Snow is falling, sleigh bells are ringing, and winter is here! These winter and holiday classroom doors are full of cheer and frosty joy. Find inspiration here for a holiday door-decorating contest, or choose one of these to make your students’ winter days a little bit brighter.
1. Vincent van Snow
Turn your door into a Snowy Starry Night with this super-fun door idea. It’s perfect for art rooms or anyone who loves Vincent van Gogh’s art.
Source: @doubleloadedpaint
2. Adventure to Narnia
Fans of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe will respond to the inviting nature of this door. It would be fantastic for a school library.
Source: Stephanie Kiesewetter/Pinterest
3. Chill Out With a Good Book
Speaking of book lovers, how cute is this door? Have each student make a snowman, personalizing the book cover with one of their own favorites.
Source: The Classroom Creative
4. Green Christmas
Combine the holidays with an environmental message with this smart door! Raid the recycling bin for some empty bottles and paint them green. (Tip: Use washable paint so you can clean them off and recycle them once the holidays are over.)
Source: @mountairefarms
5. Giant Reindeer
This larger-than-life reindeer is bound to make folks smile! Have students decorate ornaments to hang from his antlers.
Source: @buggyaboutkinder
6. Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Ready to get a little messy? Let kids dip their feet in paint and make footprints on a large sheet of paper. Then turn them into snowmen and decorate your door!
Source: Winter Wonderland/Apex Elementary
7. Winter Art Supplies
Art teachers and school supply fanatics will get a kick out of this idea! The clean and simple design is pretty easy to make too.
Source: @clintonartists
8. Silent Night
Every other teacher will snicker knowingly when they see this design on your door. Students can contribute by coloring in the light bulbs.
Source: @heypreschool
9. Snowy Day
If your students love Ezra Jack Keats’ The Snowy Day, try re-creating one of the book’s iconic illustrations. The use of felt here adds a nice touch of texture.
Source: @childcareoptions
10. Double Wonderland
These side-by-side doors look simply amazing with their light-up snowy winter landscape. This idea takes some time and effort, but you can keep it up all winter long.
Source: @laviv04
11. Poster Frame Inspiration
All three of these winter and holiday classroom doors are easy to make, using a poster frame as a cool 3D element. Check out our video walk-through to learn how it’s done.
12. Sweet Snow Globes
Use clear plastic plates to make personalized snow globes for your door. Then have students use them as inspiration for a writing assignment: “The Day I Spent in a Snow Globe.”
Source: Lessons With Laughter
13. 3D Tree
The terrific thing about winter classroom doors like this one is the versatility. Getting ready for Christmas? Add decorations and some presents underneath. Settling into the winter months? Go with snowflakes and maybe add a winter bird or two.
Source: Conversations in Literacy
14. Swingin’ Snowman
This cheery snowman is simple enough for any teacher to create. Make this door last beyond the holidays by substituting a swing of pine branches for the lights!
Source: Abigail/Pinterest
15. Snow Bird
Show off the wide variety of learning that’s going on in your classroom with this winter door idea that will last all season long.
Source: Christina Pickrell/Pinterest
16. Fa La La La Llama
Llamas are everywhere these days, so why not add one to your classroom door? This one is cute as a button!
Source: @hangingwithmrshulsey
17. Penguin Stacking
Penguins are always a welcome sight for kids, so they’re the perfect choice for winter and holiday classroom doors. Have kids help you make and personalize them.
Source: Amy Clark/Pinterest
18. Oh Deer!
Uh oh! This deer is having a little trouble, but we bet he’ll make kids laugh anyway!
Source: Rebecca Foster/Pinterest
19. Perky Penguin
Here’s another penguin, and one that’s actually pretty simple to create with big sheets of butcher paper. The 3D beak is a nice touch.
Source: Art With Mrs. Nguyen
20. Gone to the Beach
Even Santa needs a day off now and then! We love the detail of real seashells along the bottom of this door.
Source: Santa’s Day Off/Teacher’s Brain Blog
21. Mele Kalikimaka
Like the tropical take? Give your door a Hawaiian spin with a palm tree instead of a pine.
Source: Mrs. Geiger’s Third Grade Class
22. Take a Selfie
Turn your door into an interactive photo spot. Every kid in the school will want their own elfie selfie!
Source: Selfie/Lucky Little Learners
23. Rudolph in the Dark
Need a simple door with big impact? This one is sure to get a chuckle out of everyone that passes by.
Source: Creativity Is Contagious
24. Out of This World
A snowman made out of planets? This is one of the cleverest holiday classroom door ideas we’ve seen yet!
Source: Carole White/Pinterest
25. Science of Snow
Science teachers will love this option. Not only is it pretty, it’s educational too.
Source: Stephanie Massey/Pinterest
26. Oh, Chemis-tree
One more for the science lovers! This is an easy door to put together, but the pun makes it a real winner.
Source: @simplyscientific
27. Appy Holidays
Line your door with black butcher paper, then let your students have fun coming up with “apps” for this techno-savvy idea.
Source: Shayna Marissa/Pinterest
28. Singing Reindeer
We’re not sure, but we have a feeling this reindeer might be singing a bit out of tune. His heart’s in the right place, though!
Source: Bryanna Michel/Pinterest
29. Handprint Tree
This tree has a couple of cool personal touches. Kids’ handprints cut from construction paper make up the fir needles, plus each ornament is decorated with a photo of a student!
Source: Handprint Tree/Apex Elementary Art
30. Spread Christmas Cheer
Help Buddy the Elf get the word out: Singing is a sure way to spread holiday cheer!
