Sign Your Dream Job
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Make a colorful cardboard sign showing your dream job using markers, pictures, and stickers; research job details, decorate, and present why you chose it.

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Step-by-step guide to Sign Your Dream Job

What you need
Adult supervision required, cardboard or thick paper, colouring materials, glue stick, magazines or printed pictures, pencil, ruler, scissors, stickers

Step 1

Gather all Materials Needed and put them on your workspace.

Step 2

Choose your dream job and say its name out loud.

Step 3

Research three facts about your chosen job using a book or website.

Step 4

Write the three facts neatly on a piece of paper.

Step 5

Cut your cardboard or thick paper to the size you want for your sign.

Step 6

Lightly sketch the job title at the top of the sign with your pencil.

Step 7

Trace over the title with colouring materials to make it bold and colorful.

Step 8

Find and cut out pictures from magazines or printouts that match your job.

Step 9

Arrange the pictures and stickers on the sign until you like the layout.

Step 10

Glue the pictures and stickers onto the sign in your chosen layout.

Step 11

Add your three written facts onto the sign in clear handwriting.

Step 12

Decorate the border and add any final colorful details.

Step 13

Practice a short explanation about why you chose this job and what you learned.

Step 14

Share your finished sign on DIY.org and include your short explanation of why you chose that job.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can we use if we don't have cardboard, magazines, stickers, or glue?

If you don't have cardboard for step 5, flatten a cereal box or tape two sheets of printer paper together, use printed images or old newspapers instead of magazines, substitute cut colored paper for stickers, and use a glue stick or clear tape for step 10.

My pictures keep peeling off or the title smudges — what should I do?

To stop pictures peeling in step 10, press glued images under a heavy book until fully dry or use double-sided tape, and to prevent a smudged title from step 7 trace over the pencil with a permanent marker and let it dry before adding decorations in step 12.

How can I change this activity for younger or older kids?

For younger children, have an adult pre-cut the cardboard in step 5 and reduce research in step 3 to one simple fact and lots of stickers in step 12, while older kids can research deeper facts for step 3, design digital images for step 8, and prepare a longer explanation to share on DIY.org in step 14.

How can we make the sign more creative or advanced?

Make the sign more creative by adding 3D props glued to the cardboard in step 5, creating a QR code that links to a short video of the explanation for step 14, laminating the finished sign after step 12 for durability, or arranging pictures in step 9 to tell a career timeline.

Watch videos on how to Sign Your Dream Job

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50 Profession Signs in ASL | Jobs ASL | Profession Series Pt. 1

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Facts about career exploration for kids

♻️ Cardboard is one of the most recycled packaging materials and is often made from recycled paper.

🎨 Many jobs — from chefs to game designers — use creativity every day.

🗣️ Public speaking is a very common fear, but practicing short presentations can quickly build confidence.

🏷️ The first self-adhesive sticker label was invented in 1935 by R. Stanton Avery.

🧰 Vocational education and apprenticeships let people learn hands-on job skills while they work.

How do I make a 'Sign Your Dream Job' sign and present it step-by-step?

Start by choosing a dream job and doing a quick kid-friendly research: what the job does, tools used, and why it interests you. Sketch a sign layout on cardboard, reserve space for a big job title, images, and bullet points. Cut and paint or cover the cardboard, write the title with bold markers, glue pictures and stickers, and add decorative borders. Practice a 1–2 minute presentation explaining why you chose the job.

What materials do I need to make a 'Sign Your Dream Job' sign?

Youll need a sturdy piece of cardboard or foam board, assorted markers or paints, glue stick or white glue, scissors, magazines or printed pictures, stickers, tape, ruler, and a pencil. Optional extras include construction paper, glitter, washi tape, and sticker sheets. For research, use kid-safe websites, library books, or an adults help; a tablet or phone can be handy for showing images during the presentation.

What ages is the 'Sign Your Dream Job' activity suitable for?

This activity suits ages about 4 6 with different levels of support. Preschoolers (4 6) can decorate and name jobs with adult help for research and cutting. Elementary kids (6 10) can do simple research, layout, and a short presentation. Tweens and teens (11 15+) can conduct deeper research, design more complex signs, and prepare longer talks. Adjust tasks and supervision based on fine motor skills and reading level.

What are the benefits of doing the 'Sign Your Dream Job' activity with kids?

Making a 'Sign Your Dream Job' project builds career awareness, research and writing skills, creativity, and fine motor coordination. Presenting the sign boosts communication, confidence, and public speaking practice. It encourages goal-setting and family conversations about jobs, expanding aspirations. The activity is low-cost, adaptable for group or solo work, and supports teamwork. Supervision during research ensures age-appropriate information and deeper learning.
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Sign Your Dream Job. Activities for Kids.