Snow is falling, sleigh bells are ringing, and winter is here! These winter and holiday classroom doors are full of cheer and frosty joy. Regardless of your favorite holiday movie, there is something cinematic for everyone, with doors on our list inspired by Home Alone, Charlie Brown, Elf, Rudolph, and A Christmas Story. There are doors that will inspire science teachers, language arts teachers, and even librarians. We especially love the doors that use photos of your students. Find inspiration in our favorite holiday classroom doors for a holiday door-decorating contest, or choose one of these just 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. While it is perfect for art rooms, really anyone who loves Vincent van Gogh’s art would adore this unique door design.
2. Adventure to Narnia
Fans of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe will certainly respond to the inviting nature of this door. It would be especially fantastic for a school library.
3. Chill Out With a Good Book
Speaking of book lovers, how cute is this door? Have each student make a snowman and then personalize the book cover with one of their own favorites.
4. Green Christmas
While this smart door makes for a cute holiday design, it also spreads an important environmental message! Raid the recycling bin for some empty bottles and then paint them green to make up the tree. (Tip: Use washable paint so you can clean them off and recycle them once the holidays are over.)
5. Giant Reindeer
This larger-than-life reindeer is bound to make folks smile whenever they walk by your classroom. Have students decorate ornaments and then hang them from his antlers.
6. Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Ready to get a little messy? Let kids dip their feet in paint and then make footprints on a large sheet of paper. Then turn them into snowmen and decorate your door!
7. Winter Art Supplies
Art teachers and school supply fanatics will undoubtedly get a kick out of this idea. The clean and simple design is also pretty easy to make.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
13. 3D Tree
The terrific thing about winter classroom doors like this one is the versatility. Putting it up before Christmas? Add decorations and some presents underneath. Are you later into the winter? Go with snowflakes and maybe add a winter bird or two.
14. Swingin’ Snowman
Regardless of your artistic prowess, 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.
15. Snow Bird
Show off the wide variety of learning that’s going on in your classroom during the winter season with this adorable door design.
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!
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, so they feel involved in the process.
18. Oh Deer!
Uh-oh! This deer is having a little trouble, but we bet he’ll make kids laugh anyway!
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.
20. Gone to the Beach
Even Santa needs a day off now and then! We especially love the detail of real seashells along the bottom of this door.
21. Mele Kalikimaka
Another tropical take. Give your door a Hawaiian spin with a palm tree instead of a pine.
22. Take a Selfie
What could be more fun than a door that doubles as an interactive photo spot? Every kid in the school will want their own elfie selfie!
23. Rudolph in the Dark
We love a simple door that still packs a big punch. This one will surely get a chuckle out of everyone who passes by.
24. Out of This World
A snowman made out of planets? This is one of the most clever holiday classroom door ideas we’ve seen yet!
25. Science of Snow
Science teachers will obviously love this option. Not only is it pretty, but it’s educational too.
26. Oh, Chemis-tree
Another one for science lovers. This is an easy door to put together, but the pun makes it a real winner.
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.
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!
29. Handprint Tree
While this is a classic holiday design, we love that the 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!
30. Spread Christmas Cheer
Help Buddy the Elf get the word out: Singing is a sure way to spread holiday cheer!
31. The Nutcracker
Read kids the story of The Nutcracker, or show a video of the ballet, so they understand why these figures are a symbol of the holidays.
32. Reindeer Stable
Pssst … we don’t think these reindeer are entirely honest! They’re pretty adorable, though.
33. Worth Melting For
Olaf is here to spread holiday cheer! Oh, and he also likes warm hugs.
34. Not Such a Bad Little Door
We had to include this cute door since it just wouldn’t be Christmas without the Peanuts characters. The holiday classic is full of timeless messages that kids of all ages can certainly appreciate.
35. Snoopy’s Christmas
Here’s another Peanuts-inspired door, this one featuring Snoopy’s award-winning doghouse decorations.
36. Warm Up With a Latte
Holiday classroom doors aren’t just for the elementary crowd. This one would be a big hit with middle school and high school students since they probably love Starbucks as much as their teachers.
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.
38. The Grinch
The Grinch is beloved, and for good reason. This simple door shares one of the best sentiments of all.
39. Gingerbread House
While this one might take some time to create, we can’t see stopping at the door when you can create the whole house. This idea is actually pretty easy to pull off, once you get your hands on some big sheets of butcher paper.
40. Walk-In Snow Globe
We especially love winter and holiday classroom doors that have larger-than-life designs. It makes it feel like you’re stepping into a storybook instead of a classroom!
41. Silly Snowmen
Your kids will have so much fun showing off their personalities with one of these holiday classroom doors full of unique snowman faces.
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.
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.
44. The Ugly Sweater
Get in on the ugly holiday sweater trend by turning it into holiday classroom door decor. Go crazy since the more bling, the better!
45. Home Alone
Ahhhhh! We’re loving this ode to Home Alone, since it is one of everyone’s favorite holiday movies.
46. Penguin Heads
This is another great idea for featuring your students. Just put their faces on the penguin heads.
47. Gingerbread Men
A roll of aluminum turns your classroom door into a baking pan. Have your kiddos design their own gingerbread people and then attach them to the foil!
48. Elf on the Shelf
Oh, that sneaky Elf on the Shelf! You never know where he’s going to show up next.
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.
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.
51. Snow Much Fun
Simple but effective, don’t you think? Have your students make their own snowflakes for a hands-on activity that also helps them contribute to the classroom door.
52. Igloo and Bubbles
Why yes, that is indeed a polar bear blowing bubbles and take-out containers turned into an igloo!
53. Fleece Navidad
Cuddly little lambs wish “ewe” a happy holiday season. Such a charming idea!
54. Hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do! Be warned, though: This song will get stuck in your head.
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!
56. Rockin’ Around the Tree
Create a stunning holiday tree using green plastic cups. You can decorate the tree with any art supplies, but tinsel really makes it pop!
57. Merry Cactmas
If your classroom has a cactus theme, or you just love succulents, then one of these holiday classroom doors is perfect for you! We love the addition of the winter accessories to keep the cactus warm.
58. Have a Very Minion Holiday
This door is one in a minion! Disguise your minion friend as an elf for the holiday season.
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.
60. Pete the Catmas
The holiday season can be a stressful one, but leave it to Pete the Cat to bring some relaxing vibes to the classroom. Don’t stress, it’s all good!
61. Sledding Into the Winter
We love that this oh-so fun winter-themed door is created using only duct tape and a roll of white paper. We think you’ll have fun selecting all the unique duct tape rolls in the craft aisle.
Source: How-To: Winter-Themed Classroom Door With Duck Tape at Duck Brand
62. Frosty’s Baby Picture
Some holiday classroom doors, like this one, are at once clever and festive. It will be fun to see how long it takes your students to get the joke!
63. Snow Much Fun
We love a festive door that also encourages reading. The addition of the fluffy snow and real pine cones really makes the whole thing pop!
64. Winter Break Was Great
Regardless of whether you are a teacher or a student, coming back from winter break can prove challenging. Writing about your favorite memory from the break can help ease back into learning while also providing decor for a door redo.
65. Dabbin’ Through the Snow
Show your students how hip you are by referencing a modern dance technique like dabbing! Make it personal to your class by taking photos of your students dabbing and adding them to the sleigh.
66. The Man in the Big Red Suit
You know who is coming to town! This door is so simple but will have big appeal for the elementary school–age and younger crowd.
67. May the Flurries Be With You
This Star Wars–inspired winter door will appeal to fans of the franchise and may even inspire a new generation of future lightsaber lovers.
68. Yeti for Winter
Since kids (and teachers) love a good yeti, we think this door idea will be a big hit!