Are you running out of January bulletin board ideas? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. With 20 simple January bulletin board ideas, you can take the stress out of classroom preparation. We’ll walk you through the essential materials and provide clear, step-by-step guidance to help you bring each idea to life. Let’s get started!
20 January bulletin board ideas
New Year’s tab book
Materials prepared:
- New Year’s Resolutions tab book
- Goal-setting book (e.g., Ruby’s Wish by Shirin Yim Bridges)
- Scissors
- Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
- Stapler or glue
- Bulletin board space and background paper
Materials prepared:
Begin the lesson by introducing the concept of goal setting through a read-aloud . After the discussion, provide each student with a New Year’s Resolutions tab book. This printable includes a variety of goal statements such as academic goals, behavior, or personal habits. Students write, decorate, and personalize their tab books. Once completed, display the finished tab books on your bulletin board to create an engaging and motivational New Year’s display.
New Year’s wish list
Materials prepared:
- Bulletin board space and background paper
- Motivational quote cards or printed messages
- Student goal cards or blank paper cutouts
- Markers, pens, or colored pencils
- Tape, glue, or staples
Materials prepared:
Start by setting up the bulletin board with a clean, eye-catching background that reflects the New Year theme. Add motivational messages that encourage students to reflect on responsibility, growth, and new beginnings. Next, invite students to write down their goals for the year on individual cards or paper cutouts. Encourage them to think about what they want to improve, learn, or achieve in the coming months. Once completed, have students add their goals to the bulletin board.
Tasting snowflakes
Materials prepared:
- The book Names for Snow by Judi K. Beach
- Chart paper or anchor chart paper
- Markers
- Writing paper with a snow theme
- Construction paper (various colors)
- Colored pastels or crayons
- Scissors and glue
Materials prepared:
Begin by reading Names for Snow aloud. Next, invite students to brainstorm descriptive adjectives and verbs related to snow, encouraging them to think about how snow looks, feels, and moves. Record their ideas on an anchor chart . Next, guide students to write a short “Snow Poem” using some of the words from the brainstorm. Once finished, have students draw their head and body using construction paper and colored pastels, creating a snowflake-catching character.
Do you want to build a snowman?
Materials prepared:
- Scrap or leftover paper (white and assorted colors)
- Construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Markers or crayons
- Bulletin board background paper
Materials prepared:
Gather extra paper scraps and invite students to turn them into a cheerful snowman craft. Using simple shapes cut from paper, students assemble their own snowmen, adding facial features, accessories, and personal details with markers or crayons.
Sliding into Learning” penguin board
Materials prepared:
- Scrap paper
- Construction paper (for penguins and snowballs)
- Scissors
- Glue
- Markers or pencils
- Math fact family worksheets or templates
- Bulletin board background paper
Materials prepared:
Before creating the final craft, ask them to write the four related math problems on scrap paper to check accuracy. Remind students not to use double facts and to keep numbers under 100 so everything fits neatly on the snowballs. Once the math work is complete, students create their penguin using construction paper and add snowballs labeled with each fact from their chosen fact family.
Hot Chocolate
Materials prepared:
- Writing paper for “How-To” instructions
- Construction paper (mugs, marshmallows, cocoa elements)
- Scissors
- Glue
- Markers or crayons
- Bulletin board background paper
Materials prepared:
Introducing a how-to writing activity focused on making hot chocolate. Invite students to think through the steps in order, from gathering ingredients to enjoying the final warm drink. Encourage clear sequencing and descriptive language to strengthen procedural writing skills. After completing their writing, have students create a hot chocolate craft using construction paper.
I Have a Dream
Materials prepared:
- Construction paper for handprint cutouts
- Pencils, markers, or crayons
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
- Bulletin board background paper
- Letter cutouts or paper for the words “I Have a Dream”
Materials prepared:
Invite students to reflect on their hopes and aspirations by writing or drawing their dreams on handprint cutouts. Guide them to think about what they want to achieve and how their dreams can positively impact others. Once finished, arrange the handprints on the bulletin board around the phrase “I Have a Dream.”
