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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Colour-by-Code Parts of Speech- Back to School Worksheet
Use this colour by part of speech worksheet as a back to school activity with your students.
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Back to School - Create a Nameplate DIY Activity
Celebrate the first day of school, get to know your students and learn everyone’s names with a first day name plate craftivity project.
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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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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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All About Myself Template - Welcome to Year 1-6
Use this printable All About Myself template to engage your students on the first day of school.
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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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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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Beginning of Year Time Capsule Activity
Use this printable time capsule template during the first week of school and again at the end of the year!
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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 First Week of Year 1 Mini Book
Encourage your students to reflect on their first week of year 1 with this back-to-school mini book.
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Back to School Craft - First Day of School Crown Template
Get crafty and celebrate the new school year with a printable first day of school headband.
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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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Just One Word - New Year Goal Setting Project
Inspire your students to reflect and set goals for the new school year with a “Just One Word” goal setting project.
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New Year's Goal Setting Selfie
Inspire your students to reflect and set goals for the new year with a Goal Setting Selfie New Year Craft.
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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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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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Back to School Colouring-In Pages
Use these back-to-school colouring pages as a first day of 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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Star of the Week Poster Templates
Celebrate successful students with printable Star of the Week Poster Templates!
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How Do I Get Home? Backpack Tags & Forms
Use printable bus and car rider tags for schools to organise the dismissal process at the end of the school day.
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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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Letter to the Teacher Template
Get to know your students with an all about me writing template.
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School Supply Procedures - Year 1 Worksheets
Help your Year 1 students learn to use materials appropriately with printable classroom supply procedure worksheets.
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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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