16 First Day of School Crafts for Preschool Kids

Starting a new school year is exciting, but it can also be a little wobbly for preschoolers. If you’re looking for simple ways to keep little hands busy and help them feel welcome, these first-day crafts are perfect.

They’re quick, cheerful, and easy to set up with basic supplies.

Use this list to spark friendly conversations, decorate the classroom, and send kids home proud of their first-day art. Let’s jump into the ideas!

1. First Day Handprint Rainbow

This craft makes a bright rainbow arc topped with each child’s painted handprint and their name. Kids love seeing their own hand turn into art, and it’s a sweet keepsake for the first day.

Materials Needed:

1. White cardstock or construction paper
2. Washable paint in rainbow colors
3. Black marker for the name/date
4. Paper plate or paint tray
5. Baby wipes or damp cloths

How to make it:

1. 1. Write the child’s name and “First Day of Preschool” with the date at the bottom of the paper.
2. 2. Paint a hand with rainbow stripes using washable paint.
3. 3. Press the hand firmly onto the top center to make a handprint; add a simple rainbow arc below with finger paints.
4. 4. Let it dry flat, then display on a welcome wall.

2. My First-Day School Bus Name Tag

A small yellow paper bus with the child’s name in the windows becomes a wearable or desk tag. Kids enjoy turning a familiar bus shape into their own badge, which helps with introductions and routines.

Materials Needed:

1. Yellow, black, and white construction paper
2. Safety scissors
3. Glue stick
4. Black marker
5. Lanyard clip or tape (optional to wear)

How to make it:

1. 1. Cut a simple bus shape from yellow paper and small circles for wheels from black.
2. 2. Glue on wheels and white squares as windows.
3. 3. Write the child’s name across the windows; add door lines and lights with marker.
4. 4. Tape to a lanyard or place on the child’s desk/cubby.

3. First Day Feelings Paper Plate Faces

A paper plate turns into a friendly face with movable eyebrows and a choice of mouth shapes to talk about first-day feelings. Kids like swapping expressions and sharing how they feel in a playful way.

Materials Needed:

1. Plain paper plates
2. Markers or crayons
3. Construction paper mouth pieces (happy, nervous, excited)
4. Brass fasteners (optional for moving parts)
5. Glue stick

How to make it:

1. 1. Draw eyes and a nose on a paper plate.
2. 2. Cut out a few mouth shapes and simple eyebrows from paper.
3. 3. Glue or attach mouths/eyebrows with brass fasteners so they can turn.
4. 4. Let kids choose and display their “feeling face” near the circle area.

4. Backpack Collage Welcome Card

A paper backpack shape opens like a card and holds a tiny “hello” note inside. Children enjoy choosing colors and stickers, and the pocket surprise makes it feel special.

Materials Needed:

1. Colored cardstock
2. Safety scissors
3. Glue stick
4. Stickers or washi tape
5. Crayons or markers

How to make it:

1. 1. Fold cardstock and cut a simple backpack outline so it opens like a card.
2. 2. Cut and glue a small front pocket shape.
3. 3. Decorate with straps, zipper lines, and stickers; write a welcome note inside.
4. 4. Place on cubbies or send home as a first-day keepsake.

5. Shape Schoolhouse Collage

Kids build a red schoolhouse using simple shapes like rectangles, triangles, and squares. It’s satisfying because the pieces fit like a puzzle, and the result clearly says “First day at school!”

Materials Needed:

1. Red, brown, yellow, and blue construction paper
2. Glue stick
3. Safety scissors
4. Cotton balls (optional clouds)
5. Black marker

How to make it:

1. 1. Pre-cut basic shapes: big red square, red triangle roof, brown rectangle door, yellow bell, blue windows.
2. 2. Arrange the pieces on a background paper.
3. 3. Glue down shapes; draw details like bricks, steps, and a bell rope.
4. 4. Add cotton ball clouds and write the date at the bottom.

6. First Day Crayon Box Portrait

A paper crayon box frames the child’s self-portrait “crayon” inside. Kids love drawing themselves as a colorful crayon and choosing their “crayon color” name.

Materials Needed:

1. Yellow and green construction paper (box)
2. White cardstock strips (crayons)
3. Markers or crayons
4. Glue stick
5. Black marker for name/date

How to make it:

1. 1. Cut a rectangle for the box and a green curved band for the classic crayon-box look.
2. 2. Draw a self-portrait on a white strip; add a colored tip to look like a crayon.
3. 3. Glue the “crayon self” peeking from the box; write the child’s name and date.
4. 4. Display in a “Colorful Class” gallery.

7. Welcome Pencil Bookmark

This long yellow paper pencil becomes a simple bookmark with the child’s name. It’s fun and useful on day one, and kids enjoy pretending to “write” with it.

Materials Needed:

1. Yellow, pink, tan, and black construction paper
2. Glue stick
3. Safety scissors
4. Black marker
5. Clear tape (optional for strength)

How to make it:

1. 1. Cut a yellow rectangle, a pink eraser, and a tan triangle point.
2. 2. Glue the point on one end and the eraser on the other.
3. 3. Add a thin black band and write the child’s name down the pencil.
   
4. 4. Tape the back to reinforce; send home in backpacks.

8. My First Day Crown

A simple crown with “Preschool Star” or “First Day Hero” helps kids feel proud. They love wearing it, and it sets a happy tone for photos and circle time.

