What Is a Growing Bundle? (And Why Teachers Are Obsessed)

Just so you know, this post does contain sponsored content through the use of affiliate links, and my own products and resources and I want to thank each of you for continuing to use my affiliate links to support the work I do. As you know, each blog post is based on my own experiences, opinions, and what I have been taught.

Ever spotted a "growing bundle" on Etsy, TPT or a teacher's shop and wondered what on earth it actually means? You're not alone - it's one of those terms that sounds a bit mysterious until someone explains it, and then it makes complete sense (and honestly, feels like a bit of a cheat code).

A growing bundle is exactly what it sounds like: a collection of resources or in my case, Canva templates, that starts small and keeps getting bigger over time - and if you've already got it, every new addition is yours for free. No repurchasing, no upgrade fee, nothing. Just more resources landing in your account as they're made.

If you've been building your classroom decor piece by piece, or you're just starting to explore what's out there in Canva for Education, understanding how growing bundles work can genuinely save you time and money. Let's break down what they are, why teachers are so keen on them, and how to make the most of one once you've got it.

So What Actually Is a Growing Bundle?

A growing bundle is a set of resources or templates - labels, posters, borders, whatever the theme covers - that's deliberately released as unfinished. The creator keeps adding new templates to it over weeks or months, sometimes longer, and everyone who already has the bundle automatically gets access to the new bits.

Think of it like a classroom decor subscription, except you're not paying a subscription. You get in once, and the bundle just keeps growing around you.

This is different to a regular bundle, which is fixed - what you see is what you get, forever. A growing bundle is a living, evolving product, which is why the "growing" bit is right there in the name.

My MEGA growing bundles in particular are built to keep expanding indefinitely - there's no point where I call it "done," so the earlier you grab one, the more free value stacks up over time.

Why Teachers Love Them

There are a few reasons growing bundles have become such a favourite with teachers:

Better value over time. The earlier you grab a growing bundle, the more you end up getting for the same price, because everything added later is included at no extra cost.

One cohesive look. Instead of piecing together labels and posters from five different shops that don't quite match, a growing bundle keeps your whole classroom aesthetic consistent - same fonts, same colours, same style, everywhere.

Less decision fatigue. You make one choice (grab the bundle) instead of dozens of small ones (do I need this poster? What about these labels?). It's already curated for you.

You get a say in what's added next. Because growing bundles rely on ongoing feedback, teachers often get a chance to request specific labels or resources they need, so the bundle ends up genuinely useful rather than generic.

What to Check Before You Download One

Not all growing bundles work exactly the same way, so it's worth checking a few things before you dive in:

• Is it free, or a one-time purchase? Some growing bundles are entirely free, others are a single upfront cost with free future updates. Both are great value, just check which one you're looking at.

• What's already included? A good listing will clearly show you everything that's in the bundle right now, not just what's planned.

• How do you access new additions? Usually it's as simple as re-downloading or re-opening the same template link - you shouldn't need to buy anything again.

See the Savings in Action

Let's put real numbers to it. My Capybara Cuties Pastel Gingham bundle just launched (2026), and right now it includes 10 templates - bulletin board borders, alphabet posters, number posters, desk plates and tray labels - for A$13.74. Buying those same 10 templates individually would cost A$54.30, so grabbing the bundle today already saves you around 75%.

Here's the growing bundle part: that A$13.74 is locked in for you, forever, no matter how many more templates get added down the track. As new Capybara Cuties resources are released, the price goes up for anyone buying in fresh - but you'll get every future addition for free, because you got in early. The longer you wait, the more you pay to get in, and the less of a head start you get on the freebies.

To put that in perspective, my Little Red Collection growing bundle started out small too, and has now grown to 17 templates at A$27.90. If Capybara Cuties follows a similar path, buying in now for A$13.74 could mean you end up paying roughly half of what a similarly-sized "complete" bundle costs someone who waits - and you'll still get every template added in between for free either way.

You can grab the Capybara Cuties bundle here while it's still at launch pricing.

What to Check Before You Download One

Not all growing bundles work exactly the same way, so it's worth checking a few things before you dive in:

• Is it free, or a one-time purchase? Some growing bundles are entirely free, others are a single upfront cost with free future updates. Both are great value, just check which one you're looking at.

• What's already included? A good listing will clearly show you everything that's in the bundle right now, not just what's planned.

• How do you access new additions? Usually it's as simple as re-downloading or re-opening the same template link - you shouldn't need to buy anything again.

  
  

A Real Example: My Composition Notebook Growing Bundles

I've actually been building a couple of growing bundles myself this term - a Composition Notebook Classroom Decor set in a classic black and white theme, and a Pastel Rainbow version in soft pink, purple, teal and yellow. Both started with the basics (classroom labels, borders, alphabet posters) and I'm adding new templates to each as I make them, completely free for anyone who's already grabbed the bundle.

If you'd rather skip designing your own classroom labels from scratch, these are ready to personalise in minutes in Canva - just grab whichever theme suits your room, completely free.

Prefer a different colour palette or theme? I've got a full range of MEGA growing bundles to browse too, all built the same way - grab it once, and it just keeps growing.

How to Never Miss a New Addition

Because my bundles work through one link - the PDF you get at checkout opens into a live Canva presentation - you'll always have access to whatever's currently in the bundle, any time you reopen it. Nothing expires and nothing needs re-downloading, since the file itself is what grows.

The only thing you could miss is knowing when something new has landed. I share updates in my Canva for Teachers Facebook group too, but the best place to hear about it first is by joining my VIP list (just hit "Yes please!" on my homepage) - you'll hear about new additions in my monthly newsletter, instead of only finding out next time you happen to reopen the link.

If you've bought a growing bundle from another shop, check their listing or ask them directly how they handle updates - not everyone delivers theirs the same way I do.

Growing bundles are one of the best-value ways to build out your classroom decor - you get in early, your space stays cohesive, and you never pay twice for the same collection. If you've used a growing bundle before (or you're eyeing one off right now), I'd love to hear which theme you're loving this term - drop a comment and let me know!

Don't forget...

If you haven't set up your free Canva for Education account yet, it's absolutely worth doing - especially when so many great resources are sitting there waiting for you. Plus it is completely free for teachers.

Have you used any of these templates in your classroom? I'd love to see what you create - drop a comment below or share a photo of your labelled classroom in my Canva for Teachers Facebook group - we'd love to see it!

Happy teaching!