Back-to-School Resources for Parents & Teachers: Free Printables, Activities, and Ideas
The start of a new school year is an exciting time for parents, teachers, and students, and a little preparation can go a long way toward helping everyone feel ready for new routines, classrooms, and experiences. That’s why we’ve gathered our favorite back-to-school resources, including back-to-school resources for parents, back-to-school resources for teachers, free back-to-school printables, classroom activities, and expert school readiness guides to support children every step of the way.
Whether you’re looking for back-to-school activities, classroom ideas, educational resources for parents, or fun books, songs, and videos to ease first-day jitters, you’ll find everything you need in one place. Explore printable worksheets, classroom resources, first-day activities, and practical tips designed to help children build important skills, settle into new routines, and start the school year with confidence.
Back to School Resources for Parents
These expert guides, checklists, and school readiness resources are designed to help families build routines, strengthen foundational skills, and support children through every stage—from starting preschool to beginning first grade. Explore practical tips that make the transition to school smoother and more enjoyable for everyone. To further prepare your child for the school year ahead, use the ABCmouse curriculum for ages 2–8 to boost early learning skills in all subjects.
50+ Back to School Tips for Parents and Families to Start the Year Off Right
Check out the best back-to-school tips for parents and families to help make the transition to a new school year as smooth as possible. Get practical advice for building routines, preparing for the first day, staying organized, supporting learning, and easing back-to-school jitters.
Back-to-School Checklist for Families (Free Printable)
Stay organized for the new school year with our free printable back-to-school checklists. From shopping for supplies to preparing your child academically and emotionally, these checklists make it easy to tackle every task before the first day.
Preschool Readiness
What Age Should Kids Start Preschool?
Find out what to expect before your child starts preschool with a preschool readiness checklist, age recommendations, and expert advice for supporting language, literacy, social, and emotional development.
What Skills Should Your Preschooler Have Before Starting School?
Explore the key skills that help children thrive in preschool, including social-emotional development, early literacy, math readiness, and independence, with this comprehensive preschool readiness guide.
Kindergarten & First Grade Readiness
How To Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten
Help your child start kindergarten with confidence using our readiness checklist and tips for building routines, independence, social skills, early literacy, math, and other foundational skills before the first day of school.
Preparing Your Child for 1st Grade: Guide for Parents
Support your child’s first-grade success with simple strategies that strengthen academic skills, encourage independence, nurture curiosity, and build confidence for the year ahead.
Free Printable Daily Routines and Chore Charts for Kids
Help children ages 2 and up establish consistent routines with printable morning and evening routines, before- and after-school checklists, chore charts, habit trackers, and customizable daily routine charts. These simple resources make it easier for kids to stay organized, become more independent, and start and end each day on the right track.
Back to School Resources for Teachers
The first days of school set the tone for the entire year. These free classroom resources help teachers build relationships, introduce routines, and create a positive learning environment through engaging first-day activities, printable worksheets, classroom scavenger hunts, and more. By the way, did you know ABCmouse is free for teachers? Learn more about free teacher accounts for ABCmouse here.
40 First Day of School Activities & Games
Start the year with fun and welcoming activities that help students get to know each other and build a classroom community. Pick from team-building and educational activities, no-prep printable activities, and back-to-school crafts and weave them into the first days and weeks of school.
Classroom Scavenger Hunt
Help students get to know their new classroom with this fun first-day-of-school printable. As they solve simple riddles, they’ll write down the answers and search the classroom to find each item. (Answer Key here)
All About Me Worksheets
All About Me worksheets provide a simple, structured way for students to share about themselves. Pick and choose several options, including All About My Friend versions to encourage students to learn about each other.
Classroom Icebreaker Activities
From silly would-you-rather questions for kids and classmate bingo to classmate and classroom scavenger hunts, these printable activities make getting to know each other a cinch and super fun. Kids can work on them with a partner or individually, and they’ll love it if their teacher plays along, too!
Printable Back to School Resources for Parents & Teachers
Make the transition back to school more fun with free printable activities for home and the classroom. From worksheets and word searches to coloring pages and first-day-of-school signs, these free printables help children build excitement for the new school year while adjusting to new routines and learning experiences.
15+ Free Printable First Day of School Signs for Kids
20+ Back to School Coloring Pages for Kids
Back-to-School Word Searches for Kindergarten and Up
100+ Printable School Jokes for Kids, Classrooms & Families
Where do crayons go on vacation?
- Color-ado
What’s the king of school supplies?
- The ruler!
What kind of band never plays music?
- A rubber band
What do you call a pencil with two erasers?
- Pointless
What did the paper say to the pencil?
- That’s a good point!
What did one calculator say to the other?
- You can count on me!
What did the glue say to the student who was struggling?
- Stick to it!
10+ Back to School Worksheets for Preschoolers
Back to School Books, Songs & Learning Resources
Reading stories and singing songs about school is a wonderful way to help children understand what to expect before the first day arrives. From heartwarming books to upbeat videos, these resources encourage confidence, ease first-day jitters, and help children look forward to all the fun and learning the new school year will bring.
