Circus or Carnival Themed Classroom Ideas for Elementary Teachers in 2023

A circus classroom theme helps you create a bright and adventure-filled learning environment. Teachers love this theme because it helps create a classroom that can be described as exciting and fun. This theme works well for both lower and upper elementary classroom decor. Learn more about a circus classroom theme below and scoop up this circus classroom theme packet!

Circus Theme Bulletin Board Ideas

Below are some circus theme bulletin board ideas for elementary teachers.

Circus Bulletin Board Backgrounds

Blue, red, yellow, or black butcher paper can be used as a bulletin board background. If you choose to use fabric as your bulletin board background, use bold colors like red and black to provide a nice backdrop.

Circus Bulletin Board Trim

circus theme bulletin board trim with pennants, banner and bunting

In addition to traditional border, put these items around the perimeter of your board.

red and white streamers
add clown-looking party hats around the perimeter of a board
tickets
hot glue colorful, fuzzy pom poms to bright, solid-color borders

Get these circus classroom decor printables!

Circus Bulletin Board Title Ideas

Step Right Up to ____
Welcome to the Greatest Class on Earth
Class Clowns (with pictures of students in clown hats)
Come One, Come All to ____
Get Your Ticket To ____
Seal of Approval (student work board)
Flying High in ___ with trapeze
___ Grade: A Ride of a Lifetime
Keep Your Eye on the Prize

Did you know you can get unlimited access to ALL our decor bundles?

9 Ideas for a Circus Themed Classroom

Use the plastic popcorn buckets readily found at dollar stores to hold classroom library books and supplies.
Use tickets redeemed for carnival-type prizes as a behavior incentive program.
Paper mache over balloons that have been twisted into balloon animals and paint them bright colors.
Hang a tight rope and trapeze from the ceiling (just not low enough for students to reach).
Make a “ring of fire” by attaching fire-colored tissue paper around a hula hoop.
Hang colorful pennant banners.
Have your students make animal crafts to display around the room.
Incorporate marquee lights.
Bring in clown wigs and stuffed animals that are found in a circus.

free printable planning organizers for circus classroom theme on a desk

Themes to Pair Your Circus Theme With

Get access to all of the Clutter-Free Classroom decor themes and color schemes in the Elementary Classroom Decor Collection, including the ones listed below that pair really nicely with a circus theme.

Circus Themed Classroom Pictures

Are you planning an circus themed classroom or thematic unit? This blog post provides great decoration tips and ideas for the best circus theme yet! It has photos, ideas, supplies & printable classroom decor to will make set up easy and affordable. You can create an circus theme on a budget!

Get Access to All 60+ Classroom Decor Packets |OR| Buy The Circus Theme Only

Get Access to All 60+ Decor Packets |OR| Buy The Circus Theme Only

CIRCUS Theme Classroom: If you’re an elementary teacher who is thinking about a CIRCUS or CARNIVAL theme then this classroom decor blog post is for you. It’ll make decorating for back to school fun and easy. It’s full of photos, tips, ideas, and free printables to plan and organize how you will set up your classroom and decorate your bulletin boards for the first day of school and beyond.

Get Access to All 60+ Decor Packets |OR| Buy The Circus Theme Only

Get Access to All 60+ Classroom Decor Packets |OR| Buy The Circus Theme Only

In closing, we hope you found these circus classroom theme ideas helpful! If you did, then you may also be interested in the free circus planning organizer below as well as these classroom decorating posts: