The first day of preschool is an exciting milestone for both parents and children. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in a child’s life and can be both exhilarating and nerve-wracking.
As a teacher or parent, it’s essential to create a warm and welcoming environment to help ease children’s anxiety and set them up for success.
Planning engaging and interactive activities is a great way to help children feel comfortable and excited about their first day of preschool.
We’ll share some fun and creative First Day of Preschool Activities for 3 – 5 year olds.
Name Game
The name game is an excellent activity to help children learn each other’s names and build a sense of community. Sit in a circle with the children and have each child say their name and something they like that starts with the same letter as their name. For example, “My name is Anna, and I like apples”. This activity promotes social development by encouraging children to interact with one another and build connections.
Related: Free Preschool Worksheets Age 3 – 5 (PDF)
Sensory Play
Sensory play is an excellent activity to engage preschoolers on the first day of school. Set up a sensory table with different materials such as sand, water, rice, or beans, and let the children explore and play. This activity promotes cognitive development by allowing children to explore different textures, colors, and smells. It also enhances their physical development by encouraging them to use their hands and fingers to manipulate the materials.
Storytelling
Reading a story on the first day of preschool can help calm children’s nerves and make them feel comfortable. Choose a story that is age-appropriate and has a positive message. After reading the story, engage the children in a discussion about the characters and the plot. This activity promotes cognitive development by building children’s language and comprehension skills.
Art Projects
Art projects are a great way to promote creativity and self-expression in preschoolers. Set up an art station with different materials such as paint, markers, crayons, and paper. Let the children create their artwork, and encourage them to share their work with the class. This activity promotes social and emotional development by encouraging children to express themselves and share their thoughts and feelings.
Movement Activities
Preschoolers have a lot of energy, and movement activities are an excellent way to channel that energy in a positive way. Set up a dance party or a game of “Simon Says” to get the children moving and grooving. This activity promotes physical development by encouraging children to use their gross motor skills.
Singing and Music
Singing and music are excellent tools to engage preschoolers on the first day of school. Choose age-appropriate songs and encourage the children to sing along. You can also introduce musical instruments and let the children experiment with different sounds. This activity promotes cognitive development by building children’s language and memory skills. It also promotes emotional development by allowing children to express themselves through music.
Building with Blocks
Building with blocks is an excellent activity to promote cognitive development and problem-solving skills. Set up a block station and let the children build structures together. Encourage them to work collaboratively and share their ideas with one another.
Nature Walk
Take the children on a nature walk around the school grounds or a nearby park. Encourage them to use their senses to observe the environment and look for different types of plants and animals. This activity promotes cognitive development by building children’s observation and inquiry skills.
Puzzles and Games
Set up a puzzle and game station with age-appropriate games such as matching, sorting, and memory games. Encourage children to work together and take turns playing games. This activity promotes cognitive development by building problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
Playdough and Clay
Playing with playdough and clay is an excellent activity to promote fine motor skills and creativity. Set up a playdough and clay station with different colors and tools. Encourage children to use their imaginations and create different shapes and objects.
Scavenger Hunt
Create a scavenger hunt for the children to explore the school and get familiar with their surroundings. This activity promotes cognitive development by building observation and problem-solving skills.
Cooking and Baking
Cooking and baking are fun and engaging activities that can promote social, emotional, and cognitive development. Choose simple recipes and let the children help measure and mix ingredients. Encourage them to work together and share their creations with the class.
Water Play
Water play is a great way to cool off and have fun on the first day of school. Set up a water table or sprinkler and let the children play and explore. This activity promotes physical development by encouraging children to use their gross motor skills and coordination.
Related: 30 Gross Motor Activities for Preschoolers (3 – 5 Year Olds)
Yoga and Mindfulness
Teaching preschoolers yoga and mindfulness can help them learn to calm their bodies and minds. Incorporate simple yoga poses and breathing exercises into the day to help children relax and focus.
Science Experiments
Preschoolers are naturally curious about the world around them, and science experiments are a great way to foster that curiosity. Set up simple experiments such as mixing colors or making slime. Encourage children to ask questions and make observations.
Play-Doh Creations
Play-Doh is a great way to stimulate a child’s imagination and creativity. Set up a Play-Doh station with different colors and tools and let the children create whatever they like. This activity helps with fine motor skills and encourages self-expression.
Color Sorting
Color sorting is a fun and simple activity that helps children learn colors and shapes. Set up a table with colored objects such as blocks, balls, and toys. Ask the children to sort the objects by color and shape. This activity encourages cognitive development and helps children learn to categorize objects.
All About Me Collage
Encourage children to express themselves by creating an All About Me Collage. Provide magazines, newspapers, scissors, and glue, and have the children cut out pictures and words that represent themselves. Help them create a collage that includes their interests, family members, pets, and favorite foods. This activity encourages self-expression and helps children feel proud of their unique identities.
Counting and Sorting
Counting and sorting activities help children develop their math skills. Provide objects such as blocks, beads, or buttons, and have the children count and sort them by color or shape. You can also use flashcards to teach numbers and simple addition and subtraction. This activity encourages cognitive development and helps children learn basic math concepts.
Play Kitchen
A play kitchen is a fun and interactive way for children to learn about food and cooking. Set up a play kitchen with pots, pans, and utensils, and encourage children to pretend to cook and serve food. You can also use plastic food or play dough to make the activity more realistic. This activity encourages imaginative play and helps children learn about healthy eating habits.
