No matter whether you homeschool your kids or teach in a classroom the first day back should be super fun. These first day of school worksheets are just that.
Perfect for preschoolers through to 3rd grade and beyond, there is something for everyone on the first week of school.
Are you ready to kick off the new school year with a bang? Back to school season is the perfect time to engage your students with fun and educational worksheets.
Whether you’re a teacher looking to add excitement to your lesson plans or a parent wanting to reinforce learning at home, these first day of school worksheets are here to save the day.
From getting to know you activities to math exercises and word games, this post has a wide range of resources to make the return to school a seamless and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Let’s dive into these holiday activities for kids and ignite a love for learning right from day one!
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Table of Contents
How to Prepare the Kids for the First Day of School
Got a little one gearing up for the big first day of school? Here are the top five tips to help parents prepare their kiddos for an awesome start:
- Have a chat with your child about what school will be like. Tell them all the exciting things they’ll get to do, like making new friends and having a cool teacher. Answer any questions they have and let them know you’re there to support them.
- If you can swing it, take a trip to the school before the first day. Explore the classrooms, check out the playground, and get them familiar with their new stomping grounds. Familiarity breeds confidence!
- Get into a school-ready routine a few weeks before D-day. Set a consistent bedtime and wake-up time so they’re bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Practice morning routines, like getting dressed, munching on breakfast, and packing their backpack. Let’s get those habits locked and loaded!
- Encourage your little champ to practice some handy self-help skills. Think bathroom trips without assistance, washing those little hands, and opening lunch containers. Oh, and don’t forget shoe-tying and backpack-zipping! These ninja skills will make them feel like superheroes.
- Snuggle up and read books about going to school. Choose fun stories that show how much fun school can be, making friends, and solving problems along the way. Talk about the characters and ask your child how they relate to their own school feelings. It’s storytime with a purpose! (I will share our favorite books in the next section.)
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Picture Books for the First Day of School
Get ready for the first day of school with these heartwarming picture books! These make great back to school gifts for kids.
Join the characters as they experience a mix of excitement and nervousness, bringing laughter, anticipation, and reassurance to create an unforgettable start to a new adventure.
Butterflies on the First Day of School. Join Rosie as she experiences the fluttery feeling of excitement and nervousness on her first day of school. With colorful illustrations and relatable emotions, this heartwarming book captures the joy and jitters of starting a new adventure.
School’s First Day of School. Discover the school’s perspective in this charming tale where the building itself, Frederick Douglass Elementary, becomes the protagonist. From the bustling hallways to the classroom mishaps, this delightful story reminds us that even buildings have first-day jitters and can’t wait to welcome the students with open doors.
Amelia Badelia’s First Day of School. Get ready for giggles as Amelia Bedelia hilariously navigates her way through her first day of school. With her literal interpretations and humorous misunderstandings, Amelia’s charming antics bring laughter and a lighthearted touch to the first-day jitters, showing that sometimes a little confusion can lead to big smiles.
A Letter From Your Teacher on the First Day of School. Dive into the excitement of receiving a heartfelt letter from your future teacher. This touching book offers a warm welcome to students, sharing encouragement, fun activities, and a peek into what to expect, creating a sense of anticipation and reassurance for an unforgettable first day.
First Day of School Sign
This one is for moms and dads! Make sure to snap a picture on the first morning of school with our free first day of school printable signs.
This can be used with any year and any grade as the kids need to fill this out before you take the photo.
First Day Of School Headband
Get your little ones excited for their first day of school with a fun and creative first day of school crowns printable.
Simply print out the crown template, let them color and decorate it to their liking, and then assemble it for a regal start to the school year!
There are two different designs for preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, and school (for any other grade.)
Getting to Know You
Break the ice and encourage classroom camaraderie with engaging getting to know you worksheets. These interactive activities will help students connect and learn more about each other.
From sharing their favorite hobbies to describing their dream vacations, these worksheets make it easy for everyone to bond on the first day of school.
All About Me
Let your students shine by giving them the opportunity to express themselves through all about me worksheets.
They can fill in their personal details, such as their name, age, and interests, and even draw a picture of themselves.
This worksheet not only allows students to introduce themselves but also serves as a great icebreaker for the whole class.
Add even more about me fun with this free back to school bookmark printable.
School Scavenger Hunt
Make the first day of school an adventure with a first day of school scavenger hunt printable!
This exciting activity will get the kids moving and familiarize them with their new surroundings as they hunt for their school supplies. If they are serious brick builders they will love our favorite Lego school supplies.
First Day of School Maze
This back to school maze printable offers a fun and interactive activity for the first day of school.
Not only does it serve as an icebreaker, but it also promotes inclusivity and helps students get to know each other better.
By navigating through the maze and finding classmates who match specific descriptions, students can foster positive relationships and create a supportive classroom environment right from the start.
My Favorite Things
Let your students express their individuality with their favorite things. Whether it’s their favorite color, book, or even food. These worksheets encourage students to share their preferences and spark interesting conversations among classmates. It’s a delightful way to celebrate each student’s unique personality.
- My favorite things worksheet
- My favorite color worksheet
- My favorite book worksheet
Color By Number
Back to school color by number worksheets are an awesome addition to your first week of school activities!
They not only inject a fun and relaxed vibe into the classroom. But they also help students brush up on their numbers and colors.
Back to School Educational Fun
Get ready for back-to-school with a dose of educational fun!
Engage your students with a back to school word scramble printable, where they can unscramble school-related words to test their vocabulary skills.
Upper elementary students will enjoy our free back to school word search printable.
Have fun with younger students learning letters with our free back to school alphabet worksheets.
Print out our free back to school writing prompts and get the kids writing.
Foster their creativity and language skills with back to school writing activities, encouraging them to write about their summer adventures or set goals for the new school year.
For the little ones, explore back to school math activities for preschoolers tailored for preschoolers, filled with counting, sorting, and shape recognition exercises to lay a strong foundation in mathematics from the start.
Get your preschoolers excited about math with these back to school preschool math centers. Designed to enhance skills like color sorting, counting, and number recognition, these free printable activities offer engaging hands-on learning opportunities.
Photo School Bus Craft
Capture the memories of the first day of school with a charming photo bus craft.
Students can create their own school bus using paper, glue, and markers, then add their photo inside. It’s a delightful keepsake that will remind them of their exciting journey throughout the school year.
Back to School Arts and Crafts
Enhance fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination with back to school lacing cards. These printable cards feature school-related shapes like apples, pencils, and backpacks with holes for threading. Students can practice their lacing techniques while having fun and getting ready for the new school year.
Unleash your creativity with a back to school craft stick pencil. Students can construct their own jumbo-sized pencils using craft sticks, paint, and colorful erasers. It’s a fantastic way to get crafty and decorate the classroom while igniting the back-to-school spirit.
Give your notebooks a personalized touch with back to school notebook cover. Students can design and decorate their own covers using markers, stickers, and drawings. It’s a simple yet enjoyable activity that allows them to express their creativity and showcase their unique style.
Last Updated on 3 January 2024 by homeschoolof1
