Are you incredibly excited to decorate your classroom in new ways each year? Do you like to change up the theme of your classroom every so many months? Perhaps you are an avid camper/nature enthusiast and what you really want is to bring the outdoors in with an animal theme or an indoor campsite. If you are a fan of travel but don’t have the time or funds to do much traveling, or you simply want to expose your students to geography, why not try a global expedition? You can foster a love of reading in your classroom or library through a classroom theme that is modeled on a beloved book or character. Even television shows, movies, or video games can be used to transform your classroom. We are also loving classroom themes that bring positivity and light like inspirational quotes or anti-bullying messages. Regardless of your preference, you’ll love this roundup of classroom themes and decorating ideas.
Nature and Animal Classroom Themes
Check out our list of outdoorsy themes and then, if you’re still curious, see 14 Soothing Nature-Themed Classroom Ideas.
Jurassic Park/Dinosaur
Let’s face it, kids love dinosaurs. Regardless of whether they’ve seen the Jurassic Park movies, they will get a kick out of going back in history to a time when dinosaurs ruled the land.
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
Cactus/Succulent/Plants
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
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
Enchanted Forest
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
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
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
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
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
More Nature/Animal Theme Ideas
- Woodland
- Butterfly
- Animal prints
- Sunflower
- National parks
- Under the sea
- Ocean
- Garden
- Cow
- Mountain
- Safari
- Dog
- Cat
- Frog
- Farm
- Zoo
- Bee
- Ladybug
- Stars
Sports and Game Themes
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. Go team!
- Football
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Candyland
- Board Games (A Monopoly classroom theme is a teacher favorite!)
- eSports (Video Gaming)
You can also check out our All-Star Ideas for a Sports-Themed Classroom.
Food Themes
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
More Food Classroom Themes
- Ice cream
- Pineapple
- Starbucks
- Coffee shop
- Lemon
- Apple
- Candy
- Cafe
Reading/Book Classroom Themes
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 are using large pom-poms to assemble a Very Hungry Caterpillar or adding suns and flowers to represent those in The Tiny Seed. There are a lot of great ideas to be found on this fun and engaging theme.
Mo Willems
Mo Willems has so many beloved book characters, like the pigeon from Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! and, of course, Piggy and Elephant. Places like Etsy have so many Mo Willems–themed decals, you can really get into plastering your classroom with everyone’s favorite friends.
More Reading Themes
- Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
- Fairy tales
- Winnie-the-Pooh
- Pete the Cat
- Alice in Wonderland
Movie, Television, and Music Themes
Hollywood
Let your students walk the red carpet every single day with a star-studded Hollywood theme. Lights, camera, learning!
See more: Oscar-Worthy Hollywood Theme Classroom Ideas
More Movie, Television, and Music Themes
- Disney
- Movies
- Sesame Street
- Marvel
- Little Mermaid
- Minion
- Finding Nemo
- Super Mario
- Toy Story
- Sponge Bob
- Mickey Mouse
- Star Wars
- Snoopy
- Pokemon
- Rock and roll
Color Classroom Themes
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.
Rainbow or Boho Rainbow
This is actually 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
Bright Ideas for Dark Classrooms
If you love classroom glow days, why not bring more lights to your space year-round? It’s such an easy and inexpensive way to brighten up any room.
See more: Ways To Brighten Your Classroom During the Dreary Winter Months
More Color Themes
- Polka dots
- Black and white
- Green
- Blue
- Purple
- Pastel
- Colorful
- Confetti
- Crayon
Seasonal Classroom Themes
If you like to change up your classroom themes throughout the year, consider doing it seasonally. You can also get creative by featuring summer themes during the winter, when dark, gloomy days seem endless, as a reminder that brighter days are ahead!
- Winter
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
- Nautical
- Tropical
Travel Themes
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
To infinity and beyond! Their feet may 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 Themes
- Travel
- Hot-air balloon
- Around the world
- Adventure
- Western
STEM Themes
Science
Periodic table on the ceiling? Why not?! A science theme encourages students to experiment, explore, and seek out new information.
See more: Best Science Classroom Decor Ideas
Math
Need a new theme? Count on math to add in some fun! Math might not be everyone’s favorite subject, but unique classroom decorations can help kids see how important it really is.
See more: Math Bulletin Board Ideas That Make Learning Fun
More STEM Themes
Even More Theme Ideas
Be the …
Spy Classroom
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
Superhero
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
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
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
Anti-Bullying
Want to promote an anti-bullying atmosphere? Use it as inspiration for classroom decor! The more kids see it, the more they’ll believe it.
See more: Anti-Bullying Posters, Decor, and Incentives You Can Buy on Amazon
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
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
Calming Classroom
Create a sense of calm with neutral colors and cozy touches like a big area rug. Keep clutter to a minimum, and don’t forget that empty spaces are restful for the eyes.
See more: Ways To Bring Some Calm to Your Classroom Decor This Year
Preschool
Welcome the littlest learners with bright colors and over-the-top decorations that will delight all their senses. Include lots of interactive elements around the room, and don’t forget plenty of dress-up clothes so kids can get into the spirit of things.
See more: Preschool Classroom Themes Perfect for Little Learners
Middle School
Middle school is a time to grow up a bit, so avoid overly cutesy classroom themes. Instead, look for ways to make the environment comfortable, while also including inspirational decor that supports the subject/s you teach.
See more: Fabulous Middle School Classroom Decorating Ideas
High School
Personalized touches make a classroom more welcoming for kids of any age. Think about how you can create a comfortable space to support students while they learn.
See more: Creative Decorating Ideas for High School Classrooms
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
Additional Classroom Themes To Consider
- Boho
- Stars
- Smiley faces
- Cowboy
- Groovy
- Gnome
- Chalkboard
- Circus
- Retro
