A good bulletin board decorates the space. A great one helps your students feel seen, supported, and understood.
Looking for school bulletin board ideas that actually work this back-to-school season? 🍎 Trust me, I’ve been there – staring at blank walls wondering how to make them both beautiful AND functional for our OT practice.
Last year, I had one of those lightbulb moments. I was walking past my bulletin board (you know, the one I’d been meaning to update for months) when I overheard a teacher say, “I wish I understood what sensory processing actually looks like in my classroom.” She was literally standing three feet from my wall, but my display wasn’t doing its job of educating anyone about what we do.
That’s when I realized something game-changing: our interactive bulletin board displays aren’t just decoration – they’re our most powerful advocacy tools. They work 24/7 to educate staff, support students, and spark those conversations that make our jobs so much easier.
After trying everything from Pinterest-perfect boards that fell apart in a week to overly complicated displays that nobody looked at, I finally cracked the code. The best OT bulletin board posters do something magical – they teach while you’re busy seeing clients. They explain sensory needs while you’re in an IEP meeting. They advocate for our profession even when we’re not there to do it ourselves.
So what if your bulletin board could help teachers understand visual perception skills? What if it could give students calming strategies right in the hallway? What if it could finally show everyone that OT is about so much more than handwriting?
Here’s what I’ve learned works – 7 bulletin board ideas that are practical, purposeful, and honestly pretty easy to put together. Each one has been tested in real schools with real kids (and some very patient custodians who helped me hang things at just the right height 😅).
Ready to transform those blank walls into working tools for your practice? Let’s dive into what actually makes a difference…
1. OT Bulletin Board Posters
Also known as the “Oh wow, you do that too?” posters.
These printable visuals are a game changer for explaining school-based OT to teachers, parents, and students. Stick them in a hallway, your therapy room, or on your office door. They’re colorful, clear, and cover the many areas OT supports in schools.
2. Whole Child Posters (Free Download)
Because every child is more than a test score.
These posters remind students and staff alike that learning and growing isn’t just about academics. They highlight skills like emotional regulation, independence, motor development, and more. These are perfect for calming spaces, SEL walls, or even parent meeting rooms.
3. Visual Perception Posters
Visual perception terms can be confusing. These posters make them click.
There are so many terms to learn like visual discrimination, figure-ground, and spatial relations. These posters explain each one in plain language with classroom-based examples so anyone can understand how they impact a student’s learning.
4. Sensory Processing Posters
When people understand sensory systems, they understand your students better.
These posters introduce the eight sensory systems and the three subtypes of Sensory Processing Disorder. They offer real-life examples and explanations of how sensory differences affect behavior and learning. Perfect for hallways, staff rooms, or parent nights.
5. Calming Corner Posters
A little peace and regulation goes a long way.
These calming visuals from The Butterfly Teacher help students self-regulate and feel supported. They’re beautiful, inclusive, and easy to add to a cozy nook with pillows, sensory tools, or flexible seating. A calming corner is great for all students, not just those with identified needs.
6. Make Your Board Interactive
Let your students be part of the display.
Interactive bulletin boards help students feel seen and involved while keeping your space fresh and fun. From reading walls to kindness challenges, even weekly puzzles or STEM prompts, there are so many ways to turn your board into a meaningful part of the day.
We Are Teachers shares a great roundup called 40 Unique Interactive Bulletin Boards to Engage Your Students with tons of easy ideas you can try right away.
7. Set Up a Reading Strategy Wall
Reading is more than decoding, it’s thinking, connecting, and understanding.
This Pinterest find is a great example of a bulletin board that supports reading comprehension. It breaks down strategies like predicting, visualizing, and asking questions. It’s a fantastic resource to keep up all year long.
The key is making them interactive and personal. When students see their own learning reflected in these displays, or when they can contribute their own insights and experiences, that’s when the real magic happens. It transforms a simple bulletin board into a collaborative learning space that evolves with each cohort of students.
What are some of your favorite bulletin board ideas? Do you create the same bulletin board for each new school year? Comment below and share your favorites!