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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One thing I always do on the first day is icebreaker activities.
I always take a photo of the students plus write a note to their parents about their adventures of the first day . I send it home in a special folder tied with a ribbon.
I always have my homeroom students decorate a card with their name on it. After I laminate them, they make great locker tags. As for activities, one of my favorites is one I found on TpT a few years ago, in which the kids get to walk around the room, chewing bubble gum, while playing a get-to-know-you game.
I rad the book The First Day Jitters and we talk about what the word “jitters” means. We also talk about if we had any jitters. I also share that I have jitters on the first day of school each year.
I always go over rules and expectations. To keep it fun, I also do a read aloud.
I always take a picture of students on their first day with a cute frame that says First day of Kindergarten. They think it’s fun and it’s a cute keepsake for their parents.
One thing I always do on the first day is play a get to know you game! I tell my kids we’re going to tell 2 truths and 1 lie about ourselves. It’s fun getting to know them and fun for the kids to guess the lie!
One the first day of school I always begin by building a classroom community, We play a lot of get to know you team building activities. We also set goals for the quarter.
We do a scavenger hunt type activity to let the kids and teachers get to know each other.
It may sound silly, but I always do a tour of our school. I teach 4th grade in a 4-6 school, and the students are always nervous about entering a new school. I give each student a card that corresponds to one of the stops on our tour. Each child has a chance to participate in the tour, ask questions, and point out interesting things. Also, we get to practice our hallway expectations right off the bat! 🙂 Here’s to another fun and productive year, everyone!
On the first day of school I walk around to see where everyone will be located and welcome everyone back for an exciting school year.
One thing I do the first day of school is have students design a card that is 11×4 with their name and some things about themselves. After they share with a partner, and the class, I staple them to my bulletin board as the students line up. That way, we start getting to know eachother, practice routines, and begin personalizing the room right away.
I always create or find a team building activity for my students to participate in. The activities encourage cooperation, communication and trust.
I’m a new teacher and loved reading all of the great ideas so thank you all! I’m thinking about making it a tradition to take a first day of first grade picture of each student and doing some community building activities. Thanks for this great post.
Have a great school year everyone!
As a Special Education Consultant Teacher, I feel that it is important to make a face to face meeting with all of my students in their general education classroom. I try to spend some personal time with each student and ask questions about what their likes and dislikes are and give them some information about me as well. I feel developing a strong rapport with my students is crucial to having a successful year.
On the first day of school I always give my students a welcome bag with a snack and some little gifts!
I always start with a friendly greeting and circle games/getting to know you activity. I like having kids sort themselves into four corners to simple questions such as “I have ___siblings” or my favorite food is “_________” I give four answers and they go into the corner with the response that fits them. It’s a great way for students to see what they have in common with others.
Our first day of school is a half day, so it really flies by quickly. I always spend a good chunk of time welcoming students with at least one book (maybe two) – First Day Jitters is what I’ve read the last few years or The Secret Knowledge of Grown-ups. We also overview procedures as they come up and CHAMPS expectations for things like restroom, hallway, etc. I always take my kids on a school tour, too, since we have a large building and a somewhat transient population.
I always read “First Day Jitters.” The kids really get a kick about finding out that it’s the teacher who ins’t ready for school!
One thing I ALWAYS do on the first day is the toothpaste activity. You can do it individually or as groups. I prefer groups. I like to teach my students to work together. They squirt all the toothpaste onto. Paper plate. Then, I have them tooth picks that they have to use to get all the toothpaste back into the tube. It’s impossible, just like they cannot take back the hurtful words they say to each other or about one another.
On the first day, I greet my kids at the door with a big smile and warm hug. Then we play ice breaker type games to help build community and we read First Day Jitters. We do activities and enjoy our first day jitters snack and juice.
I always do a tour of the room. This is a time for them to see where the supplies, library, and activities are. Also, because I teach first grade, this gives me an opportunity to show them the teacher vs. Student areas and supplies.
I am a new teacher this year. I am hoping to take first day of school pictures with my students and send them home in a decorative foam frame made by the students.
I make an All About Ms. Hundt powerpoint to introduce myself to my students. We do a conversation circle, too so that students can learn about each other.
