Christmas Door Decorating Contest: 11 Cartoon Pup Ideas for School

A door decorating contest brings a whole school together. A friendly cartoon pup is a fun theme. Kids love dogs, and a pup is easy to draw, cut and tape. Your hallway will feel warm and silly.

In this post, you will find 11 easy Christmas door ideas for a school contest. Every idea uses an original cartoon pup you can make from paper. There are also simple contest rules, a judging score sheet and safety tips. These ideas work for any grade, from kindergarten to high school.

Pick one idea, or mix a few. Let your students help choose.

Simple Rules for a Fun School Contest

• Set a start date and a judging date. Give classes 5 to 7 school days.
• Set a small budget, or ask classes to use supplies they already have.
• Ask each class to invent its own pup. Make a name, a color and a look.
• Use original characters only. Check your school rules before you copy any famous cartoon.
• Students do most of the work. Teachers guide.
• Give every class a small certificate so everyone feels proud.
• Keep the focus on fun and teamwork, not just winning.

Easy Judging Score Sheet

Use a score from 1 to 5 for each part. Add them up.

• Creativity: Is the pup original and fresh?
• Theme: Does the door say Christmas and pups?
• Teamwork: Did many students help?
• Neatness: Is it tidy and well made?
• Safety: Does it follow school rules?
• Joy: Does it make people smile?

Add a “students’ choice” vote with paper stickers if you like.

How to Draw a Simple Cartoon Pup

1. Start with a big oval for the head and a smaller oval for the nose.
2. Add two floppy ears, two dot eyes and a smile.
3. Add a round body, four short legs and a curly tail.
4. Pick fun colors. Try brown, tan, gray or spotted.
5. Add a scarf, a hat or a bow to make it Christmas.

Cut the pup out of paper. Cut a few in different sizes. Students can make their own pup to add to the door.

Basic Supplies to Keep on Hand

• Butcher paper in red, green, white, blue and brown
• Construction paper and cardstock
• Painter’s tape and masking tape
• Washable glue and glue sticks
• Safe scissors
• Markers, crayons and washable paint
• Cotton balls and white tissue paper
• Battery LED string lights
• Ribbon, yarn and string
• Cardboard boxes

11 Christmas Pup Door Ideas

1. Pup in a Big Red Scarf Door

You need: Light blue paper, a big paper pup, a red paper scarf, white paper, cotton balls, tape.

1. Cover the door with light blue paper.
2. Cut a very large pup from brown paper. Tape it at the center.
3. Cut a long red and white striped scarf. Wrap it around the neck and let the end fly out.
4. Tape cotton ball snowflakes around the pup.

2. Snowy Doghouse Door

You need: Dark blue paper, brown and red paper, white paper, yellow paper, cotton balls, tape.

1. Cover the door with dark blue paper.
2. Cut a big doghouse from brown paper. Add a red roof.
3. Cover the roof with cotton ball snow.
4. Cut a yellow window and add a string of paper lights across the top.
5. Peek a small paper pup out of the doorway.

3. Paw Print Wreath Door

You need: A big cardboard ring, green paint, red and white paint, a red bow, tape.

1. Cut a large wreath ring from cardboard.
2. Let each student press a painted paw print or a handprint on the ring. Use green, red and white.
3. Add a big red paper bow at the bottom.
4. Tape the wreath at the center of the door.

4. Sled Dog Team Door

You need: White and blue paper, brown, tan and gray paper, string, red paper, tape.

1. Cover the door with white paper for snow and add blue hills.
2. Cut 6 pups in different colors. Tape them in a line, running across the door.
3. Tape yarn from the pups to a paper sled.
4. Add a paper elf or a pile of gifts on the sled.

5. Dog Treat Bakery Door

You need: Tan and brown paper, white paper, red and green paper, markers, tape.

1. Cover the door with cream paper.
2. Cut a striped awning from red and white paper. Tape it at the top.
3. Make paper dog bone cookies with icing and sprinkles.
4. Tape them on paper shelves.
5. Add a paper pup chef in a tall hat at the center.

Paper treats only. Do not bring real treats for pets to school.

6. Candy Cane Bone Door

You need: Red and white paper, green paper, string, tape.