Winter hat board
Materials prepared:
- Winter hat templates or blank paper
- Construction paper
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
- Glue and scissors
- Optional decorations (stickers, yarn, cotton balls)
- Bulletin board background paper
Materials prepared:
Encourage students to design their own winter hats using a variety of art supplies, or provide ready-made templates for them to decorate. Give them freedom to choose colors, patterns, and textures so each hat reflects their personal style and creativity. Once completed, display the hats on a January-themed bulletin board to create a bright and cozy winter atmosphere in the classroom.
Goal-setting iceberg board
Materials prepared:
- Goal Setting Iceberg templates
- White or light-colored paper
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
- Scissors and glue
- Blue bulletin board background paper
- Optional: goal-setting banner or winter-themed borders
Materials prepared:
Give each student an Iceberg Goal template and guide them to write their main goal at the tip of the iceberg. In the larger sections below, have them list smaller tasks or steps that will help them achieve that main goal. Invite students to decorate the background of their iceberg using shades of blue to create a cohesive winter-themed look. Once finished, display all the icebergs together on a bulletin board or classroom wall.
New Year’s time to shine board
Materials prepared:
- New Year’s Time to Shine writing templates
- Disco ball flip craft printables
- Construction paper or cardstock
- Scissors
- Glue or staples
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
- Bulletin board backing paper and title letters
Materials prepared:
Have students complete the disco ball-themed writing flip craft by responding to prompts about how they will “shine” in the New Year, such as setting personal, academic, or social goals. Once finished, students color and assemble their flip crafts, then display them together on a January bulletin board.
Marshmallow math activity
Materials prepared:
- Marshmallows (mini marshmallows work best)
- Marshmallow Math story problem template
- Editable math worksheet (optional for differentiation)
- Pencils
- Paper plates or small trays for counting
Materials prepared:
Have students use real marshmallows as counters to create and solve their own math story problems. Students physically move the marshmallows as they model addition or subtraction. For differentiation, use the editable template to adjust the level of difficulty. You can easily customize the activity for higher-level addition or subtraction problems, making it suitable for a range of learners.
Make It Pop
Materials prepared:
- Brown bulletin board paper
- Letter cutouts for the year or phrase (e.g. “This Year Will Be Poppin”)
- Popcorn box templates or small paper boxes
- Yellow and white paper for popcorn pieces
- Glue or tape
- Markers or crayons
Materials prepared:
Transform a simple brown bulletin board into a high-impact New Year display by creating a popcorn theme that symbolizes excitement and fresh beginnings. Start by arranging the year or a fun phrase across the board using bold letter cutouts. Beneath each letter, add a popcorn box filled with paper popcorn pieces to create a layered, eye-catching effect.
Blast into the New Year
Materials prepared:
- Bulletin board background paper
- Rocket ship template
- Astronaut templates
- Construction paper or cardstock
- Printed student photos (cut to fit astronaut helmets)
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
- Markers or crayons
- Letter cutouts for the title “Blasting Into a New Year”
Materials prepared:
Introduce the New Year by launching a space-themed bulletin board that highlights your students as the stars of the display. Begin by preparing a large rocket ship and multiple astronaut cutouts using construction paper or cardstock. Attach each student’s photo to an astronaut helmet to personalize the activity and build excitement. Arrange the rocket and astronauts across the bulletin board to create the effect of launching into space.
A toast to the New Year
Materials prepared:
- Green bulletin board background paper
- Egg and toast cutout templates
- Construction paper or cardstock
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
- Letter cutouts for the title “Let’s Toast to the New Year! We Are Egg-cited to Learn”
Materials prepared:
Invite them to reflect on subjects, skills, or topics they are looking forward to and write their ideas on egg or toast cutouts. Once completed, have students decorate their eggs and toast pieces, then display them together on a green bulletin board background. Arrange the title at the top to highlight the playful wordplay and New Year theme.
Silver bells
Materials prepared:
- Black bulletin board background
- Silver tin foil (for creating bell shapes)
- White or metallic paper for writing prompts
- String or ribbon (to hang the bells)
- Christmas or fairy lights
- Adhesive tape or glue
Materials prepared:
Start by covering the bulletin board with a black background to help the silver elements stand out. Shape the tin foil into bell forms and attach them evenly across the board. Add short writing prompts to each bell to encourage student participation and creativity. Finish by placing twinkling lights along the top edge of the board to create a festive “ringing in the new year” effect.
