30 First Day of School Activities for Elementary Students
The first day of school activities, you choose, sets the tone for everything that follows. Students are nervous, curious, and watching everything you do — and the right mix of icebreakers, community building, and creative activities can turn that anxious energy into something that actually works in your favor.
These are 30 first day of school activities for elementary classrooms that help students feel at home, learn each other’s names, and give you a real picture of who you’re working with this year.
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Icebreakers and Name Games for the First Day of School
The earlier students know each other’s names, the faster the classroom starts to feel like a community. These icebreakers are low-pressure, easy to run, and genuinely fun — even for students who are shy.
1. Beach Ball Icebreaker
Write questions on a beach ball with a permanent marker before the day starts. Sit in a circle, toss the ball, and whoever catches it answers any question visible on the ball before tossing it to someone else. It gets students talking without putting anyone too much on the spot. Works at every grade level. Grades K–5.
2. Just Like Me
Sit in a large circle. One student stands and shares something they did over the summer. Any student who did the same thing stands up and says “Just like me!” enthusiastically, then sits back down. Students quickly discover what they have in common, and the energy in the room picks up fast. Grades K–5.
3. Human Bingo / Find Someone Who
Give each student a bingo-style card with squares like “flew on an airplane” or “has a dog.” Students walk around the room, finding classmates who fit each square and writing their name in it. The first student to fill the whole board wins. This is also called Find Someone Who — you can grab a free version to use right away. Grades 1–5.
4. Two Truths and a Lie
Each student shares three “facts” about themselves — two true and one made up. The class guesses which one is the lie. Prepare for some creative answers and a lot of laughter. It’s also a good way for you to learn surprising things about your students early on. Grades 2–5.
5. Teacher Q&A
Let students ask you questions — favorite food, favorite color, favorite animal, anything they want to know. You can answer on the spot, or turn it into a quiz where they guess your answers first. Students love knowing something personal about their teacher, and it establishes right away that you’re a person, not just a classroom authority figure. Grades K–5.
6. Play a Name Game
Pick one name game and do it. Any of them. A classic: each student says their name and something they like that starts with the same letter (Marcus likes movies, Sarah likes soccer). Every time students hear each other’s names in a structured context, the names stick a little better. Here are 37 name games if you want options for different grade levels. Grades K–5.
Community Building Activities for Elementary Students
Community doesn’t happen automatically — it’s built deliberately, especially in those first days. These activities give students a shared experience to point back to all year.
7. Community Building Puzzle
Leave a puzzle piece and box of crayons on each desk before students arrive. When they walk in, they write their name and color every inch of the piece. Later in the day, the class assembles the puzzle together — and it becomes a bulletin board display titled something like “A Perfect Fit for a Perfect Year.” It’s a calm morning activity that gives you time to greet families at the door, and the finished puzzle stays up all year as a reminder that everyone belongs. Get the Community Building Puzzle here. Grades K–5.
8. Getting to Know You Small Group Craftivity
Break students into small groups and give each group paper shapes to cut out and decorate. Students complete sentence starters like “I feel appreciated when…” and share within their group. It’s a quiet, creative way for students to learn something real about the people they’re sitting with. Find the full activity here. Grades 1–5.
Getting to Know You Small Group Craftivity for Back-to-School
Help your students learn to work together as a team within their table groups. This folding person craftivity asks students to reflect on what they can do to effectively work with other students.
9. Classroom Cheer
Spend a few minutes at the end of the first day brainstorming a class cheer together. Students love contributing to something that belongs to the whole group, and you’ll use it all year to celebrate wins. Keep it simple, silly, and theirs. Grades K–5.
10. Start a Community Circle
A community circle is one of the most useful routines you can establish from day one. Students sit together, share ideas and feelings, and learn to listen to each other. Use it on the first day to introduce yourselves, talk about hopes for the year, or just decompress at the end of the day. The routine pays off all year long. Grades K–5.
Need ideas of questions you can ask your students? This post directs you to the right question for the right purpose.
11. Social Contract
Post four large papers around the room, each with a different question: How do I want to be treated by the teacher? By other students? How do I treat the teacher? How do we solve conflicts? Students write answers on sticky notes and place them on the posters. Then small groups sort the responses and identify the most common themes. The result becomes the class’s Social Contract — a set of expectations students helped create. Because they made it, they own it. Grades 3–5.
12. Class Mission Statement
Work with students to write a class mission statement or pledge they recite each morning. It connects naturally to student goal setting — once students define who they are as a class, they can set goals that align with it. Even younger students can contribute to a simple class promise. Grades 1–5.
