Finishing the school year with a burst of creativity is a fantastic way to inspire your students as they head into summer. Designing tropical-themed classroom doors with motivational quotes not only brightens the hallway but also sends students off with positivity. Follow this step-by-step guide to create three unique and vibrant end-of-year door decorations that will leave a lasting impression.
Door 1: “Dream Higher Than the Sky and Deeper Than the Ocean”
Materials Needed:
- Yellow glitter paint and white paper
- Green construction paper
- Brown paper bags (Trader Joe’s)
- Pre-cut flower leis (I made with paper flowers and knotted it on string) and colorful paper flowers
- Pre-cut aloha surfboards
- Scissors, glue, and tape
Steps:
- Cut out a large sun from paper and paint it with glitter (I painted the paper before cutting); cut thin strips for rays and attach them around the sun.
- Create a palm tree trunk by cutting a brown paper bag up, and cut coconuts from smaller bag sections. I cut the bigger sides into 4 rectangles and the sides of the bag in half into 2 rectangles. Then I folded one side in to create a triangle in the back.
- Cut palm leaves from green construction paper and attach them at the top of the trunk.
- Arrange the sun, palm tree, surfboards, and flower leis along the door.
- Add the inspirational quote.
Door 2: Double Palm Tropical Rainbow – “Dream Higher Than the Sky and Deeper Than the Ocean”
Materials Needed:
- Green construction paper
- Brown paper bags
- Assorted colored construction paper for flowers
- Scissors, glue, and tape
Steps:
- Form two palm tree trunks from brown paper bags and attach to the door.
- Cut and glue green palm leaves at the tops of each trunk.
- Create coconuts from brown paper bag pieces and glue them under the leaves.
- Cut out colorful flowers to decorate the trunks and smaller flowers to form a rainbow in the sky.
- Place the quote “Dream Higher Than the Sky and Deeper Than the Ocean” at eye level.
Door 3: “Together is My Favorite Place to Be”
Materials Needed:
- Green construction paper
- Brown paper bags
- Colorful paper for flowers
- Marker for student names
- Scissors, glue, and tape
Steps:
- Assemble two palm tree trunks and leafy tops as in the previous doors.
- Cut flowers from various colors of paper, writing each student’s name on a flower.
- Attach the flowers to the tree trunks and leaves.
- Display the quote “Together is My Favorite Place to Be” prominently.
End-of-year door decorations are more than just colorful displays—they are messages of inspiration and celebration for your students. Whether it’s encouraging them to “dream higher than the sky and deeper than the ocean” or reminding them that “together is my favorite place to be,” these tropical-themed doors leave lasting memories. As your students step out for summer break, they’ll carry with them the warmth and creativity of your classroom’s final farewell.
Making the Leaves:
- Fold a piece of green construction paper in half.
- Cut out a leaf shape.
- Accordion style fold.
- Open it up. Cut thin triangular cutouts between each fold.
- Staple the bottom together.