Keys for a Happy New Year
Materials prepared:
- Large bulletin board background in neutral or light tones
- Watercolor paint strip or palette made from colorful paper or watercolor-style prints
- Oversized paintbrush cutout from cardboard or poster board
- Paint splatter cutouts for student writing
- Markers, crayons, or watercolor paints
- Glue, tape, or staples for assembly
Materials prepared:
Create a bright and inspiring bulletin board by covering the board with a neutral background to make the colors stand out. Add the watercolor paint strip or palette across the top, then attach the oversized paintbrush to give the display a bold focal point. Invite students to write their hopes, goals, or new year intentions on individual paint splatter cutouts.
Resolutions galore
Materials prepared:
- Brightly colored bulletin board background
- Cartoon child templates or character cutouts
- Resolution writing prompt sheets
- White paper for student resolutions
- Crayons, colored pencils, or markers
- Scissors and glue
- Letter cutouts for “Happy New Year” title
Materials prepared:
Introduce the concept of goal setting by discussing what a New Year’s resolution is and why it matters. Ask students to write their resolutions for the coming year using the writing prompt sheets. Have them color and decorate their own cartoon character templates to personalize the activity. Attach each written resolution to the matching character and display them across the bulletin board under a bold “Happy New Year” heading.
When the clock strikes midnight
Materials prepared:
- Bulletin board background paper
- Clock cutouts or clock templates
- Decorative numbers and hands for clocks
- Writing prompts or blank labels
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
- Glue or tape
Materials prepared:
Create a festive New Year bulletin board. Start by preparing the background and arranging the clock cutouts across the board in different sizes or styles. Invite students to write New Year messages, goals, or reflections on the writing prompts and attach them to the clocks. For a quicker setup, use a premade bulletin board kit, or design your own clock-themed version to match your classroom style.
Beat the Blues
Materials prepared:
- Bulletin board background paper (dark or winter-themed colors)
- Snowflake cutouts or templates
- Writing prompts related to healthy habits
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
- Glue or tape
- Optional title letters for “Ways to Beat the Winter Blues”
Materials prepared:
Design a classroom bulletin board that focuses on social and emotional well-being during the winter months. Start by setting up a dark or seasonal background to reflect winter. Add snowflake cutouts across the board and invite students to write positive habits or self-care ideas on each snowflake, such as healthy eating, staying active, or getting enough rest. Arrange the snowflakes neatly under the main title to create a clear and engaging display.
Numbers with personality
Materials prepared:
- Large number cutouts (printed or hand-drawn)
- Colored construction paper
- Googly eyes
- Markers and crayons
- Glue or tape
- Scissors
- Scrap paper or decorative paper pieces
Materials prepared:
Create a playful and engaging bulletin board by turning numbers into characters with personality. Begin by giving each student a number cutout. Invite them to design their “number person” by adding eyes, arms, legs, facial expressions, and fun details using construction paper and craft supplies. Encourage creativity by allowing students to decorate around their numbers with patterns, colors, or items that represent things they enjoy.
FAQs
1. What decor to use in January?
January classroom decor should feel fresh, calming, and motivating after the busy holiday season. Popular January decor ideas include winter-themed bulletin boards, goal-setting displays, and learning-focused visuals. Think snowflakes, penguins, mittens, and neutral winter colors combined with inspiring messages like new goals, new beginnings, or growth. Using student work, such as writing prompts, number crafts, or reflection activities, also helps create a meaningful and engaging January classroom environment.
2. How do you decorate in January after Christmas?
After Christmas, start by removing heavy holiday-specific elements like Santa, Christmas trees, and ornaments. Replace them with winter-neutral decor that still feels seasonal but not festive. Transition smoothly by keeping cooler color palettes such as blues, whites, and grays, then introduce themes like winter learning, New Year goal setting, kindness, or fresh starts. Bulletin boards focused on student goals, reflections, or academic challenges are an easy way to refresh your classroom while keeping it purposeful and organized for the new year.
Conclusion
With these 20 January bulletin board ideas, we hope you won’t have any trouble coming up with new and interesting ideas for your classroom. They’re designed to make planning easier and help you feel more confident when preparing bulletin boards for the start of the year. So why wait? Start using these ideas today and turn your classroom into a fun and engaging space for your students. Explore Our Winter Worksheets – Get a head start on your January classroom activities!
