6 Back to School Activities For The First Week of School For Friendship and Class Bonding
The first week of school is here, and it’s a big one. You’re juggling everything: classroom setup, seating plans, and a hundred questions a day.
But with just a handful of well-planned first week of school activities, you can set the tone for connection, trust, and fun.
These back to school activities are simple, meaningful, and low-prep, perfect for beginning of the year when children and staff can feel overwhelmed.
1. “This or That?” Warm-Up Game
This fast-paced, zero-prep game gets everyone laughing and moving within minutes.
How to play:
Say two options aloud (like “Pizza or pasta?”, “PE or Art?”, “Books or games?”). Students move to one side of the room based on their choice.
Why it works:
It’s low-stakes, light-hearted, and helps students find common ground. It’s a brilliant making friends activity for any age.
2. “Something You Should Know About Me” Cards
A calm, thoughtful back to school activity to start building trust from the very first day.
Instructions:
Give each student a card to finish the sentence: “One thing you should know about me is…” Let them share a fear, a strength, or how they learn best. Keep it private unless they choose to share.
Why it works:
This is one of the most powerful first day back at school activities. It lets you see your students as individuals and helps shape your support.
3. Classroom Treasure Hunt
Help your class explore their new space with a fun and purposeful challenge. One of my favourite back to school activities because teachers who use it report how engaged students are.
Obviously, this requires a bit of advance prep, but it’s worth it!
Instructions:
Give students a checklist of useful items to find and tick off like a bingo card: tissue box, pencil sharpener, back to school shoes spot, class schedule, classroom library, etc. They work in pairs and note where each item is. Make some items more difficult than others!
Why it works:
This simple back to school game teaches classroom routines without a lecture. It’s perfect for your first day back activities and even counts as a sneaky bit of movement.
4. “What Helps Me Thrive” Mini Posters
Give students a voice, and a chance to reflect on what helps them learn.
Instructions:
Provide A4 paper with sentence starters:
- “I focus best when…”
- “If I’m feeling overwhelmed, I like to…”
- “A strength I have is…”
- “One thing I’d love my teacher to know…”
Students can draw, colour or write. Display them (with permission) or keep as private insight.
Why it works:
This flexible back to school activity builds self-awareness and promotes a strengths-based mindset. It’s ideal as a get to know you for students, and can be adapted into back to school worksheets if you prefer.
5. Peer Interviews With a Twist
Move past surface-level facts and start building empathy and connection.
Instructions:
In pairs, students ask each other three questions like:
- “What’s something you’re excited about this year?”
- “What’s one thing that helps you learn?”
- “What’s something you wish teachers knew?”
Then, they introduce their partner to the class using one answer.
Why it works:
This warm, respectful new class activity helps even the quieter children open up a little. It’s one of the best class bonding activities for the first week back at school.
6. The “Classroom Constitution”
Ditch dull rule lists. Create your classroom agreement with input, creativity, and a little laughter.
Instructions:
Start with a light-hearted brainstorming session: “What would make this classroom the best it can be?”
Use a mix of serious and silly prompts:
- “What helps us feel safe and happy?”
- “What should we do if someone has a bad day?”
- “What’s one classroom tradition we could create?”
Then, create a “Classroom Constitution” poster together. Everyone signs it with colourful pens or fingerprints.
Why it works:
This activity gives students ownership of the environment. It also naturally introduces behaviour expectations. Great for back to school activities for teachers who want to build a positive climate from day one.
Wrapping Up Your First Week At School
When you’re planning your first week of school ideas for your classroom, keep one goal in mind: connection over perfection. Some of these activities will go down better thanothers because every class is different.
But choosing a handful of these authentic, inclusive back to school activities will set the tone for a year of learning, growth, and trust.
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Dr Lucy Russell is a UK clinical psychologist who works with children and families. Her work involves both therapeutic support and autism assessments. She is the Clinical Director of Everlief Child Psychology, and also worked in the National Health Service for many years.
In 2019 Lucy launched They Are The Future, a support website for parents of school-aged children. Through TATF Lucy is passionate about giving practical, manageable strategies to parents and children who may otherwise struggle to find the support they need.
