Welcome to the Vintage Circus shopping guide! I have collected a series of images and shopping links to help you quickly and easily stock up on supplies for any teacher looking to create a Vintage Circus classroom of their own. If you just arrived here, welcome! The shopping guide will be helpful to you, but you may want to begin with my classroom tour for inspiration and to see how I pulled it all together.
I used many of these items in my own classroom. I know you might not want an exact replica of my kindergarten classroom, so you will also find additional coordinating items for a Vintage Circus theme.
Bulletin Board Must-Haves
Perfect shades of Fadeless Paper and coordinating borders set the tone for a circus theme.
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Poms, Lanterns, Daisies and Tassels
Tissue paper details make a big statement in a classroom. This collection of poms, lanterns, daisies and tassels fits a Vintage Circus theme perfectly and add magic to your teaching space.
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Plastic Bins and Boxes
Effective organization begins with the right storage solutions. These plastic boxes fit my Vintage Circus classroom decor to a T.
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Decorative Accents
Fabrics, pillows and rugs create a homey wow factor in the classroom. Here are a few pieces to get you started.
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Classroom Furnishings
Chairs, shelving and storage solutions that would look stunning in a classroom and coordinate perfectly with a Vintage Circus theme.
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Classroom Essentials
Spray paints, glue and other materials to help with the finishing touches of classroom decorating.
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You can also find an extensive list of supplies on my Vintage Carnival Classroom Decorations Pinterest Board. I will update the board every time I find vibrant items that would perfectly complement my classroom theme. Be sure to follow the board to see all of my latest finds!
Follow Maria Manore (Kinder-Craze)'s board Vintage Circus Classroom Theme on Pinterest.
Sara Connell says
October 18, 2015 at 10:01 pmYour room is really cute! I love all the changes.
Susie Bunting says
October 18, 2015 at 10:37 pmLove your circus classroom! The color combinations are adorable and all of your extra special touches make it such a nice classroom. Thank you for sharing.
Susie
Kristy says
October 18, 2015 at 10:49 pmI love it and adore the scenes of the circus above the window and the stripes just make the room pop! Love the new white dresser from ikea along with the marque letters. I have to go to JoAnns to get the red ones. I am fearful of red too but it looks great with the other pastel colors to soften the brightness. I am also beginning to think of what I want next year as I shop in stores. I need schoolgirl style! I think black, grays, gold, coral, and teal might be cool with an old Hollywood glam. Enjoy your room and all the blessings it will surely bring.
Bridget says
October 19, 2015 at 9:33 pmYour classroom is such a joyous, happy place for kids. I love it! I’ve been thinking of a classroom redo for next year and you have inspired me. It looks like so much fun!
Alli N. says
October 20, 2015 at 3:56 amYour classroom is amazing! You have me rethinking my fear of the color red too now. I’m not a teacher and yet you have me wishing that I had a classroom of my own to design exacrly like yours. I can only assume that you have to make all of these purchases out of your own pocket. Such dedication. Teachers are very special people and your students are so very lucky to have you.
Michelle Wissler says
October 20, 2015 at 7:32 pmDearest Maria, What an amazing room! It’s beautiful, fun, creative, and simply awesome! You are so incredibly talented!!! What a blessing you are to your students, parents and to fellow teachers! You inspire us all and I truly appreciate you and ALL of your hard work and generosity. You make teaching more fun and exciting. I am taking a few years off to care for my Mother but I follow your blog faithfully. I want to keep informed and stay connected. I couldn’t wait for your classroom reveal and I look forward to being back in the classroom again in the future. I also want to say Congrats to you and what a beautiful wedding you had. May you have many years of happiness! Thanks again for how much you share, and for how much you care! Michelle
Maria Manore says
October 20, 2015 at 9:09 pmThank you Michelle for such a sweet and thoughtful comment! I’m so honored that you are still reading my blog while you take a few years off. Thank you for your patience as I prepared for the big reveal!
Hina says
October 22, 2015 at 8:51 amDear Maria, I just exploring the Kindergarten teaching blogs over internet when I landed at yours…and I would say the idea is absolutely stunning and appealing for kindergarteners. I like the way you integrated the animals plus bright circus colours…. I would surely be taking this theme next year when we do animals. What an amazing look! It’s vibrant and work like a magnet for kids. You are truly talented and full of creativity. I will be following you regularly now onwards. Keep sharing nice ideas !
