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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What are Desk Pets? Introduction Slide Deck
Introduce your students to your Desk Pet Classroom Reward System with an engaging slide deck.
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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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Find a Friend Who…Worksheet
Encourage students to engage with different classmates and learn about others with this whole-class activity.
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Playdough Task Cards -Back to School Team Building
Use this set of Playdough challenge cards to foster team building in your classroom.
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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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Reading Challenge: 10-100 Book Challenge Reading Logs
Start the 100-Book Challenge with a fun reading log!
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Fishing To Know You
A getting-to-know-you activity for the beginning of the year.
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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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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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Letter to the Teacher Template
Get to know your students with an all about me writing template.
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Headbands Game - Team Building Activity
Play a game of school related celebrity heads to develop teamwork and collaboration skills.
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Icebreaker Games - Get to Know You Game Cards
Help your students get to know each other with this set of 20 icebreaker games.
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All About Me Sundae - First Day Activity
Scoop up some first-day fun with a printable ice cream-themed Get to Know Me Craft for kids.
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Classroom Procedures Scoot Game
Review classroom and school procedures as a back-to-school activity with a game of Scoot!
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Find Someone Who Icebreaker
Build a classroom community and help your students get to know each other with a fun getting-to-know-you activity.
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Interview a Classmate - First Day of School Activity
Help your students learn more about their new classmates with this fun speaking and listening activity!
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Rules Around Us - Sorting Activity
Identify rules at home, in school and around the community with a sorting activity.
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2024 Goal Setting Worksheet
Inspire your students to reflect and set goals for the new year with a Goal Setting worksheet.
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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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Free Blank Face Template Pack
Use these free blank face templates to create fun back-to-school art celebrating the individuality and diversity of your new students!
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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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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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This Is Me Task Cards
Get to know your students on the first days of a new school year with this fun getting-to-know-you game.
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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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