Kindergarten first day activities play a crucial role in shaping a child’s entire school experience. The first day of kindergarten is filled with excitement, nerves, and big emotions—for both kids and teachers! That’s why having a thoughtful plan with fun, welcoming activities can make all the difference. From calming arrival routines to playful getting-to-know-you games, the right first day setup helps ease anxiety, build trust, and spark joy in the classroom. In this guide, you’ll discover creative, effective activities that make the transition into kindergarten smooth, memorable, and full of smiles.
10 Fun Kindergarten First Day Activities
Starting kindergarten can be a big transition, but the right activities can make all the difference. These 10 fun and engaging first day activities for kindergarten are designed to help students feel comfortable, excited, and ready to learn from the moment they walk through the door.
1. Find Your Name Table
This welcoming and hands-on activity is perfect for helping new kindergarteners feel seen and included as soon as they arrive. It gives students a sense of identity while gently introducing them to the classroom environment in a calm and fun way.
Materials Needed:
- Pre-cut letters (foam, paper, or cardstock)
- Name cards or printed name templates
- Glue sticks or small trays of glue
- Crayons, markers, or stickers for decorating
- Construction paper or cardstock as a name base
How to Do It:
Set up a table with all the materials ready to go. As students enter, guide them to find the letters of their name and glue them onto their paper or name template. Encourage them to decorate their finished name with drawings, stickers, or fun colors. Once complete, these name tags can be displayed on desks, cubbies, or a “Welcome Wall” to help create a sense of belonging right from the start.
2. Welcome Table
Instead of jumping into structured learning right away, a welcome table offers a gentle, engaging way for students to ease into the classroom environment. These activities are simple, calming, and require little instruction—perfect for the busy first morning of school.
Materials Needed:
- Playdough and cookie cutters
- Simple puzzles or matching games
- Crayons and “Welcome to Kindergarten” coloring sheets
- Lacing cards or snap cubes
How to Do It:
Set up a few stations on a central table before students arrive. As children come in, invite them to choose an activity to explore while you greet families and help with transitions. These quiet, hands-on tasks help reduce anxiety, encourage independence, and give students something fun and familiar to do as they settle in.
3. First Day Coloring Fun
Coloring is a comforting and familiar activity that’s perfect for easing first-day nerves. It gives students a gentle way to settle in, express themselves, and get used to sitting and working at a table—without the pressure of rules or expectations right away.
Materials Needed:
- Printable coloring sheets
- Crayons, colored pencils, or washable markers
- Optional: stickers or stamps for added fun
How to Do It:
Set out a coloring sheet at each child’s seat before they arrive, or let them choose one from a small stack. As students trickle in, invite them to start coloring while you greet families and help with transitions. You can use this time to observe their interests, comfort levels, and fine motor skills. When they’re done, display their artwork on a bulletin board or send it home as a keepsake to celebrate their first big day.
4. Name Games and Songs
Learning names is one of the most important parts of the first day—and it can also be one of the most fun! Name games help students get to know one another, build confidence speaking in front of the class, and start creating a classroom community.
Materials Needed:
- Open space to sit or stand in a circle
- Soft ball or beanbag (for tossing game)
- Optional: printed name cards or visual aids for support
How to Do It:
Start with a fun song like Willoughby Wallaby Woo where you substitute each student’s name to the rhythm of the song—it gets lots of giggles and helps with name recognition. Then try a Name Ball Toss: students say their name as they toss the ball to someone else, and that student says their name in return. Keep it light and playful, allowing kids to pass if they’re shy.
5. “All About Me” Crowns or Posters
This creative activity gives students a chance to share a bit about themselves while building pride and ownership in the classroom. Plus, it’s a great way for teachers to learn more about each child’s personality, interests, and background.
Materials Needed:
- Printable “All About Me” templates
- Crayons, markers, stickers
- Glue, scissors (if cutting is required)
- Sentence starters or visual prompts for non-writers
How to Do It:
Provide each student with a crown or poster template that includes prompts like “My favorite color is…,” “I live with…,” or “I love to eat…”. Invite them to draw pictures or fill in the blanks with help. Once finished, students can wear their crowns proudly or present their posters to the class in a mini share circle. Display them on a bulletin board to celebrate each child’s uniqueness.