Hina says
October 22, 2015 at 8:52 amDear Maria, I was just exploring the Kindergarten teaching blogs over internet when I landed at yours…and I would say the idea is absolutely stunning and appealing for kindergarteners. I like the way you integrated the animals plus bright circus colours…. I would surely be taking this theme next year when we do animals. What an amazing look! It’s vibrant and work like a magnet for kids. You are truly talented and full of creativity. I will be following you regularly now onwards. Keep sharing nice ideas !
Maria Manore says
October 22, 2015 at 9:43 amHi Hina! Thank you so much for your sweet words and welcome to Kinder Craze!
Amber says
October 25, 2015 at 9:05 pmMaria!! Your new decor is just gorgeous! I would be very scared of red too, it’s just not my color! But I’m glad you took Melanie’s advice, because it is just stunning and I’m sure the kids love it! Hope you’re having a fabulous school year 🙂
Amber
A Smiling Teacher
Tina says
October 28, 2015 at 12:15 amTriple love the classroom…I’m so inspired..where is the shopping list to purchase these items. I didn’t see them did you list the links or click on the picture?????
Box Hill says
November 18, 2015 at 7:27 amWhat a seriously awesome classroom! Well done!!!
Amy says
January 26, 2016 at 3:40 pmHow incredibly lucky your students are to have you. This is incredible. Bravo!
Maegan Corrado says
April 19, 2016 at 1:20 pmI love seeing what you have done with your room each year. I also love schoolgirlstyle!!!! I would love to recreate your black chalkboard/rainbow theme from a year or two ago. What do you do with your old decorations? Id love to purchase some of your things. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks
Rob Fisher says
April 26, 2016 at 9:41 pmI am wondering what ISO is? I am in love with this theme and want to have the big posters too. I have a tons of lime green accents in my current room and wonder if I can make that color work also. I am not opposed to getting rid of it but even my rugs have that color..
Maria Manore Gavin says
April 26, 2016 at 9:44 pmHi Rob, I’m not exactly sure what your question is. I’d be happy to help if you want to try and rephrase it.
Rob says
April 27, 2016 at 10:06 amYou mentioned a place that made your big posters. I am wondering the name of the place. Also do you think I can incorporate my line green accents with the look?
Maria Manore Gavin says
May 21, 2016 at 6:52 pmHi again! So sorry for my huge delay in responding. YES, I think lime green accents could work in the collection. I would be careful not to have TOO much green since red and teal are the dominant colors, but pops of lime green could work in very nicely.
As for the ISD. In Michigan, they are called Intermediate School Districts (or ISD for short). Each city has a school district, and to my knowledge, the county provides a higher umbrella of support and services for the teachers in all the county’s districts. It’s a central school resource that offers professional development, physical tools (like die cut machines, printers and a computer lab) and other services. I hope that helps!
Ali says
May 21, 2016 at 6:48 pmI have the same questions as Rob…love your decor and would love to get some large print outs as well. Is ISD an office supply store like Staples or Office Depot? I’m from Florida and I don’t think we have those down here 🙁
Maria Manore Gavin says
May 21, 2016 at 6:53 pmIn Michigan, they are called Intermediate School Districts (or ISD for short). Each city has a school district, and to my knowledge, the county provides a higher umbrella of support and services for the teachers in all the county’s districts. It’s a central school resource that offers professional development, physical tools (like die cut machines, printers and a computer lab) and other services. I hope that helps and that Florida offers a similar central resource for teachers.
Ali says
May 21, 2016 at 7:02 pmThat sounds amazing! Wish we had something like that down here!! Thank you for the prompt reply!!
Maria Manore Gavin says
May 21, 2016 at 7:02 pmYou’re welcome!
Michelle says
May 10, 2016 at 4:41 pmHey! The Ferris wheel and tents that you have above the Windows, did those come with the package or did you make those on you own? If they came with the package, how were you able to print them out so big? Thank you!
