Free Printable First Day of School Sign

Last updated: July 30, 2026 by the Homemade Gifts Team

Towards the end of the summer, it's time to dust off the camera and print a first day of school sign to capture one of the most exciting milestones of the year. Kids and parents alike eagerly await class lists and teacher assignments, gearing up for another year of learning, growth, and new memories. As a teacher, I also loved the tradition of back to school signs and pictures. I would always take a picture of my students on the first and last day of school–it's mindblowing to see how much can change in one year!

The first day of school is a big moment in families lives that's worth celebrating, and our budget-friendly printable signs make it easy to capture. If you’re wondering how to make a first day of school sign, begin by simply choosing your favorite design, print it, and then head to the “how to” section for some ideas on personalization. Whether your child is starting preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, or heading into the upper grades, these signs will be a wonderful keepsake you’ll love looking back on for years to come.

My First Day of School Sign

Make sure to color and decorate the first day of school signs to represent who your student is before posing for the photo! It will be a great talking point when you look back at the end of the year to see what has changed or remained the same!

These printables are for personal, non-commercial use only.

First Day of School Signs Fill in Simple Color With Graphics

Coloring First Day of School Sign Printable PDF

First Day of School Signs Simple Chalkboard Style Color

Printable Chalkboard First Day of School Sign

First Day of School Signs Kindergarten Simple Color With Graphics

Colorful First Day of Kindergarten Sign Printable

First Day of School Signs Simple Fill in Bw

Simple Printable First Day of School Sign PDF

First Day of School Signs Kindergarten Simple Bw With Graphics

Simple Printable First Day of Kindergarten Sign

First Day of School Signs Kindergarten Simple With Wood Frame

First Day of Kindergarten Sign with Wooden Frame

First Day of School Signs Elementary Simple With Wood Frame

First Day of School Sign Printable with Wooden Frame

How to Make a First Day of School Sign

Personalizing a first day of school sign is easier than you think! These fun crafts add-ons are completely optional, but they’re a great way to add a little extra personality to your photos. Think of it as a little bit of “extra credit” for creating a first day of school sign that truly captures your child at this moment in time!

Personalize Your First Day of School Sign

Having the sign be personal to the child is a huge part of the fun! Write the child’s favorite things around the border, such as their favorite animal, book, food, game etc. Decorate the sign with sports, dance, music, or hobby stickers that reflect their interests. Color the sign using the child’s favorite colors, or even take it a step further and use different art mediums such as paint, colored pencils, markers, or stamps.

Personalize Your Frame

There are many frame options to make our printable first day of school signs stand out! You will need hot glue and a standard frame or large piece of cardstock or cardboard (larger than your sign) to begin. Next, find the school supplies that are calling your name! You could glue colorful crayons (or even broken crayon pieces) around the edge of the frame. You could create a pencil border by gluing the ever-so-famous number 2 pencil around the edge of the sign. The same could be said for using rulers around the edges of the frame. If your child is going into the youngest grades, adding alphabet stickers would be a cute way to document the beginning of the year.

Create a Photo-Worthy Display

The right props can make your first day of school photos even more memorable. Try adding a balloon bouquet in your child’s favorite colors, surrounding the sign with fresh flowers or greenery, or displaying it on a chalkboard easel. Pair the sign with a stack of books, their backpack, or a basket filled with their school supplies for a fun display.

Make Your First Day of School Sign a Keepsake

You will always be able to find the posed picture of your child holding the sign somewhere in the digital world, turning the sign into a keepsake for something like a scrapbook makes the sign even more treasured. On the back of the sign, have your child add their handprint, or jot down a few of their current favorites. You can also record details like their age, height, or a goal they have for the upcoming school year. Tuck the sign into a scrapbook or memory box alongside a printed photograph of them holding their sign–you’ll have a special snapshot of who they were at that moment in time to look back on each year. Plus, how much will they love looking back at this as an adult?!

All About Me Worksheets

If you're looking for more free printable first day of school ideas, print out one of our All About Me Worksheets. These worksheets are a great addition to our first day of school signs because it gets students of any age to learn how to describe themselves, set goals, and connect with others through similarities and differences.