Bringing treats to school for your child's birthday is a popular way to make their birthday feel extra special, but some schools and classrooms have moved away from classroom birthday celebrations involving food. One teacher on TikTok has caused a bit of controversy — not because she banned birthday treats entirely — but because she told parents not to bring cupcakes on their kids' birthdays. The kindergarten teacher explained why she believes cupcakes are not the best birthday treat for young kiddos, and provided some alternative options for parents who want to bring birthday treats to school.
But some parents are very adamant about bringing cupcakes.
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The teacher explained why she thinks bringing cupcakes is a bad idea.
The kindergarten teacher, who goes by @KBcrayons on TikTok, admitted that she knew her opinion on cupcakes would be "unpopular." While she said she "loves to celebrate birthdays in [her] classroom," she said cupcakes "make a ginormous mess."
"Please don't bring cupcakes," she advised parents, adding that "the frosting gets all over" and "the kids aren't sure what to do."
She provided some examples of what parents can bring instead of cupcakes.
For parents who would like to have their child's birthday celebrated at school, there are other options that are not as messy, the teacher explained in her video.
She suggested bringing cookies, donuts, or ice cream cups with sprinkles. She recalled a time when the kids in her class enjoyed ice cream with sprinkles, and said, "They loved it. It was so fun for them."
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Some parents insist on bringing cupcakes.
Some parents who watched the teacher's video were not thrilled by her suggestions, and commented about how they would "send cupcakes" with "extra frosting."
"Bring cupcakes and ice cream, got it. ," one person commented on TikTok. "You seem fun ."
Another parent wrote: "I bring in whatever my child chooses! It’s their birthday, they get to pick ."
But others agreed that cupcakes are not the best option.
Although many parents insist on bringing cupcakes to school, others understood the teacher's point.
"I was my kindergartener's room mom last year & helped with all the holiday parties," one person wrote. "I actually said out loud during one 'note to self, don't send cupcakes.'"
"Love these ideas," another person commented. "Wish people respected teachers more."
Some parents even shared some additional ideas for less messy birthday treats, like mini cupcakes, Rice Krispies Treats, and cake pops.
The teacher had her son demonstrate why cupcakes are so messy.
Responding to a comment that read, "I don't understand how ice cream is less messy than cupcakes," the teacher made another video that showed her son eating a cupcake and ice cream.
She explained that kids "get frosting everywhere" when eating cupcakes, and said that this makes them feel "embarrassed." Still, many parents defended their right to bring in cupcakes.
"Kids are washable," one person commented. "Just enjoy the cupcake."
Another commented read, "never in the history of kids have kids been embarrassed they got icing on their face."
But some people who have worked with kids could relate to the teacher's videos.
"I’ve cleaned up too many cup cakes and I refused to let them be in my classroom," one former teacher commented.
