Printable Chalkboard Borders to Decorate the Classroom
Today I bring you 14 designs to give your chalkboard a new look. I’ve tried them myself and they look fantastic: you’ll find rainbows, smiley faces, dinosaurs, animals, and even borders for autumn and Christmas. Download your favorite, cut out the strips, and create a special atmosphere in your classroom. Let’s see which one you pick!
A small change that makes your chalkboard stand out
I don’t know if it happens to you, but sometimes you want to refresh your classroom without changing everything. That’s why I made these borders: just print the one you like, cut out the strips, and frame your chalkboard.
You can pick one design to leave up for weeks or swap it out when you start a new topic. The dinosaur border is great for a prehistory activity, the under-the-sea border fits perfectly with ocean projects, and the colorful gingham patterns go with almost any theme.
And you don’t have to download all 14. Each image has its own button, so you can save only your favorites.
Pick your favorite
There are simple, colorful designs and others made with special occasions in mind.
Print as many as you need
If your chalkboard is large, just print the same sheet multiple times until you have enough strips.
Do it your way
Decorate the entire frame, just the top, or even a class mural.
Which one will go on your board?
Here are the 14 designs so you can browse at your own pace. I find it hard to choose just one, but you don’t have to! Change the border whenever you like, or save one for a special project. Download only what you need.
Rainbow border
If you want to start with a vibrant board, this one might be your pick.
Smiley faces border
A bunch of smiling faces to greet your students every morning.
Pink gingham border
A soft pink pattern if you want to decorate your chalkboard without making it too bold.
Yellow gingham border
The yellow version for a bright touch in the classroom.
Blue gingham border
If you like the gingham design but prefer blue tones, here is your choice.
Animals border
A lovely choice for a class where animal stories are always welcome.
Flowers and hearts border
Flowers and little hearts to add a cheerful touch to that special classroom corner.
Moon and stars border
For a chalkboard with a hint of night sky and plenty of imagination.
Dinosaur border
I love this one for activities about dinosaurs or prehistory.
Under-the-sea border
A beautiful idea if you’re learning about ocean animals.
Space border
If your next adventure is about planets and stars, this is the perfect frame.
Numbers and letters border
Looks great on a chalkboard where you write a word or a little challenge every day.
Here’s how I prepare the borders so they fit just right
It’s super simple, but I recommend doing a quick test before printing lots of copies. This way, you’ll know how much space each strip covers and you won’t run short at the final corner.
Choose your design
Download your favorite and print just a single sheet first to try it out.
Check your printout
Select A4 paper in landscape orientation and check the preview to make sure the strips are complete.
Cut and test fit
Place the strips on the chalkboard without attaching them yet. You’ll see exactly how much they cover and where the seams look best.
Finish your frame
Print more copies if needed. Place the straight edges first and save the corners for last.
A little tip: before cutting the final strip, try a few positions. Sometimes just shifting the pattern a little hides the seams between two pieces much better.
There's a border for every classroom moment
You can put one up and leave it for weeks, or switch when you start a new project. Here are a few combinations I particularly like.
For every day
The gingham patterns work great if you want something simple. Choose pink, blue, or yellow—or, if you want more cheer, go with rainbows or smiley faces.
For a class project
Imagine your chalkboard surrounded by dinosaurs while studying prehistory, or with the ocean border during a marine activity. There are also animal and space themes.
For a challenge corner
The numbers and letters border is just right for a board where you write a new word, math problem, or daily question for the class.
To match the season
Save the autumn border for when the leaves start to fall and bring out the Christmas one in December. It’s an easy way to refresh the room without starting from scratch.
Have you decided which border to use?
If you’re getting your classroom ready, you might want to check out these other resources. And once your board is done, you’ll also find activities to try out on it.
Before you grab the scissors…
Here are answers to questions you might have when printing and putting up the borders.
Do I have to download all 14 designs?
Not at all! You can just download the ones you like. Each design has its own button, so no need to save the entire collection.
How do I print the sheets?
Use A4 paper in landscape orientation. Before printing several copies, check the preview to make sure all the strips are showing.
How many copies do I need for my chalkboard?
It depends on your board’s size and whether you want to cover the whole border or just part of it. I’d recommend printing one sheet first, cutting out a strip, and checking it on the board. That way, it’s much easier to calculate how many copies you’ll need.
Can I mix different borders?
Absolutely! For example, you can mix and match different colored gingham strips. Place the strips without attaching them to see which combination you like best.
Are they good for decorating things besides the chalkboard?
Yes! You can also use them to frame a mural, classroom display, or any corner of your classroom that could use a touch of color.