6. “Find a Friend Who…” Bingo
This social icebreaker turns meeting classmates into a fun scavenger hunt. It encourages movement, conversation, and connection—especially helpful for students who are feeling a bit shy.
Materials Needed:
- Printable “Find a Friend Who…” bingo cards (with pictures or icons for early readers)
- Pencils, crayons, or stamps to mark squares
How to Do It:
Give each child a bingo card with prompts like “Find a friend who has a pet,” “Find someone wearing red,” or “Find someone who likes pizza.” Encourage students to walk around the room and ask each other questions to complete their cards. They can color in or mark each square once they’ve found a match. It’s a great way to get kids talking, laughing, and making connections—all while having fun.
7. Books for the First Day
Reading aloud is a powerful way to comfort students, open up conversations about emotions, and set the tone for a positive classroom environment. Carefully chosen stories can help children feel seen, heard, and excited about what’s to come.
Materials Needed:
- A cozy reading area (rug, carpet square, or circle time space)
- Picture books such as:
- The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
- First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg
- Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate
How to Do It:
Gather the class in a circle and read one of the selected stories aloud. Pause occasionally to ask open-ended questions like “How do you think they feel right now?” or “Has anyone ever felt that way?” These moments encourage empathy and discussion. Choose a book that resonates with your classroom dynamic—whether it’s about saying goodbye to family, meeting new friends, or the nervous excitement of a new start.
8. Drawing How They Felt This Morning
This reflective activity pairs perfectly with a read-aloud about emotions. It helps students express their feelings through art, giving you insight into their experience while validating their emotions in a creative and non-verbal way.
Materials Needed:
- Blank drawing paper
- Crayons or colored pencils
- Optional: sentence starters like “This morning, I felt…” for early writers
How to Do It:
After reading a book like First Day Jitters, ask students to think about how they felt when they woke up or walked into school. Invite them to draw a picture showing that emotion—happy, nervous, excited, or even unsure. Encourage them to use colors and faces to express those feelings. If students are ready, they can write a word or short sentence about their picture. This makes a meaningful keepsake and opens the door to deeper emotional learning.
9. “My First Day Feelings” Sorting Chart
Young learners may not always have the vocabulary to name their feelings, but this simple visual sorting activity helps bridge that gap. It supports emotional awareness and sparks group conversations about common first-day experiences.
Materials Needed:
- Printable “Feeling Faces” (happy, sad, nervous, excited, etc.)
- A large poster board or pocket chart
- Velcro dots or magnets (if reusable)
- Student name cards or tokens
How to Do It:
Display the feeling faces on a board or chart. Give each student their name card or token and ask them to place it under the emotion they felt the most on their first day. As they place their names, talk through what those feelings might look or feel like. Reassure students that all feelings are okay and normal. This quick but meaningful activity sets the foundation for emotional safety and trust in your classroom.
10. Classroom Scavenger Hunt
A classroom scavenger hunt is a fun, hands-on way to help students explore their new learning space while building confidence and independence. It turns the “tour” of the room into a playful adventure and helps students learn where things are without feeling overwhelmed.
Materials Needed:
- Simple picture-based scavenger hunt checklist (items like desk, cubby, bathroom, library corner, art supplies)
- Clipboards or hard surfaces to write on
- Crayons or pencils
How to Do It:
Give each student a scavenger hunt sheet with pictures of common classroom areas or items. Walk the class around the room together, stopping at each spot to explain what it is and what it’s used for. As you visit each area, have students check off or color the item on their sheet. You can even hide a friendly classroom mascot or small prize in one of the areas for a little extra excitement. This activity not only helps familiarize students with their surroundings but also builds a sense of independence right from day one.
Final Thoughts
Planning thoughtful kindergarten first day activities is key to creating a warm and welcoming classroom. From name games to storytime and scavenger hunts, these activities help ease nerves and build a strong classroom community from the start. To make your first day even smoother, explore a variety of back-to-school worksheets on Worksheetzone, perfect for engaging your new kindergarten learners and setting the tone for a great year ahead.
