40+ Creative First Day of School Activities

Creative First Day of School Activities:  Kick off the new year with a bang by doing fun first day of school activities! 🎒✨ From lighthearted icebreakers and team-building games to scavenger hunts around the classroom, crafts that teach goal-setting, and fun challenges that encourage classmates to get to know one another, these activities help students feel comfortable and connected. Ideal for creating a nurturing space, they inspire creativity, collaboration and confidence from the first day. Set up the first day to be a day to remember, be engaged, excided, and inspired, so students come in on day one ready to learn.

Creative First Day of School Activities

Start the school year with 40+ Creative First Day of School Activities to help foster a well-rounded, inclusive classroom community from day 1. 🎒✨From get-to-know-you icebreakers and team-building games to unit-long projects, DIY crafts, goal-setting exercises, and classroom scavenger hunts, get ready to have fun! Great for teachers working to foster a sense of community in the classroom, these suggestions promote creativity, camaraderie, and a positive start to the school year. Make the first day of school special—memorable, fun, and inspirational—for every student!

🎉 Icebreakers & Introductions

• Name Bingo Game 🧩

• “Find Someone Who…” Scavenger Hunt

• All About Me Collage ✂️

• Partner Interviews 👥

• Classroom Bingo

• Two Truths & a Lie (kid-friendly version)

• Emoji Introductions 😀😎🤩

• Self-Portrait Drawing 🎨

• Get-to-Know-You Jenga

• “Would You Rather” Icebreaker

✏️ Creative Writing & Sharing

• Summer Memories Journal 🏖️

• “Hopes for This Year” Writing Activity

• Future Self Letters 💌

• “If I Were a Superhero” Story 🦸‍♀️

• Classroom Goals Poster

• “My Favorite Things” List

• First-Day Acrostic Poem ✍️

• Bucket List for the School Year

• Classroom Promise Writing

• Friendship Recipe Poem 🍪

🎨 Art & Hands-On Activities

• Design Your Own Name Tag 🎨

• Classroom Puzzle (each student decorates a piece) 🧩

• Create a Class Mascot 🐯

• Handprint Art Wall

• Design a Backpack Craft 🎒

• “All About Me” Pennant Banner

• Personal Coat of Arms Shield

• Build a LEGO Representation of Yourself

• Paper Plate Self-Portraits

• Decorate Classroom Door Together 🚪✨

🤝 Team-Building Games

• Human Knot Game

• Tower Building with Straws or Blocks 🏗️

• Pass the Ball Q&A

• Silent Line-Up Challenge (by birthday, height, etc.)

• Team Scavenger Hunt

• Marshmallow & Toothpick Challenge

• Hula Hoop Pass Circle

• Group Puzzle Races

• Cup Stacking Challenge 🥤

• Classroom “Escape Room” Activity