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.
Step-by-step guide to design and create a rules poster
Step 1
Pick your favorite game or place in the classroom to make rules for and say its name out loud.
Step 2
Think of three to five important rules about safety fairness and cooperation and write them on scrap paper.
Step 3
Use the ruler and pencil to lightly draw where the title rules and pictures will go on your poster.
Step 4
Write a big clear title at the top of the poster in pencil that tells what the rules are for.
Step 5
Write each rule as a short simple phrase in its own space using pencil.
Step 6
Draw a small picture or symbol next to each rule that shows what the rule means.
Step 7
Trace the title rules and pictures with markers to make them bold and easy to read.
Step 8
Color in the pictures letters and background areas to make the poster bright and fun.
Step 9
Cut shapes from colored paper if you want decorations and glue them onto the poster.
Step 10
Add stickers or little border designs to make your poster look finished.
Step 11
Erase any stray pencil lines and check that each rule is easy to read.
Step 12
Take a picture of your finished rules poster and share your creation on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
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.
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Facts about classroom rules and cooperation
✍️ Short phrases like “Be kind” or “Take turns” are much easier for kids to recall and follow.
🎨 Adding simple drawings or icons makes rules easier to understand for early readers.
🖼️ Bright, picture-filled posters help kids remember rules better than long blocks of text.
🚦 Color-coding rules (like green = go, red = stop) uses familiar signals kids already know.
🤝 Rules that encourage cooperation reduce arguments and help groups finish tasks more smoothly.
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