13. What I Really Want to Learn
Put up a large piece of chart paper and have each student write one thing they genuinely want to learn this year. Read through the responses and look for opportunities to weave student interests into your curriculum throughout the year. Students notice when you follow through on this. Grades 1–5.
First Day of School Read-Alouds
A good read-aloud on the first day does double duty — it settles the class and opens up conversations about feelings, names, belonging, and community. These three are worth having on your shelf every year.
14. First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg
First Day Jitters is a perfect first-day read because the twist at the end catches students off guard and gets them talking. After reading, have students write you a letter with advice about why you shouldn’t be nervous. It gets them thinking about their own feelings while building empathy. Bonus: serve Jitter Juice alongside it for a memorable first morning. Grades K–3.
15. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
This one is a kindergarten and first grade staple for good reason — it speaks directly to the separation anxiety many young students feel. After reading, have students trace their hands, add a heart to the palm, and fold the fingers down. Send it home at the end of the day. It becomes a keepsake families genuinely appreciate. Grades K–1.
16. The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
After reading, ask students to go home and find out how they got their name. Have them write about it as their first writing assignment of the year. Students learn something about themselves, share it with the class, and you get a piece of writing that tells you a lot about each student right away. Grades 2–5.
Creative Activities and Crafts for the First Day
Creative activities give students something to do with their hands, which is especially useful during the more anxious parts of the first day. These also produce keepsakes that mean something by the end of the year.
17. Back-to-School Bus Craftivity
This is a great end-of-day wind-down activity. Students complete a flap book where they tell about themselves, reflect on the first day, review the rules, and think about what makes a good classmate. It keeps students productively busy while giving you time to wrap up the day. Parents love taking it home. Get the Bus Craftivity Flap Book here. Grades K–3.
Bus Craftivity Flap Book for Back-to-School
Make back-to-school fun with this engaging flap book craftivity! Perfect for the first weeks of school, this resource helps students share about themselves, learn classroom expectations, and build community through writing and creativity.
18. Self-Portrait
Have students draw themselves on the first day. Keep the portraits and repeat the activity on the last day of school. The comparison between August and June is always striking — both in drawing ability and in how much older students look. Display the first-day portraits in the hallway to welcome visitors to your classroom. Grades K–5.
19. Dear Me Letter
Ask students to write a letter to their future self about what they’re hoping for this year, what they’re nervous about, or how they’re feeling right now. Seal the letters and return them on the last day of school. Students are always amazed at how much their handwriting changed — and how much they’ve grown. Grades 2–5.
20. When I Grow Up
Ask students what they want to be when they grow up — and actually listen. You’ll hear answers that surprise you, and you can use those dreams to make personal connections throughout the year. (“Didn’t you say you wanted to be a marine biologist? We’re studying ecosystems this week — pay attention to this part.”) Grades K–5.
21. Name Tags and Labels
Let students write their own names and decorate a border on name cards for their desks or cubbies. Laminate them for durability. It’s a simple activity that gives students ownership over their space from day one. Grades K–5.
22. Photo Keepsake
Take a photo of each student on the first day and again on the last day. Share the side-by-side comparison at the end of the year — it’s one of those moments students and families genuinely love. If photos aren’t logistically easy, a self-portrait drawing (see #18) works just as well. Grades K–5.
23. Kindness Quilt
Give each student a square of fabric or heavy paper to decorate with kind words and drawings. Assemble the squares into a class quilt and display it in the room all year. It becomes a visual anchor for classroom community and a reminder of what students built together on day one. Grades 1–5.
Exploring the Classroom on the First Day of School
Students who know where things are and how the space works feel safer. These activities turn the classroom itself into content.
24. Classroom and School Tour
Walk students through the classroom first — where supplies live, what areas are just for them, what areas are yours. Then take them on a tour of the school: bathrooms, gym, cafeteria, computer lab. For new students especially, this reduces anxiety about basic logistics. If your social studies standards include maps, this is also a natural hook for a mapping unit. Grades K–2 especially.
25. Classroom Scavenger Hunt
Turn the classroom tour into a scavenger hunt. Give students a list of things to find or questions to answer about the room and school. They can work independently or in pairs. It’s active, it’s social, and students learn the space without it feeling like a lecture. Grades 1–5.
26. Sticky Note Survey
Draw a large bar graph on chart paper. Ask a survey question (“What’s your favorite season?” “How do you get to school?”) and have each student place a sticky note in the correct column. Change the question throughout the day. Students love the interactivity, and you can naturally weave in math concepts like data and graphing — which makes it a genuine lesson, not just a filler. Grades K–5.
