Morning meetings set the tone for the school day, creating a sense of community while fostering social-emotional learning. Well-structured morning meeting activities help students feel connected, motivated, and ready to learn. But keeping things fresh can be challenging. Whether you’re looking for icebreakers, discussion starters, or hands-on exercises, we’ve got you covered. Here are 10+ fun and engaging activities for morning meetings to energize your students and make mornings more meaningful.
10+ Morning Meeting Activities
Mix and match these activities to create dynamic, inclusive, and purposeful morning routines:
1. This or That questions
This activity is a simple yet engaging way to get students talking and thinking at the start of the day. It encourages decision-making, active participation, and lighthearted discussions while building classroom connections. Even the quietest students can feel comfortable joining in!
How to do it:
- Prepare a list of engaging “This or That” questions (e.g., “Pancakes or waffles?”)
- Display a question on the board or ask it aloud during morning meeting time.
- Have students show their choice by raising their hands, moving to different sides of the room, or sharing their answers with a partner.
Download the This or That questions worksheet for your morning meeting activities now!
2. Morning affirmations
Affirmations build confidence and help students develop a positive mindset at the start of the day. Repeating affirmations can improve self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and encourage a growth-oriented attitude in the classroom.
How to do it:
- Display a set of affirmations (e.g., “I am kind, I am capable, I am ready to learn”)
- Have students repeat them aloud or write their own affirmations on a worksheet
- Encourage students to reflect on their affirmations throughout the day.
Download this Morning affirmations worksheet for your student!
3. Classroom sharing circle
This activity fosters a sense of belonging and encourages students to express themselves openly. Sharing circles provide a safe space for students to talk about their experiences, building empathy and strengthening classroom relationships.
How to do it:
- Choose a daily theme (e.g., “One thing that made me smile yesterday”)
- Allow each student a chance to share while others listen respectfully
- Use a talking stick or object to signal whose turn it is.
4. Mystery object game
This activity encourages observation, critical thinking, and deductive reasoning. It also keeps students engaged by sparking curiosity and excitement as they try to solve the mystery.
How to do it:
- Place a mystery object in a box or bag
- Give students three clues about the object
- Allow them to guess what it is based on the clues
5. Gratitude journal
Practicing gratitude enhances emotional well-being and fosters a positive classroom culture. It helps students focus on the good things in their lives, improving overall mood and reducing stress.
How to do it:
- Provide students with a worksheet to list three things they’re grateful for
- Share responses in pairs or as a class discussion
- Use a gratitude jar where students drop in notes of appreciation.
Hand out this Grateful journal printable for your students in morning meeting activities!
6. Morning stretch and breathe
Movement and mindfulness exercises help students focus, reduce anxiety, and improve overall well-being. A quick stretch and breathing exercise can wake up the body and mind, preparing students for a productive day.
How to do it:
- Lead students through simple stretches (e.g., reaching for the sky, side bends)
- Practice a one-minute deep breathing exercise
- Play calming music for added relaxation
7. Collaborative storytelling
This creative activity builds teamwork, imagination, and literacy skills. Students get to practice verbal storytelling while learning to build on others’ ideas.
How to do it:
- Start a story with a sentence (e.g., “Once upon a time, a mysterious door appeared in our classroom…”)
- Have each student add a sentence to continue the story
- Write the completed story on a worksheet for students to illustrate
8. Calendar and weather check
This routine builds responsibility, observation skills, and awareness of time. It also provides a structured way to start the morning while incorporating real-world connections.
How to do it:
- Assign a student to update the class calendar and report on the weather
- Discuss any special events or birthdays for the day
- Use a worksheet for students to record their own daily observations.
Download this Classroom calendar and weather check printable for your classrooms now!
9. Quick draw challenge
Encourages creativity, self-expression, and relaxation before academic lessons begin. It helps students engage their imagination in a pressure-free way.
How to do it:
- Give students a prompt (e.g., “Draw a superhero pet”)
- Set a timer for 3-5 minutes
- Allow students to share their drawings with a partner or the class.
10. Team-building puzzle
This hands-on activity promotes collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking. It encourages teamwork and communication skills.
How to do it:
- Divide students into small groups
- Give them a small puzzle or challenge (e.g., assembling a cut-up picture)
- Encourage teamwork to complete the task.
11. Morning meeting questions
Encourages critical thinking, discussion, and classroom bonding. This activity sparks meaningful conversations and allows students to share ideas in a structured way.
How to do it:
- Prepare a list of thought-provoking questions (e.g., “If you could invent something new, what would it be?” or “What makes someone a good friend?”). For more engaging morning meeting questions, you can refer to our post about Morning meeting questions!
- Each morning, choose a few options and let students vote on the question of the day.
- Have students discuss their answers in pairs or small groups before sharing them with the class.
Download this worksheet for the Question of the Day activity now!
FAQs
1. How to make a fun morning meeting?
To make a morning meeting engaging, mix up activities to include movement, discussion, and creativity. Incorporate games, storytelling, and interactive elements like music or visuals. Keeping meetings dynamic and student-centered will increase participation and enjoyment.
2. How do you spice up a boring morning meeting?
To add excitement, introduce themed days, use unexpected questions, or bring in props like a mystery box. Encouraging student leadership—where a different student leads the activity each day—can also boost engagement.
Final thoughts
Starting the day with morning meeting questions is a simple yet powerful way to bring students together, encourage conversations, and create a positive classroom environment. With so many great morning meeting questions to choose from, you can keep every day fresh and exciting! Try adding a new question each morning and watch how it boosts energy, builds friendships, and makes learning even more enjoyable. For more engaging ideas to start your day, explore our Morning Meeting Activities and make every morning meaningful for your students.
