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Shop these 12 back-to-school signs in time for your kid's first day

Shop these back-to-school signs for adorable first-day pictures

Children holding first-day-of-school signs Credit: Cheree Berry Paper / Canopy Street

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As summer winds down and you find yourself neck deep in school supply lists, you're likely dreaming of the return to routine.

Amid the chaos, don't be the only parent to forget to snag a new back-to-school sign so you can add your adorable offspring in their in shiny new outfits to friends' and family members' social media feeds. It's your proud moment of the fall.

Whether your child is entering their first day of kindergarten or their last year of high school, this is one tradition to cherish.

We've searched out a dozen back-to-school signs to mark the first day of school. Each one is sure to add more fun to your photo shoot, from reusable chalkboards to pennants, and even, free printable ones.

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Shop these back-to-school signs

1. A back-to-school school sign that turns school supplies into decorations

back to school sign
Credit: Bloom Owl/Reviewed

The best back-to-school signs.

Measuring the passage of time has never been cuter. With apples and a chalkboard framed in a ruler, this back-to-school sign combines almost everything that is quintessentially "first day" in one sweet package.

It's also reusable and works with both chalk and chalk markers.

$45 at Amazon

2. A rainbow-framed back-to-school sign

back to school sign
Credit: Michaels/Reviewed

The best back-to-school signs.

This vibrant, rainbow-colored sign keeps things cheerful.

We like that it doesn’t get too fussy, making it a straightforward option for when you want to keep it simple. This multi-colored sign is also reversible, so you are ready to go when the last day of school rolls around.

$5 at Michaels

3. A set of back-to-school signs that are positively uplifting

back to school sign
Credit: TracepaperPen/Reviewed

The best back-to-school signs.

From preschoolers to high schoolers, this uplifting balloon makes for the most festive back-to-school sign. You'll be blown away by how cute their photos turn out. You can buy a single balloon or get a whole set for each grade.

$10 at Etsy

4. A back-to-school sign that is just write

back to school sign
Credit: mondo Llama/Reviewed

The best back-to-school signs.

For the studious sort, this crayon-shaped back-to-school sign is dual-sided to capture both the beginning and the end-of-school memories. We love this sign as an option for the kid who loves to color. 

$8 at Target

5. A pennant back-to-school sign that doubles as décor

back to school sign
Credit: Cheree Berry Paper Company/Reviewed

The best back-to-school signs.

With an option for every year from preschool through 5th grade, these colorful school pennant back-to-school signs brightly announce the first day in a big way.

Not ones to gather dust in a box, they’ll look beautiful hanging above a desk for the whole school year. There is even a cute one for those just starting their homeschool journey.

$28 at Maisonette

6. A pencil back-to-school sign that is seriously on point

back to school sign
Credit: Cheree Berry Paper Company/Reviewed

The best back-to-school signs.

This clever back-to-school sign starts as a brand new pencil, all sharp for a new school year. At the end of the year, it ends up as a tiny nub for a fun and humorous take on all of the hard work they put in from the first day to the last.

$26 at Maisonette

7. An adorable apple back-to-school sig

back to school sign
Credit: Mondo Llama/Reviewed

The best back-to-school signs.

Apple of your eye starting back to school? This cute sign does double duty: One side is for the first day of school and one side is for the last. This erasable chalkboard back-to-school sign can be easily customized and reused year after year.

$8 at Target

8. A personalized back-to-school sign of all their favorites

back to school sign
Credit: Cualfec/Reviewed

The best back-to-school signs.

Never leave memories to chance. Eight different fields commemorate all that is important to them on the first day and the last day of school in this chalkboard-style sign. You'll have so much fun looking back and remembering the specifics of their personalities the day those photos were snapped.

$13 at Amazon

9. A customizable back-to-school sign for special notes

back to school sign
Credit: Canopy Streer/Reviewed

The best back-to-school signs.

This studious sign takes a page from a notebook, making it a perfect place to take notes on everything that makes your kiddo so special. You can customize it, and there is room for all of your kid’s favorite things. Bonus points for its spot to chronicle their height on the first day.

$20 at Amazon

10. A versatile first day of schsign that’s perfect for any grade

back to school sign
Credit: Tingle Tresure Shop/Reviewed

The best back-to-school signs.

This handmade, keepsake back-to-school sign is so adorable you’ll want to keep it forever—which is pretty convenient since it works for both the first and the last day of school for every grade. The “first day” plate pops out easily to be replaced with “last day” and the grade plates go from preschool all the way through either 5th grade or 12th grade—whichever you prefer.

$55 at Etsy

11. A whole pack of chalkboard signs for every grade

back to school sign
Credit: Whaline/Reviewed

The best back-to-school signs.

For those who like to be prepared, this set of chalkboard back-to-school signs will take you from kindergarten through college graduation with chalkboard-style first- and last-day signs.

You’ll never have to worry about being empty-handed when it’s time to snap first-day photos.

$14 at Amazon

12. A sign that gets kids excited to ride the bus

back to school sign
Credit: Canopy Street Store/Reviewed

The best back-to-school signs.

The iconic school bus takes a different route as this quirky, customizable first day of school sign. This one is sold as a set; the first day of school will have kids holding the front of the bus, while on the last day it looks like it's driving away.

$16 at Amazon

Make your own back-to-school sign

Whether you want something unique for your photo shoot or you’re an expert in procrastination that needs to pull something together at the last minute, making a first day of school sign does not need to be hard.

A quick perusal of Pinterest yields loads of results for a perfect back-to-school sign you can print out at home; they're also free and easy to customize.

Some of our favorites are these free printable back-to-school signs by Seaside Sunday, which offer lots of options for whichever grade your child is entering.

For a one-of-a-kind chalkboard back-to-school sign, we are fans of this DIY tutorial by Michaels, which has all of the steps and supplies you’ll need for a fully customizable craft.

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