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