With my children starting pre-school here in the UK this autumn, I’ve been busy crafting something a little unusual: a mini Schultüte. If you grew up in Austria or Germany, you’ll know exactly what I mean — the colourful cone filled with sweets, stationery, and little gifts that makes the first day of school feel more like a party than a nerve-wracking milestone.
For many Austrian kids (myself included), that cone was the highlight of starting school. I still remember how proud I was, holding my giant red Schultüte with an airplane on it, together with my brand-new Schultasche covered in characters from Konfetti TV. It was almost bigger than me, and the excitement of carefully unwrapping it after my first day of school has never quite left me. Inside were chocolates, crayons, and even a tiny book — treasures that made school seem like an adventure waiting to begin.
Here in the UK, the tradition is less well known. The big moment here tends to be the first day of school photo, with children standing proudly in their crisp new uniforms, shiny shoes polished and ready. Practical, yes — but perhaps not quite as magical. That’s why I love the idea of bringing the Schultüte across the Channel: it’s a simple way to turn the first day of school into something joyful, memorable, and just a little sweet.
History & Tradition
The idea of the Schultüte goes back more than 200 years. The very first cones were given out in Germany in the early 19th century, especially in the regions of Saxony and Thuringia. Back then, parents told their children that a magical tree grew in the schoolyard, and when the cones were ripe, it was time for them to start school. Teachers would even hang the cones on the branches for children to collect — a sweet and slightly mysterious way to soften the leap into education.
The tradition quickly spread across German-speaking countries, and by the time I started school in Vienna, no child would have dreamed of walking into the classroom without their own colourful cone. While the sizes and contents have changed over the decades (some are now almost as tall as the children themselves!), the purpose has remained the same: to make that big first step into school something joyful, exciting, and worth celebrating.
In my case, my parents gave me that giant red Schultüte I still remember so well — but there was more. On our desks at school, each of us also found a smaller cone, a gift from my Volksschullehrerin, Frau Siman. It felt doubly special: one cone from home, one from school, both saying the same thing — welcome, you’re ready for this new adventure.
What goes into a Schultüte?
Traditionally, a Schultüte is filled with sweets — bars of Milka chocolate, colourful sugar pencils, gummy bears, maybe even a shiny red apple for good measure. Alongside the treats, there are always little practical gifts for school: crayons, pens, erasers, or a ruler. The idea is a balance between indulgence and usefulness — something for the heart and something for the pencil case.
Over the years, the contents have become more creative. Some families tuck in a small toy, a lucky keyring, or even a book to spark a love of reading. Others go for a healthier twist, adding raisins, fruit bars, or dried apple rings. My own cone had both: the thrill of chocolate and the delight of unwrapping a tiny book hidden between crayons and sweets.
For families in the UK, it’s easy to adapt the tradition. A cone can be filled with things you’d already buy for the first day of school – a packet of colouring pencils, a lunchbox, or fun stickers – plus a few little treats for a celebratory touch. Instead of Milka, think Cadbury Buttons or Fruit Pastilles. Bookshops like The Works often have affordable picture books or activity pads that fit perfectly into a cone. The result is the same: a surprise bundle that makes the first day of school something to look forward to.
DIY or Where to Find a Schultüte
In Austria and Germany, Schultüten are sold in every stationery shop as soon as the school holidays begin, with whole aisles dedicated to cones in every size and colour. In the UK, it takes a little more effort — but it’s still possible to find them.
For my children, I wanted something small since they’re only starting pre-school. I ended up ordering mini cones via Temu, which had a surprising number of options at very low prices. If you’d prefer something a bit sturdier or more traditional, German Facebook groups in the UK often post Schultüten for sale around late summer, either handmade or imported. They can be a lovely way to connect with the community as well.
Of course, making your own is always an option. All you need is a sheet of sturdy coloured card rolled into a cone, some crepe paper or tissue paper to close the top, and a ribbon to tie it all together. Children can help decorate theirs with stickers, drawings, or cut-outs of their favourite characters. It doesn’t need to be perfect — part of the charm is that every cone is different.
From my giant red cone back in Austria to my son’s mini cones in Yorkshire — some traditions are worth carrying across borders. And this is certainly one of my favourite ones so far!
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