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.
- Free Plan
Never Have I Ever... Getting-to-know-you Game
- Plus Plan
Collaborative Icebreaker - Back to School Scatter Game
- Plus Plan
Back-to-School Countdown Mobile - Goal Setting Template
- Plus Plan
Mindfulness Activities for Kids - Backpack Craft and Book
- Plus Plan
Back to School Activity Mats - All Year Levels
- Plus Plan
Project Based Back-to-School Activity - Plan an Excursion
Engage your classroom and save valuable time with Teach Starter
Get access to thousands of high-quality teaching resources that will engage your classroom and save your valuable time. Teach Starter is here to help you on your teaching journey.
First Day of School 2024 Activities & Worksheets for Primary Classrooms
- Plus Plan
Classroom Scavenger Hunt – PowerPoint Presentation
Take your students on a scavenger hunt to get to know their new classroom environment.
- Plus Plan
Back to School Scavenger Hunt Worksheet
Build a classroom community and help your students get to know each other with a fun getting to know you activity.
- Plus Plan
Interview a Classmate - First Day of School Activity
Help your students learn more about their new classmates with this fun speaking and listening activity!
- Plus Plan
Find a Friend - Early Years Icebreaker
Play a back-to-school find-a-friend game for students to get to know their classmates.
- Plus Plan
Back to School Bookmarks
Celebrate the new school year with these back-to-school bookmarks.
- Plus Plan
Find a Friend Who…Worksheet
Encourage students to engage with different classmates and learn about others with this whole-class activity.
- Free Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
My Hopes and Wishes Jar - Goal-Setting Activity
Sets goals for the new school year with a goal-setting activity.
- Plus Plan
Interactive Icebreaker Game Display
A fun interactive way for your students to get to know each other at the beginning of a school year.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Collaborative Icebreaker - Back to School Scatter Game
Start the school year with a collaborative game to initiate student introductions.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Playdough Task Cards -Back to School Team Building
Use this set of Playdough challenge cards to foster team building in your classroom.
- Plus Plan
Headbands Game - Team Building Activity
Play a game of school related celebrity heads to develop teamwork and collaboration skills.
- Plus Plan
New School Year Goal Setting Flipbook
Inspire your students to reflect and set goals for the new school year with a Goal Setting flipbook template.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Icebreaker Games - Get to Know You Game Cards
Help your students get to know each other with this set of 20 icebreaker games.
- Plus Plan
Back-to-School Countdown Mobile - Goal Setting Template
Craft colourful hanging mobiles to start the school year with a printable goal setting craft activity.
- Plus Plan
Yeti to Learn - Goal Setting Template
Get “Yeti” to learn with a fun goal-setting craft and writing prompt for back to school.
- Plus Plan
Fishing To Know You
A getting-to-know-you activity for the beginning of the year.
- Plus Plan
All About Me Time Capsule
Build a self-portrait time capsule as a fun first day of school activity!
- Plus Plan
Our Friends in the Pond - Getting to Know You Activity
A cute interactive getting to know you activity for your class.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Mindfulness Activities for Kids - Backpack Craft and Book
Promote mindfulness and social and emotional learning with this Mindfulness Backpack activity.
Get inspired
Unlock the potential in your classroom today with the latest teaching ideas, advice, and creative inspiration on the chalkboard.
Explore our blog