27 Free First Day of School Worksheets

The first day back at school should be packed with fun, whether you homeschool your kids or teach in a classroom. These first day of school worksheets are designed to do just that.

Perfect for preschoolers through to 3rd grade and beyond, they offer something for everyone during that crucial first week back.

Ready to kick off the new school year with a bang? Back-to-school season is the perfect time to engage your students with exciting 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 printable worksheets have you covered.

From getting-to-know-you activities to math worksheets and word games, this post offers a wide range of resources to make the return to school smooth and enjoyable for everyone.

Let’s dive into these holiday activities for kids and spark a love for learning right from day one!

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How to prepare the kids for the first day of school

Got a little one gearing up for the big first day? Here are the top five tips to help parents ensure an awesome start:

1. Have a chat with your child about what school will be like. Highlight 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.
2. If possible, take a trip to the school before the first day. Explore the classrooms, check out the playground, and help them get familiar with their new stomping grounds.
3. Start a school-ready routine a few weeks before D-day. Set consistent bedtime and wake-up times so they’re bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Practice morning routines like getting dressed, having breakfast, and packing their backpack.
4. Encourage your little champ to practice handy self-help skills such as bathroom trips without assistance, washing hands, and opening lunch containers. Don’t forget shoe-tying and backpack-zipping!
5. Snuggle up and read books about going to school. Choose fun stories that highlight the joy of school, making friends, and solving problems. Discuss the characters and relate them to your child’s own feelings about school. It’s storytime with a purpose! (I will share our favorite books in the next section.)

Picture books for the first day of school

Get ready for back to school with these first day of school books! These make great back to school gifts for kids too!

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

Parents, don’t miss out on capturing that memorable first morning of school with our first day of school printable signs.

Perfect for any year and grade, these signs allow your kids to fill in their details before you snap the photo.

It’s a great way to document their growth and make the first day even more special.

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!

Choose from two different designs tailored for preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, and beyond.

This engaging activity not only sparks creativity but also helps students feel special and enthusiastic about their first day back.

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 free 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 with all about me worksheets.

These fun activities allow students to fill in personal details like their name, age, and interests, and even draw a picture of themselves.

These worksheets are perfect for introducing students to each other and serve as an excellent icebreaker for the whole class.

To add even more excitement, use our free back to school bookmark printable. It’s a creative way for students to personalize their school supplies while sharing a bit about themselves.

School scavenger hunt

Transform the first day of school into an exciting adventure with a first day of school scavenger hunt printable!

This engaging activity gets kids moving and helps them familiarize themselves with their new surroundings as they hunt for school supplies.

For students who love building, incorporate our favorite Lego school supplies to add an extra layer of fun.

This activity not only energizes the classroom but also eases the transition back to school by making it interactive and enjoyable.

First day of school maze

Kick off the new school year with a fun and interactive back to school maze printable.

This activity serves as an excellent icebreaker, promoting inclusivity and helping students get to know each other better.

As students navigate through the maze, they’ll find classmates who match specific descriptions, fostering positive relationships and creating a supportive classroom environment from day one.

It’s a fantastic way to make the first day memorable and engaging for everyone.

My favorite things

Celebrate individuality with my favorite things worksheets.

These activities allow students to share their favorite things, colors, and books, sparking interesting conversations and connections among classmates. It’s a delightful way to highlight each student’s unique personality and interests, fostering a sense of community in the classroom.

Start with the my favorite things worksheet to get a broad overview of each student’s preferences.

Dive deeper with the my favorite color worksheet, where kids can discuss the colors that make them happiest.

The my favorite book worksheet encourages students to share their beloved stories, promoting a love of reading. These activities create a vibrant and inclusive classroom atmosphere.

Color by number

Add some excitement to your first week with back to school color by number worksheets! These activities bring a fun and relaxed vibe to the classroom while helping students practice their numbers and colors.

You could also use our emotions color by number worksheets.

Back to school educational fun

Get ready for back-to-school with these educational games!

Challenge your students with a back to school word scramble printable. This fun activity helps them unscramble school-related words, enhancing their vocabulary and critical thinking skills.

Upper elementary students will love our free back to school word search printable. It’s a fantastic way to sharpen their word recognition abilities while having fun.

Add some excitement to the classroom with a back to school bingo printable. This interactive game is perfect for breaking the ice and getting everyone involved in the learning fun.

Have fun with older students with our free back to school scattergories game.

Encourage the kids to write with our free what did you do this summer worksheet.

The back to school crossword puzzle is a great way to have fun on the first day of school.

Additional back to school printables

Make learning letters a blast for younger students with our free back to school alphabet worksheets. These engaging exercises help children become familiar with the alphabet in a fun and interactive way.

Get your students excited about writing with our free back to school writing prompts. These activities inspire creativity and help kids get back into the swing of writing.

Boost creativity and language skills with our back to school writing activities. Encourage students to write about their summer adventures or set goals for the new school year, sparking their imagination and fostering a love for writing.

Introduce your little ones to the world of math with our tailored back to school math activities for preschoolers. These exercises focus on counting, sorting, and shape recognition, laying a solid foundation in mathematics from the start.

Get your preschoolers excited about math with these back to school preschool math centers. These free printable activities, designed to enhance skills like color sorting, counting, and number recognition, offer engaging hands-on learning opportunities that make math fun.

Back to school crafts

Get creative with younger children with our free first day of school handprint art. This is a great treat for moms too!

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.

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.

Last Updated on 4 September 2024 by Clare Brown