On the First Day of School, I always spend time letting the students know about me- I want them to feel like they are building that relationship early on. I also do get to know you games to build community, read Gingerbread Baby (because I love Gingerbread men and they think it is so funny to read it now!) and I want to start reading First Day Jitters this year and do the Jitter Juice with them =)
What is something I always do on the first day of school?
I share a Kindergarten Language friendly version of my “All About Me” book that includes a picture of me when I was in Kindergarten and what I liked about it, my family, my birthday, some of my favorite “things” and what I wanted to be when I grew up.
I always read First Day Jitters and The Teacher from the Black Lagoon!
Students share a little about themselves with one another. I also take photos of each of the students to put up on the wall. Students make a triangular prism shaped name card for their desk decorated small drawings, adjectives and phrases which describe their personality and interests.
I am a parent. On the first day , I love to spend few minutes with the kids telling them they they are growing up every day so learning at school along with their friends is an important part to have fun. Prepare them mentally about the upcoming days of learning new concepts, new projects etc.,
I like to get my kids up and moving the first day with either stations or a scavenger hunt.
I have students do a self-portrait and tell me what they want to be when they grow up. I also take beginning of the year pictures. By open house the students can see how much they’ve grown!
One thing I will do as a new teacher this year is to implement morning meetings and do it the entire year.
I always do a fun get to know you activity. It might be “find a classmate who…” or a simple ball toss game. Also, we read “Chrysanthemum” and talk about our feelings on the first day.
On the first day of school, I always do a tour of the classroom. It is important for students to learn how to walk in a line as well as learn where things are in the classroom! We make if fun by skipping, jumping, taking tiny steps to the next area.
This is the first official First Day for me! I am excited to start the year off with a get to know you activity with a Figure Me Out with math and then a human bingo for ice breaker.
I always take pictures of my students individually and as as a class on the first day.
I always read The Kissing Hand and later in the week we make Chester.
Jitter Juice is a well loved tradition in my second grade class! We read First Day Jitters, write about our jitters, read the Jitter Poem and then toast the jitters away with Jitter Juice (Blue Hi-C and ginger ale) in a cup with a crazy straw!
I always let them look through their desks so they know what’s in there.
On the first day, we tour the classroom and the school. It’s the kiddos’ first year in the main part of the school because Kinders are in a separate area.
We always share Good News from the summer and do the skittles game so that we can learn a little bit about each other! The biggest thing is routines and expectations right from the start so we can have a great year together!
On the first day I always do a fun getting to know you activity. I like to switch it up from year to year, but I try to make it something silly to break the ice.
The first day of school always revolves around watermelon! The rest of the week I introduce routines, but still do more watermelon activities 🙂
I always make a list of where or how students are getting home on the first day. I teach Kindergarten and so it’s a big priority to get them home safely. I want them to feel safe and welcomed so they’re excited to come back!
I love the first day of school—new beginnings!!! It is important from the very first step into your classroom to show the students love and put them at ease.
I also love those who take the time to create for TPT.
I always do a social contract on the first day of school. I have students write answers to four questions about how they want to be treated by me, by their peers, how I want to be treated, and how to solve conflicts. They answer one idea per sticky note and then and it to the poster with the appropriate question. Once everyone’s ideas are one the poster, I break students into groups to do a sort of the ideas, grouping the same one or closely related ideas together. We then create an agreement about how we will treat each other on a poster and sign it. This poster remains up throughout the year.
I like to read First Day Jitters and talk about feelings and make a first day feelings graph.
On the first day of school, I always have my kids choose a card (from a regular deck) and write their name on it with a sharpie. I then collect all the cards and use them all year to call on students. They’re easy to shuffle and everyone gets called on.
I’m a first year teacher so I have lots of ideas on what I want to do on the first day. I want them to get to know me so I plan on bringing a sack on the first day with objects that represent me and pull them out one by one and talk about my interests and hobbies. I also love the idea of getting them in a circle and asking them what they want in a teacher and maybe do a group activity with that. I also want to make a photo booth frame to take pics on the first day of school and later laminate to send home. I’m probably more excited for the first day of school than my students but I have been looking for a teaching job for a long time.
I am a new teacher but want to start the tradition of asking the students to write down a specific part of science that they are interested in.