57 First Day of School Coloring Pages
Get ready to make back-to-school season extra fun with these 40 free, printable first day of school coloring pages! From happy students carrying backpacks to cheerful classroom scenes, these coloring sheets capture all the excitement and nerves that come with starting a new school year. Whether it’s preschool, kindergarten, or first grade, there’s a coloring page here that helps kids get excited for their big day.
Inside this collection, you’ll find everything from school buses, teachers, apples, chalkboards, and even pages where kids can write their names and grade level. These printable coloring pages are a perfect activity for the night before school starts or as a fun morning project to ease those first-day jitters.
How to Download Your First Day of School Coloring Pages
To get started, just click on any of the coloring sheet images or links below. A PDF coloring page will open in a new tab. You can then print it out, save it to your device, or color it digitally on a tablet.
All of the coloring pages are designed to print on standard US letter size paper (8.5×11 inches), and they also work great on A4 paper too. They’re perfect for teachers to hand out in class or for parents looking for a quiet morning activity before school starts.
Fun Things To Do With Your First Day of School Coloring Pages
Looking for ways to get more out of these first day of school coloring sheets? Here are some creative and easy projects you can do with your finished pages to make this school milestone even more memorable.
1. First Day Photo Frame
Print out a coloring page that has space for a name or grade. Let your child color it and write in their grade level. Then, cut out the middle to create a window. Tape the page to a piece of cardboard for support and cut the same window out of the cardboard. Now you have a colorful photo frame to take their first day of school picture!
2. Personalized Binder Covers
Have your kids color a sheet that includes a school or classroom scene. Slide the finished artwork into the front cover of a clear binder. This makes their school supplies unique and personal, and it helps them feel proud of their work as they head into the school year.
3. Back-to-School Memory Book
Color several different pages and staple them together to create a “My First Day of School” memory book. Add extra pages for them to write about their teacher, their classroom, and their new friends. You can do this each year and keep them all in a special folder to look back on over time.
4. Classroom Door Decorations
If you’re a teacher, these printable PDF coloring pages can turn into cute classroom decor! Have each student color a page with their name on it and hang them on the classroom door or bulletin board to create a welcoming display for the start of the year.
5. DIY Pencil Box Wraps
After coloring, trim the page down to the size of your child’s pencil box. Use clear contact paper or tape to attach it to the box. Now they’ve got a one-of-a-kind supply holder that’s decorated by them and reminds them of their first day.
6. “About Me” Posters
Pick a coloring sheet that includes space for kids to write their name, age, and favorite things. Color and fill in the blanks, then display it at home or in the classroom. This is a fun icebreaker activity for younger grades and helps kids express who they are.
7. First Day Garland
Print out several smaller versions of your favorite coloring pages. Let your child color each one, then cut them out and glue them to string or ribbon to make a banner. Hang it over a doorway or on the wall to decorate for back-to-school morning.
8. Journal Covers
Glue a finished coloring page onto the front of a composition notebook. You can even laminate it for extra durability. Now your child has a custom journal for the school year with their own artwork on the front.
9. Welcome Signs
Let your child color a “Welcome to Kindergarten” or “My First Day of 1st Grade” page, then tape it to the front door or their bedroom door the night before school starts. It’s a simple way to build excitement and make the day feel special.
10. DIY Puzzle Activity
After coloring a sheet, glue it to a piece of thin cardboard (like a cereal box). Cut the picture into puzzle-shaped pieces. Now your child has a fun custom puzzle that helps reinforce the images and memories of the first day of school.
11. Morning Breakfast Placemats
Laminate a finished coloring sheet and use it as a placemat for breakfast on the first day of school. You can even use dry-erase markers on top for little messages or doodles. It’s a great way to start the day with something fun and personal.
12. Countdown Calendar
Use one coloring page for each day leading up to school. Have your child color one every morning or evening as a fun countdown activity. Staple them together in order, and by the time the big day arrives, they’ll have a whole book of artwork to show off.
13. Scrapbook Pages
Take a photo of your child on their first day of school and pair it with their finished coloring sheet in a scrapbook. Add stickers or fun facts about the day (what they wore, who their teacher was, etc.) to capture the memory.
14. Bookmarks
Cut strips from colored pages and laminate them to use as bookmarks. You can punch a hole at the top and add a ribbon too. These make great keepsakes or gifts for classmates and teachers.
15. Class Gift Tags
Use smaller sections of the coloring pages as gift tags for back-to-school treats like pencil packs or mini notebooks. Write a short message on the back and attach it with tape or ribbon.
