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2022-2023 First Day of School Signs (Free Printables)

By Erika in Activities for Kids

back to school free printableThis post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

My favorite back to school tradition is simple. I snap a photo of my kids holding a first day of school sign. The memories are priceless, and it just takes minutes!

This fun, SIMPLE tradition is one you will cherish for years. I mean, have you ever looked at old photos of your kids and regretted taking them? It’s impossible not to love!

boy holding up paper that says first day of third grade 2022-2023 in green wooded background this idea now...

A Favorite Back to School Tradition

We all have favorite traditions as we send our kids back to school at the end of the summer. Some of us might hold creative parties or do fun crafts, while others keep it more low-key by packing a special note in their child’s lunchbox.

Me? I prefer simple as I think the back-to-school time of year is busy enough without adding more to my to-do list. But there’s one fun and easy thing we can all do: take a photo of your children holding up a printable first day of school sign!

Plus, there’s a lot of meaning and sentiment in this tradition. Time is flying by and you and your kids have made it to the start of another year. It’s made me more determined than ever to capture memories of my children and these fleeting years!

Back to School Signs

printed first day of school signs preschool-twelfth grade on dark wood

I don’t know who first started this simple yet brilliant idea of having kids hold a sign saying “The First Day of….(their grade)”, but I love it. I’ve been doing this with my four kids for the past several years now and it’s resulted in some of my favorite pictures. Plus I’m always amazed to see how much they’ve grown when I look back at those ‘first-day’ pictures.

I think my kids like it more than a regular photoshoot too because they get to hold something.

smiling boy holding first day of preschool 2022 sign

Plus it’s such an EASY tradition too. And I have a couple of mom secret tips that make it even simpler too. I’ll share my tips below!

Free Printable First Day of School Signs 2022-2023

child holding first day of second grade printed sign

So in honor of heading back to school, my team has made some lovely printable first day of school signs for ALL GRADES, including daycare, preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th!

Your older teens may not be a huge fan of posing for moms, but since it will make you so happy, they just might be convinced. (As long as you promise NOT to post it anywhere on social media.)

These are FREE printable back-to-school signs so you can print as many as you need (and come back again when your preschooler stomped on it when you turned your back!). Anyone else?

Free Download Here!

Get your 2022-2023 printable first day of school signs when you join my email list here:

text 2022 printable first day of school signs

Supplies You’ll Need:

  • printer
  • printer paper
  • optional cardstock paper (it holds up better with little fingers)

First Day Photo Taking Tips

I’ve taken these back-to-school sign photos for several years now. I’ve thankfully learned a trick or two over the years and am happy to share them with you!

Take Photos With the First Day of School Sign Before the First Day

I know it sounds odd, but this simple tip will make your life much easier than trying to squeeze a photo into an already hectic school morning, especially if you have kids going to school super early.

So, choose a day when you have a bit more time. I like to do it as close to the end of summer as possible so I really can capture the essence of what my children look like!

Then, print out your first day of school sign and hand it over to your little one to pose with. If it doesn’t go great, try again the next day. No biggie! This was a serious game changer for me.

Family Encouragement↓

layout of daily affirmation cards for the whole family offer

Let Your Child Choose Some Elements

child holding first day of second grade printed sign

If you involve your child a bit in the preparations, they will likely be much more agreeable about taking the photo!

For my kids, that may mean I let them choose their outfit (or at least give them a choice between two outfits I’ve preselected). Or perhaps I let them choose the location.

Plus, with digital cameras, it’s so easy to let them try out different poses! Promise them they can do a few silly face photos if they give you one nice smile. It works!

More First Day of School Sign Options:

Here’s another version of first day signs for you to enjoy! These colorful signs add even more fun for your child (and you!) 

boy holding colorful first day of fourth grade sign in woods

layout of rainbow first day of school signs 2022

Remember, at the end of the day this is all about creating a sweet memory. Yes, we all want the perfect photo with a beaming child holding a back to school sign—it just may take a few tries!

You’ve got this, mama!

collage of images with printed first day of school signs for 2022

 

Dear mom, I have so much more I’d love to share with you…

Fill out this form to join the Living Well Mom email community and receive the best of the best for your family’s journey to living well!
    *Note: ↑ this form does not give you a freebie. If you are looking for a free printable or other freebie, scroll back up to the rest of the post and use the other form.

    Filed Under: Activities for Kids, Back to School, For Moms, Parenting, Seasonal Tagged With: back to school, free printablePublished on February 15, 2022

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    About Erika

    Erika Bragdon is a second-generation homeschooling mom with 3 kids at home and 1 in college. She lives in the beautiful hills of New Hampshire on a small farm and loves writing, baking, nature, and sharing flower essences and more natural solutions with moms.