Books for Back to School and the First Day of School
Maisy Goes to Preschool by Lucy Cousins
Join Maisy in one of her earliest adventures as she shares her experiences during a full day of preschool. From the personal coat peg to painting and storytime, this book shows kids how fun going to school can be.
The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes
While many kids are nervous about starting school, others just can’t wait. Celebrate their excitement with this story about a little boy who’s ready to take his place in a whole new kingdom of kids in his kindergarten classroom.
Lena’s Shoes Are Nervous by Keith Calabrese
If schools can feel anxious, why not shoes? Lena herself feels excited about school, but her favorite shoes aren’t so sure. Can Lena convince them to join her for the big first day?
Back-to-School Songs & Videos
I’m Going Back to School
Get kids pumped up for their first day of school with this engaging song that’s sure to have you singing along!
I Go to School Today!
Make the very first day of school more exciting with this upbeat song about making friends, trying your best, and having fun at school.
Get A Head Start on Learning with ABCmouse
Feeling prepared can make a big difference in how children approach a new school year. When kids feel confident in their reading, math, and other academic skills, they’re often more excited to participate in class, try new things, and tackle new challenges.
One of the easiest ways to help them get ready is by strengthening the skills they’ll use in the classroom. With personalized learning that adapts to each child’s progress in reading and math, ABCmouse helps children start the school year with confidence and continue growing every step of the way.
ABCmouse Makes Learning Fun…
…and Teaches All Subjects
Reading & Math
Learn more about the ABCmouse Reading Curriculum and the ABCmouse Math Curriculum.
Children ages 2–8 follow a personalized learning path in reading and math, growing their skills at a pace that’s just right for them. ABCmouse is proven to double early learning gains in reading and math.*
Age of Learning study; PreK kids; min. 2 day/wk & 1 hr/wk usage. See aofl.com/research for more info.
Science & Social Studies
The ABCmouse Science and Social Studies Curriculum introduces children to the world around them. Children explore topics like animals, plants, weather, geography, communities, history, and more while building a strong foundation for learning. Learn more about the ABCmouse Science Curriculum here.
Art, Music, Health, & Social-Emotional Learning
As children move through the ABCmouse Program, they’ll have the opportunity to explore creativity through art and music, develop healthy habits, and practice essential life skills.
Summer is the perfect time to strengthen foundational skills before the school year begins. ABCmouse helps children review concepts they’ve already learned while introducing new ones at a pace that’s right for them. During the school year, short learning sessions before or after school can reinforce classroom instruction, provide additional practice, and help children continue making progress.
Back to School FAQ
What are the best back-to-school resources for parents?
The best back-to-school resources help children prepare both academically and emotionally. Look for books about starting school, printable activities, visual schedules, morning routine charts, educational games, and simple conversations about what to expect. Resources that encourage reading, independence, and positive feelings about school can help children build confidence before the first day.
What are the best back-to-school resources for teachers?
The most effective back-to-school resources help establish routines, create a welcoming classroom, and build relationships among students. Classroom expectations, icebreaker activities, read-aloud books, name games, collaborative art projects, and hands-on literacy and math activities all help children feel comfortable while reinforcing important early learning skills. Resources that encourage movement, conversation, and problem-solving are especially valuable during the first weeks of school.
Where can I find free back-to-school printables?
Many educational websites, museums, libraries, and teacher organizations offer free back-to-school printables. Look for activities like All About Me worksheets, classroom scavenger hunts, first-day coloring pages, word searches, writing prompts, morning routine charts, and school-themed games. The best printables combine fun with opportunities to practice reading, writing, math, and social-emotional skills.
How can I prepare my child for the first day of school?
Children adjust more easily to new experiences when they know what to expect. Before school starts, establish consistent bedtime and morning routines, read books about school, practice simple self-help skills like putting on shoes or opening lunch containers, and talk positively about meeting teachers and making friends. Helping children become familiar with school routines ahead of time can build confidence and reduce first-day anxiety.
What are good back-to-school classroom resources?
Good classroom resources encourage children to participate, explore, and connect with one another. Read-aloud books, hands-on learning centers, classroom games, cooperative activities, visual schedules, and social-emotional learning materials all help students understand classroom expectations while making learning engaging.
What should I include on a back-to-school checklist?
A back-to-school checklist should include both practical preparations and school-readiness skills. In addition to school supplies, backpacks, and important paperwork, practice routines like getting dressed independently, washing hands, following simple directions, packing a backpack, and talking about the school day. Preparing children emotionally by discussing new experiences and encouraging a positive attitude toward learning is just as important as gathering supplies.
How can I help my child get ready for kindergarten?
Children benefit from opportunities to develop language, early literacy, number sense, fine motor skills, independence, and social-emotional skills through everyday experiences. Reading together, talking throughout the day, playing games, exploring outdoors, and encouraging curiosity all help children build the confidence and foundational skills they’ll use in kindergarten.
Where can I find free educational activities for back-to-school?
Free educational activities are available from many trusted educational organizations, libraries, museums, and school websites. Look for activities that encourage children to read, write, count, solve problems, create, and explore through hands-on learning. A balanced mix of academic practice, play, movement, and social-emotional learning helps children transition back to school while keeping learning enjoyable.
