15 Free First Day Of School Coloring Pages To Help Kids Transition With Joy
The first day of school can be both exciting and overwhelming for kids. New classrooms, new friends, and new routines often come with big emotions—sometimes joy, sometimes jitters.
As parents and caregivers, we want to give our children tools that not only ease this transition but also let them feel seen and celebrated. That’s why we created our First Day Of School coloring pages, designed with inclusivity in mind.
Each page reflects the joy of back-to-school while featuring illustrations of children with natural hair, brown skin tones, and cultural pride—something many of us didn’t see growing up in school materials.
These free coloring sheets aren’t just art activities; they’re an opportunity for families to bond, for children to express themselves, and for classrooms to welcome every student with love. Whether you’re looking for coloring pages for school age kids, free coloring pages preschool, or first day of school activities for TK, you’ll find meaningful and joyful printables here.
Free Printable First Day Of School Coloring Page
We’ve designed a set of 15 free printable First Day Of School coloring pages that you can download and print instantly. Each illustration is hand-drawn by real artists, ensuring the authenticity and care your child deserves.
From banners that say Welcome to Kindergarten, to fun coloring sheets for kindergarten free printable, to classroom welcome pages, we’ve included designs that fit every age group.
Some highlights include:
- Banner Coloring Page – perfect for hanging in the classroom or on the fridge at home.
- School Coloring Pages – featuring backpacks, pencils, books, and art corners.
- First Day Jitters coloring sheets – gentle pages for kids who may be feeling nervous.
- Family Scrapbook page – children can color in and personalize their family representation.
- Color crayons and art corner sheets – celebrating creativity right from day one.
You can print them as many times as you like, whether for your own children, a preschool classroom, or even to use as part of back to school crafts for school age kids.
These are free for personal use, but if you’d like to support our small business, you can make a small donation on Payhip when downloading. A little goes a long way in helping us create more inclusive resources for families everywhere.
Why These Pages Matter
Representation matters. For many children, the first day of school coloring page is more than just a fun sheet—it’s a reflection of how they see themselves in their school environment.
For years, families of color have struggled to find inclusive school colouring pages that feature kids with dark skin or natural, textured hair. Our pages are designed to fill that gap, giving children the joy of coloring characters that look like them and their classmates.
Here are some ways you can use these printables:
- Morning Calm Activity: Start the day with a familiar, calming coloring sheet to ease first-day nerves.
- Classroom Welcome Sign: Teachers can use banner coloring pages as part of their classroom decorations.
- Memory Keepsakes: Have your child color their sheet and tuck it into a scrapbook to remember their first day.
- Family Connection: Sit down together and color—it’s a great way to talk through feelings about school.
- Learning Tool: Use coloring pages for preschool free printable to practice fine motor skills, colors, and shapes.
These simple yet powerful activities help children feel grounded during what can be a whirlwind of newness.
Quick Tips
Printing coloring pages at home can be easy and fun when you have the right supplies. Here are some quick tips:
- Best Paper: Regular printer paper works fine, but if you want to avoid bleeding with markers or heavy crayon pressure, try 24 lb or 28 lb bright white paper. Cardstock is also a great option if you want durability.
- Crayons: Crayola or Faber-Castell are great choices for preschoolers. They’re washable, vibrant, and easy to grip for little hands.
- Coloring Pencils: Colored pencils like Prismacolor or Crayola Twistables are perfect for school-age kids who want more control and detail.
- Markers: For older children, washable markers like Crayola Supertips or Tombow dual brush pens can make coloring more vibrant without too much bleed-through.
- Printing Tip: Always print at the highest quality your printer allows for crisp outlines that are easy for kids to color.
These small adjustments can make coloring time even more enjoyable and frustration-free.
FAQ
What age group are these First Day Of School coloring pages best for?
These pages are designed for a wide range—from preschoolers just starting TK or VPK to older elementary kids. Simpler designs work well for preschoolers, while detailed sheets with books and classrooms fit school-age children.
Can I use these coloring sheets in my classroom?
Yes! Our printables are free for personal and classroom use. Teachers often use them as welcome activities, morning work, or first-day keepsakes.
How can I make these coloring sheets last longer?
You can laminate the sheets after coloring to preserve them as keepsakes. Another idea is to have kids color with markers or crayons, then mount their artwork on construction paper or in a scrapbook.
Do you have inclusive designs beyond back-to-school themes?
Yes! We create a wide range of inclusive coloring pages, including natural hair coloring pages for girls, Juneteenth printables, and holiday-themed school colouring pages (coming soon).
What if my child feels nervous about the first day of school?
Coloring can be a calming, screen-free way to process big feelings. Pair the activity with an encouraging conversation. For example, while coloring the First Day Jitters sheet, you can ask your child what they’re most excited about and what they might feel unsure of.
7 Craft Ideas to Do With First Day Of School Coloring Pages
1. DIY Classroom Banner
Print the banner coloring page, let kids color each piece, and then string them together with ribbon or yarn. Teachers can hang it above the classroom door or parents can display it at home for a festive first-day touch. This craft helps kids feel part of the classroom environment right away.
2. Personalized Scrapbook Page
Use the family scrapbook coloring page to create a keepsake. After your child colors, add a photo of their first day outfit and write down their favorite snack or what they want to be when they grow up. It’s a wonderful way to document milestones year after year.
3. Welcome-to-Kindergarten Booklets
Staple together several Welcome to Kindergarten coloring pages and have kids create their own booklet. Each page can reflect a different part of the school day—classroom, playground, lunchroom. This not only builds excitement but also prepares them for routines.
4. First Day of VPK Memory Collage
Take the First Day of VPK activities coloring pages and combine them with photos, ticket stubs (like from the bus ride), or name tags. Glue everything onto a larger piece of construction paper to create a memory board that captures the entire day.
5. Art Corner Display
Let kids color art corner and crayon-themed pages, then display their work in a small “art gallery” at home or school. This shows children their creativity is valued and can ease transitions into spaces where their art might be displayed publicly.
6. Classroom Welcome Puzzle
Print a large classroom welcome coloring sheet and cut it into puzzle pieces after coloring. Students can work together to reassemble it. This builds teamwork while giving everyone a shared goal on the first day.
7. First Day Jitters Story Companion
Pair the First Day Jitters coloring page with reading the popular children’s book First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg. After coloring, discuss the story’s themes of nervousness and excitement, and let kids share their own experiences.
We know how important it is for our kids to feel represented and celebrated in the art they color. Growing up, many of us never saw our hair, our families, or our cultural pride reflected in school materials.
That’s why we pour so much love and care into every page we create. Each sheet is hand-illustrated with children of color in mind—kids with braids, afros, twists, and joyful brown skin tones. We believe our children deserve to see themselves in every corner of their learning journey.
We’d love to hear from you: Would you like to see preschool coloring pages, first grade activities, or classroom welcome sheets next? Or would you prefer new banner coloring pages and art corner designs? Drop a comment below with your suggestions—we create with families like yours in mind.
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