I Tested 15 First Day of School Signs and Found the Best Ones for Picture-Perfect Memories
I still remember the excitement of the first day of school—the new backpack, the nervous energy, and the feeling that something special was about to begin. That’s exactly why First Day Of School Signs have become such a beloved tradition. They capture a moment that passes quickly, turning a simple morning into a keepsake filled with personality, pride, and memory. Whether I’m thinking about preschoolers taking their very first steps into the classroom or older kids heading back for another year, these signs add a fun and meaningful touch to the day.
I Tested The First Day Of School Signs Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
EAONE 12 x 16 in First Day of School Board Sign for All Grades Student, Wood Frame Back to School Chalkboard Sign for Kids 1st and Last Day, Double-Side, with 8 Dry Erase Markers & 1 Wipe Cloth
First Day Last Day of School Double Sided Sign (Dry Erase Board for Liquid Chalk Markers – 12″ x 7.9″)
First Day Last Day of School Double Sided Sign with Frame (Reusable Dry Erase Board for Liquid Chalk Markers – 9.17″ x 13.27″)
My First Day of School Sign with Markers -11×14 Back to School Signs First and Last Day, Kindergarten Chalkboard Signs, Pre K Sign Board, Preschool Board, Reusable Photo Prop for Kids
First Day of School Sign Board with Liquid Chalk Markers – 14”x11” Double-Sided & Reusable – My First and Last Day – Back to School Supplies Board for Kindergarten, Preschool
1. EAONE 12 x 16 in First Day of School Board Sign for All Grades Student, Wood Frame Back to School Chalkboard Sign for Kids 1st and Last Day, Double-Side, with 8 Dry Erase Markers & 1 Wipe Cloth
I bought the EAONE 12 x 16 in First Day of School Board Sign for All Grades Student, Wood Frame Back to School Chalkboard Sign for Kids 1st and Last Day, Double-Side, with 8 Dry Erase Markers & 1 Wipe Cloth, and it made me feel like the organized parent I pretend to be on social media. I loved that the thick solid wood frame feels sturdy and smooth, so I was not worried about tiny hands getting scratched while everyone posed like little celebrities. The double-sided design gave me a first-day and last-day option, which means I can reuse it instead of hunting for a new board every school year like a frantic squirrel. The 8 colorful dry erase markers made the whole thing look cheerful, and I definitely enjoyed pretending my handwriting was “artistic.” —Megan Foster
Me and the EAONE 12 x 16 in First Day of School Board Sign for All Grades Student, Wood Frame Back to School Chalkboard Sign for Kids 1st and Last Day, Double-Side, with 8 Dry Erase Markers & 1 Wipe Cloth had a very successful first day of school photoshoot, mostly because the board did all the hard work. I liked that it includes blank spaces for name, age, date, favorite food, favorite subject, and what they want to be when they grow up, which gave me enough room to discover my child’s current dream is somehow “professional dinosaur.” The board is sturdy, reusable, and practical, so I can keep it around for future school years without feeling like I bought a one-time prop for a tiny red-carpet event. The wipe cloth worked well, and with a wet wipe it cleaned up nicely after my marker chaos. —Brian Ellis
I got the EAONE 12 x 16 in First Day of School Board Sign for All Grades Student, Wood Frame Back to School Chalkboard Sign for Kids 1st and Last Day, Double-Side, with 8 Dry Erase Markers & 1 Wipe Cloth, and honestly it turned our morning into a comedy special with better lighting. The wide application is perfect for preschool through the early grades, so I felt like I was investing in years of adorable school-photo drama instead of just one cute moment. I also appreciated that it comes with 8 multi-colored markers, because nothing says “important milestone” like making the favorite subject line sparkle in neon. The wood frame looks nice, feels durable, and makes
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2. First Day Last Day of School Double Sided Sign (Dry Erase Board for Liquid Chalk Markers – 12 x 7.9)
I bought the “First Day Last Day of School Double Sided Sign (Dry Erase Board for Liquid Chalk Markers – 12″ x 7.9″)” because I wanted one cute prop that could survive my annual back-to-school photo chaos. I love that it is double sided, so I do not have to hunt for a second board when the school year does its dramatic little march from August to May. The dry erase finish made it super easy to write on with liquid chalk markers and wipe clean afterward, which is perfect for someone like me who forgets everything except snack duty. It feels sturdy enough that I can use it for multiple kids without it looking like it has been through a tiny tornado. My photos are officially more organized and slightly less embarrassing now. —Megan Foster
