Filling the school cone: What goes into the school cone?

Fill a colorful school cone – discover special gifts for the school cone at HABA!

For the first day of school it is customary for parents, grandparents, or godparents to give first graders a school cone. On the first day of school the school cone is presented ceremonially. That is always a lovely surprise for the children and suits the special occasion. In most families the school cone is opened after the first-day celebration – great excitement about the special contents of the school cone is guaranteed! At HABA you'll find numerous tips for lovely and, above all, useful gifts for the school cone.

How big is a school cone?

Most school or 'Zuckertüte' cones are between 70 and 85 centimeters long. Some parents and children want to make and fill the school cone themselves, others buy ready-made school cones. You can find school cones, for example, in stationery stores or craft shops. It's best to first decide what you want to give the first graders and then buy or make the cone. It's especially nice when the design of the cone matches the child's preferences. You can buy or design school cones with dinos, lions, princesses or pirates – entirely according to the taste of the first graders!

What goes into the school cone?

Many parents wonder what you can put into the school cone can and what sensible contents for the school cone at the start of school are. Traditionally, school cones are filled with small gifts and sweets filled. Whether filling the school cone differs for boys and girls depends, of course, entirely on your kids. Some boys and girls are more excited about toy cars, others about dolls that accompany them as best friends from the first day of school. Let your imagination run free when filling the school cone and above all remember what your kids like best! Especially popular: small games from age 6, children's books, small guardian angel dolls or Terra Kids outdoor toys. Also practical school supplies, from pens to erasers to rulers, fit well in the school cone.

Ideas for filling the tip of the school cone

Many parents wonder how best to fill the tip of the school cone. Our tip: Choose especially small, flexible items – soft sweets or small toys like bendable dolls or our HABA Cars toy cars, fit perfectly into the narrow tip and provide a good basis for all further gifts in the school cone.

Besides our school cone gift ideas you'll also find at HABA great inspiration for school-start gifts for first graders.

Small surprise cone for siblings

When the older siblings start school, the little ones often look on wide-eyed. To let them also take proper part in this special occasion you can, for example, buy a small school cone and fill it with surprises. This increases the younger siblings' anticipation for their own first day of school! While the school cone usually also learning and developmental games for the start of school, you can, when filling a sibling's or kindergarten cone focus on handy games and toys. Also small craft materials are a great choice.

Are you looking for gifts for preschoolers that prepare them well for everyday school life and promote diverse skills? In our shop you'll find great gift ideas – from toys and books to suitable games for preschoolers.

Where does the tradition of the school cone actually come from?

For over 200 years parents have been giving their children a school cone when they start school. The cone filled with small treats was invented in eastern Germany and called a 'Zuckertüte'. To this day, in the new federal states people talk about filling the 'Zuckertüte', in the old federal states about filling the school cone. Not only in Germany, but also in Austria and in the Czech Republic the presentation of the school cone is a loving custom for the start of school.