    Comments

    1. Debra says

      August 2, 2016 at 12:52 am

      These signs are so adorable – I’ve pinned them! 🙂 I’ve definitely started taking special pictures like these since my daughter started elementary school – priceless!

      Reply
    2. Scott says

      August 2, 2016 at 10:18 am

      We get photos on the first day every year, but never thought of having them hold a sign. What a great idea!

      Reply
    3. Greta says

      August 2, 2016 at 11:45 am

      Cute signs. I don’t know who came up with the idea either, but in the past few years, it’s really exploded!

      Reply
    4. Cathi Crismon says

      August 2, 2016 at 2:31 pm

      I can’t believe it’s that time of year again already! I’m going to print these out for my grandkids!!

      Reply
    5. Amber Edwards says

      August 2, 2016 at 10:51 pm

      I am not ready for this! I am in denial! No School will NOT start. i won’t allow it! Can I tell them know nad have it work?

      These are adorable signs though. and a great idea for the first day of school photos. I just don’t want to face that first day of school yet. I may be the only parent that feels that way. lol.

      Reply
      • Erika says

        August 3, 2016 at 12:17 pm

        You’re not! I’m the same way too. I love having my kids around and not having to rush from one thing to another. The laid back summer routine is one of my favorite times of the year!
        When do your kids start school?

        Reply
    6. Beverly says

      August 8, 2016 at 11:22 am

      Love these! You might want to recheck the spell for 12th grade though. It should be twelfth.

      Reply
      • Erika says

        August 8, 2016 at 3:16 pm

        Oh no, thanks for letting me know. I’m working on it!: )

        Reply
    7. Mama Heather says

      August 16, 2018 at 10:56 am

      Thank you so very much for these adorable simple printouts. This mama is getting ready for another tear filled morning watching my daughter level up in Elementary School. Third grade back in the day use to be fun and carefree, now its all about cramming in as much information as possible into their heads and getting prepared for STAR testing. But it is what it is. Again thank you for sharing.

      Reply
    8. Breana says

      August 20, 2019 at 9:21 pm

      Would loved to have had a pre-k one so I could use these!

      Reply
      • Erika says

        August 21, 2019 at 1:08 pm

        Sorry about that, Breana. I’ll make sure we include one next time!

        Reply
    9. ester says

      September 2, 2019 at 9:41 pm

      great signs – my older girls like that it’s not “cute”

      Reply
    10. Erika says

      February 18, 2020 at 8:34 pm

      THANK YOU!!! It is very nice of you to allow us to use these. Once again, Thank You.

      Reply
    11. Amy says

      March 12, 2020 at 9:59 pm

      Thanks! These are so cute. I use these signs each year and try to find a different design each time. These were perfect for this year. So glad you will have matching last day ones as well 🙂

      Reply
      • Erika says

        March 13, 2020 at 12:11 pm

        I’m so glad you like these, Amy! Last day of school signs are coming very soon! 🙂

        Reply
    12. Susan Dubose says

      May 19, 2020 at 9:43 pm

      These are so adorable! Love how bright and cheerful they look. Thank you so much for creating these. I too am interested in matching Last Day of School signs.

      Reply
    13. Karli says

      August 24, 2020 at 12:26 pm

      Hi! Love these signs so much! WHen I went to download, it only did the bonus pack, not the separate grade signs, am I missing something?
      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Erika says

        August 25, 2020 at 6:02 pm

        Hi Karli, there are 2 links on the download sheet – one sends you to the bonus pack and the other to the separate grade signs. Send me an email at erika@livingwellmom.com if you have any more issues.

        Reply
    14. Kat says

      August 27, 2020 at 3:05 am

      THANK YOU!!! It is very nice of you to allow us to use these. Once again, Thank You.

      Reply
    15. Emily Stimpson says

      August 27, 2020 at 8:32 am

      Thank you so much!!!!

      Reply
    16. Lisa says

      August 27, 2020 at 11:26 am

      So cute, I will print it for my younger brother. Thank you for your ideas! Wish you all the best!

      Reply
    17. Heather Haight says

      September 4, 2020 at 3:57 pm

      🙁 I never got my email to confirm.

      Reply
      • Erika says

        September 8, 2020 at 10:12 am

        Hi Heather, it will come from erika@livingwellmom.com. If you still don’t see it, send me an email at that address and I’ll help you troubleshoot.

        Reply
    18. Emily says

      March 17, 2022 at 5:51 am

      These last day signs are fantastic, thank you so much!

      Reply

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    Welcome! I’m Erika and I’m the creator behind Living Well Mom.

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