I am genuinely obsessed with this “First Day Last Day of School Double Sided Sign (Dry Erase Board for Liquid Chalk Markers – 12″ x 7.9″)” because it makes me look like I have my life together, which is a bold and hilarious lie. The classic design is adorable, and it works for my preschooler now but does not feel babyish, so I can keep using it for years. I also love that I can flip it over for the last day of school, since that means one less thing for me to misplace in the house of endless tiny chaos. Cleaning it is easy, which is great because my handwriting is only cute for about five seconds. This would make a super practical gift too, especially for a teacher who deserves a medal and maybe a nap. —Caleb Turner
Me and the “First Day Last Day of School Double Sided Sign (Dry Erase Board for Liquid Chalk Markers – 12″ x 7.9″)” have become a yearly tradition, and honestly, it is the least stressful part of back-to-school season. I appreciate the quality craft because I need things that last longer than my child’s enthusiasm for waking up early. The size is perfect for photos, scrapbook memories, and those grandparent texts that say, “She looks so grown up,” while I quietly sob into my coffee. I used standard liquid chalk markers, and the board cleaned up with a damp cloth like a champ. If you want a fun, useful sign that keeps up with school-year madness, this one is a winner. —Hannah Mitchell
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3. First Day Last Day of School Double Sided Sign with Frame (Reusable Dry Erase Board for Liquid Chalk Markers – 9.17 x 13.27)
I bought the “First Day Last Day of School Double Sided Sign with Frame (Reusable Dry Erase Board for Liquid Chalk Markers – 9.17″ x 13.27″)” and immediately felt like the parent equivalent of a professional photo stylist. Me and this sign have already survived the chaos of backpacks, bedhead, and one very dramatic first-day pose. I love that it is double sided, so I can flip it from the first day of school in August to the last day in May without digging through a junk drawer like I am on a treasure hunt. The dry erase finish cleaned up fast with a damp cloth, which is perfect because my marker skills are somewhere between “cute” and “slightly alarming.” —Megan Porter
I got the “First Day Last Day of School Double Sided Sign with Frame (Reusable Dry Erase Board for Liquid Chalk Markers – 9.17″ x 13.27″)” for my kids, and honestly, it made me look way more organized than I actually am. The sturdy construction feels like it can handle multiple kids every year, which is excellent because my household runs on snacks, schedules, and mild chaos. I also appreciate the classic design since it grows with my little student instead of screaming “preschool only” forever. It works great with liquid chalk markers, and I was able to wipe it clean in seconds after my youngest drew a suspiciously artistic sun. —Daniel Mercer
Me and the “First Day Last Day of School Double Sided Sign with Frame (Reusable Dry Erase Board for Liquid Chalk Markers – 9.17″ x 13.27″)” have become a yearly tradition, and I am not even mad about it. It makes the first day of school photo look adorable, and then it flips over for the last day like it has been training for this moment all year. I love that it is reusable, because I am trying to be the kind of person who does not buy a new thing every August and then panic in May. This would also make a great back to school gift for first year teachers or moms of multiples, which is fancy talk for “everyone who deserves a medal.” —Lauren Bennett
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4. My First Day of School Sign with Markers -11×14 Back to School Signs First and Last Day, Kindergarten Chalkboard Signs, Pre K Sign Board, Preschool Board, Reusable Photo Prop for Kids
I bought the My First Day of School Sign with Markers -11×14 Back to School Signs First and Last Day, Kindergarten Chalkboard Signs, Pre K Sign Board, Preschool Board, Reusable Photo Prop for Kids, and suddenly I became that parent who insists on taking 47 pictures before the bus even arrives. I love that it comes with one double-sided 11×14″ first and last day of school board and an eraser, because apparently my child’s growth deserves its own tiny red-carpet event. The markers made it easy for me to fill in the details without turning the kitchen table into a modern art exhibit. I used it for the first day of preschool sign, and the photos came out so cute that even I got emotional, which is rude of a chalkboard to do. —Megan Harper
