Key Takeaway
Looking for icebreakers and team-building exercises that students will actually love participating in? We’ve put together 10 back-to-school activities that can help establish a positive classroom environment for the year ahead:
- Two Truths and a Lie
- School Scavenger Hunt
- Human Knot
- Human Bingo
- Meet and Greet Event
- Beach Ball Toss
- “This or That” Corners Game
- Classroom Playlist
- Would You Rather Debate
- Exit Tickets
The beginning of the school year is exciting, and it’s a great time to set a positive tone for the year ahead. However, stepping into a new classroom can be intimidating for some high school students, especially freshmen. That’s why kicking the year off with a fun activity is a great way to ease the nerves right away. We’ve compiled a list of 10 back-to-school activities that are sure to be a hit for teachers, students, and even parents!
Why Are Back-To-School Activities Important?
Flickr user Penn State
While going around the room to share summer stories might not feel essential, it actually begins to lay the foundation for the year ahead. These seemingly simple back-to-school activities help students feel safe, welcomed, and connected before they’ve ever even opened a textbook or completed their first assignment. When students are encouraged to get to know their peers and build a relationship with their teacher, it starts to create a positive classroom environment where students feel comfortable asking for help and supporting one another.
10 Creative and Fun Back-To-School Activities for High Schoolers
From icebreakers to team-building exercises and classroom tours, here are 10 back-to-school activities to try this year:
1. Two Truths and a Lie
Two Truths and a Lie is a classic for a reason! It’s an icebreaker that gets everyone talking. Here’s how it works: each student shares three statements about themselves—two that are true and one that’s a lie. The rest of the class then has to decide which ones are true and which one is the fib. Students can keep it simple (I have two brothers) or unexpected (I’ve met [X celebrity]). It’s a great way for students to learn new information about their peers and practice their reasoning skills. Plus, it’s an activity that everyone gets to join in!
2. School Scavenger Hunt
This activity is ideal for freshmen who may not know their way around the school yet. Teachers can have students team up and give them a list of places to find—the gym, library, principal’s office, cafeteria, etc. Make it fun by adding a mini challenge at each location! Snap a group selfie, get the principal’s autograph, or sprint across the football field. This is an easy way for students to get a tour of their school without it feeling like an overwhelming experience.
3. Human Knot
If you’re looking for a problem-solving activity, the human knot is the way to go. Students will stand in a circle and grab two different hands, making sure they’re not holding hands with the people right next to them. Then the real challenge begins: working together to untangle the “knot” without letting go. You can expect lots of laughs and a chance to see which students are natural leaders, creative thinkers, and team players. It’s a memorable way to practice communication from day one.
4. Human Bingo
Human bingo is a great way for students to get moving and learning fun facts about their peers. Teachers will hand out bingo cards filled with creative prompts—like “find someone who loves chocolate cake” or “find someone who’s seen every episode of The Office.” Students will then need to talk to their peers and find a classmate to match each box. Human bingo is a creative way for students to find shared interests with new classmates.
5. Meet and Greet Event
This back-to-school activity is a refreshing twist on the typical icebreakers. Host a casual meet and greet that welcomes both students and parents. You could set the room up as a cafe, complete with coffee and pastries. The idea is to create an inviting space where everyone can mingle and start building conversations. You could even throw in a teacher Q&A or provide fun conversation starters. A meet and greet eases the first day nerves and starts to develop a classroom community.
6. Beach Ball Toss
Want to get everyone talking? Try this fun icebreaker! Grab a large inflatable beach ball and use a permanent marker to write open-ended icebreaker questions on each of the colors. For example, include questions like:
- What’s something you’re excited to learn this year?
- What’s a hobby or talent you have that most people don’t know about?
- What’s your favorite book or movie, and what do you love about it?
- Which subject do you enjoy most, and why?
When someone catches it, they have to answer the question that their left thumb is touching. Have students toss the ball around until everyone has answered.
7. “This or That” Corners Game
This back-to-school activity is a simple way for students to discover what they have in common with each other. Here’s how it works: you’ll reveal two choices, each assigned to one corner of the room, and then have students walk to the corner that matches their preference. Keep it simple (dogs or cats) or throw in something controversial that will have students debating in a fun way. Here’s a list of ideas to use that students will love:
- TikTok or Instagram?
- Star Wars or Marvel?
- Spotify or Apple Music?
- Early dismissal or late start?
- Group projects or solo assignments?
- Multiple choice tests or essays?
- Prom or homecoming?
- Curly fries or waffle fries?
- Study with music or study in silence?
- Paper notes or digital notes?
- Snap streaks or no streaks?
- First-day outfit: casual or dressed up?
- Gym class: love it or dread it?
- Late-night texting or early morning FaceTime?
8. Classroom Playlist Curation
Start the year off by building a classroom playlist. Ask each student to submit a song or two that they love or that has a special meaning to them. Reveal each song choice once everyone has submitted, and see what everyone’s musical taste is. You can use this playlist throughout the year or revamp it every few months.
9. “Would You Rather” Debate
What better way to start the year than with a round of Would You Rather? This is especially great for classrooms that will rely on discussion throughout the year. You can ask funny, tricky, or deep questions to get students debating respectfully. Here are a few examples to use:
- Would you rather live in a world with no social media or no streaming services?
- Would you rather write a 10-page essay or give a 10-minute presentation?
- Would you rather go to school at night or have school on weekends but get weekdays off?
10. Exit Tickets
Start the year off with a routine that they can count on—and maybe even look forward to. Exit tickets are a simple way to wrap up each class while developing a connection between teacher and student. You can keep it academic or mix in journal-style personal prompts to help you get to know them better. You can ask questions like:
- What’s one thing you learned today?
- What’s one thing you’re still curious or confused about?
- If today’s lesson were a hashtag, it would be…
- What’s something fun or exciting happening in your life right now?
Start the Year off on a Positive Note
Back-to-school activities have a meaningful impact on the overall school experience for many students. While they may seem simple, they’re actually a positive way to set the tone for the year ahead so students are ready to make the most of their upcoming school year. Even if you want to jump right into the coursework, remember that you are just meeting your students for the first time, and many of them may feel intimidated or nervous. By setting aside just 20-30 minutes for one of these activities, you are creating a welcoming environment where students feel seen and supported all year long!
While you are building strong relationships with your students, don’t forget you have the power to help them plan for their future, too! College Raptor makes it easy (and free) for students to discover colleges and scholarships that align with their needs.
