Traffic Sign Wall Hangings

I wanted to buy real traffic signs to hang in Evan’s room, but they were way out of my budget (especially since I had spent so much on the paint).  Also, I don’t like the idea of hanging a sharp, heavy, metal sign over my son’s bed.  So, I created these signs using foam board and freezer paper stencils.  I think they turned out pretty good, just don’t look too closely at the “O” on my stop sign.  Ok, now that I pointed it out, it’s going to bug me forever!  Eh, I’m too lazy to redo it.  You just make yours better ok.

We bought the traffic light hanging on Evan’s wall a couple years ago here on Amazon.  Evan likes to turn out all the lights, pump up some Baby Einstein tunes, and turn this puppy on.  It’s like we are at a toddler rave party with the blinking lights and music!  Awesome!

Step 2: Create your stencils.  Trace the templates onto the non-shiny side of your freezer paper.  Cut out the letters using your exacto knife or scissors.  I used the tutorial found here.

Step 2: Cut out your foam board with a box cutter.  For the octagon stop sign you will need to go back to your days of high school geometry and use a 135° angle.  I just searched “135 degree angle” and printed an image from a math worksheet to make my angles.  If you have an actual compass, that’s even better.  Each of the 8 straight sides are 8.5 inches long.  The rest area and railroad crossing sign templates print the outline along with the letters.  Use the outlines as a guide and measure to make them even.  I made my railroad sign two separate pieces that I glued together later.

Step 3: Cut out your fabric.  Leave a couple inches extra to wrap around the back.  I used a t-shirt fabric since that is what everyone was using freezer paper templates on.  I’m sure you could use whatever you want.  If you could find some colored canvas, that might be nice.