70+ Things to Write on a Whiteboard

Whiteboards are incredibly versatile and can be used in many creative ways. Whether at home, school, or work, whiteboards provide a large, erasable surface to brainstorm ideas, organize your life, collaborate with others, educate, motivate and more.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore over 90 fun, practical, and clever things you can write on a whiteboard to make the most of this useful tool.

1. Brainstorming and Collaboration

One of the most common uses of whiteboards is for brainstorming sessions and collaborations. The impermanent nature of dry-erase markers encourages free-flowing creativity and idea generation.

1. Mind maps – Visually brainstorm ideas and connections using branches, bubbles, and doodles emanating from a central topic. This taps into spatial and visual intelligence.
2. Workflow diagrams – Map out processes, systems, and workflows from start to finish. Add annotations to highlight key points.
3. Research findings – Organize research results, data, user feedback visually on the board to see relationships.
4. Idea generation – Use brainstorming techniques like free association or SCAMPER on a whiteboard to spark new ideas.
5. Meeting collaboration – Team members can gather around a whiteboard to simultaneously contribute ideas and build on each other’s inputs.
6. Project planning – Jointly create project plans, timelines, sprints, workflows on a shared board.
7. Games – Play team brain games like sketching, storytelling, and idea association games on a whiteboard.
8. Drawings – Contribute to an evolving shared drawing. Doodling fosters creative thinking.

2. Personal Organization

Whiteboards allow you to organize your life in a flexible, visual way.

9. Chore charts – Create a family chore chart showing each person’s cleaning tasks. Kids can check off items as they complete them.
10. Shopping lists – Consolidate your grocery/shopping list in one spot. Add items as you think of them.
11. Meal plans – Map out weekly meals to simplify grocery runs and dinnertime.
12. Calendars – Draw a monthly calendar to mark down events, birthdays, appointments.
13. Habit trackers – Use an X on a calendar grid to track habits like exercise, reading or phone usage.
14. Checklists – Make visual checklists of tasks, errands or project steps. Satisfying to cross off items!
15. Schedules – Plot out your daily or weekly agenda with meetings, tasks, events to stay organized.
16. Reminders – Jot down reminders to drink water, take medicine, buy gifts, complete tasks.
17. Goals – Write down long-term goals for your career, health, relationships or personal growth.

3. Education & Learning

Whiteboards facilitate education and learning in classrooms and workshops by providing engaging visual tools.

18. Lesson plans – Display daily or weekly lesson agendas and schedules for students.
19. Learning objectives – Note down the specific skills, knowledge or concepts students should grasp.
20. Lecture notes – Summarize key points from a lesson for students to copy down.
21. Math concepts – Demonstrate step-by-step how to solve math problems.
22. Brain teasers – Write thought-provoking riddles, puzzles and critical thinking questions.
23. Vocabulary – Spotlight new vocab words, illustrate concepts, play hangman.
24. Science diagrams – Draw scientific processes, cycles, anatomy, structures, etc.
25. Timelines – Map out historical events along a visual timeline.
26. Polls – Engage students by posting polls, quizzes and contests to vote on.
27. Assignment board – List homework assignments, upcoming tests and projects.

4. Motivation & Inspiration

Whiteboards allow you to post motivational quotes and reminders to lift your spirits or accomplish your goals.

28. Affirmations – Write positive affirmations or mantras like “I am strong” to shift mindset.
29. Gratitude – Foster gratitude by jotting down things you’re thankful for.
30. Goals – Post your goals for all to see. Accountability helps achievement.
31. Quotes – Share inspirational quotes from leaders, authors or historical figures.
32. Daily questions – Ponder fun questions like “What’s your dream job?” to spark ideas.
33. Highlights – List highlights of your week, month or year. Focus on the positive!
34. Acts of kindness – Document kind things you did for others this week.
35. Bucket list – Note exotic places to visit, books to read, skills to learn to expand horizons.
36. Vision boards – Cut out and post inspiring pictures, quotes, travel mementos.
37. Challenges – Write a fun personal or family challenge like a fitness goal or reading list.

5. At Home Uses

Whiteboards have so many uses around the home. Here are ideas:

38. Chores – Create a family chore chart showing everyone’s cleaning tasks.
39. Grocery list – List items needed from the grocery store in a shared spot.
40. Cooking – Write up recipes for easy reference in the kitchen while cooking.
41. Messages – Leave notes for kids or your partner like “Have a great day!”
42. Questions – Pose fun questions for dinnertime chats like “What’s your dream job?”
43. Emergency info – List emergency contacts, allergies, and medical needs.
44. Reminders – Note when to take the trash out, do laundry, clean the gutters.
45. House rules – Post rules like “Treat others kindly” for kids to follow.
46. Weekly menu – Plan out dinners for the week and grocery shop accordingly.
47. Daily schedule – Map out the family’s activities, appointments, pickups, etc.

