Effective teachers know the importance of making the class fun and engaging, especially in the first week of elementary school. Doing this helps the students feel comfortable in their learning space and excited to socialize with their peers. Most importantly, students will develop a lasting impression of their teacher, making them more likely to engage in class and be successful throughout the school year. Here are 30 creative first-week activities that are sure to make an impression on your young students:
1. Fruit Basket Turnover: With a Twist!
Add an interesting twist to the traditional game of Fruit Basket Turnover. The basic rules of the game still apply, except in this version the last player standing will have to tell their classmates an interesting fact about themselves before calling out a new fruit!
Learn More: Game Search
2. Four Corners: Introductions
Here’s a super fun game that requires no preparation! Start by standing in front of your class with your eyes closed and then count to ten. While you’re counting, your kids will then have to run to one of your classroom’s corners before you blindly choose one. The caught students will then introduce themselves and sit down.
Learn More: Education World
3. Survey Groups
Split the elementary students into groups and have them choose a leader that will be the surveyor. After, hand each leader a survey worksheet and have them fill it out based on their group member’s answers. At the end of the class, have the surveyors share the results with the class.
Learn More: Wiki How
4. Introductory Telephone Game
This fun-filled icebreaker is sure to evoke a few giggles in your classroom. Begin by prompting one of your kiddos to whisper their name and a fact about themselves to their neighbor who will then quietly pass it on. Once it reaches the end of the class, the last student will then tell their peers what they heard.
Learn More: Icebreaker Ideas
5. Cross-cross
Easily my students favorite activity! Have everyone stand and ask them a question like, “who has a hamster?” The fastest student to raise their hand chooses a row/column to sit, including themselves. Repeat until only one student is standing. If a student selects a row/column that is seated, they must stand.
Learn More: Easy ESL Games
6. Establishing Class Rules through Group Art Projects
Establishing elementary classroom rules is critical to maintaining a calm learning environment. So why not make it fun? Simply group your little ones by each rule and task them with drawing a picture of what that rule means. For example, if a rule is to “respect each other”, drawing a picture of the class being silent during a test is a great idea.
Learn More: Planbook
7. Student Questionnaire
Knowing more about the learning style of your students and their preferred classroom environment can help you cater to their needs. During the first week of school, give them a questionnaire to complete. Using the data from the questionnaire, make adjustments to future lesson plans if needed.
Learn More: Minervateach
8. Teacher Introduction & Kahoot!
Make a teacher introduction Powerpoint and present it to the new students. Next, make the students take a Kahoot quiz about the Powerpoint to test their memory skills and to help them get to know you more. Be sure to include silly questions and answers to make things more interesting!
Learn More: Kahoot
9. Question Jar Group Activity
Make creative question jars out of ordinary mason jars. Fill them up with folded pieces of paper that have fun questions like, “what is your favorite food?” Split the students into groups and let them take turns passing it around and learning about each other. Icebreaker questions give students an excellent opportunity to express themselves!
Learn More: The Paper Mama
10. Human Scavenger Hunt!
Help your students learn more about each other by doing a fun scavenger hunt. The first student to fill out the entire worksheet wins! This hands-on activity is perfect for getting your students to talk.
Learn More: Worksheet Place
11. Student Names Crossword Puzzle
Here’s an awesome idea to help your tots get familiar with their classmates’ names! Create a customized crossword with this handy website by using the names of your little ones. If there are any repeats, simply include the first initial of their last names.
Learn More: WordMint
12. Name Memorization Game
There are so many amazing name-memorization games out there, but this one is one of our favorites! In Board Race, you’ll start by splitting your class into three groups before challenging each group to run up to your whiteboard one by one and write down the names of each of their classmates. The team that gets the most names on the board wins!
Learn More: AhaSlides
13. Hot Potato
If you’re looking to treat your kids to a fast-paced game, Hot Potato is the perfect choice. Have them sit in a circle before prompting them to toss a ball around while you play music. Once the music stops, invite the player holding the ball to answer a prepared question like, “What is your favorite sport?”.
Learn More: Playworks
14. Customized Name Tags
A simple art project! Punch two holes into a blank card stock, then tie a string to it like a necklace. Make enough for every student, have them write their name using their favorite color, and then ask them to draw three of their favorite things (food, animal, etc.)
Learn More: Mrs. Jones Creation Station
15. Collect Signatures
Your littles will love this creative activity where they’ll get to create their very own autograph book! Invite them to decorate the cover as a short art project before encouraging them to go around collecting signatures from all of their classmates.
Learn More: Twinkl
16. Guess Who
Guess Who is an awesome game to play with your kiddos in the first week of school as they’ll get to learn so many cool things about their peers. Start by asking them to provide you with one interesting fact about themselves before adding it to a whiteboard or powerpoint. Then, challenge your class to socialize with each other to find out who each fact belongs to.
Learn More: Party Games 4 Kids
17. Self-Portrait & Three Goals
Developing a strong sense of self and establishing goals are critical lessons for young children. Kickstart these life skills with an awesome art project!
Learn More: Art Projects for Kids
18. Birthday Bulletin Board
Celebrate your kids’ special days with this awesome birthday bulletin board. Simply download this printable resource before putting together the board. Once complete, invite your children to write their names on the candles provided before placing them under the correct month.
Learn More: Kindergarten Korner
19. Personal Rule Book
This amazing project will help you and your little brainiacs throughout the whole year. Task them with creating a personal rule book by first having them fold construction paper to create pages. Then, invite them to decorate their books as they please before having them write your class rules inside.
Learn More: Anne Ditmeyer
20. Piece it Together
Remind your students that they’re all unique! Have them write six facts about themselves on puzzle pieces, then staple the outside of the puzzle pieces onto a self-portrait or their picture. This art project can beautifully decorate the classroom or hallway.
Learn More: 2nd Grade Happenings
21. “I’m good at…”
Cater to your students’ individual needs with this insightful exercise. Start by handing out these free worksheets before tasking them with writing down the subjects they’re good at and the subjects they think they need to work on. Finally, have them write down what they think they can do this year to improve in their least favorite subject.
Learn More: Twinkl
22. Musical Chairs: Meet and Greet
Add a twist to the timeless game of Musical Chairs! In this version, you’ll follow the normal rules of the game but start with two missing chairs. At the end of the game, two of your kiddos will remain, and you’ll invite them to introduce themselves to one another. These two students will then sit out and you’ll continue the game by removing one chair in each round.
Learn More: Party Games 4 Kids
23. Acrostic Poems
Encourage your students to be creative! Have them write an acrostic poem using their first name. For each line of the poem, they can use words to describe themselves. Help them come up with words by using a dictionary. Hang the finished poems in the classroom!
Learn More: Surfin’ Through Second
24. Fishing Game
Engaging your kiddos in hands-on games during the first week of class is a great way to get them feeling more comfortable in your classroom. Try out this fishing game where they’ll have to fish a name out of a pond or container. Once they’ve scooped up a name, the student whose name is on the fish will then get an opportunity to introduce themself.
Learn More: Orvis News
25. “What’s your favorite…” Bonding Activity
Find out what your little ones love with this adorable activity. To play, you’ll need to first get your hands on a pack of “What’s Your Favorite?” cards or make your own. Next, invite your children to pick up a random card and encourage them to answer the question displayed.
Learn More: DriveThru Cards
26. Classroom Scavenger Hunt
Take your kids on an exciting scavenger hunt around their new classroom to familiarize them with the space. Simply scatter various cards around your classroom that explain its features before setting them off to find each one and learn more about their learning space.
Learn More: Shop Edventures
27. Before and After: Classroom Decor
We’ve got the perfect activity for your elementary students to help them see how much they’ve grown. Take a picture of each of your kiddos on their first day before printing and gluing them to these stunning templates. At the end of the school year, repeat the same process and invite them to observe how much they’ve changed throughout the year!
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
28. Teacher Q&A
Have you ever wanted to ask someone a question, but were too scared to do so? Your littles probably get this feeling too! In this exercise, you’ll give them the opportunity to ask you any questions they’d like while remaining anonymous. Hand out these printable templates or invite them to write their questions on paper and place them in a container where you can then read and answer each one.
Learn More: Twinkl
29. Make a Beautiful Display
Have each student trace their hand on a piece of colorful paper, then have them write their name. Help them cut it out and have them personalize it. Afterward, decorate the front door of the classroom with their hand tracings.
Learn More: 3rd Grade Thoughts
30. Parent Survey
Send each student home with a survey for their Parent’s to fill out. Ask them to have it completed and signed to bring to school the next day. Collect the surveys and review them so you can build a better classroom space.
Learn More: Primary Chalkboard
28 Elementary Speaking Activities