Free First Day of Homeschool Printables to Start the Year Strong
First day of homeschool printables have become a little tradition in our house.
We never start with a full schedule, instead, we ease in with photo signs, silly icebreakers, and a few keepsakes I know I’ll stash in our portfolio.
Over the years, I’ve realized the first day doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to feel like us.
Whether we’re doing a scavenger hunt for school supplies or eating waffles in pajamas, these free homeschool printables help set the tone for a year of learning together.
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Printable Activities for a Fun and Memorable First Day
Whether you’re starting your very first year or just trying to make the first day feel less like a Monday, these printable activities are an easy way to ease in.
We’ve used all of these over the years, some for fun, some for keepsakes, and some just to shake off the summer brain fog.
Pick one or two, or print the whole stack and let the kids choose!
Capture First Day Memories
We always start with a photo—and honestly, it’s one of my favorite traditions. These printable first day of homeschool signs are simple but meaningful.
The kids fill out their name, age, and a few fun prompts, then hold it up for that classic “first day” picture.
I’ve kept every one of them in our homeschool portfolio, and it’s wild to look back each year.
All About Me Printable
Even though we’re together all day, I still learn something new when my son fills this out.
This all about me printable is tailored for homeschoolers and makes a nice, low-pressure way to ease into the year.
It also sets a more personal tone for the days ahead, especially if you’re working with more than one child.
My Favorite Things
These are nice and easy to start with. Kids fill in their favorites, book, food, color, you name it.
They’re quick wins and also a fun way to look back at what’s changed over time.
We’ve done these most years, and I always tuck them into our end-of-year folder.
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Homeschool Scavenger Hunt
The first day of homeschool scavenger hunt is a must in our house.
It gets the kids up and moving (and usually laughing) as they track down books, supplies, and random things I’ve tucked around the house.
It’s also a sneaky way to get them organized without it feeling like work. My son looks forward to this every single year.
First Day Crowns
Yes, even big kids like wearing these, at least at our house!
There are two first day of school crowns and a homeschool version too.
It’s just a silly, lighthearted way to mark the day. We always snap a photo once it’s decorated.
We usually pair this with our first day handprint art, it’s quick, a bit messy, and ends up being one of my favorite things to save in our portfolio.
Homeschool Word Puzzles
I like having something on hand that feels academic but doesn’t really feel like schoolwork. The back to school word scramble and back to school word search are perfect for that.
My son usually ends up racing himself to finish, and it’s a good way to ease back into spelling and vocabulary without complaints.
If your kids are working on early literacy, the school letter worksheets are a great option too. Each one focuses on a single letter with a simple school-themed image to color and trace.
First Day Interview Questions
We do the get to know you questions every year and it’s one of those simple things that turns into a great keepsake.
There are 15 fun, open-ended questions, some are silly, some are thoughtful, and I always make a note of a few answers to compare next year.
Another calm, creative option we’ve used is the back to school color by number. It’s perfect when kids need a quiet moment—and a good way to ease back into number recognition and fine motor skills.
Reading-Themed Printables
We’re big readers, so I like starting the year with something book-related.
These printables include a movie vs. book comparison (always fun when we’ve recently watched something), a bookshelf scavenger hunt, and a book report template that’s great for older kids.
It gets them thinking about stories again without jumping into a full assignment.
First Day of Homeschool Traditions
Why should public school kids be the only ones who get a treat to kick off the year? We always choose a few back to school gifts for homeschoolers, like a new t-shirt, fun supplies, or something small that makes the day feel special.
Over the years, we’ve built a few traditions that help us ease into the new year without jumping straight into lessons. Some of our favorite first-week activities include:
- Taking first day photos (with our printable sign)
- A themed or just-for-fun breakfast
- A short field trip or nature walk
- Starting a fun online course
- A first day interview—always good for a few surprises
- Watching a movie (usually Star Wars) and writing a mini report
- A school supply scavenger hunt
- Ice cream for breakfast (highly recommend)
- Playing an educational board game together
These little rituals have made the first week one of our favorite parts of the homeschool year.
Last Updated on 30 May 2025 by Clare Brown