130+ Best Classroom Themes for 2025-2026

Let your classroom reflect your personality!

Jurassic World and glow-in-the-dark classroom themes.
Morgan Mercado, 4th grade teacher via We Are Teachers

For many teachers, choosing a classroom theme idea and decorating to the hilt is one of the best parts of being an educator! Some pick one theme and go all out, re-using it year after year. Others like to switch things up, looking for new classroom themes each summer and starting all over again. And a few brave souls even change their themes midway through the year. No matter what type of teacher you are, you’ll find plenty of themed classroom ideas here for inspiration. The hardest part will be choosing just one!

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Animal Classroom Theme Ideas

Whether you choose pets like dogs and cats or think bigger like lions and tigers and bears (oh my!), kids will love these animal classroom theme ideas!

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Owls

Whooo doesn’t love owls? This cool DIY reading nook is the perfect inspiration for an owl classroom theme. You can also make sweet owls out of paper lanterns to hang from the ceiling.

See more: Owl-Themed Classroom Ideas That Are a Real Hoot

Classroom theme featuring Jurassic World décor.
Courtesy of Morgan Mercado

Dinosaurs

Kids LOVE dinosaurs (and adults do too)! That makes this a beloved classroom decor favorite. You can use a Jurassic Park theme, or just feature your favorite dinosaurs throughout the classroom.

Cn elementary classroom with a safari theme, featuring a large paper elephant, giraffe, and rhino
@allamafuninfirst via Instagram

Safari

So many of us dream of going on an African safari one day. Give your students a taste of the real thing with this fun classroom idea!

Barnyard Preschool classroom theme with large doors made to look like barn doors
@teaching_eyfs via Instagram

Farm/Barnyard

This is one of our favorite preschool classroom theme ideas! Little ones will adore learning amongst cows, ducks, horses, and piggies.

Bee-themed classroom decor with a bulletin board reading This Class is Buzzin'
@mytayloredclassroom via Instagram

Bees

One of our favorite parts about this theme is all the puns: this class is abuzz, BEE kind, we’re busy as bees … the list goes on!

More Animal Classroom Theme Ideas

  • Butterflies
  • Cows
  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • Frogs
  • Pigs
  • Ladybugs
  • Flamingos
  • Llamas
  • Birds
  • Sloths
  • Turtles
  • Penguins
  • Sharks

Nature & Outdoors Classroom Themes

If you’d rather be indoors than out, these themes are for you! For more, see 14 Soothing Nature-Themed Classroom Ideas.

Classroom theme featuring camping décor.
Courtesy of Naomi Meredith and Amy B.

Camping

Pick up a small tent and use it as the centerpiece of an amazing camping classroom. The tent itself doubles as a reading nook or calm-down corner.

See more: Brilliant Ideas for a Classroom Camping Theme

A bulletin board has plant details on it in this example of classroom themes.
Aimee Jensen via We Are Teachers

Cactus/Succulents

Succulents and cacti are super trendy right now, and they make really fun decorations for your classroom. Bonus points for keeping a few real plants alive on the windowsill!

See more: Super Sharp Cactus Classroom Theme Ideas

Garden-themed classroom with flowers hanging from the ceiling and green carpeting
@miss.miles.eyfs/Garden via Instagram

Garden

Stock up on artificial plants and flowers and make your classroom feel like springtime, no matter what the calendar might say. You could also do a food garden theme, with a focus on veggies and fruits.

Jungle-themed classroom with a large paper tree and vines hanging from the ceiling
@miss.miles.eyfs/Jungle via Instagram

Jungle

If you go for a jungle theme, you can include all sorts of fun animals like lions, elephants, and plenty of monkeys. Hang some faux vines from the ceiling for an extra cool touch.

See more: Wild and Crazy Jungle Classroom Theme Ideas

Welcome to fifth Grade classroom sign decorated with eucalyptus
@justpeachyinelementary via Instagram

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is another plant that’s right on trend, and it has such a calming vibe. Plus, it’s the koala’s favorite food, so it gives you an excuse to make a koala your classroom mascot.

See more: Cute and Calming Eucalyptus Classroom Decor Ideas

Under-the-sea themed classroom with coral reef decorations
@learningwithmisst via Instagram

Ocean/Coral Reef

Whether you create an octopus’s garden, a mermaid paradise, or a coral reef filled with colorful sea life, this is one of those classroom themes that kids will absolutely adore.

Beach-themed classroom with beach chairs, inflatables, and flower decor
@learnwithmscarroll with Instagram

Beach

Every day can feel like a vacation when you plan a beach theme. Tip: Shop end-of-summer sales for lots of decoration deals just in time for school to start!

See more: Sand-sational Beach-Themed Classroom Ideas

A woodland-themed classroom with a large paper tree and creatures like raccons
@katies.kinder via Instagram

Forest/Woodland

Whether you put a fairy-tale spin on it or just focus on the different woodland creatures, a forest theme is a fun and engaging way to dress up your learning space.