Maria Manore Gavin says
May 21, 2016 at 6:57 pmHi Michelle,
The ferris wheel and tent graphics did come with the set as .jpeg files. To get them big enough for my classroom windows, I used a poster printer to blow them up large scale. It can be expensive to have poster-size prints made at Staples or a similar retailer. I highly suggest asking your teacher friends in other schools if they have a poster printer at their school and seeing if you can access it. You can even try calling some local high schools. They may have a print lab that offers printing services for a much cheaper cost than local print shops.
Amy Hill says
July 18, 2017 at 11:50 pmI just purchased this and I am trying to find the ferris wheel and tent. Do you remember which file it was. So excited to get this ready fro my new kindergarten class for this year!
Thank you for the inspiration!
Jessica Morris says
May 18, 2016 at 12:08 pmHello Maria! I love your room, it is stunning! What did you do for your door and do you have a picture of it? Thank you! Jessica
Maria Manore Gavin says
May 28, 2016 at 2:50 pmHI Jessica! I actually don’t decorate my door at all, if you can believe it! With all of the other decorations, I choose to leave my door plain. It’s usually open anyways and my decor doesn’t extend out into the hallway.
Kimberly Rauser says
May 25, 2016 at 9:40 amThanks for all of the great pics! I am moving into a room with the same color carpet, and I have been contemplating these colors for my high school English class. So, it was nice to see how well this color scheme fit with that color of a carpet. Your room looks so fun!
Maria Manore Gavin says
May 28, 2016 at 2:51 pmHi Kimberly,
The good thing about this carpet is that just about anything will sort of “go” with it. It’s very versatile!
Sarah says
June 24, 2016 at 3:31 pmI love your classroom! Where did you find your red rug?
Thanks!
Maria Manore Gavin says
June 24, 2016 at 5:49 pmI bought it at At Home stores!
Cameron says
June 26, 2016 at 2:43 pmHi Marie I love your vintage circus classroom. I love the bright pops of red teal and yellow.Have you already thought about 2017’s theme?Im a 10 year old who wants to be a teacher and I currently have your Rainbow Chalkboard Theme and about to order the silhouettes,pennants,and things to make it pop. Thanks for all your support and Melaine’s Support and inspiration for my classroom theme.Next year I might do modern Apple,owls,or a garden theme.If you do a garden theme use Pom poms as flowers and use green faceless paper for the stems and leaves.
Maria Manore Gavin says
June 26, 2016 at 2:49 pmThat’s a very cute idea! I haven’t begun to think about my 2017 classroom yet 🙂
Cameron says
June 26, 2016 at 3:15 pmThanks.????????
Alisha says
July 5, 2016 at 12:09 amHi Maria,
Did you find it difficult during circle time with not having the rug labeled with specific spots for each student?
Maria Manore Gavin says
August 2, 2016 at 2:58 pmHi Alisha,
I think it depends on the group of students. I have had labeled spots in the past, but I haven’t for the past several years. It could become frustrating sometimes, but never got out of hand last year.
Mary Ellen says
July 6, 2016 at 2:19 pmHi Maria,
I was wondering what materials you display on your mobile easel and how you have the bins below it organized. I am finally getting one this school year! And, I’m purchasing a 2 door filing cabinet and would love to know how you organize yours. I’m not sure if I should focus using the new filing system for my personal teaching documents, themed materials or use it as a safe place to store students’ data. I also read the previous posts about the poster because I was wondering the same as others. I wish we had resource centers for teachers in South Carolina, that would be so awesome and save us a lot of money! Love your blog and your classroom, I learn so much from you! 🙂
Kindly,
Mary Ellen
Maria Manore Gavin says
August 2, 2016 at 3:06 pmHi Mary Ellen,
I use my easel in many ways. Mostly, I use the surface to count the days of school during calendar time. We add a straw each day, cross off the number of days on a big chart, do tallies… all of those math skills. I also display books that I intend to read that day on the easel. Sometimes, when I model writing or do an interactive writing pieces, I turn the easel around and have chart paper that hangs from it. Underneath the easel is just storage of materials that I sometimes use with students (such as a class set of hole punches or play dough or magnetic numbers). I don’t really have a system – it’s just where I put materials students may need/want to access when they have free time.
As for the cabinets, I have been wanting to share a peek into all of my drawers and cabinets on the blog. The only problem is, the cabinets are never arranged exactly the way I want and I keep delaying that blog post until I finally get organized exactly the way I want it to be. Maybe this will be the year!
Leslie says
July 12, 2016 at 3:19 pmHi Maria- will the class rules look alright if they are a 5×7? An 8×10 is to large for my space.
Maria Manore Gavin says
August 2, 2016 at 3:10 pmHi Leslie,
You can adjust your print scale so they fit into a 5×7″ frame. I don’t know the exact scale that you will need. Try printing one at 65% and adjust from there.
Katie says
July 13, 2016 at 10:39 amYour room is always so cute! I am wondering where you got your frames from that your rules are on.
Maria Manore Gavin says
August 2, 2016 at 3:13 pmThank you Katie! I bought unfinished wood frames from Michaels. I primed them and spray painted them to match my classroom. You can read more about the materials I used in this blog post: https://kindercraze.com/faq-all-about-my-classroom-rule-frames/
Emily says
July 26, 2016 at 2:00 pmWhere did you get your name banner that you have hanging in the one corner? Did you make it or is it something that can be personalized that I can buy from somewhere? It is amazing! I love your room!
Maria Manore Gavin says
August 2, 2016 at 3:15 pmHi Emily,
I created the banner using the resources in the Vintage Circus collection from Schoolgirl Style. Admittedly, I had to manipulate the files to get them just right for my banner.
Angela says
July 27, 2016 at 1:59 amHi Maria! I adore the way you decorate your classroom. You also have some very creative ideas! I was wondering where you got the blank calendar grid for your calendar numbers?
Maria Manore Gavin says
August 2, 2016 at 3:21 pmHi Angela,
I bought the calendar from Creative Teaching Press. Here’s a link! http://www.creativeteaching.com/product/dots-on-black-small-calendar-chart
Karen says
August 4, 2016 at 11:56 pmHi Maria,
Did you get your book boxes from Really Good Stuff?
Thanks!
Maria Manore Gavin says
August 5, 2016 at 7:37 amHi Karen, Yes! They are mostly from Really Good Stuff and Big Lots.
Annette says
December 2, 2016 at 8:19 pmHi Maria!
Just a note to thank you for posting the details on decorating your room. Even though I am decorating my classroom in navy and sage and with a dinosaur theme, I got a lot of decorating tips from you. Thanks for the post!
Briley Strecker says
April 26, 2017 at 3:10 pmHello! Where did you get all of your containers?
Isabelle Gershon says
May 13, 2017 at 10:12 amYour classroom is amazing! I love all of it! One question, how did you put the flowers on the word wall? They look so awesome.
Isabelle Gershon says
May 13, 2017 at 10:15 amCan I see a picture of your calendar?
Schirneit says
May 22, 2017 at 1:38 amSO AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL! The gifted hands had done such a very terrific things like this! It’s not only the viewers like this had loved it so much but ado the children undoubtedly will like to learn for this kind of lively, enthusiastic and brightly colorful room as possible with how they will learn meaningfully! I really dream to have a room like such this one! I would be very blessed. Thanks for sharing this inspiring ideas you had! It’s more than a high ideal of achievement but you call it a gift from above! You are wonderfully blessed with such a talent or skills like that! Have a great positive feedback from your great effort that made a difference of touching lives to us teachers and mentors! YOU’RE GREAT!
Stephine Flickinger says
May 24, 2017 at 3:47 pmI think your classroom is amazing. But I was wondering something. Do your children play? You have written about your library but not about toys. Are they hidden inside something? I am just trying to figure out how to make my room “Pinterest Perfect” when I have 2 shelves full of toys and a kid’s kitchen. Any suggestions? Thank you so much!
Maria Manore Gavin says
May 29, 2017 at 2:48 pmHi Stephanie and thank you for the compliment! Yes, my students play nearly every day. Sometimes we go outside to play on the playground, but they often play with toys inside of the classroom. I just looked through the photos and you are right, the toys aren’t exactly featured in any of the images. My toy shelves are a bit of an eyesore and not exactly a focal point, so I keep them in the corner near the bathroom. You can see part of one shelf in the photo of my classroom sink and part of the other shelf under the TV (next to the typewriters and the word wall). I hope that helps to clarify!