Source: Jennie Knight/Pinterest
31. The Nutcracker
Read kids the story of The Nutcracker, or show a video of the ballet, to help them understand why these figures are a symbol of the holidays.
Source: Rewa Blackstar/Pinterest
32. Reindeer Stable
Pssst … we don’t think these reindeer are entirely honest! They’re pretty adorable, though.
Source: Reindeer Stable/Apex Elementary Art
33. Worth Melting For
Olaf is here to spread holiday cheer! Oh, and he also likes warm hugs.
Source: Lauren Martinez/Pinterest
34. Not Such a Bad Little Door
What would Christmas be without the Peanuts characters? The holiday classic is full of timeless messages that kids of all ages can appreciate.
Source: @create.with.color
35. Snoopy’s Christmas
Here’s another Peanuts-inspired door, this one featuring Snoopy’s award-winning doghouse decorations!
Source: Debbie Davis/Pinterest
36. Warm Up With a Latte
Winter classroom doors aren’t just for the elementary crowd. This one would be a big hit with middle school and high school students.
Source: Amanda Davis/Pinterest
37. Elves at Work
Show off all your little elves by putting their faces on your classroom door. The “Elves Ahead” sign is optional … but awesome.
Source: Elves at Work/Teacher’s Brain Blog
38. The Grinch
The Grinch is beloved, and for good reason. This simple door shares one of the best sentiments of all.
Source: Grinch/Mrs. Orman’s Classroom
39. Gingerbread House
Why stop at the door when you can create a whole house? This idea is actually pretty easy to pull off, once you get your hands on some big sheets of butcher paper.
Source: Gingerbread House/Lucky Little Learners
40. Walk-In Snow Globe
We love winter and holiday classroom doors that have larger-than-life designs. It makes it feel like you’re stepping into a storybook!
Source: Jessica Newton/Pinterest
41. Crazy Snowmen
Your kids will have so much fun showing off their personalities with one of these holiday classroom doors full of unique snowman faces.
Source: Crazy Snowman/Apex Elementary Art
42. The Polar Express
Wow! We’re not saying you necessarily need to go all out with your door, but The Polar Express is always a good place to start.
Source: The Polar Express/Mrs. Orman’s Class
43. Plastic Cup Snowman
These plastic cup snowmen are easier to create than you might think. (Watch a how-to video here.) The addition of lights to this one really sets it apart.
Source: Janice McCarthy/Pinterest
44. The Ugly Sweater
Get in on the ugly holiday sweater trend by turning it into holiday classroom door decor. The more bling, the better!
Source: Jennifer Guariniello Brewer/Pinterest
45. Home Alone
Ahhhhh! We’re loving this ode to Home Alone, one of everyone’s favorite holiday movies.
Source: Lindsey Engler/Pinterest
46. Penguin Heads
This is another great idea for featuring your students! Just put their faces on the penguin heads.
Source: Katie Smith – I Want To Be a Super Teacher/Pinterest
47. Gingerbread Men
A roll of aluminum turns your classroom door into a baking pan. Have your kiddos design their own gingerbread people!
Source: Gingerbread Men/Apex Elementary Art
48. Elf on the Shelf
Oh, that sneaky Elf on the Shelf! You never know where he’s going to show up next.
Source: Jessica “Mueggenborg” McCollough/Pinterest
49. Peeking Polar Bear
Turn a photo frame into a window for a happy polar bear to peek through! Then add your students’ names on snowballs below.
Source: Tara Lynn/Pinterest
50. Winter Kindness
It’s also always a good time to promote kindness in your classroom. This door design will last until spring flowers start to bloom.
Source: Gardening Mom/Pinterest
51. Snow Much Fun
Simple but effective, don’t you think? Have your students make their own snowflakes for a hands-on activity.
Source: @smalltown_teaching
52. Igloo and Bubbles
Why yes, that is a polar bear blowing bubbles and take-out containers turned into an igloo!
Source: Violeta Elquemastemole/Pinterest
53. Fleece Navidad
Cuddly little lambs wish “ewe” a happy holiday season. Such a charming idea!
Source: @minamouse27
54. Hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do! Be warned, though: This song will get stuck in your head.
Source: Marci Walbourn/Pinterest
55. Triple Dog Dare
As A Christmas Story taught us, no one turns down a triple dog dare … even when they really should. Poor Flip!
Source: Rachel R/Pinterest
56. Rockin’ Around the Tree
Create a stunning holiday tree using green plastic cups. You can decorate the tree with any art supplies; tinsel really makes it pop!
Source: Twitter/West Wind Elementary
57. Merry Cactmas
If your classroom has a cactus theme, or you just love succulents, one of these holiday classroom doors is perfect for you! We love the addition of the winter accessories to keep the cactus warm.
Source: Instagram/Sweet Tooth Teaching
58. Have a Very Minion Holiday
This door is one in a minion! Disguise your minion friend as an elf for the holiday season.
Source: Pinterest/Nicole Maxwell
59. Fire and Ice
Snow Miser and Heat Miser can make an awesome debut in your classroom this year. Put that creativity to the test with one of these holiday classroom doors.
Source: Mrs. Orman’s Classroom
60. Pete the Catmas
Pete the Cat will bring some relaxing vibes to the classroom this winter season. Don’t stress, it’s all good!
Source: Pinterest/Heaven Santasiere
Looking for more ideas? Check out 14 ways to brighten your classroom during the dreary winter months.
Plus, 22 winter crafts we want to try right now.
