Red Ribbon Week Ideas for Elementary: No-Prep Activities & Door Decorating or Bulletin Board Ideas

Red Ribbon Week Activities

Looking for Red Ribbon Week ideas that are actually easy to use? You're in the right place. Whether you're short on time or just want something meaningful without all the cutting and laminating, these no-prep Red Ribbon Week activities are perfect for your elementary classroom.

Plus, I’ll share one of my favorite Red Ribbon Week door decoration ideas that doubles as a student reflection tool and bulletin board display!

1. “This or That?” Healthy Habits Edition

No materials needed—just clear a little space in your room.

Ask your students to move to one side or the other as you read off choices:

• Water or soda?

• Sports or screen time?

• Helping a friend or joining in teasing?

This quick movement game sparks conversation and encourages kids to think critically about healthy choices.

2. Kindness Shout Outs

Throughout the week, give quick “shout outs” to students making smart, kind, or respectful choices.

Write their name on the board or invite a peer to give a shout out during closing circle. It reinforces the positive behaviors that Red Ribbon Week celebrates—no prep required.

3. Imagine Your Future (Mini Guided Reflection)

Have your class close their eyes for one minute and picture themselves at 25 years old.
Then ask:

• What job do you have?

• What healthy choices helped you get there?

• What distractions or negative influences did you avoid?

Have a few students share their answers. This simple reflection connects staying drug-free with long-term goals.

4. Role-Play Real-Life Situations

Give short, realistic peer pressure scenarios for students to act out. Example:

• “A friend dares you to try something dangerous.”

• “Someone tells you ‘everyone else is doing it."

This builds confidence and equips students to handle tough situations with integrity.

5. Secret Kindness Missions

Assign each student a kindness mission for the day:

• Smile at 5 people

• Offer to help a classmate

• Invite someone new to play

Students complete their missions in secret, then reflect together at the end of the day. This fosters connection and builds a drug-free culture of kindness.

BONUS: Red Ribbon Week Door Decoration You Can Print or Color

👉 Click HERE to get the Red Ribbon Week poster and door display kit.

Want to turn your classroom into a positive, visual reminder of Red Ribbon Week?

Grab this bold and uplifting Red Ribbon Week poster kit that works as:

• A door decoration

• A colorful bulletin board idea

• A student coloring activity

✅ Comes in full color and black & white
✅ Door-sized + tiled pages for standard printers
✅ Features the message: “My Future Is Bright—No Drugs In Sight!”

It’s the perfect way to wrap up your week with a visual anchor that reinforces everything your students are learning.

👉 Click HERE to get the Red Ribbon Week poster and door display kit.

📌 Save These Red Ribbon Week Ideas

Whether you’re planning last minute or want to keep it super simple, these Red Ribbon Week activities for elementary students are quick, meaningful, and effective—with no prep required.

Don’t forget to add the door decoration to your list of Red Ribbon Week bulletin board ideas for a display your students will be proud of!

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Shelly Anton is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. ** This means there are Amazon affiliate links in these blog posts. This does not mean you pay a dime more when you purchase a product through the link. It just means I am trying to save you valuable teacher time by making it easier for you to find great resources for your students, and I earn a few cents for my research and time. Thank you for all you do for kids!