Rules to Know!
Design and create a colorful rules poster for a favorite game or classroom, using drawings and clear phrases to teach safety, fairness, and cooperation.
About this activity
Design and create a colorful rules poster for a favorite game or classroom, using drawings and clear phrases to teach safety, fairness, and cooperation.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Pick your favorite game or place in the classroom to make rules for and say its name out loud.
- 2
Step 2
Think of three to five important rules about safety fairness and cooperation and write them on scrap paper.
- 3
Step 3
Use the ruler and pencil to lightly draw where the title rules and pictures will go on your poster.
- 4
Step 4
Write a big clear title at the top of the poster in pencil that tells what the rules are for.
- 5
Step 5
Write each rule as a short simple phrase in its own space using pencil.
- 6
Step 6
Draw a small picture or symbol next to each rule that shows what the rule means.
- 7
Step 7
Trace the title rules and pictures with markers to make them bold and easy to read.
- 8
Step 8
Color in the pictures letters and background areas to make the poster bright and fun.
- 9
Step 9
Cut shapes from colored paper if you want decorations and glue them onto the poster.
- 10
Step 10
Add stickers or little border designs to make your poster look finished.
- 11
Step 11
Erase any stray pencil lines and check that each rule is easy to read.
- 12
Step 12
Take a picture of your finished rules poster and share your creation on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I make a Rules to Know poster with my child?
Start by choosing the game or classroom area and brainstorming 5–8 simple rules together. Phrase each rule as a short, positive sentence (e.g., “Take turns,” “Keep hands safe”). Sketch a layout: title at top, rule boxes or columns, and space for drawings or icons. Help your child illustrate each rule with colorful pictures and symbols. Finish by decorating, laminating or mounting the poster, and practicing the rules aloud as a family.
What materials do I need for a Rules to Know poster?
Gather poster board or large paper, permanent markers, washable markers or crayons, colored pencils, stickers, and glue or tape. Optional extras: magazines for cutouts, stencils, ruler for straight lines, safety scissors, and clear contact paper or laminator for durability. For classroom use, have clothespins or magnets to display the poster. You can substitute cardstock or recycled cardboard and household crayons if craft supplies are limited.
What ages is the Rules to Know activity suitable for?
This activity works for ages 3–14 with adjustments: preschoolers (3–5) need heavy adult support to draw and phrase rules; early elementary (5–8) can suggest rules, draw, and write short phrases with help; upper elementary (9–12) can design layout, write clear rules, and lead rules discussions. Teenagers can make detailed, themed posters and refine wording. Tailor complexity and supervision to each child’s motor and reading skills.
What are the benefits and safety tips for making a Rules to Know poster?
Creating a rules poster builds communication, reading and writing skills, visual literacy, and teamwork. It reinforces safety, fairness, and cooperation by turning expectations into clear reminders. Safety tips: use child-safe, non-toxic supplies, supervise scissors and glue, avoid small decorations for young children, and hang posters out of reach if adhesives are hazardous. Encourage positive wording and include children when deciding rules to boost ownership and compliance.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use instead of a ruler, markers, or colored paper if we don't have them?
Use the straight edge of a book to lightly draw layout lines in place of a ruler, and substitute crayons or colored pencils for markers and magazine cutouts or plain printer paper colored with pencils for colored paper when tracing and decorating.
My poster looks messy or the ink smudged — how can I fix it?
If the title, rules, or pictures smudge after tracing with markers, let the ink dry fully, gently erase any stray pencil lines, and then carefully retrace with a fine-tip marker to make the text and symbols bold and easy to read.
How can I adapt this poster activity for younger or older kids?
For younger children, pick one favorite place, help them say the name out loud, limit to two simple rules and use stickers or pre-cut shapes instead of writing with a pencil and ruler, while older kids can use the ruler to lay out a clear title, write 3–5 rules in pencil, add detailed drawings, and glue colored-paper decorations.
How can we enhance or display the finished rules poster beyond just coloring it?
To extend the project, mount or laminate the finished poster on colored poster board, add extra cut-paper borders or stickers for decoration, take a photo as instructed, and create a class gallery or digital slideshow to share on DIY.org.