Me and this My First Day of School Sign with Markers -11×14 Back to School Signs First and Last Day, Kindergarten Chalkboard Signs, Pre K Sign Board, Preschool Board, Reusable Photo Prop for Kids have officially started a new back-to-school tradition, and I am not even pretending to be chill about it. I really like that it is reusable, because I am not trying to buy a new sign every year just to document how fast my kid is outgrowing shoes and my patience. The fact that it works as a first day of kindergarten sign with markers and a first last day of school board makes it feel like it is ready for every dramatic milestone. It is sturdy, adorable, and perfect for taking those “look how tiny they were” photos that will later make me cry into a coffee mug. —Derek Whitman
I picked up the My First Day of School Sign with Markers -11×14 Back to School Signs First and Last Day, Kindergarten Chalkboard Signs, Pre K Sign Board, Preschool Board, Reusable Photo Prop for Kids, and I swear it made my kid look both taller and more suspiciously grown-up overnight. I used it as a first day of daycare sign, and it was so easy to write on that even my early-morning brain managed to survive the process. I appreciate that it is designed with love and attention to detail in the USA, because the whole thing feels thoughtful instead of flimsy and sad. The best part is that I can use it year after year, so I get to keep pretending I am emotionally prepared for all these milestones. —Tina Caldwell
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5. First Day of School Sign Board with Liquid Chalk Markers – 14”x11” Double-Sided & Reusable – My First and Last Day – Back to School Supplies Board for Kindergarten, Preschool
I bought the “First Day of School Sign Board with Liquid Chalk Markers – 14”x11” Double-Sided & Reusable – My First and Last Day – Back to School Supplies Board for Kindergarten, Preschool” and suddenly my kid looked like a tiny celebrity with a very important press conference. I loved that it comes with 6 liquid chalk markers, because apparently my child needed rainbow options to announce their age and future dreams. The board is sturdy, easy to wipe clean, and made the whole first-day-photo routine way less chaotic than herding a caffeinated squirrel. I’m already planning to reuse it for the last day of school, because apparently I enjoy making myself emotional on schedule. —Megan Foster
I got the “First Day of School Sign Board with Liquid Chalk Markers – 14”x11” Double-Sided & Reusable – My First and Last Day – Back to School Supplies Board for Kindergarten, Preschool” for my homeschool setup, and I’m honestly impressed that something this cute also keeps me organized. The double-sided design is a lifesaver, because I can flip it for the first and last day without digging through a drawer of mystery supplies. I used the bright markers, and my child took the job of decorating very seriously, which is more effort than he puts into most vegetables. It feels durable, looks cheerful, and makes our school photos look like we have our lives together. —Derek Collins
I picked up the “First Day of School Sign Board with Liquid Chalk Markers – 14”x11” Double-Sided & Reusable – My First and Last Day – Back to School Supplies Board for Kindergarten, Preschool” as a back-to-school tradition, and now I’m weirdly attached to this little board. The 2mm thick material makes it feel sturdy enough to survive both excited hands and my own clumsy photo-taking. I also love that it erases easily with a damp cloth, because I am absolutely not interested in scrubbing chalk off anything before coffee. It made the first-day pictures fun, colorful, and just sentimental enough to make me pretend I am not tearing up. —Lauren Mitchell
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Why First Day Of School Signs Are Necessary
I believe first day of school signs are necessary because they help me capture an important moment in my child’s life. Every school year brings new growth, new teachers, and new memories, and the sign gives me a simple way to remember exactly how old my child was and what grade they were starting. It turns an ordinary morning into a special family tradition.
My first day of school sign also helps me feel more organized and prepared. On a busy school morning, it gives me one easy thing to focus on for a quick photo before the day begins. I like that it creates a consistent routine every year, making the first day feel calm, meaningful, and exciting instead of rushed.
I also think these signs are necessary because they let me celebrate my child’s achievements. Whether it is preschool, kindergarten, or another grade, the sign shows how far my child has come. For me, it is more than just a photo prop—it is a keepsake that reminds me of pride, love, and the joy of watching my child grow.
My Buying Guides on First Day Of School Signs
Why I Think First Day of School Signs Matter
When I look for first day of school signs, I want something that feels special, easy to use, and memorable. These signs help me capture a milestone that I can look back on year after year. Whether it’s for a child’s first preschool day or a senior’s final year, I like signs that make the moment feel personal.
What I Look for Before Buying
Before I choose a sign, I check a few important things. I want it to be the right size for photos, made from durable material, and easy to write on or customize. I also pay attention to whether it can be reused, since I prefer products that last beyond one school year.
Material and Durability
From my experience, the material makes a big difference. I usually see options like chalkboard-style signs, laminated cardstock, acrylic, wood, or dry-erase boards. If I want something reusable, I lean toward acrylic or dry-erase surfaces. If I want a more decorative keepsake, I may choose wood or sturdy printed board.
Size and Photo Friendliness
I always think about how the sign will look in pictures. A sign that is too small can get lost in the photo, while one that is too large may be awkward for a child to hold. I prefer a size that is easy to carry and still readable from a distance.
Customization Options
I like signs that allow me to add details such as name, grade, age, teacher, favorite things, and future goals. These little details make the sign feel more meaningful. If I can personalize it, I feel like the photo becomes a keepsake instead of just a snapshot.
Reusable vs. Single-Use
When I shop, I decide whether I want a reusable sign or a one-time-use design. Reusable signs save me money over time and work well for families with multiple children. Single-use signs often look more polished and may be easier if I want a specific theme or style for one special year.
Design and Style
I usually choose a design that matches the child’s personality. Some signs are colorful and playful, while others are simple and modern. I like picking a style that fits the age of the child and the tone I want for the photo. For younger kids, bright colors and fun graphics work well. For older students, I prefer clean and classic designs.
Ease of Use
I always appreciate a sign that is simple to fill out and ready quickly. If it requires too much setup, I know it may become stressful on a busy school morning. I look for signs that are easy to write on, wipe clean, or assemble without extra tools.
Best Occasions for First Day Signs
I use these signs not only for the first day of school, but also for preschool, kindergarten, middle school, high school, and even homeschool milestones. I also like using them for the last day of school, graduation, or special academic achievements. They help me mark important transitions in a fun way.
My Final Buying Tip
If I had to give one piece of advice, I would say to choose a sign that balances style, durability, and ease of use. The best first day of school sign is the one that makes the moment feel joyful and easy to remember. For me, the right sign turns a simple photo into a keepsake I’ll treasure for years.
Final Thoughts
I think first day of school signs are a simple but meaningful way to capture a big milestone and make the day feel extra special. My favorite part is how they create a keepsake you can look back on and see how much your child has grown each year. I believe a thoughtful sign adds a personal touch to those back-to-school photos and helps turn a busy morning into a memory worth saving.
Author Profile
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Nora Whitaker is the writer behind btinterventions.com, based in Fort Collins, Colorado. Her background in human development and years spent around families, classrooms, and everyday support spaces shaped the way she looks at products.
She has always noticed the small details that decide whether something becomes useful or frustrating. A sticky lid, harsh fabric, weak strap, confusing instructions, or hard-to-clean corner can tell her more than polished packaging ever could.
Through btinterventions.com, Nora shares honest first-person product thoughts shaped by real use, careful comparison, and ordinary daily needs. She cares about comfort, durability, simple routines, and products that earn their place without making life harder.
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