Try these 15 First Day of School Activities with students in grades K-2! There are fun games, crafts, experiments, writing prompts, and more to excite kids during back to school time in the classroom.
Elementary School First Day of School Activities
The first day of school is a special time of year filled with anticipation, excitement, and nervousness—for both students and teachers. This day sets the tone for the rest of the school year, making starting on the right foot essential. Elementary educators have the unique opportunity to create a welcoming and engaging environment from day one.
To help kickstart this back-to-school journey, here is a list of 15 fun and engaging activities tailored specifically for the youngest students in the classroom. These activities are designed to entertain, build community, spark creativity, and encourage collaboration. From icebreakers that help students get to know each other to creative projects that let their personalities shine, you’ll find ideas that are easy to implement and sure to make the first day of school memorable.
These fun school activities will help make the first days of school fun and meaningful for everyone. Whether you are a seasoned teacher or stepping into the classroom for the first time, these are a must!
Ice Breaker Activities & Games
Student Name Door Decor
Adding student names to the door before their arrival will make them feel welcome. Pair this activity with a Welcome Back to School Banner for the first day!
How to: Print student names on backpacks, pencils, apples, and other decals to invite kids into the room. Laminate their names so they last, and they can take them home when you change themes. Use tape to mount them to the door so kids know where to go on day one.
Find Someone Who … Activity
Students use a printout to find peers who match each description on the sheet. They can walk around the room to ask questions and get to know their new friends. As they find friends who match, they record their names and color the spaces.
How to: Give each student a sheet, clipboard, and writing utensil. Set aside a period where they can walk around the room chatting with friends and crossing off the boxes as they find matches.
Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are a great way to learn how to navigate a new space, such as a new building or classroom. Invite students to get to know their new room with this simple hunt. They will search for glue, scissors, computers, and more.
How to: Print off the scavenger hunt and give each student a copy. Let them use a clipboard if they wish! They will use a pencil, marker, or other writing utensil to cross off or color each item as they find them.
Back to School Crafts & Art Activities
All About Me Poster
Nothing says “welcome back to school” like an activity where kids share about themselves. This activity will help everyone get to know their peers and eliminate those first-day jitters.
How to: Provide each child with a poster to complete independently or at home. They will write their name, age, interests, favorite special, and what they want to accomplish this school year. Once everyone is done, have them share with the class. Go further and ask students questions about what their classmates share.
Crayon Box Craft
Name crafts are a fun way to start a year and decorate the classroom. They create a sense of community and make everyone feel welcome. Plus, they encourage kids to practice spelling their names. An important skill for younger kids.
How to: Print off and prep the craft pieces for each child. On the first day (or during the first week), let kids color each crayon and the crayon box. They will add the letters of their name and glue them on the page in order. Then, use these cute crayons to decorate the classroom wall or door!
Backpack Craft
Students get new backpacks and supplies each year. Using a fun printable craft, encourage kids to share their unique bag of the year.
How to: Provide each student with the backpack craft pieces. Kids can then color and decorate the pieces. They can also write about their new supplies and backpacks. Attach the top backpack pieces with the bottom one by stapling the top and gluing classroom supply pieces around the outside.
School House Directed Drawing
As a fun way to ease into the year, have students complete a directed drawing activity. This will gauge their ability to follow directions, check their fine motor skills, and give them something fun to do.
How To: As a class or in small groups, give each child a directed drawing mat. Go through the simple steps to draw a schoolhouse. Add the drawing to a writing activity where kids share what they are excited about this school year.
Back to School Crown Craft
Crafts are always a good time! Let kids create their back-to-school crown showcasing all the fun things they did on the first day of school.
How To: Print off the fun back-to-school school craft pieces and give each student the materials. Have them color the pieces they completed during the day. Then, they can cut and attach the pieces to the crown. Teachers will then need to attach the crown to a strip of paper measured to fit each child and then staple it. Kids will love wearing their new hat home from school after their first day!
Classroom Expectations & Team Building
Teach Classroom Expectations
Laying out the rules and expectations for the school year is important right from the start and will make everyone’s transition more seamless. Start introducing and practicing your expectations on the first day of school.
How To: Prepare ahead of time what you value and want your classroom rules and expectations to be before the first day. Write out or print the rules and expectations on cards that you want students to follow. After discussing their importance as a whole group lesson, display and present your expectations and review often during that first month of school.
STEM Challenge – Building With Pencils
STEM challenges are great icebreakers and get kids talking. While working with a team, they will learn to collaborate and communicate!
How To: Give each group of students the instructions and a set of pencils. Explain that if they follow the rules, they can complete the activity however they wish. Give them a set time to complete the task and discuss what happened afterward.
Science Experiment – Pencils in a Bag
Experiments are so much fun! They get kids thinking, working together, and having fun. This pencil-in-a-bag experiment will test their knowledge of solids and liquids.
How To: You will need a Ziploc bag, pencils, and water. Fill each bag with water and ask students what they think will happen when a pencil is poked quickly through the bag. Use the predictions worksheets to record their thoughts and findings.
Educational Activities for Back-to-School
Math Cube School Shape Pictures
Cube-shaped pictures are perfect for morning work activities or as fast finisher materials for math. Add them to centers for some extra practice and fun.
How To: Print the shape mats, laminate them, and add them to centers or morning work tubs. These are excellent for the first week of school to welcome kids into the classroom in a hands-on way. They are simple to use, and kids can work with a partner to complete them.
“You’re Finally Here!” Book Companion
This adorable book creates an excellent activity for kids to complete after reading. It discusses how difficult it is to wait and how important it is to practice patience.
How To: After reading the book You’re Finally Here, give each student a worksheet to fill out. They will add many things they are excited about during the new school year, along with the main rabbit character cutout. Once students have completed their sheets, take time during the day to let them each share what they wrote. Display their hard work on the walls during the first weeks of school!
Writing Prompt & Header
The first day of school can be scary, but it can also be fun! Use this activity to have kids express their feelings or what they look forward to this year.
How To: Give each student the writing prompt and self-portrait printable. They will draw a picture of themselves and write about their first day. Kids can express their feelings about being back at school (i.e., scared, excited, nervous, worried, etc). They can write about fun things they did during the day or things they look forward to in the coming weeks.
Back to School Journal
Journals are a great way to document important thoughts, feelings, and events about life. To get kids used to journaling, give them fun back-to-school entries to complete during the first week of school.
How To: Print the half-sheet journal pages and give them to students to complete during morning work each day. Model what you write on the board before they begin. This will give them an idea of what they can write before they get comfortable doing it independently. Once the pages are all finished, staple them together and let them share their cute journals.
Resources to Help You Teach During BTS Season
Try the FREE Welcome Back to School Posters in your classroom! Two types of posters (color and black-and-white) are included for grades K through third. Display these posters prominently for kids and parents to see as they enter the room.
Click the image below to grab a copy.
Back to School Fun Pack
If you loved the activities in this post, try the Back to School Fun Pack by Proud to be Primary. It includes everything seen above and what you need to ease kids into the classroom in a fun and meaningful way.
There are crafts, writing prompts, welcome-to-school posters, door decor displays, hats, science experiments, STEM activities, and organization materials, such as an editable meet-the-teacher booklet!
More BTS Ideas & Activities
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first day of school read aloud books
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