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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Back to School – Listening Skills Refresh PowerPoint
Refresh student listening skills with a Back to School Listening Skill activity and and script.
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One Has to Go! Game of Elimination Icebreaker
Play ‘One Has to Go!” and engage your students in a friendly classroom debate with this Google Slides icebreaker game.
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Personalised Name Colouring Bookmarks
Inspire your new students to read, read, read with their very own personalised name bookmark to colour!
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Brain Break Activity Cards
Give your students a quick brain break with this set of 19 whole-class games.
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Team Building Games for Upper Grades
Encourage communication and cooperation with a set of 10 team building games.
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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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Would You Rather...? Question Cards
Would You Rather use this set of 31 question cards or eat a can of worms?
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Add It In Listening Activity Bundle
Practise following directions to colour and draw pictures with a free printable listening activity worksheet pack.
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I Wish My Teacher Knew Activity Sheet
Add an ‘I Wish My Teacher Knew’ activity to your first-day plans to learn more about your new students.
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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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Can You Save Fred? Activity
Can You Save Fred? Encourage teamwork and resilience with a fun, hands-on problem-solving and team-building STEM activity.
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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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Who’s in Your Circle? Icebreaker Activity
Help your students find like-minded friends on the first day of school with a ‘Who’s in Your Circle?’ icebreaker 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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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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Back to School STEM Challenges – Upper Years
A selection of 3 STEM activities for upper years students that are perfect for the back-to-school period.
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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.
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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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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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Rules Around Us - Sorting Activity
Identify rules at home, in school and around the community with a sorting activity.
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Back to School Activity Mats - All Year Levels
Use these back-to-school activity mats as your first day of school warm-up activity during morning arrival.
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I Am Poem Template
Get to know your students and create reflective poems with a printable ‘I Am… Poem template.
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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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