Physics Wallah

10 Fun First Day Classroom Activities: Explore Now

Engage students on the first day of school with fun and interactive classroom activities that help them feel welcome, build friendships, and set a positive tone for the year ahead. Perfect for creating an exciting classroom environment.
authorImageAnanya Gupta26 Nov, 2024
Share

Share

First Day Classroom Activities

First Day Classroom Activities: The first day of school is a big day for both teachers and students. It is filled with excitement and a chance to get to know each other.

As a teacher, you want to create a welcoming environment that helps children feel comfortable and ready to learn. One of the best ways to do this is by having fun and engaging activities that help children get to know each other, their new classroom, and set a positive tone for the rest of the school year. Here are some simple and creative first-day classroom activities that are perfect for children of all ages. These activities will help children feel at ease, make friends, and start the year off on a positive note.

How to Write a Newspaper Article

10 Fun First Day of School Activities to Try This Year

1. Introduce Yourself: “All About Me” Worksheets

Start the day by letting the students introduce themselves through a simple "All About Me" worksheet. You can create a worksheet with questions like:
  • What’s your favorite color?
  • What’s your favorite food?
  • What’s your favorite hobby?
  • Who is your favorite superhero?
  • What do you want to be when you grow up?
Allow each student to fill out the worksheet, then give them the chance to share their answers with the class. This activity helps children express themselves and learn about their classmates.

2. Find a Friend Game

This activity is great for helping students get to know each other. Prepare a worksheet with various categories, like "Find someone who has a pet," "Find someone who loves soccer," or "Find someone who is wearing blue." Students will walk around the classroom and ask their classmates questions to fill out the worksheet. Once they’ve found someone for each category, they can sit down. This encourages interaction and helps them find common interests.

3. Classroom Scavenger Hunt

A classroom scavenger hunt is an exciting way for students to familiarize themselves with the classroom. Prepare a list of things they need to find, such as:
  • A book on the bookshelf
  • The class rules posted on the wall
  • A globe
  • The teacher's desk
  • The classroom clock
This will help students get to know their new classroom while also having fun. You can give them a small prize when they finish the scavenger hunt, like a sticker or extra recess time.

4. Compliment Chain

Building confidence is important on the first day of school. To help students feel good about themselves, try the "Compliment Chain" activity. Give each student a piece of paper and ask them to write their name at the top. Then, have students pass their paper around the class while others write a compliment about them. For example, “You have a great smile!” or “You are very kind.” At the end of the activity, students will have a page full of positive comments to boost their self-esteem.

5. Classroom Agreement: Group Contract

To start the year off on the right foot, create a group contract with your students. Gather the class and ask them what rules and guidelines they think should be followed to create a respectful and positive learning environment. Some examples could include:
  • Raise your hand to speak
  • Listen when someone else is talking
  • Work together as a team
Write these ideas on a poster and have everyone sign it. This gives the students a sense of ownership over their classroom rules and helps them feel responsible for creating a safe and respectful learning space.

6. "Would You Rather" Questions

"Would You Rather" is a fun icebreaker activity where students answer silly or thought-provoking questions. Examples include:
  • Would you rather have a pet dragon or a pet unicorn?
  • Would you rather play outside or stay inside with a good book?
  • Would you rather visit the moon or the deep sea?
This activity sparks conversation and helps students learn more about their peers in a fun and light-hearted way.

7. Two Truths and a Lie

This classic icebreaker game is great for helping students get to know each other. Each student thinks of two true statements about themselves and one false statement. They then share all three statements with the class, and the other students try to guess which one is the lie. This game encourages interaction and gets everyone laughing as they learn more about each other.

8. Time Capsule

A fun activity that allows students to reflect on their goals for the year is creating a time capsule. Have each student write a letter to themselves about their hopes, dreams, and what they want to accomplish throughout the school year. You can also ask them to add something personal, like a drawing or a picture. Seal everything in an envelope or box and open it on the last day of school. It’s a great way to look back on how much they’ve learned and grown.

9. Tall Thomas: Adjective Name Game

This activity is a fun way for children to remember each other’s names while adding a personal touch. Each student picks an adjective that describes them and starts with the same letter as their first name. Have each student introduce themselves with their new nickname, and then have the next student say the previous student’s name before introducing themselves. This is a fun way to help students remember each other’s names.

10. Classroom Art

Art is a great way to express creativity and make students feel comfortable. Set up a small art station with markers, crayons, colored pencils, and paper, and encourage students to create something that represents them. They can draw their family, pets, favorite hobby, or anything that makes them unique. Once everyone is done, have them share their artwork with the class to promote a sense of community.

Conclusion

The first day of school is an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming for both teachers and students. By using fun and simple activities into the day, you can help create a warm and welcoming environment where students feel comfortable and eager to learn. These activities not only help children get to know each other but also lay the foundation for a positive and productive year ahead. Whether it is introducing themselves, playing games, or creating art, the first day of school should be filled with fun, laughter, and the excitement of new beginnings.

First Day Classroom Activities FAQs

Why are first-day activities important?

First-day activities help students feel comfortable and excited about starting school. They create an environment of trust and fun, which encourages students to participate and engage with their new classmates. These activities also allow teachers to set the tone for the year, establish classroom expectations, and introduce the curriculum in a fun and interactive way.

How can I make sure every student participates?

Encourage participation by creating a safe and welcoming environment. Use activities that are easy to join, like group games, where everyone has a chance to speak or contribute. Pair or group students together so they can support one another. Make sure to praise every student for their contributions, regardless of how big or small, to help build confidence.

What can I do if a student is shy or nervous?

If a student is shy or nervous, try starting with one-on-one activities or pair them with a buddy who is more confident. Gradually encourage them to participate in group activities as they feel more comfortable. Be patient, and provide plenty of positive reinforcement to help them feel safe and accepted.

How long should first-day activities last?

First-day activities should be short and engaging to avoid overwhelming students. Plan for activities that last anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes each. You can break up the day with multiple activities, allowing students to transition between tasks and not lose interest.
Popup Close ImagePopup Open Image
Talk to a counsellorHave doubts? Our support team will be happy to assist you!
Popup Image
CTA Image
07019243492
Join 15 Million students on the app today!
Point IconLive & recorded classes available at ease
Point IconDashboard for progress tracking
Point IconMillions of practice questions at your fingertips
Download ButtonDownload Button
Banner Image
Banner Image
Free Learning Resources
Know about Physics Wallah
Physics Wallah is an Indian edtech platform that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students from Class 6th to postgraduate level. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample paper, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers & more such resources to students. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.
We Stand Out because
We provide students with intensive courses with India’s qualified & experienced faculties & mentors. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.
Our Key Focus Areas
Physics Wallah's main focus is to make the learning experience as economical as possible for all students. With our affordable courses like Lakshya, Udaan and Arjuna and many others, we have been able to provide a platform for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formula to giving e-books of eminent authors like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal and Lakhmir Singh, PW focuses on every single student's need for preparation.
What Makes Us Different
Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others
Privacy Policy
Terms of use
Copyright © 2025 Physicswallah Limited All rights reserved.