abuse prevention campaign in the country, targeting K-12 students. Schools participate in a variety of ways, like hosting special speakers, throwing contests, decorating school campuses, and more. Try these Red Ribbon Week ideas to encourage students to make smart choices and go drug-free every day!

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1. Decorate your doors

Doors decorated for Red Ribbon Week

This is probably one of the most popular Red Ribbon Week ideas! Many schools turn it into a contest.

Source: @dicksonstarspta

2. Hold a coloring contest

Coloring pages for Red Ribbon Week with a key theme (Red Ribbon Week Ideas)

Younger students love coloring contests! You can get this free key-themed printable to hold one of your own. Kids can also design their own sign or poster.

Learn more: The Counseling Teacher

3. Dress up for spirit days

List of dress-up ideas for Red Ribbon Week spirit days

We love how these themed spirit days reinforce the idea of making good choices. Clever and fun!

Learn more: Spirit Days/Not So Wimpy Teacher

4. Come up with a slogan

Say no to drugs, and yes to chicken nuggs

A few weeks in advance, hold a contest to come up with the best slogan. Students can compete as classes or individually. Use the winner as a theme and inspiration for Red Ribbon Week ideas.

Source: @kmsmiddles

5. Write a song or rap

Watch this video for inspiration, then have kids write their own Red Ribbon Week song or rap!

6. Take a group photo

Students and teachers wearing red posing in the shape of a red ribbon, photographed from above (Red Ribbon Week Ideas)

Dress in red, then have the whole school pose for a Red Ribbon Week photo op! Be a ribbon, spell out "drug-free," or come up with your own creative option. Don't forget to share to your school's social media accounts.

Source: The Fillmore Gazette

7. Take a school-wide pledge

Many Red Ribbon Week ideas involve students taking the pledge to stay drug-free. Hang a giant banner, and ask each student to sign as a promise to stay healthy and happy every day.

Source: Naomie Tate/Pinterest

8. Link up to be drug-free

Red paper chain with students' names written on each link

Lisa Danker says, "'Link Up to be a Drug Free School' is our Red Ribbon theme at our school this year. Students signed strips of paper as their pledge which linked together to make the chain that meandered down the hallway. It's a cool visual."

Source: Lisa Danker/Pinterest

9. Create a Red Ribbon Week bulletin board

Bulletin board featuring a red ribbon made from red handprints

Collaborate with students to make a bulletin board showing off their choice to be drug-free.

Source: Staten Island NYC Living

10. Add a new brag tag

Drug Free for Me brag tag (Red Ribbon Week Ideas)

Do you use reward tags in your classroom? Grab this free one for kids to add during Red Ribbon Week.

Learn more: Brag Tag/Not So Wimpy Teacher

11. Spell out a message

Live Drug Free spelled out on a chain link fence using plastic cups

Poke colored plastic cups through a chain-link fence to spell out your school's drug-free message!

Source: @nmmshuskies

12. Map out ways to resist peer pressure

Free printable peer pressure concept map worksheet (Red Ribbon Week Ideas)

Peer pressure is a real challenge for kids. This concept map gives them ways to resist that pressure. Get it for free at the link.

Learn more: The Owl Teacher

13. Explore hands-on, hands-off items

Two jars with red and green handprints, with items like cough drops and crayons

For very young students, Red Ribbon Week is a good time to introduce some basic concepts around drugs. This simple game helps teach them that they need to steer clear of medicines and other drugs unless a trusted adult provides them.

Learn more: The Handy School Counselor

14. Paint rocks with Red Ribbon Week messages

Small rock painted red saying "Drugs are SUS"

Spread your drug-free message in the community with painted rocks! Each student can decorate their own, then leave them around town for others to find.

Source: @payne_stuco

15. Eat bugs, don't do drugs

Students holding a red paper frame saying "I'd rather eat bugs than do drugs"

Don't worry, there's no need to eat real bugs! Give kids treats like gummi worms when they take their photo with this cute frame.

Learn more: Bright Futures Counseling

16. Post a chalk message

Three students lying by a chalk drawing saying Be happy, be brave, be drug-free (Red Ribbon Week Ideas)

Provide a big box of sidewalk chalk and send kids out to the playground to draw their best drug-free art and messages.

Source: @deahq

17. Learn what's healthy and what's hurtful

Free printable Healthy or Hurtful worksheet (Red Ribbon Week Ideas)

Being drug-free is all about making good choices. Use this worksheet to talk about healthy and hurtful actions, then brainstorm others with your class.

Learn more: 1st Grade Hip Hip Hooray

18. Fundraise with sponsored red ribbons

Red Ribbon Week Bow Sponsorship flyer

Raise money for Red Ribbon Week activities by offering sponsored bows. You can do this in a larger way among the community. Or, offer smaller bows to students to hang around the school for a few dollars each.

Source: @mhainoc

19. Record a PSA

The DEA hosts a PSA contest for colleges and universities each year. Younger students can get involved too. Challenge your students to write and film their own PSA. Share the winners during morning announcements or on social media.

20. Make Red Ribbon Week bookmarks

Anti-drug themed handmade bookmarks (Red Ribbon Week Ideas)

Let students design bookmarks with a drug-free message. You could even hold a contest and make copies of the winners to distribute to the whole school!

Source: @cks_nashville

21. Play Red Ribbon Bingo

Red Ribbon Bingo cards and markers

These Red Ribbon Bingo cards emphasize the smart choices kids can make when choosing a drug-free lifestyle. Buy them at the link, or make your own cards to use with your class.

Buy it: Oriental Trading

22. Search for a red ribbon

Red Ribbon Week pins, bookmarks, and bracelets

Students will love this one! Hide a red ribbon somewhere on school property each day. The first student to find it and bring to the principal's office receives some Red Ribbon Week swag. Here are some options:

Red Ribbon Week Pins
Drug-Free Ribbons
Live Drug-Free Bracelets

23. Wear a drug-free t-shirt

Red t-shirt saying "Say no to drugs, say yes to unicorns"

How cute is this shirt? It would be the perfect thing to wear to kick off Red Ribbon Week. It comes in kid sizes, too, so you could also offer it as a prize for contests.

Buy it: Say Yes to Unicorns Shirt/Amazon

What are your school's favorite Red Ribbon Week ideas? Come share on the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE Facebook group!

Plus, 10 Conversation Starters to Spark Authentic Classroom Discussions About Drugs and Alcohol.

23 Inspiring Red Ribbon Week Ideas and Activities For Schools