Poster Power – Making Big, Bold Wall Posters for Kids’ Spaces and Events

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Posters are the unsung heroes of kids’ event design. Whether they’re taped to school walls, pinned on a community board, or welcoming visitors at your entrance, a well-designed poster does more than share info—it builds excitement, sets the tone, and makes your event feel real.

Today’s focus: how to make fun, functional posters that turn heads and help families show up.

1. Poster Goals: What Are You Trying to Say?

Before diving into design, ask:

  • Is this an event poster (with a date and time)?

  • A directional sign (like “Craft Zone This Way!”)?

  • A decorative/informational poster for inside the venue?

Knowing the purpose helps shape the layout and tone. Event posters need urgency. Directional signs need clarity. Decor posters should blend in and charm.

2. Start with the Right Size

Common sizes include:

  • A3 / Tabloid (11” x 17”) – easy to print, great for indoor display.

  • A2 (16.5” x 23.4”) or larger – for outdoor or eye-level street use.

  • A4 (8.5” x 11”) – fine for small spaces or handouts, but less impactful.

Make sure your design matches the scale—too much small text on a large poster will feel empty and awkward.

3. Design Around a Single Clear Message

What’s the ONE thing people need to know at a glance?

For event posters, it's usually:

  • What’s happening?

  • When?

  • Where?

Keep the headline big and simple. Examples:

  • “KIDS’ NATURE DAY – Saturday, June 15”

  • “ART PARTY AT THE PLAYROOM – Ages 3–8 Welcome!”

Avoid clutter—too much detail can overwhelm.

4. Use a Layout That’s Easy on the Eyes

Good poster layouts follow a visual hierarchy:

  1. Headline (largest)

  2. Date/time/place

  3. Optional details (activities, what to bring, etc.)

  4. Call to action (“Scan to RSVP,” “Free Entry,” etc.)

Use centered or top-aligned layouts for balance. If designing for younger kids, make sure everything is spaced out and clean.

5. Go Big on Color and Imagery

Posters for kids should feel happy, energetic, and safe. That means:

  • Bright backgrounds (pastels, sky blue, sunshine yellow, coral)

  • Whimsical icons or illustrations (balloons, stars, friendly animals)

  • Bold contrast between background and text

Avoid realistic stock photos—they often feel too formal or out of place. Flat vector art, cartoons, or even hand-drawn doodles work best.

6. Pick Fonts That Are Big, Clear, and Friendly

Rule #1: If it’s not readable from across the room, it doesn’t work.

Use playful, round-edged fonts for headlines like:

  • Baloo

  • Fredoka

  • Luckiest Guy

  • Quicksand Bold

Pair them with simple sans serifs (like Montserrat, Poppins, or Lato) for the body copy.

Font size matters. For large posters:

  • Headline: 100–150 pt

  • Subhead: 60–80 pt

  • Body: 40–60 pt minimum

7. Add Directional Cues and Icons (If Needed)

Posters inside a venue or school can double as signs. Use:

  • Arrows pointing to areas (Food! Games! Restrooms!)

  • Icons for quick scanning (clock = time, map pin = location)

  • Friendly helpers like “Look for the rainbow balloon!”

The goal is to help even non-readers get where they need to go.

8. QR Codes = Modern-Day Magic

Adding a QR code can be a game-changer:

  • Link to RSVP form, event page, map, or activity schedule

  • Place it at the bottom or corner of the poster

  • Make sure there’s enough contrast around it for easy scanning

Test it before printing! And let parents know what it’s for.

9. Print Smart: File Setup & Materials

To get sharp, colorful prints:

  • Export as PDF or PNG at 300 DPI

  • Use CMYK color mode if printing professionally

  • Leave margin bleed (0.125”) if trimming

Print on:

  • Glossy paper for bright colors

  • Matte if it needs to be written on

  • Laminated stock if placing outdoors or reusing

Don’t forget test prints! What looks great on screen might not pop in real life.

10. Decorate the Venue with a Poster Set

One poster is good—a series is better.

You can create:

  • 1 main event poster

  • 2–3 matching signs for different areas

  • A countdown board (“3 days to go!”)

  • Welcome + thank you signs

Design them as a cohesive set with the same colors, fonts, and illustration style. It ties your whole event space together beautifully.

Final Thought: Posters Can Set the Whole Vibe

A poster isn’t just a piece of paper. It’s the first handshake, the warm smile, the “you’re invited!” energy your event gives off.

Design it with clarity, color, and joy—and you’ll be amazed how many people stop, smile, and show up.

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