See more: Enchanting Forest-Theme Classroom Ideas

Classroom decorated with a parge paper sunshine
@traceysplacenc via Instagram

Sunshine

Hello, sunshine! This incredibly cheerful style is bright and happy without being too cute. Even if your classroom lacks windows, every day will feel like summer.

See more: Sunshine Classroom Theme Ideas

More Nature Themes

  • Sunflowers
  • National Parks
  • Mountains
  • Deserts
  • Caves
  • Rainforest
  • Tropical
  • Arctic/Antarctic

Sports and Games Classroom Theme Ideas

School can’t always be quite as much as fun as playing sports or games, but these themes will definitely add a pop of excitement to your room!

A collage of photos showing a sports-themed classroom setup
@diamond_elite_softball via Instagram

Athletic Games

Whether you choose a mix of sports or focus on one personal favorite, there are so many ways to incorporate this theme into your room. Possible sports include:

  • Football
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Soccer
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball
  • Golf/Putt-Putt

See More: All-Star Ideas for a Sports-Themed Classroom

Carnival/Fair

Step right up, step right up! Evoke the fun and excitement of carnival games in your classroom.

Classroom decorated with a Candyland backdrop
@rocky_top_teacher via Instagram

Candyland

What if your classroom looked like every preschooler’s favorite board game? This theme is such a sweet delight!

Super Mario themed classroom decorations
@life.with.kinders via Instagram

Super Mario Bros.

It’s Mario time! Video games can be such fun classroom themes, and no video game is more well-known than those crazy plumber brothers and all their pals and foes.

More Sports and Games Ideas

  • Olympics
  • Monopoly
  • Clue
  • Fortnite
  • Minecraft
  • Playing Cards
  • Chess/Checkers
  • Pokémon

Pop Culture & Entertainment

What’s popular and trendy in your school? What characters do you personally love? Use those ideas for some of the best classroom themes ever!

Classroom book nook with a superhero theme
@braids_grades_repeat via Instagram

Superheroes/Marvel

Make every student feel like they’ve got superpowers with this incredible theme. The time to be awesome is now!

See more: Pow! Superhero Classroom Theme Ideas

Eric Carle preschool classroom theme with pictures of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and more
@lunamom61 via Instagram

Eric Carle

Eric Carle books are a staple of childhood and for good reason: They combine delightful, easy-to-read stories with beautiful illustrations. His stories make for the perfect jumping-off point for a classroom theme, whether you use large pom-poms to assemble a Very Hungry Caterpillar or suns and flowers to represent those in The Tiny Seed. Let your imagination run wild!

Fairy-tale themed classroom with a rainbow tulle ceiling and cardboard castle
@miss_fairclough via Instagram

Fairy Tales

This is another particularly terrific preschool classroom theme idea, with so many stories and characters to represent. Jack and the Beanstalk, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Cinderella … and that’s just a few to get you started!

A Pete-the-Cat themed preschool classroom
@teachercreated via Instagram

Pete the Cat

We love this one for preschool or early elementary, when kids are just the right age to enjoy every one of Pete’s groovy adventures.

School classroom with a Hollywood theme, including stools that look like popcorn buckets
@secondgradesplendors via Instagram

Hollywood/Movies

We love this one for preschool or early elementary, when kids are just the right age to enjoy every one of Pete’s groovy adventures.

A Star Wars themed classroom with life-sized R2D2 and C3PO cutouts
@msotogonz via Instagram

Star Wars

Create the perfect classroom environment for your next group of little Padawans! This is definitely an out-of-this-world classroom theme idea!

A LOTR-themed classroom door made to look like a hobbit hole
@msmindocksmusicroom via Instagram

The Hobbit/LOTR

Create the perfect classroom environment for your next group of little Padawans! This is definitely an out-of-this-world classroom theme idea!

More Pop Culture & Entertainment Ideas

  • Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
  • Mo Willems
  • Winnie-the-Pooh
  • Alice in Wonderland
  • Hollywood 
  • Disney
  • Sesame Street
  • Little Mermaid
  • Minions
  • Finding Nemo
  • Toy Story
  • SpongeBob
  • Mickey Mouse
  • Bluey
  • Snoopy
  • LEGO
  • Rock & Roll
  • Western

Food Classroom Themes

Classroom bulletin board reading Donut Forget with donut-themed borders and balloons above spelling out donut
@creativeteachingpress via Instagram

Donuts

Is there any sweeter theme than donuts? Sprinkle your classroom with kindness and joy with these delightful decorations.

See more: Donuts Are the Sweetest Classroom Theme, and We’re Here to Prove It

Elementary school classroom decorated with a pineapple theme
@artsdiscodany via Instagram

Pineapples

There’s something just so fun about a pineapple! If you like this one, consider going all out with a tropical theme.

Collage of pictures showing a cupcake-themed elementary school classroom
@itsgonnabejenn via Instagram

Cupcakes

Here’s another super sweet theme idea, sure to be a hit with the kids in your class!