1. Cut big dog bones from white paper.
2. Add red stripes to look like candy canes.
3. Cut green paper bows and tape them to the bones.
4. Hang the bones from the top on strings of different lengths.
5. Add a pup peeking in from the corner.

7. Pup Mail Door

You need: Red paper, white paper, brown paper, small paper envelopes, markers, tape.

1. Cut a big red mailbox shape. Tape it at the bottom.
2. Let each student write a kind note on a paper envelope.
3. Tape the envelopes around the mailbox.
4. Add a paper pup mail carrier with a bag and a Santa hat.

8. Hot Cocoa Pups Door

You need: Brown paper, white paper, cotton balls, red paper, tape.

1. Cut a giant red mug. Tape it at the center.
2. Cut a pup that peeks out of the mug.
3. Add cotton ball marshmallows on the rim.
4. Add paper steam swirls and a small candy cane.

9. Santa Paws Gift Door

You need: Wrapping paper or colored paper, ribbon, a paper pup in a Santa hat, tape.

1. Wrap the door like a gift with colored paper and ribbon. Use tape at the edges only.
2. Cut a pup in a red Santa hat and tape it on the bow.
3. Add small paper gift boxes around the bottom.

Do not cover the door handle, the window or the hinges. The door must open freely.

10. Snow Day Dog Park Door

You need: Light blue paper, white paper, green paper, colored paper, cotton balls, tape.

1. Cover the door with light blue paper and add white hills.
2. Add paper trees with cotton ball snow.
3. Let each student make a pup in a coat or a scarf.
4. Place the pups playing in the snow, with a paper snowman in the middle.

11. Class Pup Pals Door

You need: Paper in many colors, markers, glue, tape.

1. Give each student a paper pup shape.
2. Let them draw their own pup with a name, a color and a Christmas accessory.
3. Tape all the pups in rows, like a class photo.
4. Add a title banner with the class name.

Tips for Easy Pup Door Styling

• Make one big pup and many small ones.
• Use two or three main colors. Red, green and white are classic.
• Use big shapes. They look better from the hallway.
• Add texture with cotton, yarn and crinkled paper.
• Use painter’s tape to protect paint and doors.
• Take a photo of your door before you take it down.

Age Guidance

• Ages 4 to 6: Paw prints, tearing paper, sticking cotton balls.
• Ages 7 to 10: Cutting simple shapes, drawing pups, writing notes.
• Ages 11 and up: Planning the design, drawing large pups, putting up the door with help.

Always supervise young children during craft time.

Safety Notes

• Follow your school fire rules. Do not cover more of the door than your school allows. Keep exit signs, handles, fire alarms and windows clear.
• The door must open and close freely.
• Use battery LED lights only. Never use real candles or flames.
• Keep string lights and cords away from walkways and students.
• An adult should handle hot glue guns, craft knives and ladders.
• Use non-toxic, washable paint and glue.
• Keep small items such as buttons and pom-poms away from young children.
• Check for latex and glitter allergies.
• Check your school policy before you use student photos.

Plan Ahead and Make-Ahead Guide

• 2 weeks before: Share the rules, theme and score sheet.
• 10 days before: Gather supplies and ask families for paper and cardboard.
• 1 week before: Cut the large shapes and prepare kits for each table.
• 3 to 5 days before: Let students make their pups.
• 1 to 2 days before: Put the door together and hang it.
• Judging day: Walk the halls with the score sheet.
• After the contest: Store paper pieces flat in a box to reuse next year.

FAQ

How long should a door decorating contest last?
Five to seven school days is a good time for most classes.

Can we use a famous cartoon character on our door?
Check your school rules first. Original characters are a safe choice. The ideas here use pups that students make up.

How do I keep the contest fair?
Share clear rules and a score sheet. Set a small budget. Ask students to do most of the work.

What are good prizes?
Try a class party, extra recess, a paper trophy or a certificate for every class.

Can I use real lights on a classroom door?
Use battery LED lights only. Follow your school fire rules.

How can I include every student?
Give every student a small job, such as one pup, one paw print or one snowflake.

Final Thoughts

A Christmas door decorating contest at school is a joyful way to build team spirit. Pick one simple pup idea, let your students invent their own character and follow the safety rules. Keep it kind and fun, and every door will shine.