The back to school season is here! It’s time to welcome our young learners with open arms and these engaging First Week of School Activities for Kindergarten.
These fun and creative ideas will get your kindergarten classroom buzzing with excitement right from day one and make their first days unforgettable.
What You'll Find On This Page
First Week of School Activities for Kindergarten:
Read, Read, Read
Books about starting kindergarten are a wonderful way to settle nerves and build excitement about school.
There are so many stories that reflect the themes of starting school, making friends, and exploring new adventures.
Reading together will help your kids develop a love for books and boost their listening skills too.
Practice Procedures
Spend the first week teaching and practicing your daily routines and procedures.
From how to enter the classroom, where to hang their backpacks, to how to signal they need to use the restroom – consistency is key.
Use songs, visual schedules, and plenty of practice to help them get the hang of it.
Get to Know Each Other
Building relationships is essential. Plan activities that help everyone get to know each other.
Simple games like “Find a Friend Who…” or “All About Me” activities can be great icebreakers.
Taking the time to learn about each others’ interests and backgrounds will help build a strong classroom community.
Name Recognition Fun
Start with a classic but essential activity: name recognition. Create name tags, desk plates, and cubby labels with each child’s name.
You can also use things like this Back to School Name Activity. Not only does this help your kids recognize their own names, but it also helps them learn their classmates’ names.
Classroom Scavenger Hunt
Organize a classroom scavenger hunt to familiarize your students with their new environment.
Give them a list of items to find or places to explore, like the reading corner, art supplies, or where to hang their backpacks.
This activity helps them feel comfortable and know where they can find everything in your classroom.
First Day Feelings
During circle time, you can start with a discussion about feelings and read a book about first-day jitters, like “The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn.
Then, let the students share how they feel about starting school.
This activity promotes emotional literacy and helps build a supportive classroom community.
Bus Craft & Bulletin Board
Have your students help decorate a bulletin board with this Back to School Writing Craft.
They will create the bus craft and write about what they want to learn, try, or do this school year.
These keepsakes can be a wonderful reminder of their first week in kindergarten.
Morning Tubs
Your Back to School Morning Tubs are going to be a big hit with your students!
Spend time introducing each one – explaining the activities and the behavior expectations. Let your kids explore and play.
If your students need to work on developing their fine motor skills, you can add the Back to School Fine Motor Activities to your morning tubs too.
Puzzle Activities
Use this no-prep Back to School Puzzle Packet to help your young learners develop independence from day one.
With this resource, your students will work on problem solving, vocabulary, fine motor skills, following directions, and much more.
Use these back to school worksheets for morning work, early finishers, 5 minute fillers, or independent work while you work with and assess other students.
Outdoor Play and Exploration
Don’t forget to spend some time outside! Plan outdoor games and free play to let your students burn off some energy and explore their surroundings.
Activities like a nature walk or playground time help develop gross motor skills and provide a break from indoor activities.
The first week can be a whirlwind of emotions and new experiences. Be prepared for a range of reactions from excitement to nervousness.
Remember that it’s okay if things don’t go perfectly. Your calm and reassuring presence will help your students feel secure.
Above all, have fun and enjoy this special time with your students. Your enthusiasm and joy for teaching are contagious and will set the tone for a fantastic year ahead.
Here’s to a wonderful start to the school year! You’ve got this, and your students are lucky to have you. Happy teaching!
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