Back to School Word Scramble to Kick Off the First Week

Back to school word scramble printables are a fun way to ease kids into the school year while giving their brains a gentle challenge.

Whether you’re teaching in August, after a long break, or even kicking off the new year, this low-prep activity is a hit.

With two versions, one easy and one more challenging, this makes a great addition to your collection of first week of school worksheets.

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Unscramble the Back to School Themed Words

These free word scramble printables are a simple, low-prep activity that works well for both classroom and homeschool settings.

They’re free to print for personal or educational use, just scroll to the bottom of the page to access the PDF.

The printable includes two versions:

• One easy version with the answers printed around the edge of the puzzle to support younger students
• One harder version with no clues for an extra challenge

Each version features 12 school-themed words to unscramble. It’s a great fit for upper elementary and middle school kids, especially as a first week activity or early finisher task.

The included answer key makes it easy to check responses, or let kids work in pairs and self-correct.

Looking for more first day fun? We also like this first day of school Mad Libs book, which adds a silly twist to writing practice. It even makes a fun back to school gift for kids.

Back to School Word Scramble Answers

These are the 12 words students will unscramble:

Other Back to School Printables

If you’re looking to save time, our first day of school activities bundle includes this word scramble plus eight other printables designed to make the first week stress-free and engaging.

• Challenge students with our back to school maze, ideal for a fun early finisher or morning activity.
• The back to school crossword puzzle helps reinforce key school terms while encouraging problem-solving skills.
• For a vocabulary boost, try our first day of school word search, a great warm-up that pairs perfectly with the scramble.
• The get to know you worksheet is great for building classroom community during the first week.
• Use our back to school writing prompts to kickstart creative thinking and practice sentence structure.
• Add a splash of creativity with our back to school color by number printables, perfect for quiet time or independent work.
• Encourage reflection with our printable all about me worksheet, a classic back-to-school activity that helps kids express themselves.
• Finally, test quick thinking with our back to school scattergories, a fun and fast-paced game to play in groups.

Tried and True Books for the Start of the Year

Over the years, a few books have become staples in our home and with teaching friends. These aren’t just popular picks, they’re stories we’ve returned to again and again because they help kids settle in, reflect, and connect.

• Wemberly Worried – This one helped my son when he was anxious about starting something new. Wemberly’s quiet worry and the way she warms up to school is something so many kids relate to.
• The Name Jar – A thoughtful book we once read at the start of a co-op year. It opened up conversations about identity, names, and feeling different. Great for building classroom community.
• Because of Mr. Terupt – This chapter book is a favorite for upper elementary. My son read it in 5th grade and couldn’t wait to read the next in the series. It’s heartfelt, funny, and a great way to show how a classroom can grow into a team.

Get Your Free Word Scramble to Play on the First Day of School Here!

Ready to grab your free printable? Just pop your name and email into the form below, and it’s all yours!

If you don’t see the form below, click here to get the free back to school word scramble with answers.

Last Updated on 7 May 2025 by Clare Brown