More Food Themes

  • Ice cream
  • Pizza
  • Starbucks/Coffee shop
  • Lemons
  • Apples
  • Cherries
  • Candy
  • Popcorn
  • Cupcakes
  • Café/Restaurant

Travel & Adventure Classroom Themes

Learning is one big adventure, giving students the chance to learn more about the entire world without ever leaving their classroom! These travel themes are engaging and perfect for incorporating geography, history, cultural studies, and more.

Travel-themed classroom bulletin board, with map background
@blondeweasel88 via Instagram

World Traveler

Geography teachers aren’t the only ones who will love these travel-themed ideas. Hit the thrift store for old suitcases and globes to dress up your space.

See more: Travel Classroom Theme Ideas

Space-themed classroom with a large cardboard 3D rocket in the middle of the room
@miss.miles.eyfs via Instagram

Space

Space travel may not be commonplace yet, but who’s to day what will happen in your students’ lifetimes? Their feet may still be on the ground, but students’ imaginations can soar to space with this exciting theme.

See more: Out of This World Space-Themed Classroom Ideas

More Travel & Adventure Ideas

  • Hot-Air Balloon
  • Around the World
  • Adventure
  • Specific City or Country
  • Airplanes
  • Trains

Classroom Theme Patterns & Styles

Sometimes the key to a put-together classroom is simply to coordinate your decorations in a specific style, pattern, or color. Take inspiration from these theme ideas that offer a style or pattern for every kind of teacher and classroom.

Rainbow-themed classroom full of colorful decorations and classroom supplies
@its_tootieberg via Instagram

Rainbow

This is a really easy theme, since all you need are lots of bright-colored decorations and school supplies. You’ll really appreciate the vivid hues when the darkest days of winter arrive.

See more: Rainbow Bulletin Board Ideas To Brighten Your Classroom

Farmhouse-style classroom with gingham, burlap, and neutral colors, plus a small stuffed cow
@_shimmering_seasons via Instagram

Farmhouse

Barnyard themes with piggies and moo cows are terrific for little ones. But when you’re ready for something a little more grown up, switch to farmhouse decor instead.

See more: Simple Ways To Bring Farmhouse Decor Into Your Classroom

Classroom bulletin boards with burlap backgrounds and black-and-white decor
@teachthetkway via Instagram

Burlap

Need an inexpensive way to add a little flair? Burlap is a budget fabric that provides a lot of texture and interest. Plus, it’s durable, so you know it will last from year to year.

See more: Budget-Friendly Burlap Decor Ideas To Dress Up Your Classroom

Classroom theme featuring glow-in-the-dark décor.
Courtesy of Morgan Mercado and Naomi Meredith

Glow-in-the-Dark

Kids love all things glow-in-the-dark, so why not try this fun theme for your classroom? You can get really creative with black lights and glow-in-the-dark paints for classroom signs and bulletin boards.

A minimally-decorated classroom, with black-backed bulletin boards awaiting student work
@elementaryminimalist via Instagram

Minimalist

Some teachers and students thrive best when you keep distractions to a minimum. You can still make your room a comfortable and engaging place to learn, with a lot less effort.

See more: A Minimalist’s Guide to Classroom Design

More Patterns & Styles Themes

  • Animal prints
  • Stars
  • Polka dots
  • Black and white
  • Pastel
  • Colorful
  • Confetti
  • Crayon
  • Nautical
  • Tropical
  • Calming 
  • Boho
  • Smiley Faces/Emoji
  • Groovy/Retro
  • Chalkboard

Even More Classroom Themes

Still on the hunt for just the right theme? Try these on for size!

Multiple posters on a whiteboard.
We Are Teachers

Inspiring Quotes

Fill a big empty wall with some of your favorite quotes. This is one of the best ways to deal with cement block walls, whether you use paint or vinyl letters.

See more: Our All-Time Favorite Classroom Quotes

A collection of license plates used as classroom decor
Courtesy of Jon Cohen

Collections

Take what you collect and turn it into classroom decorations! Just be careful—once kids realize you love something, they’ll likely bring you more and more for your collection.

See more: Cool, Cute (and Even a Little Crazy) Teacher Collections

Teacher pointing to a Bitmoji version of herself posted on the chalkboard
@apizza5thgrade via Instagram

Bitmoji

This is the kind of theme you can really use at any age. Students will get a kick out of seeing your face scattered around the room, especially when you use some of the sillier Bitmoji options.

See more: Super Creative Ways To Use Bitmojis in Your Classroom

Themes by Grade and Subject

What works for elementary isn’t quite right for high school, and vice versa. Take a look at these roundups to find one that’s ideal for the ages or subject you teach.

And a few more theme ideas …

  • Construction
  • Gnomes
  • Robots
  • Pirates
  • Balloons
  • Hearts
  • Magic
  • Graffiti
  • Building Blocks
  • Photography/Cameras
  • Time Travel
  • Log Cabin

Looking for more classroom decor inspo? Don’t miss 700+ Brilliant Bulletin Board Ideas!

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