Easy DIY Back to School Sign

Let’s make an easy DIY back to school sign that’s super cute and fun. Best of all it’s budget friendly and uses only three different supplies.

As the kids get ready to head back to school this fall, it’s nice to capture the memories with this easy DIY back to school sign.

This is such a simple, easy DIY craft because it only uses three craft supplies and the time required to make the back to school sign is quite minimal. (Unless of course you have lots of kids:) Now my older kids like to get creative and make their own signs. It’s also a very budget friendly project. You probably have a frame somewhere in the house, and black paper and chalk are pretty inexpensive.

What is a Back to School Sign?

This easy DIY sign shows the name, grade, year, date of the child and when used in the first day of school picture, is the perfect way to capture that memory. I have done this every year since my oldest started Kindergarten and I love looking back at the pictures. My, how fast the kiddos grow and change.

Why is it Important?

Pictures are so important to me and I love seeing the outfits they wore, their hairdo, and the backpack and lunch kit they chose that year. I am not great at writing down details but I like to journal through taking pictures. Taking a picture with my child holding their sign on the first day of school helps me to remember all the important details.

Supplies Needed for the Sign

Here is the list of supplied needed to make this easy DIY back to school sign:

• Heavy black construction paper
• 11 x 14 inch frame
• Chalk

Let me explain these three supplies and where to buy them if you need too. Black construction paper in a heavier weight works best. I found packages of 11 x 14 ” black paper at the dollar tree. I have also used a large sheet of poster board and then just cut a piece in the size I needed. Heavy paper is sturdier to write on and is easier to work with. It also sits nicer in the frame when it’s a bit stiffer. Black paper makes the sign looks like a chalkboard.

Look throughout your home for a picture frame that you are not using or one you could briefly borrow for a day. The size of the frame doesn’t really matter but the larger 11 x14 size gives lots of room to write down all the back to school details. Look at a craft, retail or even a thrift shop if you are wanting to buy a frame for this project.

Buy a package of chalk which contains a variety of fun colours like blue, green, yellow, orange, pink and purple. White chalk would do, but the different colours are fun to work with when writing all the back to school details on the frame. Chalk can be found at most retail stores.

What to Write on the Sign

There are several options of what to write on the back to school sign, but here is what I typically do. I start with using the child’s first name and write something like this…. Rachel’s first day of Grade 3. I then write the date including the month, date and year. Some extra details you could add would be the name of the school or even the teacher’s name if known.

Is is totally up to you whether you want to use the frame vertically or horizontally. Just think about the layout before you begin to write. I typically use my frame vertically because I like the layout better but it really doesn’t matter.

How to DIY the Back to School Sign

Measure and cut out the black paper to match the size of your frame. If the frame holds a 11 x 14 size picture, that is the size you need to cut the paper. Using the matte or the piece of glass to trace onto the black paper works well.

Plan on a scrap piece of paper exactly what you want to write on the paper. Once that’s figured out, begin writing with the chalk directly onto the black paper.

Write with different fun looking fonts, letter sizes and use a variety of pretty chalk colours. After the words are done, the borders and empty spaces can be decorated with pictures or fun designs. Kids love helping with this creative part!

Don’t worry if there are smudges or chalk dust on the paper…this all adds to the charm and chalkboard look of the sign

Next place the finished piece of black paper into the frame and put the backing on the frame. Leave the glass piece off or put it underneath the paper because placing the glass on top will cause lots of problems with glares when taking the pictures.

How to Use the Sign

Have the easy DIY back to school sign all done before the first day of school and place it by the door. When the kids are all ready to leave, with their backpacks and shoes on, grab the sign and snap a few pictures of them holding it. If things are a little crazy that morning, don’t worry, just take the pictures after school.

Depending on the weather, I typically like to take the pictures outside on the front step or on the deck. But I’ve definitely done the pictures inside too if the weather is chilly.

It’s really nice to include a picture of their back to school outfit, shoes they are wearing and have their back pack in the picture too.

Try taking a few different poses, where the child is standing holding the sign or sitting down on a step with the sign beside them.

It’s also really fun to include all the siblings in one of the pictures, whether they are going to school or not.

Happy Back to School

However back to school looks for you this year as September approaches, I really hope this easy DIY back to school sign will add some fun memories to your day. Have fun, together with the kids, making this simple and fun DIY sign.

Have a wonderful day!

Rachel