As I gear up for the start of a new school year, I’ve been thinking a lot about what truly makes a classroom feel like home. For me, it’s all about transforming 20+ individuals into a close-knit family from day one. Our classroom will be our home away from home for the next nine months, and it’s crucial that all of my students feel like they belong. This means working together, supporting each other, and creating a family atmosphere.

Of course, this doesn’t just happen overnight. I dedicate a lot of time during the first week to icebreakers, team-building activities, and get-to-know-you games. My goal is for everyone to know each other’s names and to be able to make connections with their classmates by the end of that first week.
So, how do I achieve this? Today, I’m sharing a few of my favorite activities for the first week of school that help create that unique family atmosphere in our classroom.
Why Do I Need to Create a Family Atmosphere in My Classroom?
Creating a family atmosphere in our classrooms is essential. Sure, diving straight into academics might seem like the most efficient way to start the school year, but without a strong, supportive foundation, learning can become a struggle.
When our students feel like they are part of a family, they are more likely to engage, participate, and take risks in their learning. They know they are in a safe environment where their ideas and contributions are valued. This sense of belonging builds confidence. This also helps to encourage our students to push their boundaries, leading to deeper and more meaningful learning experiences.
Building a family atmosphere helps to establish trust. When our students trust us and each other, they are more open to collaboration and peer learning, which are crucial components of academic success. This trust also minimizes behavioral issues, as they are more inclined to respect and support one another. Creating a positive and productive classroom environment.
Taking the time to cultivate these relationships at the beginning of the year pays off in the long run. It sets the tone for the rest of the school year. We can ensure that our classroom is not just a place for academic growth but also a community where every student feels valued and inspired to learn.
In my experience, investing time in these initial activities to build a family atmosphere is one of the most important things I can do as a teacher. Itβs the foundation upon which our learning and growth will be built.
Activities That Build a Family Atmosphere For Our Students
Let’s now dive into how we build a family atmosphere! I’ve found that starting the school year with a mix of engaging activities is key to building solid and supportive relationships. These activities help my students and me to get to know each other, build trust, and start feeling like a family from day one. Here are some of my favorite activities for the first week of school that help us create that special family atmosphere.
Activity #1 – Me Bag
This first activity always has me on the edge of my seat because it kickstarts our getting to know one another! It all starts with a simple brown paper bag placed on each of my students’ desks during Meet the Teacher night. I staple the Me Bag instructions to each bag. My students take their bags home, fill them with five items that represent who they are, and bring them back to school.
During the first week, we take turns sharing our Me Bags with the class. Naturally, I go first on the first day of school. This not only helps the students learn more about me but also gives them ideas of what they can include in their own Me Bags.
My kiddos love it, and so do I! It’s a fantastic way to kick off the school year and start building that comfortable, family-like classroom environment we’re aiming for. If you’d like to try the Me Bag activity with your class, download the instructions here. Just print, copy, and staple to a brown lunch sack.
Activity #2 – The Name Game
Every year, the Name Game activity becomes an absolute class favorite. When I say my kiddos like it, I mean they beg to play it over and over again! We start by forming a circle with the entire class standing up. All you need is a bean bag, a small soft ball, or a stuffed animal.
The first time through, I start by tossing the object to one of my students while saying their name. The student I called catches it, then tosses it to another student, saying their name as they do. Once theyβve had their turn, they sit down. This chain continues until everyone receives the object and their name is called.
After the initial round, I step out of the game and grab a timer. I tell the class we’re going to see how fast we can complete the game and start timing it. We keep track of our fastest time on the board and set a class goal to beat by the end of the week, usually aiming for around 20-25 seconds.
My students love the challenge! Itβs a fantastic way for everyone to learn each other’s names quickly. Plus, this game helps us to build a family atmosphere by encouraging teamwork, quick thinking, and a lot of laughter. Itβs a wonderful way to start feeling connected as a class.
Activity #3 – Would You Rather?
Getting to know your students while having a blast is the perfect way to kick off the school year. One of my favorite activities for this is using fun “Would You Rather” writing prompts. These prompts give me a glimpse into how my kiddos are as writers and help to build our classroom family atmosphere by sharing and learning about each other’s preferences and opinions.
In my Would You Rather Back to School edition, I have 30 different prompts that my students can choose from. Sometimes, I let my students choose which prompt excites them, while other times, I have them work on the same ones. Either way, each printable writing prompt comes with writing lines. At the bottom of each writing prompt page, I have a checklist to remind my kiddos about the habits of a good writer. They check off each box when they checked to make sure they are using complete sentences that make sense, with proper capitalization and punctuation. The digital version includes text boxes and a drag-and-drop checklist for easy use.
