How to Make First Day of School Flags

As a retied teacher and now mom to two littles, back to school time gets me extra excited! I’m happy to partner with Disney Book Group to share We Don’t Eat Our Classmates, written by New York Times bestseller, Ryan T. Higgins. To document Penelope Rex’s first day of school, I made DIY first day of school signs to document Maxwell and Mila’s first day of school!

I read We Don’t Eat Our Classmates to the kids approximately 87 times, and then they started “reading” it to each other! It’s a witty back to school book that is sure to get a laugh. Penelope Rex is nervous about her first day of school and is shocked to find out all of her classmates are children. Penelope decides to eat the kids because children are delicious! This makes it really hard for Penelope to make friends, until she gets a taste of her own medicine from the class pet, a gold fish.

In the picture below you see my kids flipping to their favorite page where Penelope screams, “Eeeeeeee!” because the goldfish ate her finger.

These first day of school signs are adorable and I designed them to be used year after year. The “first day” sign will never have to be changed and you will simply switch out the last 2 numbers on the year sign! They are super easy to make, promise!

Materials

White pennant felt flags
1-2″ Black adhesive letters and numbers (This pack is perfect!)
1- 36″ Wooden dowels
20- 8″ Long ribbon scraps (Here’s a great assortment!)
2″ Black ribbon
Hot glue gun
Scissors

How to Make DIY First Day of School Signs

I found pre made white, felt flags at the craft store. If you can’t find pre made pennants, just grab a few sheets of stiff, white felt and cut acute triangles. Acute triangle just mean all angles are less than 90 degrees, it’s the best flag shape for this craft!

Step 1- Adhere Letters and Numbers

First, space the letters and numbers out on the pennant flag to make sure it all fits. Then, peel the back of each letter and stick it to the felt flag. For the polka dots, I used the inside cut outs of the numbers and letters. For example, the cut outs on the number “8” and “9”. I also used scissors to trim the inside of the “D” into a few polka dots.

Step 2- Tassels

Making the tassels is easy! Cut 20 pieces of coordinating ribbon about 10″ in length. Tie 10 peices of ribbon together around the wooden dowel and move the ribbon tassel to sit at the bottom of the flag.

Step 3- Attach Flag to Dowel

Use the hot glue gun to attach the pennant flag to the wooden dowel. Add an extra dab of hot glue over the tassel too.

Step 4- Bind the Pennant Flag

Cut the 2.5 inch ribbon long enough to cover the edge of the pennant flag. Fold the ribbon in half over the edge of the flag and wooden dowel and secure with hot glue.

Step 5- Take 1st day of school pictures

I recommend taking first day of school pictures a few days before the first day of school. That way you’re not rushing on the real first day of school! Also, bribing kids to smile for pictures is a-ok in my book. A few Skittles goes a long way, ha!

I hope you and your kids enjoy reading We Don’t Eat Our Classmates and making first day of school signs to document the cuteness!

Looking for more back to school ideas, don’t miss: