Hey Hey! I am so excited to be finally blogging about how to make your very own classroom photo booth.
This is something I made and started last year and my students and parents loved it! I used it a total of 3 times throughout the year (Meet the Teacher Night, Open House, and the last day of school), but could have definitely used it more. I love it because it is so easy to make and doesn't break the bank! It is the perfect back to school project for your classroom!
Here I will tell you all the things you need to make and use it throughout the year as well as how to make it (it really doesn't take that long!). I also have some fun freebies for you at the end of this post to go along with your classroom photo booth!
- Mounting Board from Hobby Lobby (white matte-$7) These are located near the back of the store in the tall skinny shelves. I like to use the thinner mounting board vs. the thick foam board. It is easier to cut and looks better without being so shiny.
- Exacto Knife: Grab on Amazon HERE
- Bright Colored Cardstock (Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Or Amazon HERE–this is my favorite pack of colors!)
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Ceiling Hangers- HERE on Amazon
Once you have the mounting board, ruler, and Exacto knife you are ready to go!!
Here are the steps of making your photo booth:
Use your pencil and ruler to draw a rectangle on your board. You want the rectangle to be about 6-7 inches from the bottom, and leave 1.5 inches on the sides and top. This makes it looks like a polaroid type photo. Draw the lines lightly-you can also erase mistakes later!
With your board being on a flat surface (that you don't want to damage!), use the Exacto knife to carefully cut out the rectangle you just drew. Don't worry-it doesn't have to be perfect!
Now all you have to do is add a saying at the bottom and hang it up! You have yourself a photo booth!
I use the bright colored cardstock to cut out letters for the bottom. Last year I spelt out #thirdgrade, Open House 2016, and #straightoutta3rd. It was a hit! I use my cameo (don't have one? It can be a little pricey, but WELL WORTH IT!), but you can also print letters on card stock and cut them by hand. There's a set I made for you for free that says: HAPPY 1ST DAY! Get it HERE.
Use your ceiling hangers to attach the photo booth to the ceiling. My coworker told me about these things and they are amazing for hanging things in the classroom!
As an extra touch, grab some props for your students to use! In my props basket I have: speech bubbles, a boa, sunglasses, a crown, and more random things they can use to pose!
I made some free speech bubble signs for you for free! Print them on card stock and stick them on a popsicle stick! Enter your information below to grab them.
More props found HERE!
I hope you love your classroom photo booth! I know your students will! Pin the image below to save this post for later.
If you are interested in a growing resource of tons of themed photo booth props and letters click HERE to check them out!
I LOVE THIS and have been anxiously awaiting a post on how to make one! How do you attach the letters at the bottom so they don’t damage the board when you take them off?
I just use tape and lightly stick them on. Some of it tears off but it is covered by the next letters!
So cute!! Thank you!!
Hi! I’m making one!! Thank you! What kind of string did you use to attach the sign to the ceiling hangers? Or does something come with the kit?
Just read the kit description. Never mind! ?
It all comes together! with the link I posted to Amazon. 🙂
Such a cute idea!
Thank you so much for posting this! I have been wanting to have a photo booth in my class for a couple of years now. This is super cute! What font did you use for the bottom “#thirdgrade”?
Do you have more speech bubbles available to purchase ?
What is the appropriate size of the mounting board? Was one big enough?
The draftboard only comes in one size–and yes big enough!
Did you take the pictures or let them do it themselves?
A little of both!
Hello! I would love to make one of these! What style of font did you use for the letters? I would need to print copy and cut.
What font did you use for the letters you made? Can I edit it? Thanks! Shawna
LOVE LOVE LOVE this! Thank you SO MUCH for the freebies!! You Rock!
So great! I love doing a photo booth at the beginning of the year.
What size mounting board did you use?
I LOVE this! Got everything to make it! Can’t wait to use it on Meet The Teacher night! Would it be possible to add “I’m a kindergartner” to the speech bubbles?
Such a cute idea! Where did you get the speech bubble clip art? Think I am going to make a few more…
Thank you!!!
Wendy
This is such a wonderful idea!!! Thank you so much for the detailed instructions!
Hi, there! I am making a poster and I was wondering what font you use for the bottom of the Polaroid text? Thanks so much!
I LOVE this idea and am excited to use this for our Back to School Night! I’m having trouble opening the free speech bubble signs. Is there any way you could email me the doc?
What size is the mounting board? I am having trouble finding the one you used.
How big is the poster board?
How did you attach your letters onto the Instagram board? Thanks!
You are so creative. Thanks for being such an inspiration!!
Love the photo booth idea thanks for sharing
This is such a great and fun idea. The kids will have a blast!!!!
I see you used draftboard instead of foam board. What is the difference? What kind of font did you use for #thirdgrade and what size is it?
I’d like to make the photo booth that says “#thirdgrade but I don’t see the link to the letters to make it. Is that available?
Thanks,
Hollie