As for making my classroom “Pinterest Perfect”, I put as many of my toys as possible into matching clear Sterilite bins (I bought a few different sizes for cheap from Big Lots). It helps to keep the shelves from looking too cluttered and creates some continuity.
Stephine Flickinger says
May 24, 2017 at 4:04 pmHow many years do you keep a theme before you feel like it is time to change things up? I moved into a room last year that was spot painted. I hung up all brand new Superhero decor. At the end of this year they had me take it all down so they could paint. Now I dread hanging the same decor. I am sure I am being silly….right?
Maria Manore Gavin says
May 29, 2017 at 2:44 pmOh boy, that is a a BIG question. Generally, I try to keep a theme for 2 to 3 years because I put so much time and money into it. I wouldn’t usually change a theme after just one year, but I understand why you want to change it since everything was taken down so your classroom could get painted. I would be very tempted to change themes after just one year if that happened to me too!
Erma says
June 13, 2017 at 9:57 pmMaria,
I love your room!! I’m trying to create the same thing but I know it won’t come out exactly like your 🙁 I have some questions…I don’t have windows and I’m going to create the carinval. What color of paper would your suggest I use to replace your windows? Then, did you laminate the pennants under the window? Finally, what font did you use on your name?
Thank you,
Erma
Erma says
June 14, 2017 at 2:03 amMaria,
Did you do most of your printing on card stock. For example, the horses, carousel around the lanterns, and the cans? Did you laminate the horses?
Thanks for the info 🙂
Erma
Maria Manore Gavin says
June 29, 2017 at 9:51 pmHi Erma!
I absolutely do most of that printing on cardstock. I personally don’t laminate anything that’s on the lanterns. Partly because lamination glares and I like taking photos of those items, but also because they are durable enough without the plastic layer 🙂
Erma says
June 14, 2017 at 2:24 amMaria,
Last question!!! What sizes did you use for the tents and carousels?
Erma🤐
Maria Manore Gavin says
June 29, 2017 at 9:51 pmI don’t know the exact finished sizes of the tents and carousels, but I printed mine on 3″ wide poster paper.
Erma says
June 30, 2017 at 2:20 pmThanks for that information. Also Maria, i printed out the Lion poster and noticed the color scheme was much different than yours. Mine looked like a teal color unlike yours that seems to look blue. Was there something you did differently. My tents aren’t as red either. 🤔
Kay Gordon says
June 27, 2017 at 12:08 pmWhere did you get the circus rectangle pictures that are displayed over your windows?
Maria Manore Gavin says
June 27, 2017 at 2:34 pmThe graphics and in the Vintage Circus decor set from Schoolgirl Style. I had the tents and ferries wheels printed on a poster maker, cut them out, and added them to my window scenes.
Kaleigh says
July 20, 2017 at 11:48 amI am a first year teacher and love this theme!! I can’t wait to get started! If I am wondering where you got your lanterns and any other tips on printing the pdfs? Thank you, it looks amazing!
Ally Applegate says
August 10, 2017 at 3:44 pmHi Maria! I bought this theme from schoolgirl style and I am SO excited for my kinders to see it! I followed the link on your post for the pinstripe border but it’s not available on schoolgirl style anymore. ANY chance you have it saved somewhere? That was one of the details that sold me on this pack/theme!
Madeline says
September 12, 2017 at 6:55 pmI love your classroom! It is so well put together, and gives me some good ideas! I think children learn more in a setting that is welcoming like this.
Ana says
June 19, 2018 at 8:08 amI notice you are doing Daily 5 in your kinder classroom. Will love to pick your brain. This will be my first year teaching kindergarten and I’m not sure how to incorporate it with the little ones. Also, on your TPT do you sell the CAFE posters you have on your picture and the other Daily 5 and Daily 3 bulletin boards cards?
Jill says
July 8, 2018 at 2:24 amDid you have to pay for your bins with your own money? I have bought bins from RGS but only s fraction of what you have because they are not considered classroom essentials.