Best first day of school boards for those precious photos


by Arabella Horspool |
Updated on

It's not every day your little one starts school, so why not make it a moment you won't forget and add one of these first day of school boards to your school supplies list? Perfect for photo opportunities, these boards can be brought out every year to snap those precious memories.

There are plenty of options to choose from, including wooden, chalkboard, and whiteboard-style designs. Many of these can be personalised with the student's name, the class they're going into, and their favourite subjects or things to learn.

Best first day of school boards at a glance:

A lot of these back-to-school signs are reusable, which is great if you've multiple children heading off to different year groups, as they can all have their special moment to enjoy, or you can purchase multiple options for a super-cute group photo in their fresh school uniforms. Check out our favourite options below.

The best first day of school boards:

Best themed first day of school boards

first day of school boardsAmazon

Rrp: $7.55

Price: $6.74

This charming unicorn-themed chalkboard is perfect for little unicorn fans to celebrate special school moments. Measuring 13.8 by 10 inches, it offers plenty of space to write your child’s name, age, the year they’re entering, the date, their teacher’s name, favourite colour, and what they love doing. Available in both black and pink, it’s designed to capture those first-day or last-day-of-school memories in a fun and creative way.

Made from durable material with a glossy finish, this board is sturdier than regular cardboard and built to last. It works wonderfully with liquid chalk markers, which write vividly and wipe off easily with just a damp cloth. This makes it perfect for repeated use, so your child can update their details year after year or share it with friends and family.

Parents love how easy it is to use and clean, as well as the great value it offers. One happy mum shared that she was initially sceptical but found the board exceeded her expectations. The glossy surface and sturdy feel, combined with the ease of cleaning and bright colours, make this chalkboard a practical and adorable keepsake for any child’s school journey.

Pros

  • Double sided printed with cute unicorn theme sign
  • Erasable and reusable chalkboard
  • Designed with space to write in a kid's grade, age, favorite color, date and more

Cons

  • A review said she couldn't use chalk, but liquid chalk marker

Best first day of school boards multipack

Back to school boardsAmazon
Price: $6.99

This set includes two double-sided, reusable chalkboard signs—perfect for marking the first and last days of school. Made from sturdy, high-quality 350 gsm cardstock and coated in a waterproof PET film, these boards are wipeable, durable, and ready to be used year after year. Parents love how strong and easy-to-read these boards are in photos. One even raved, “They’re strong and clear, easy for my child to hold up for a picture!”

Each board features plenty of space for your child to write their age, grade, school name, future dreams, and the special date using a liquid chalk pen (not included). The cheerful black background is printed with fun and colourful designs like globes, books, banners, and stars, making every snapshot stand out and capturing the excitement of a new school year. Plus, the waterproof, three-layer construction ensures they’ll hold up through all the excitement, parties, and memories.

Whether it’s the first or last day of school, these photo prop boards make celebrating milestones easy and memorable! They’re thoughtful classroom decorations too, bringing joy and enthusiasm to students and teachers alike. At 11.8 x 9.8 inches, they’re the perfect size for school photos, and because they’re reusable, you’ll be able to look back and see how much your child has grown and changed year after year. Just grab your liquid chalk marker, write in your details, snap a photo, and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Pros

  • 2 pieces of first and last day of school chalkboard signs 
  • Reusable and practical
  • Includes blank space to fill in school, teacher, date, age and what they want to be when they grow up;

Cons

  • One buyer said the marker wipes off really easily so once her little kids hands were holding them they smudged a lot of the words

Best first day of school board downloadable sign

back to school boardEtsy
Price: $5.14 (was £10.27)

www.etsy.com

This instant-download digital file is perfect for busy parents who want flexibility and speed: no waiting for shipping and no last-minute rush. Whether you want to be ahead of the game or take first-day photos before the big morning hustle, this downloadable sign makes it easy.

Editing couldn't be simpler, even if you're not a tech whiz. After purchase, open the design in Canva, a user-friendly and free online editor. You can fully personalise the template by editing all text and most colours, so your child's name, grade, and school year will shine. Once you're happy with your creation, print it at home, through Canva, or at your favourite print lab, whatever works best for you! You can even use the customised sign as a digital image to add directly into your photos.

A downloadable, editable first-day board is handy if you love having things instantly or need to make last-minute changes. Plus, there's no risk of missing delivery deadlines. It's also great for families who want to display the board all year. You'll just need to grab a frame and tailor it to match your decor. It's a convenient, creative way to start a new school tradition and capture those precious back-to-school memories.

Pros

  • Customisable First Day of School Sign for Canva
  • Perfect for displaying in your home
  • Can be reprinted and edited for future children 

Cons

  • On returns, due to the digital nature of our products, all sales are final

4.

IMURZ Felt Letter Board

Best multipurpose first day of school board

first day of school boardsAmazon

This Oak Wood Frame Changeable Letter Board is a fantastic choice for parents as it is a timeless and versatile way to celebrate the first day of school and much more. With a classic 10 x 10-inch size, black felt backing, and a warm oak frame, this board comes with a whopping 690 interchangeable white letters, numbers, symbols, and punctuation marks, all neatly stored in an included bag.

Beyond school photos, this multipurpose board is a parent's secret weapon for home organisation and creativity. Use it to post daily reminders, inspirational quotes, or dinner menus in the kitchen. It's great for birthdays, holidays, family parties, classroom announcements, or even marking your baby's monthly milestones. Once you're done snapping your special photo, the board can be repurposed as chic home decor in your entryway, a message centre in your office, or even a fun learning tool for spelling and word games with your kids.

Parents say this board is "time-consuming but worth it" The letters arrive connected to sheets and need to be trimmed before use, but the end result is a stylish, sturdy board that looks fantastic.

Pros

  • Felt letter board with letters and numbers
  • Sturdy metal wall hook and wood easel stand 
  • Can be used repeatedly 

Cons

  • Intial set up is time consuming 

Best first day of school board with handles

first day of school boardsEtsy
Price: $23.40 (was £26)

www.etsy.com

This stylish and practical board is beautifully crafted from sustainably sourced 4mm thick maple or oak wood veneer. It features engraved details and glossy black perspex acrylic for erasable chalk pen messages. What sets this memory board apart are the thoughtfully built-in handles, making it easy and comfortable for your little one to hold. This is perfect for keeping those first-day photos stress-free and extra adorable.

Each board is designed, laser cut, and hand-finished in Yorkshire by Bear & Rose, ensuring attention to detail that truly shines. Parents love the quality of this board, with one parent describing it as "stunning."

Plus, the excellent packaging keeps everything secure in transit so your special keepsake arrives in pristine condition. The simple, timeless design allows you to personalize the board with your child's name (precision laser cut for a flawless finish), while the black area can be filled in with snippets like age, class, and favorite things each new school year, just be sure to add a chalk pen to your order if you don't have one on hand.

The handy handles make it easier for little hands to grip the board securely, giving your child a sense of independence and reducing the risk of accidental dropping during those all-important first-day photos.

Pros

  • Made using our high quality sustainably sourced 4mm thick maple or oak wood 
  • The handles make it easier for little ones to hold 
  • Excellent quality 

Cons

  • Lacks the reusability of some of the others

Best first day of school board for simplicity

first day at school board Etsy
Price: $25.20

www.etsy.com

Crafted from sustainably sourced 4mm thick maple wood veneer and featuring hand-painted accents (including your little one's name in your choice of colour), this board is lovingly designed, laser cut, and hand finished in the Bear & Rose Yorkshire workshop.

It's clever interchangeable magnetic plaque lets you quickly switch between "FIRST DAY OF" and "LAST DAY OF," so you can reuse the board for every important moment throughout your child's school years.

While this board may not have as many fill-in-the-blank details as other first-day boards, many parents appreciate its beautifully simple design. Your child's personality shines through front and centre in every photo without distractions. You can personalise it with your child's name, and the colourful perspex accents add a fun, vibrant touch.

Grab a liquid chalk pen (remember to add one to your order!) and celebrate those magical moments simply and sweetly.

Pros

  • Creates memories to last a lifetime of your child’s first day at school
  • Can personalise your child's name at the top, and choose which colour option from a selection of bright and beautiful perspex rangegift wrapping
  • Gift wrapping is available

Cons

  • Suitable for use with a liquid chalk pen only

Best first day board for design

Custom First Day of School SignEtsy
Price: $12.87 ( was £18.39)

www.etsy.com

When it comes to design, it’s hard to beat the intricate details of this stunning first day of school board. We’re absolutely obsessed with the quality and the level of personalisation on offer. You can choose the fonts and colours to match your little one’s personality and style perfectly. Just a heads-up, though: as this beautiful board is handmade in America, you’ll want to order well to ensure it arrives in time for the start of the new school year.

Pros

  • Lots of customisation options 
  • Great quality 
  • Interchangable elements like the name and 'last/first day' 

Cons

  • Dispatched from the USA - meaning a longer delivery time and higher delivery cost 

Things to consider when purchasing a back-to-school sign

Reusability - Check that the sign is reusable before purchasing it. That way, it will save you money as it can be reused every year (from nursery to big school and beyond), and each adorable photo will determine how much your child has grown. We love the reversible options, which can also be used for their last day of school.

Personalisation - Many back-to-school boards can be customised to order with your child's name and colour of choice. Some of them only have one or two boxes to fill in, but others have lots, including: name, date, class, teacher, hobbies, favourite subjects or things to do at school, favourite colour, best friend, etc..

Material - The type of material the sign is made from can affect its durability. Some card options can be easy to bend and become flimsy, while whiteboards and chalkboards may be easy to smudge. Each design has its pros and cons, so it comes down to preferences and budget.

Size - It's worth looking at the weight and dimensions of the board before you purchase it, as it could be too big or too heavy for your little one to hold. Equally, you don't want it to be too small either, as you may not be able to fit all of the text in the boxes, and it could be hard to read when you look back on the photos. Some options come with handles, which can help.

Stationery - You may need special pens or chalk to write on the board and a cloth or eraser to clear it off or remove any mistakes. It's important to double-check what equipment you will need beforehand, as the wrong items could stain or scratch the board.

Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby and Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who enjoys cooking and spending time with her many pets.

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