When it comes to celebrating classroom birthdays, every parent wants to bring a treat that will make their child’s day special while keeping chaos to a minimum. A kindergarten teacher recently shared her thoughts on why cupcakes may not be the best choice for school birthday parties, and now she’s facing a lot of backlash online since not many moms and teachers shared her ideas. Ann Brackemyer (@kbcrayons) recently shared her thoughts on a TikTok where it received over two million views.
A kindergarten teacher and mother of four has some simple advice for anyone considering bringing candy to celebrate a classroom birthday. The teacher explains that while cupcakes are a classic birthday snack, they can be more trouble than they’re worth. “They make a huge 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 kids “honestly don’t eat them” because they’re overwhelmed by the sugary frosting and the mess it creates.
So what’s the alternative? Brackemyer offers some practical and great suggestions that will make birthday parties more fun and enjoyable for everyone involved. First up: cookies. Not just any cookies, but ones with sprinkles. “The kids love them,” says the teacher, “and they eat them, and they don’t make a huge mess.” Cookies are easy to make, make less of a mess, and come in lots of fun designs and flavors that the kids can’t resist.
Donuts are also a great choice. “They’re really small too,” 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 sundaes. Brackemyer mentions that these are a huge hit in the classroom. “All the kids love them, and we put little sprinkles on them. They loved it. They had so much fun and ate it all up without making a mess,” she says. Before bringing these sundaes, however, check to see if the teacher has a freezer available. “Your teacher may have a freezer in their classroom or break room,” she advises. A quick question to the teacher could ensure that these sundaes are a success without causing any logistical issues.
As a final recommendation, Brackemyer suggests exploring the Little Debbie section. “Go to the Little Debbie section. Get one of those Little Debbie snacks.” Cosmic Brownies, in particular, are popular in many classrooms. These prepackaged snacks are convenient and popular with kids, making them a great choice for a birthday gift.
Well, you might think those are great options, but the teacher faced some major criticism under the video. “I bring what my kid chooses! It’s their birthday, they get to choose,” said @itsbrittniiii. “As a teacher, the kids don’t care, they eat anything, and we don’t care, we’ll clean them up. Let’s keep bringing cupcakes because I want one,” added teacher @melly.s_world. “As a teacher, I literally bring cupcakes for my kids to enjoy. They’re kids. Relax lol,” commented @bkorn931.
Although there were comments against her, some people also stood up for the teacher. @katemazzaschi said, “She just offers a different perspective, maybe one you haven’t thought about before. Bring what you/your child wants – now at least you know what it’s like when you’re not there to see it.” Another teacher @bi.sapphic added, “It’s definitely going to be an unpopular opinion, but I’m a kindergarten teacher (I co-teach with others in our Junior K program) and I’ve noticed the same thing: cupcakes (except mini cupcakes) never get done.”
You can follow Ann Brackemyer (@kbcrayons) on TikTok for more lifestyle content.