These prompts are easy to fit into any part of your schedule, whether that be for morning work, free writing time, or a whole-class activity. They provide a structured yet fun way to catch my kiddos’ attention and get them excited about writing. I can also rest easy knowing these prompts also reinforce the importance of good writing practices.
If you are looking for even more wacky prompts that have your students excited for writing, make sure to check out this set of Would You Rather writing prompts!
Activity #4 – STEM Challenge – Build the Largest Tower
One of my favorite team-building activities is the “Build the Tallest Tower” STEM challenge. It’s a simple but approachable challenge that encourages our students to collaborate and problem-solve. To start, I provide a variety of materials for each group, such as straws, tape, paper, and plastic cups. Then, I divide the class into small groups of 3-4 students. This size is perfect for ensuring everyone has a role and can contribute without feeling overwhelmed. Each group receives the same set of materials and is tasked with building the tallest freestanding tower they can within a set time limit, usually around 15-20 minutes.
I encourage each group to take a few minutes to brainstorm ideas. They discuss different strategies and decide on a plan. As they start building, they quickly realize the importance of teamwork. They assign roles based on each memberβs strengths. One might be good at designing the base, while another is better at securing the structure with tape.
After the time is up, each group presents their tower to the class. We measure the height to see which group has the tallest tower. We then chat about the challenges different groups faced and how they overcame them. This reflection is a key part of the learning process.
Through this challenge, our students learn to collaborate by working together towards a common goal. They practice listening to each other and combining their strengths. By working together and encouraging each other, they build trust and a sense of team. Celebrating each groupβs efforts and achievements reinforces the idea that everyoneβs contribution is valuable. This activity creates a shared experience that bonds our class. It’s a fun and engaging way to build the family atmosphere to be a supportive and collaborative classroom environment.
Activity #5 – Our Class is a Family Read Aloud
On the first day of school, I love to gather everyone around and readΒ Our Class Is a Family by Shannon Olsen. This book emphasizes that our classroom is more than just a place for learning. Itβs a family where everyone is valued and supported.
Reading this book together sets the tone for the year and reinforces the idea that we are a classroom family. After reading, we discuss what it means to be a family. I ask the students questions like, “What makes a family?” and “How can we show kindness and support to each other?” These discussions help students understand the concept of our classroom as a safe, accepting, and caring community.
To deepen this sense of family, we then create a classroom family chart together. Each of my students contributes ideas on how we can support and respect one another. We write these ideas down and display them as a daily reminder of our commitment to each other.
This picture book and activity helps our students feel connected and valued from the very beginning. It helps us to establish a foundation for a supportive and inclusive classroom environment. Itβs the perfect way to start our journey together, building a family atmosphere that will thrive throughout the school year.
Activity #6 – Building a Family Atmosphere Through Acts of Kindness
Based on our read-aloud, Our Class Is a Family, I introduce the idea of a Kindness Wreath or Kindness Chain. This is an awesome way for our students to spread acts of kindness through their words, actions, and choices. We also recognize and celebrate these positive behaviors within our classroom family.
For the wreath, I take a paper plate and cut the center out. I make sure I have lots of colorful paper cut out in strips to write the act of kindness on. Then, I’ll slightly curl the paper around a pencil, and it will be attached to our wreath. For the chain, the strips of colorful paper the acts of kindness go on are ready to be linked together.
I explain to my kiddos that whenever they receive an act of kindness or they witness an act of kindness, they can write it down on a strip of paper. I model how to write the name of the person who performed the act of kindness and what they did.
During our morning meeting or class meeting at the end of the day, I give time for them to share these acts of kindness with the class. This is a great opportunity for them to shout out their classmates and acknowledge the positive actions theyβve observed.
Recognition during meetings creates a sense of pride and encourages them to continue performing kind acts. The growing chain or wreath serves as a constant reminder of the supportive and caring environment we are building together. It visually represents the strength of our classroom family and the many ways we support one another.
A Positive Family Atmosphere Sets Classroom Up for Success All Year
Creating a family atmosphere in our classroom from the very first week sets the tone for a successful and enjoyable school year. By engaging in activities like the Me Bags, the Kindness Wreath, STEM challenges, and reading “Our Class Is a Family,” we build connections, foster kindness, and establish a sense of unity. These activities help us transform our classroom into a supportive, caring community where all of our students feel valued and included. I hope these ideas inspire you to create your own classroom family and make this school year unforgettable. Here’s to a fantastic start and a year filled with learning, laughter, and love!
For more activities to create a family atmosphere, explore Kindness and Friendship Activities for the Elementary Classroom.
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