A back to school activity is a creative way to welcome students back to
school or celebrate the start of the new school year. As much as the
kids enjoy summer vacation, they love to go back to school. Children
love to see friends they haven’t seen all summer, meet new friends and
get to know their new teacher.
Several creative back to school activity ideas include a name game,
school bus photo gallery and how to make a classroom book. You could
even make an easy school bus cake for a first day of school activity.
These ideas are fun, easy and inexpensive to do. They involve children
in getting to know each other, and get back into the swing of things at
school.
Play a name game with the children so everyone remembers each other’s
names. Everyone will say their name and what is their favorite animal
(or food, toy etc.) that starts with the same first letter of their
name. Have the children stand in a circle and starting with the teacher,
say “my name is Mrs. Johnson and I like jackrabbits”. For younger
children, use a beach ball to toss around the circle until everyone has
caught the ball and said their name.
To make a school bus photo gallery, cut a big yellow school bus out of
yellow poster board or butcher paper. Cut out windows that will become
photo frames. Take a picture of each child (head shot only) and print
them up so you can use them right away (unless you have access to a
Polaroid camera). Tape the child’s photo in a school bus window and hang
on the wall. If you have a large class, you may need to make two school
buses.
A classroom book is a fun group back to school activity. One group of
children can design the book front and back covers, another make a
school map and another group list the class and school rules. Everyone
will make a student bio page to add to the book. On the student bio page
they can list their name, family, favorite pet or food and favorite
subject in school. Display this classroom book in a location that
everyone can take turns reading it.
I hope these back to school activity ideas will help make the first day
and week of school a fun experience for your kids. Children love being
with their friends and will enjoy doing activities that include getting
to know each other.
As a mother, grandmother, and child development professional, Nancy Johnson, shares over 20 years experience working with children and planning activities on her website, Creative-Child-Activity-Notebook.com. Check it out for more school age child activity ideas including learning, holiday, party, nature, and cultural child activity themed ideas.
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