27. STEM Challenge
A well-designed STEM challenge on the first day does exactly what you want: it gets students working together, problem-solving, and talking — before they’ve had time to feel awkward about any of it. It also signals right away that your classroom is a place where curiosity is valued. Grades 2–5.
Here are 10 back-to-school STEM challenges designed specifically for the first week.
Classroom Procedures and Expectations
The best first-day activities mean nothing if students don’t know how to function in your classroom. Weave procedures throughout the day — don’t save them for one long block.
28. Teach and Practice Classroom Procedures
Don’t skip this. It’s the most important thing you do on the first day. Go slowly through every routine that matters — how to get the teacher’s attention, how to work with a partner, how to transition between activities. Model the right way, model the wrong way, then model the right way again. Have students practice. Have them practice again. The investment pays off every single day for the rest of the year. Grades K–5.
29. Discuss Student and Teacher Roles
Talk with students about what they expect from you and what you expect from them. Anchor charts that define “what a good student does” and “what a good teacher does” make expectations concrete and give students agency. This connects naturally to goal setting activities you can introduce in the first week. Grades 1–5.
Do students know what their classroom roles are, how to make friends, and how their parents can help them at home? Teach it during the first week of school.
30. One-on-One Time With Each Student
This one isn’t dramatic, but it matters. Find a few moments throughout the day to connect individually with each student — when you’re handing out supplies, during independent work time, or at the door. Say their name. Ask one genuine question. Jot a quick note on a sticky note so you remember. By the end of the first day, you’ll have a richer picture of your class than any first-day activity can give you on its own. Grades K–5.
Building Your First-Day Plan With These Activities
You don’t need all 30 of these first day of school activities for elementary students in one day. Pick 4 to 6 that fit your grade level and your students, and plan more than you think you’ll need. The first day rarely goes exactly as expected — having extra in your back pocket means you’re never scrambling. Mix community building with procedures, creative work with movement, and you’ll end the day with students who feel like they belong in your classroom.
Looking for ready-made resources to use on day one? The Community Building Puzzle, Getting to Know You Small Group Craftivity, and Back-to-School Bus Craftivity are all designed for K–5 and ready to use the moment students walk in.
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I always sing a song with the kids’ name.
I always have the kids draw a self -portrait! They do one mid year and end of year too. Love to see how they “change”!
I always take a First day of First Grade picture with a frame I made. At the end f the year, it shows how much each kiddo has grown!
Every year on the first day of school I have my students write a letter to themselves. I call this, Dear Younger Me. The students write about their personal and academic goals, fears, dreams, hopes for their 8th grade year and beyond, and one thing they want to learn during the course of the year. At the end of the year, I let them read their letter to see how they have changed. I also encourage them to write a new letter as freshman so they will have some time to reflect as a senior.
I always do some sort of personality test with my kids! They love it and I learn a lot about them fast!
Community building activities!
I’m moving from 1st to 5th grade this year, so I’m sure my first day of school will look different, but I want to make it fun and silly so we may do some selfie photos that we will then put with a “Facebook” page poster we will hang on the wall.
i always try to learn at least a quarter of my students’ names on the first day. i know i won’t get all of them, but it at least shows them that i’m committed to learning their names and that it’s important to me to do so.
I always read a picture book 🙂
One thing I always do on the first day of school is read the book First Day Jitters and then make Jitter Juice!
The first day of school I read “First Day Jitters”.
Then we discuss the book, write down all our fears then ball the paper up and throw our fears away.
I always leave out something easy, fun and interesting for the kids to do at an assigned seat. Then I call them to morning meeting to begin our everyday routine starting with a fun introductions game and get to know you games.
I always give a tour of the school, originating from our classroom so the students know how to get places from our room!
One thing we always do is brainstorm a T-chart of what their job is and what my job is. We refer back to this quite often, especially when they have stated my job is to teach and their job is to learn. Thank you.
I always do the poster activity where you ask students questions like, “What do you hope to learn in 5th grade?” and “What does your teacher need to do to help you be successful?” and they write their answers on post-its they place on the posters. I keep them up all year, and use the poster with the question, “What should kids in our class be doing to make sure class runs as smoothly as possible?” to make a class rules chart that everyone signs as a contract.
On the first day, I teach my students about the Warm Fuzzies (our whole-class incentive to encourage kindness and positive role models), and we practice being kind to each other. It’s so sweet to see my new friends helping each other and playing collaboratively.
This year, I’m moving to a new school, so I’m doing a read-aloud of a book about how to prepare your teacher for the first day of school. They’ll have to “teach” me the procedures and whereabouts in the classroom, making sure that I know where the bathrooms are, and how to line up for lunch, etc. I think I’ll use it even when I’ve been at the school for a few years! Getting my students to take responsibility and ownership of our routines, procedures, and rules. I’m excited!
