Kindergarten teacher shares 'unpopular opinion' on what treats to avoid for classroom birthdays

When it comes to celebrating birthdays in the classroom, every parent wants to bring a treat that makes their child’s day special while also keeping the chaos to a minimum. A kindergarten teacher recently shared her thoughts on why cupcakes might not be the best choice for school birthday celebrations, and now she's facing a lot of backlash online as not many moms and teachers agreed with her ideas. Ann Brackemyer (@kbcrayons) recently shared her thoughts on a TikTok where it gained over two million views.

A kindergarten teacher and mom of four has a simple piece of advice if you’re considering bringing treats to celebrate a birthday in class. The teacher explains that while cupcakes are a classic birthday treat, they can be more trouble than they’re worth. “These make a ginormous mess,” she says in her video. The frosting often ends up everywhere and kids are unsure how to handle the sticky situation. It’s not just about the mess though. Brackemyer notes that the kids “honestly don’t eat them” because they’re overwhelmed by the sugary frosting and the chaos it creates.

So, what’s the alternative? Brackemyer offers some practical and delightful suggestions that will surely make birthday celebrations smoother and more enjoyable for everyone involved. First up: cookies. Not just any cookies, but the kind with sprinkles. “The kids love them,” the teacher says, “and they eat them, and they’re not a ginormous mess.” Cookies are easy to manage, less likely to make a mess, and they come in a variety of fun designs and flavors that kids find irresistible.

Donuts also make the cut. “These are also really small,” the teacher points out, making them a great option for little hands. “Casey’s General Store has great donuts that you can order, and the kids love them.” Their small size means fewer crumbs and less mess compared to cupcakes.

Another fantastic suggestion is individual ice cream cups. Brackemyer mentions that these are a huge hit in the classroom. “All the kids love them, and we put little sprinkles on there. They loved it. It was so fun for them and they ate it all and it wasn’t messy,” she says. Before bringing these though, it’s a good idea to check if the teacher has a freezer available. “Your teacher may have a freezer in their classroom or the break room,” she advises. A quick question to the teacher could ensure that these ice cream cups are a hit without any logistical hiccups.

For a final recommendation, Brackemyer suggests exploring the Little Debbie aisle. “Go in the Little Debbie aisle. Get any one of these Little Debbie snacks.” Cosmic brownies, in particular, are a favorite in many classrooms. These pre-packaged snacks are convenient and beloved by children, making them a solid choice for a birthday treat.

Well, you may think these are great options but the teacher faced huge backlash under the video. "I bring in whatever my child chooses! It’s their birthday, they get to pick," said @itsbrittniiii. "As a teacher, the kids don’t care, they’ll eat anything nor do we care, we’ll clean them up. Keep the cupcakes coming cuz I want one," added teacher @melly.s_world. "As a teacher, I literally bring cupcakes for my kids to enjoy. They’re kids. Chill lol," commented @bkorn931.

Even though there were comments against her, few people also stood up for the teacher. @katemazzaschi said, "Ya'll she's just offering a different perspective, perhaps one you haven't thought about. Bring what you/your kid wants - at least now you know what it's like when you aren't there to see it." Another school teacher @bi.sapphic added, "It’s definitely going to be an unpopular opinion but I’m a daycare teacher (I co-teach our jr k program) and I’ve noticed the same thing cupcakes (unless mini) never get finished."

You can follow Ann Brackemyer (@kbcrayons) on TikTok for more lifestyle content.