Red Ribbon Week 2025 Teaching Resources
Get ready for National Red Ribbon Week 2025 with our teacher team's favorite Red Ribbon Week ideas, printable activities, and decorating ideas for the classroom to help you teach students about the importance of being drug-free.
Is this your first year recognizing Red Ribbon Week with your class? Although it's a national celebration, we realize not every school celebrates, so our teacher team has all the information you need to prep for this drug prevention week — from what the week is all about to the dates to add to your classroom calendar!
Already know all about this October week? Feel free to skip ahead to download printables and digital activities for your classroom!
What Is Red Ribbon Week?
First things first: What is Red Ribbon Week all about, and why do so many schools celebrate?
Red Ribbon Week is considered the largest drug prevention awareness campaign in the US. National Red Ribbon Week is held every fall with teachers and students in schools all around the country participating in anti-drug activities and wearing a red ribbon during the week of October 23-31.
Red Ribbon Week began in 1988 after the death of US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. Camerena was killed by drug traffickers in 1985, and the National Family Partnership (NFP) began the wearing of red ribbons in his home state of California to honor him.
The tradition grew to national prominence from there, and now you'll see students and teachers at thousands of schools taking part. Because Camarena was part of the federal agency, you'll also see support from the US government.
When Is Red Ribbon Week 2025?
Red Ribbon Week is celebrated during the last week of October every year, but unlike most awareness weeks, which run from Sunday to Saturday, this one sticks to the same exact dates and culminates on Halloween.
That means that in 2025 (and every year after!), Red Ribbon Week will be held October 23-31.
What Is the Theme of Red Ribbon Week 2025?
If you're looking to theme your Red Ribbon Week activities or set up a bulletin board that matches what's going on in other classrooms around the country, the Red Ribbon Week theme can make things a bit easier for you.
The 2025 theme will be announced in Feburary.
Past Red Ribbon Week Themes
Looking for more ideas for this year's Red Ribbon Week? In addition to exploring this collection of resources, a look back at the themes from past years may be helpful!
Here are a few themes from more than 30 years of Red Ribbon Week:
- Life Is Your Journey. Travel Drug Free.
- Send a Message. Stay Drug Free.
- Celebrate Life. Live Drug-Free.
- Life is a Movie, Film Drug Free
Who Was Kiki Camarena?
Among the many activities on your agenda, you may want to teach your students a bit more about the man who inspired a national drug-free movement.
Enrique "Kiki" Camarena was born in Mexico but grew up and graduated from high school in California before joining the US Marine Corps and serving his country for two years.
Camarena served as a firefighter and police officer in California before joining the federal Drug Enforcement Agency and eventually being sent to Mexico to track some of the country's biggest drug traffickers. The father of three was just 37 years old when he was kidnapped by traffickers and murdered in 1985.
Back in his hometown of Calexico, California, Congressman Duncan Hunter and high school friend Henry Lozano launched Camarena Clubs in Kiki's hometown to honor their lost friend. Hundreds of club members put on red ribbons and pledged to lead drug-free lives to honor his sacrifices, paving the way for the fight against drugs we celebrate today.
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Red Ribbon Week Game- Smart Choices Interactive
Review Red Ribbon Week ideas with an interactive game for students to learn to make smart choices regarding drugs and alcohol.
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Red Ribbon Worksheet - Making Healthy Choices
Use a Red Ribbon Week Printable worksheet to help students differentiate between good and bad choices.
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Frankly, I Think Drugs Are Frightful Writing Template - Red Ribbon Week
Celebrate Red Ribbon Week and Halloween with a printable Red Ribbon Week Frankenstein craft.
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Clapboard Craft for Red Ribbon Week 2024
Promote drug awareness during Red Ribbon Week 2024 with a ‘Life’s a Movie, Film Drug-Free’ Clapboard Craft Template
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Life’s a Movie, Live Drug Free Coloring Sheet
Promote drug awareness during Red Ribbon Week 2024 with a ‘Life’s a Movie, Film Drug-Free’ coloring sheet.
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Stamp Out Drugs! Red Ribbon Week Worksheet
Spread the word and help ‘stamp’ out drug and alcohol use with a printable Red Ribbon Week activity.
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I Don't Give a HOOT About Drugs - Red Ribbon Week Owl Craft
Help your students say, “I Don’t Give a Hoot About Drugs!” with a printable Ribbon Week Craft Activity.
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I Pledge to Be Drug Free - Red Ribbon Week Craft and Write
Show off your students’ pledges to be drug-free with a printable Red Ribbon Week craft and writing template.
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Drug-Free Me Flipbook and Craft
Display your students’ pledges to be drug-free with a Red Ribbon Week flip book and craft activity.
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Red Ribbon Week Activity - Digital Centers
Save time writing your Red Ribbon Week Lesson plans with a Digital drug awareness activity for first grade.
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Healthy or Hurtful? Interactive Drug Awareness Game
Encourage students to make healthy choices with a Red Ribbon Week “Healthy or Hurtful” interactive game.
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Red Ribbon Week Posters - Printable & Colorable
Print or color Red Ribbon Week posters to spread the message of living a drug-free life.
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Don't Do Drugs! Coloring Pages
Say No to Drugs with a set of printable Red Ribbon Week coloring sheets for kindergarten and first grade.
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Red Ribbon Week Slogans Coloring Pages
Create beautiful posters with our coloring sheets featuring different Red Ribbon Week Slogans.
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Drug-Free Flip Book - Red Ribbon Week Activity
Teach drug awareness for kids with a printable Red Ribbon Week flipbook.
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Drug Awareness Week- Cause and Effect Paper Chain Activity
Guide your students to discover the positive effects of being drug-free and the negative effects of using drugs with a printable Cause and Effect Paper Chain activity.
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Red Ribbon Worksheet - Safe or Unsafe?
Promote Red Ribbon Week concepts with a printable activity identifying safe and unsafe behaviors.
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Red Ribbon Color By Code - Good Choices vs. Bad Choices
Identify good and bad choices with a printable Red Ribbon Week color-by-code worksheet.
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Red Ribbon Week Agamograph
Celebrate Red Ribbon Week and create a fun 3D art display with a Red Ribbon Week Agamograph Craft Activity.
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Drugs Stink! Red Ribbon Week Skunk Craft
Drugs Stink! Help your students pledge to Say No to Drugs with a fun (and stinky) Red Ribbon Week Craft Activity.
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Drug Awareness and You - Red Ribbon Week Teaching Slides
Teach your students about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, peer pressure, and ways to say no to drugs with an interactive Red Ribbon Week teaching slide deck.
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Red Ribbon Week Poster Project
Show off your students’ pledges to be drug-free with a printable Red Ribbon Week poster project.
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Red Ribbon Week Quotes - Printable Coloring Pages
Use these Halloween-themed Red Ribbon Week coloring pages as a fun art activity with your students.
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Drugs Won't Be a Part of My Story! Red Ribbon Week Door Decorations
Win the Red Ribbon Week Door Decorating Contest with a printable Instagram-inspired Red Ribbon Week Door Decor Kit.