First Day of school is the best. We read “First Day Jitters”. We have the kids introduce themselves. We play fun games to let everyone loosen up. We introduce some rules of the class. But most important we have fun on the first day.
As a first year teacher, I think I would do a get to know you bingo where students find people who have done something in the bingot card and have them sign it.
I always make sure my students get to know each other and know that they are welcome and accepted on the first day!
We always go over the bathroom procedures ~ we don’t ever want an accident!
We spend the first day putting supplies away and doing a play doh activity. I also use this day to act out and teach the basics of my classroom procedures and an introduction to whole brain teaching.
I discovered a time capsule activity about 4 years ago. It is a great project and the kids open them at the end of the year and compare first week items. Love this activity. We look at what time capsules are on the very first day.
I always take a 1st day of school picture and measure their height as part of a time capsule sheet, I then do the same thing during the last week of school, so they have a comparison.
I have to do the school and class rules, but after that we all introduce ourselves and do fun introduction-presentation activity (writing, drawing, and presenting).
I always read the First Day Jitters book and serve jitter juice!
One thing I always do on the first day of school is discuss procedures and discuss what students need to be successful at school.
I always do “magic play dough” on the first day of school. Students come in and find a seat and start squishing their play dough. It gives me time with parents or students who are maybe having a hard time or need to talk. As students squish their play dough it starts changing colors and they get excited! I tell them it’s magic play dough and because it turned colors it means we are going to have a magical year!
Where do you get this “magic play dough”? I’d love to try this!
I make a simple play dough recipe and then roll enough balls for each student to have one. I poke a hole in the middle of the ball and carefully put a few drops of food coloring in and then close up the hole by moving the play dough around on top. I try really hard to make sure that no color shows. When the kids start playing with and squishing it, the color moves around and starts making the plain play dough colorful, hence “magic play dough”. Here is a link to a fun poem I include on the little baggie the kids take home the first day. http://susanjonesteaching.com/a-cupcake-for-me/
Enjoy! 🙂
Jitter juice poem and drink
One thing I always do on the first day is teach a mini lesson. I don’t spend the whole period reading the rules but I integrate a little content so the students come away hopefully having learned one new thing related to my subject matter–biology!
This will be my first year, but I plan to read “First Day Jitters” and start the day with morning meeting 🙂
On the first day of school, I play a get to know you game and then go over expectations.
I always do a get to know you activity
Every year we get to introduce ourselves and get to know each other. We also them make an “About Me” book, and go through the rules and procedures.
I always read lots of stories, go over routines, and have lots of fun!
This will be my second year but I am planning to do a beach ball ice breaker. You use an inflatable beach ball with questions written on it with a sharpie. The kids seem to like this fun activity!
Love your blog and TPT products!
Thanks!
This’ll be my 2nd year teaching. I am a special education teacher. I love just giving my students time to explore our classroom on our first day of school. I like to walk around and talk to each one of them and see how they are doing.
We read first day jitters, and tell them about my first day jitters. Followed by playing The Name Game, most of the students already know each other as they came from pre-k together. The students are always surprised that I, the teacher, can have first day jitters as well.
I always read lots of fun books, and go over routines and take their picture.
I always give out tons of hugs and lots of high fives!
One thing I love to do on the first day of school is to bring a bag of items that describe me to my students. I pull things out one at a time and tell them why I put it in there. (Ex: A photo of my family, my gardening gloves, knitting needles, etc.)
We do routines, lockers, and get to know you games. Im working on a nice math song to the tune of a popular song to break the ice!
A few things I always do for BTS are first day selfies , some team building activities, what I want my teacher to know and of course READ!
On the first day of school I like to read First Day Jitters and color an I survived my first day of first grade hat!
I always use my Polaroid camera to take pictures of my students on the first day. At the end of the year, we take another picture to see how much they’ve grown.
I get to my classroom really early and pray over each seat and the little heart that will occupy said seat. I want to start the school year with a blessed classroom and blessed students!
I love to make jitter juice and have them guess what magic secret ingredients I’ve used to make it.
I always take first day of school pictures. Near the last day of school we take an end of the year picture for comparison.
I always do an all about me activity, normally it’s math about me human, but this year I found a science about me on TPT that I can’t wait to try.
One thing I always do on the first day is model the brown bag activity where I share 3 important pieces of me that fit into a bag. Students brainstorm and then take their bags home and come back and begin sharing. Great activity between periods or when students need a break.
On the first day I like to do people Bingo. Each square has a description and students need to find someone who fits that description. It’s great for movement and it helps students get to know all of their classmates!