First Day of School Signs

Happiness is Homemade has a set of free printable first day of school signs that suit any learning style you can think of for grades preschool through 12th grade. From homeschooling to virtual learning or in-person classes, you can print the perfect sign for your kids’ first day of school photos in no time. 

Make that first day of school photo magical! Potterheads will go crazy for these Harry Potter-themed signs from The Quiet Grove. You’ll find three different designs here: one with the house crests, one with Harry, Ron, and Hermione, and one with the Hogwarts crest. Make sure you grab her Harry Potter bookmarks while you’re there!

Moritz Fine Designs offers a different take on the usual back to school sign — pennants.

Although the picture shows pennants with years on them, the design has been updated with the year removed so you can use them year after year.

Throw a sports-themed back-to-school bash to make these signs even more fun. They’ll look fun and sporty in your child’s first day photos.

Have a little Star Wars fanatic on your hands? You have to grab these printable back to school signs from The Quiet Grove. The printables feature favorite characters such as Luke Skywalker, Princess Laia, Yoda, and more.

If you’re looking for simple, no-fuss signs that won’t use a ton of ink, try these black and white printables from Organizing Moms.

The printable pack includes signs for every grade, including preschool, pre-K, and junior kindergarten.

Moritz Fine Designs has another batch of beautiful signs with this colorblock option. The signs are super bright and bold and are sure to stand out in those first day of school pictures.

Grab these colorful printable back to school posters from I Should Be Mopping the Floor. Each poster is bright and colorful, and you’ll find options for every age, from preschool through 12th grade.

She also offers coordinating last day of school posters, so make a note for yourself to return to her blog to get them to take a last day picture as well.

These free printables from The Suburban Mom are sure to make you smile, especially if you have older children.

They’ll make you think back on those early days when your kids used writing paper as they practiced letter formation and began writing their first short sentences. With a playful font and cute design, you can’t go wrong.

These cute first day of school signs from The Inspiration Board feature large, prominent numbers that’ll really pop in your back to school pictures.

The designs for preschool through 6th grade are a little more on the playful side, while the signs for 7th through 12th grade are more simple. 

Want editable photo props that you can change to reflect the current year? Use these cute and colorful signs from Simple Everyday Mom.

Keep in mind that these printables only cover preschool through 6th grade. Also, you can only edit the year; other parts of the form are not editable. Still, the fun fonts and colors will make a whimsical addition to your photos.

That’s What Che Said has cute chalkboard signs that are perfect for elementary school, middle school, or high school students.

The printable signs have a chalkboard background and a sketched chalk font that just screams “Back to School Season.” Grab the matching printable last day of school signs, too!

For a simple first day of school sign that won’t detract from your kids’ cute faces, download and print a 1st day of school sign from Frog Prince Paperie.

The printables go from VPK through the first year of college and feature a pretty chevron border.

Yellow Bliss Road’s back to school signs are simple, bold, and colorful. You’ll find a bright, large number or letter depicting the grade level with a “first day of…grade” note underneath.

These adorable signs are available for preschool through twelfth grade, and you don’t even have to sign up for an email list to access the printables. 

For those with kiddos heading off to preschool or kindergarten, you can’t get any cuter than these crayon-themed signs from ABCs to ACTs. The pack features 28 signs in all because it also includes matching last day of school signs to use later in the year. 

Frog Prince Paperie has another cute option for you with spaces to write in the teacher’s name and school year.

They’re perfect for the mom who’s flying by the seat of her pants and looking for photo prop signs at the last minute that will work for all the kids. The printables run pre-K through college.

Get the kids involved with making their signs for the first day of school!

This handprint version from Fun Handprint Art Blog is super cute and works for displaying the current school year for kids in first grade through fifth grade.

Trace your child’s handprint, fold the fingers to display the correct grade level, and glue it to the template.

Where the Smiles Have Been offers these cute first day signs with three different color versions: classic school colors, girlier colors, and black and white.

The black and white version doesn’t have the cute school supply characters, though, and is meant to be a simple design that saves on ink. They’re all adorable.

Feeling crafty? Instead of a printable sign, make your own using inexpensive materials like chalkboards and rulers.

You can find the rulers, chalkboard, and glue super cheap during back to school season. The best part is that you can write any message you want and easily swap it out for each of your children.

Follow the tutorial at Fireflies and Mud Pies to make your own!

Make a giant frame like this one from DIY Inspired for the kids to take their pictures with.

It’s a cute way to upcycle an old wooden frame. Use foam letters to spell out your back to school message or your child’s name.

Instead of asking your child to hold a sign for that first day photo, make your child part of it!

We love this idea from Paging Fun Mums. Write your child’s grade, the year, and future career aspirations out with sidewalk chalk, with your child lying on the ground beside it. You can do this for all ages!