Materials Needed:

1. Long strips of cardstock
2. Star or heart stickers
3. Crayons or markers
4. Stapler or tape
5. Alphabet stickers (optional)

How to make it:

1. 1. Fit a cardstock strip around the child’s head and trim to size.
2. 2. Write “My First Day of Preschool” on the front.
3. 3. Decorate with drawings, stickers, and the child’s name.
4. 4. Staple or tape to close and wear for the rest of the day.

9. Classroom Rules Friendship Bracelet

Kids string big beads in a simple pattern while you talk about classroom rules and kindness. They enjoy choosing colors, and the bracelet becomes a gentle reminder of first-day routines.

Materials Needed:

1. Thick elastic cord
2. Large-hole plastic beads
3. Tape (to hold one end)
4. Safety scissors
5. Small charm (optional)

How to make it:

1. 1. Cut a length of elastic and tape one end to the table.
2. 2. Let children string beads in a color pattern (e.g., red for “stop and listen,” blue for “be kind”).
3. 3. Slide on a charm or special bead to mark “first day.”
4. 4. Knot tightly and trim the ends.

10. First Day Photo Frame

A sturdy paper frame decorated with school icons holds a small first-day picture. Kids like adding apples, pencils, and stars, and families love the photo keepsake.

Materials Needed:

1. Cardboard or thick cardstock frame shape
2. Construction paper scraps
3. Glue stick
4. Stickers (stars, letters)
5. Crayons or markers

How to make it:

1. 1. Pre-cut a simple rectangular frame from cardboard.
2. 2. Cover it with colored paper and glue.
3. 3. Decorate with paper apples, pencils, and the child’s name.
4. 4. Add a photo later and send home.

11. School Bus Shape Lacing Card

A bus-shaped cardstock with hole punches becomes an easy lacing activity. Kids enjoy the motion of threading, and it calms first-day jitters while building fine motor skills.

Materials Needed:

1. Yellow cardstock bus shape
2. Hole punch
3. Yarn or thick shoelace
4. Tape (to make a needle tip)
5. Black marker

How to make it:

1. 1. Punch holes evenly around the bus outline.
2. 2. Wrap tape around one end of the yarn to make a stiff tip.
3. 3. Let kids lace in and out around the bus; add windows and wheels with marker.
4. 4. Tie off the yarn and hang it on a welcome board.

12. First Day Classroom Map Sticker Art

Children place stickers on a simple classroom map to mark the reading corner, cubbies, and art table. They love hunting for spots and it helps them learn the room on day one.

Materials Needed:

1. Printed simple classroom map (large icons)
2. Dot stickers or small picture stickers
3. Crayons
4. Black marker
5. Tape (to display)

How to make it:

1. 1. Give each child a simple map sheet with big areas labeled.
2. 2. Invite them to add a dot sticker where they’ll sit, line up, and keep their bag.
3. 3. Color in favorite areas and draw a tiny “you are here” star.
4. 4. Tape maps to cubbies or backpacks.

13. Apple Name Garland

Each child decorates a paper apple with one letter of their name; the apples string together into a mini garland. Kids enjoy seeing their names big and bold on the first day.

Materials Needed:

1. Red, green, and brown construction paper
2. Hole punch
3. Yarn or ribbon
4. Glue stick
5. Black marker

How to make it:

1. 1. Cut red apples, green leaves, and small brown stems.
2. 2. Glue leaves and stems onto apples.
3. 3. Write one letter of the child’s name on each apple; punch holes at the top.
4. 4. String in order and hang across a cubby or wall.

14. First Day Puzzle Selfie

A small drawing of the child on a cardstock rectangle is cut into 4–6 big puzzle pieces. Kids love building their own puzzle again and again, which feels playful and personal.

Materials Needed:

1. White cardstock
2. Markers or crayons
3. Black marker for outlines
4. Safety scissors
5. Zip bag for storage

How to make it:

1. 1. Draw a simple self-portrait with the child’s name and date at the bottom.
2. 2. Trace thick puzzle lines (4–6 pieces) with a black marker.
3. 3. Cut along the lines and mix up the pieces.
4. 4. Store in a labeled zip bag for quiet time play.

15. Classroom Color Hunt Binoculars

Two taped cardboard tubes make pretend binoculars for a first-day color hunt around the room. Kids enjoy searching for colors and treasures, turning nervous energy into an adventure.

Materials Needed:

1. Two cardboard tubes
2. Tape or stapler
3. Yarn (neck strap)
4. Stickers and crayons
5. Hole punch (optional)

How to make it:

1. 1. Tape or staple two tubes side by side.
2. 2. Decorate with crayons and stickers.
3. 3. Punch two holes and tie on a yarn strap.
4. 4. Go on a short “find something red/blue/green” tour.

16. First Day “About Me” Backpack Tag

A small card tag with simple icons (favorite color, animal, and snack) hangs on the child’s backpack. Kids like sharing about themselves, and it helps teachers learn names and interests quickly.

Materials Needed:

1. Index cards or small cardstock rectangles
2. Hole punch
3. Markers or crayons
4. Stickers (hearts, stars)
5. Ribbon or zip tie

How to make it:

1. 1. Punch a hole in the corner of the card.
2. 2. Draw three boxes labeled “Color,” “Animal,” and “Snack.”
3. 3. Let kids color or add stickers to answer each box; write the name and date.
4. 4. Tie to the backpack handle with ribbon or a zip tie.