Still need a few ideas? Read on for some tips from our teacher team on what to do on the first day of school, plus some inspiring first day of school quotes to share with your students!
First Day of School 2024 Activities & Worksheets for Primary Classrooms
Dive into a curated collection of teacher-created first-day-of-school activities, printables and icebreakers to help your students settle in and feel comfortable whether they're starting their very first day in primary school or just their first day of the 2024 school year! This collection of printables and digital activities for teachers to use on the first day of the school year was created by the expert Australian teacher team at Teach Starter with an eye on providing teachers everything they need to make kids feel safe and respected from day one. Let your students know they've found a warm and welcoming classroom environment where they can thrive this school year! From activities that will help you set expectations early to printable forms you can use to collect important student information and so much more, this collection has your entire day (and first week) covered!
Editor’s Picks
The best of the best hand-picked by our team of teachers.
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Never Have I Ever... Getting-to-know-you Game
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Collaborative Icebreaker - Back to School Scatter Game
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Back-to-School Countdown Mobile - Goal Setting Template
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Mindfulness Activities for Kids - Backpack Craft and Book
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Back to School Activity Mats - All Year Levels
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Project Based Back-to-School Activity - Plan an Excursion
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First Day of School 2024 Activities & Worksheets for Primary Classrooms
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Time for School! Mini Booklet
Introduce your young students to the routines involved with getting ready for school with this mini booklet.
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Let's Be Sharp! Goal Setting Craft
Set a positive tone and start the school year with a Let’s Be Sharp! Goal Setting craft.
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Icebreaker Bingo - First Day of School Game
Kick off a new school year with a Getting to Know You Icebreaker Bingo!
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A Letter to My Teacher Activity
Get to know your students a bit better using a ‘Letter to Teacher’ template.
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Behaviour Charades
Explore appropriate and inappropriate behaviors at the beginning of a new school year with a fun charade activity.
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Funky School Bus Craft Activity
Go for a ride on the Funky School Bus with a fun school bus craft for kids!
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My Hopes and Wishes Jar - Goal-Setting Activity
Sets goals for the new school year with a goal-setting activity.
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All About Me Time Capsule
Build a self-portrait time capsule as a fun first day of school activity!
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Project Based Back-to-School Activity - Plan an Excursion
Integrate Project-based activities into your beginning-of-year maths and lessons by inviting your students to plan an excursion, calculate costs and follow a budget.
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Back to School Emoji Code Breaker Worksheets
Use this emoji code breaker worksheet as a back to school activity with your students.
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Back to School Today — Short Poem for Kids
Use this short poem for kids when students return to school. This child-friendly poem discusses feelings that they may experience when heading back to school after an extended break.
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Meet the Teacher - Get to Know You Game
Help your students get to know the teacher with a fun Get to Know You Game!
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Get to Know Me Collaborative Tessellation Art Activity
Invite your students to get to know each other by creating a collaborative About Me Tessellation Art Project.
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My Goal Grid - Goal Setting Template
Set goals for the new school year with a printable goal-setting template for kids.
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Interest Inventory for Students – Reward Survey
Discover motivators and reinforcers that excite your students with this printable reward survey.
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Getting to Know You – Back to School Bingo
Start your year off right with an engaging back to school bingo game designed for foundation and year 1 students.
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Would You Rather...? Back to School Edition
Engage your students in thought-provoking discussions with this set of 16 back-to-school “Would You Rather” questions.
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Collaborative Icebreaker - Back to School Scatter Game
Start the school year with a collaborative game to initiate student introductions.
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Back-to-School Countdown Mobile - Goal Setting Template
Craft colourful hanging mobiles to start the school year with a printable goal setting craft activity.
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Yeti to Learn - Goal Setting Template
Get “Yeti” to learn with a fun goal-setting craft and writing prompt for back to school.
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Fishing To Know You
A getting-to-know-you activity for the beginning of the year.
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Back-to-School Silly Story Worksheets
Engage your students in grammar with this set of of back-to-school Silly Stories worksheets.
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Build a Crayon Box - STEAM Activity
Foster critical thinking and problem solving with this back to school STEM activity.
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Student Interest Survey - Upper Years
Learn your students' interests on Day 1 of a new school year with this student interest survey for the upper years.
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