6. At Work Uses

Whiteboards boost productivity and collaboration in office settings:

48. Brainstorming – Free associate and capture ideas during creative sessions.
49. Meeting agendas – List discussion topics to cover for productive meetings.
50. Project plans – Visually map out plans, milestones, processes and workflows.
51. Room schedules – Note reservation times for shared meeting rooms and equipment.
52. Goals – Post company, team and individual goals to align efforts.
53. Polls – Survey coworker preferences and opinions by posting polls and votes.
54. Lunch orders – Write down everyone’s food orders when doing a lunch run.
55. Thank yous – Show employee appreciation with shoutouts for jobs well done.
56. Birthdays – Wish coworkers a happy birthday with fun messages.
57. Company info – Designate a board to share news, events, policies.
58. Job postings – Post available internal roles that teams can apply for.

7. Creative & Fun Ideas

Beyond the practical, whiteboards allow creative expression and fun:

59. Drawings – Doodle, sketch cartoons, illustrate concepts. Visual thinking stimulates ideas.
60. Games – Play hangman, tic tac toe, Pictionary, charades, connect the dots.
61. Poetry – Mount an employee poetry slam with original works.
62. Lyrics – Post meaningful or motivational song lyrics.
63. Jokes – Get laughs with silly puns, one-liners, and dad jokes.
64. Riddles – Challenge your brain with clever riddles and word puzzles.
65. Comics – Storyboard three-panel comics or cartoons.
66. Daily doodle – Free-draw something creative each day.
67. Art gallery – Display employee or student art pieces.
68. Thought bubbles – Add humorous thought or speech bubbles to photos.
69. Mad libs – Play classroom Mad Libs for reading comprehension and laughs.

8. Tips for Using Whiteboards Effectively

Follow these tips to maximize whiteboards:

70. Use quality dry-erase markers – Invest in name-brand, low-odor markers. They last longer and write more smoothly.
71. Write legibly – Use neat handwriting so everyone can read it clearly. Use large fonts.
72. Print key text – Print out text, quotes or info to affix on boards for easy visibility.
73. Incorporate visuals – Draw, diagram or map things out. Visuals aid understanding and memory.
74. Use colors – Color-code things or use colored markers for visual appeal.
75. Organize layout – Group related content. Use lines, boxes and whitespace strategically.
76. Update frequently – Erase and refresh boards so information stays relevant.
77. Take photos – Snap pics of boards before erasing to retain information.
78. Engage others – Get input from teammates, students, family to foster participation.

10. Frequently Asked Questions

What are some good first uses for a new whiteboard?

Some great starter ideas include a to-do list, daily schedule, grocery list, motivational quote, drawing or team goal brainstorm.

Where are good places to mount whiteboards at home?

Prominent home spots include kitchens for menus and lists, bedrooms for goals and vision boards, entryways for reminders and messages, playrooms for games and drawings.

What supplies do I need to use a whiteboard?

At minimum, you’ll need a whiteboard, dry erase markers, and an eraser or old cloth. For more visual displays, add magnets, printed photos, colorful markers and sticky notes.

How can I incorporate a whiteboard into lessons as a teacher?

Use boards to present new vocabulary words, demonstrate math concepts, map out historical timelines, write down homework assignments, pose critical thinking questions and more.

What are fun ways to use office whiteboards?

Options include thank you messages, birthday announcements, employee spotlights, polls, games, contests, daily jokes, inspirational quotes, and team goal setting.

How do I clean stubborn marks off a whiteboard?

Try dry erase cleaner spray or liquid. Rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer work too. Avoid harsh cleaners which can damage the surface. Gently scrub with a soft cloth.

How can I make my handwriting neater on whiteboards?

Use large thick fonts. Print rather than cursive writing. Use all capital letters. Draw lines as writing guides. Use wider markers. Practice on paper first.

Should I use permanent or dry erase markers on a whiteboard?

Always use dry erase markers on whiteboards. Permanent markers can stain the surface. Dry erase markers wipe off easily. Some wet erase markers also work.

Can I turn a wall into a DIY whiteboard?

Yes, use whiteboard paint or adhesive whiteboard sheets. Make sure the wall is smooth. Apply several coats allowing drying time between. Magnet primer can make it magnetic.

I hope this comprehensive numbered list gives you plenty of ideas and inspiration for integrating whiteboards into your home, classroom, or office in creative and productive ways! Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions.