First day jitters activities are a heartwarming way to ease those first day nerves that both students and teachers feel. Inspired by the beloved book First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg, these creative and calming activities help turn anxiety into excitement. Whether you’re reading the story aloud or just looking to build a sense of classroom community, these ideas offer the perfect blend of fun and emotional support to make that very first school day a little less scary and a lot more memorable.
10+ First Day Jitters Activities
Ease the nerves and spark connection with these creative, classroom-ready ideas:
1. Jitter Juice Recipe & Tasting
This playful activity transforms nervousness into something fun and tasty! “Jitter Juice” is a symbolic concoction designed to make the jitters disappear. The process of creating and tasting it together can be a lighthearted way to acknowledge and then “get rid of” those first-day anxieties.
Materials Needed:
- Clear pitcher or punch bowl
- Assorted colorful juices (e.g., apple, cranberry, orange, grape)
- Sparkling water or lemon-lime soda
- Gummy worms or colorful candy (optional, for fun “jitter” ingredients)
- Plastic cups
- Optional: “Jitter Juice” labels or a printed recipe
Instructions:
- Gather the students and explain that you’re going to make a special “Jitter Juice” to help everyone feel calm and ready for the day.
- Involve students in pouring different juices into the pitcher, describing each one as a “secret ingredient” for bravery, friendship, or learning.
- Add sparkling water or soda for a “fizz” that “makes the jitters float away.”
- Optionally, add gummy worms or colorful candy as “friendly jitters” that are now happy.
- Stir the juice together with enthusiasm.
- Pour individual servings and let students taste their “Jitter Juice.” Discuss how they feel afterward.
2. “My Jitters Jar” Craft
This craft provides a tangible way for students to process and release their first-day anxieties. Creating a personalized “Jitters Jar” allows them to metaphorically “put” their worries somewhere, promoting a sense of control and calm.
Materials Needed:
- Small clear jars with lids (one per student, e.g., baby food jars, small mason jars)
- Construction paper or colorful craft paper
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
- Glitter, sequins, small pom-poms (optional, for decoration)
- Glue sticks or liquid glue
- Small slips of paper
Instructions:
- Give each student a jar and explain that it will be their “Jitters Jar.”
- Have students decorate the outside of their jar using construction paper, markers, and other decorative elements. Encourage them to personalize it.
- Once decorated, provide small slips of paper. Instruct students to write down or draw any worries or jitters they have about the first day (or upcoming school year) on these slips.
- Fold or crumple the slips of paper and place them inside their jars.
- Close the lids. Explain that the jar can hold their worries, allowing them to feel lighter and more focused on learning. They can always add to it later if new worries arise.
3. First Day Feelings Chart
This visual tool helps students identify and express their emotions, normalizing that it’s okay to feel a range of emotions on the first day. It also gives you quick insight into the emotional pulse of your classroom.
Try this First Day Feelings Chart worksheet to help students identify and share how they feel on day one!
Materials Needed:
- Large poster board or whiteboard
- Markers
- Pictures or drawings of various emotions (e.g., happy, excited, nervous, shy, calm)
- Self-adhesive notes or clothesline and clothespins for student names/pictures
Instructions:
- Create a chart with different emotion categories and corresponding facial expressions or emojis.
- Discuss each emotion with the class, asking questions like, “What does ‘nervous’ feel like?” or “When do you feel ‘excited’?”
- Explain that everyone feels different emotions on the first day, and it’s perfectly normal.
- Have each student either write their name on a self-adhesive note and place it next to the emotion they are feeling, or clip their name/picture to the corresponding emotion on a clothesline.
- Revisit the chart later in the day or week to see if feelings have changed.
4. Icebreaker Bingo
Icebreaker Bingo is a dynamic and interactive game that encourages students to move around, talk to their classmates, and discover commonalities. It’s a fantastic way to break the ice without putting anyone on the spot for a solo introduction.
Download the Icebreaker Bingo worksheet and let the first-day fun begin!
Materials Needed:
- “Icebreaker Bingo” cards (one per student)
- Pens or pencils
Instructions:
- Create Bingo cards with squares containing characteristics or experiences (e.g., “Has a pet dog,” “Likes to read,” “Has a summer birthday,” “Visited another state,” “Loves science”). Make sure the squares are varied and encourage interaction.
- Give each student a Bingo card and a pen.
- Explain that students need to walk around the room and find classmates who fit the description in each square. Once they find someone, that person signs their name in the square. A person can only sign one square per card.
- The first student(s) to get a “Bingo” (a line of five signed squares horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) shouts “Bingo!”
- Have the “Bingo” winners share some of the facts they learned.
5. All About Me Bag
This activity helps students share aspects of their personal lives, fostering empathy and connection among classmates. It provides a structured way for students to reveal interests and experiences that might not come up in regular conversation.
Try this All About Me Bag worksheet to help students open up and build meaningful connections from day one!
Materials Needed:
- Brown paper bags (one per student)
- A letter or instruction sheet to send home to parents/guardians
Instructions:
- Send a letter home to parents/guardians asking students to bring 3-5 items that are special or represent them from home. Emphasize that these items should fit into a paper bag and should not be overly valuable or fragile. Examples: a favorite small toy, a photo, a book, a collection item, something related to a hobby.
- On the first day, have students take turns pulling items out of their bags and sharing why each item is important to them.
- Encourage classmates to ask respectful questions after each presentation.
- This can be spread out over a few days if you have a large class.
6. First Day Jitters Read-Aloud & Discussion
Reading a book that addresses first-day anxieties can be incredibly validating for students. It shows them that they are not alone in their feelings and provides a springboard for an open, empathetic discussion about emotions and expectations.
Materials Needed: A children’s book about first-day jitters (e.g., First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg, The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes)
Instructions:
- Choose a book that resonates with the theme of first-day nerves.
- Read the book aloud with expression, pausing to show illustrations.
- After reading, facilitate a discussion using open-ended questions:
- “How do you think the character felt at the beginning of the story?”
- “Did their feelings change? Why?”
- “Have you ever felt like the character in the story?”
- “What are some things that can help when you feel nervous?”
- “What are you most excited about for this school year?”
- Emphasize that it’s normal to feel a mix of emotions.
7. “Find a Friend Who…” Game
Similar to Icebreaker Bingo, this game encourages movement and interaction but can be more focused on discovering specific commonalities or unique traits among classmates. It’s excellent for helping students find unexpected connections.
Try this fun Find a Friend Who worksheet to help students break the ice and discover what they have in common!
Materials Needed:
- “Find a Friend Who…” sheets (one per student) with statements like:
- “…loves to draw”
- “…has a pet cat”
- “…can speak another language”
- “…has visited a beach”
- “…likes to eat vegetables”
- “…has a birthday in the summer”
- Pens or pencils
Instructions:
- Distribute the “Find a Friend Who…” sheets to each student.
- Explain that students need to walk around and find a different classmate for each statement who matches the description. The classmate signs their name next to the statement.
- Encourage students to ask questions and engage in brief conversations rather than just getting signatures.
- Set a time limit or have students aim to fill a certain number of boxes.
- After the activity, have students share some of the interesting facts they learned about their new friends.
8. “I Am Brave Because…” Writing Prompt
This prompt shifts the focus from jitters to courage and strengths. By reflecting on their own bravery, students can build self-confidence and recognize their ability to face new challenges. It’s also a good way to assess their writing abilities.
Start the year with confidence using this meaningful I Am Brave Because worksheet.
Materials Needed:
- Paper or “I Am Brave Because…” themed worksheets
- Pens, pencils, or crayons
Instructions:
- Begin by discussing the meaning of “brave” and how it doesn’t mean being fearless, but rather acting even when you feel afraid.
- Prompt students to think about times they have been brave, especially in new or challenging situations (like starting a new school year).
- Provide a sentence starter: “I am brave because…”
- Have students complete the sentence and then write or draw about their brave act or quality.
- Offer students the opportunity to share their responses with a partner or the whole class, creating a supportive environment.
9. Worry Monster Box
The Worry Monster Box offers a playful yet effective strategy for externalizing and managing anxieties. Students can “feed” their worries to the monster, symbolizing a release of those fears.
Materials Needed:
- A sturdy cardboard box (e.g., shoe box, tissue box)
- Craft supplies for decorating: construction paper, markers, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, felt, glue
- Small slips of paper
Instructions:
- Introduce the idea of a “Worry Monster” who loves to eat worries.
- As a class or in small groups, decorate the box to look like a friendly but hungry monster. Create an opening for its “mouth.”
- Explain that whenever students have a worry, they can write or draw it on a small slip of paper.
- They then “feed” their worry to the Worry Monster by putting the slip into its mouth.
- Emphasize that once the worry is in the monster’s belly, it can’t bother them anymore. This provides a physical action to accompany the mental release of a worry.
10. First Day Photo Booth
A photo booth provides a fun, relaxed, and memorable way to capture the excitement of the first day. It helps students feel comfortable and can be a great way to create a class photo album for the year.
Materials Needed:
- A designated area in the classroom (e.g., against a blank wall or a decorated bulletin board)
- Fun props: oversized glasses, silly hats, thought bubbles with phrases like “Ready to Learn!”, “Hello [Grade]!”, “Bye-Bye Jitters!”, mini whiteboards for writing names/messages.
- Camera (smartphone, tablet, or digital camera)
Instructions:
- Set up a simple photo booth area with a backdrop and props.
- Invite students, individually or in small groups, to take a “first day” photo.
- Encourage them to use the props and make silly or excited faces.
- These photos can be printed and displayed in the classroom or compiled into a digital slideshow or class album. They serve as a great visual memory of the first day.
11. Calming Coloring Station
Sometimes, the best way to combat jitters is with a quiet, calming activity. A dedicated coloring station provides a low-pressure outlet for students to decompress, focus, and express themselves creatively.
Materials Needed:
- Printable coloring pages (e.g., mandalas, nature scenes, positive affirmations, school-themed images)
- Crayons, colored pencils, or markers
- A designated quiet area or table
Instructions:
- Set up a “Calming Coloring Station” with a variety of coloring pages and art supplies.
- Explain that this station is available for anyone who feels a bit overwhelmed, needs a quiet moment, or simply enjoys coloring.
- Encourage students to visit the station if they need to calm their minds or take a break from more energetic activities.
- This station can remain accessible throughout the first few days or even the first few weeks of school.
Final Thought
Starting a new school year can feel overwhelming, but with the right first day jitters activities, you can turn nerves into excitement and create a classroom filled with smiles. These activities not only help students feel more comfortable but also build trust, connection, and a sense of belonging from day one. Whether you are a teacher or a parent, incorporating these thoughtful ideas will set the tone for a positive and memorable year ahead where every student feels ready to learn and grow.
