Back to school 2026

Welcome your pupils back with these hand-picked resources made by teachers for teachers

Refreshed and updated for 2026, this collection of back to school activities has everything you need to be confident, primed and ready to welcome your primary pupils back into the classroom. From lesson ideas for the first day back, including 'all about me' activities and 'getting to know you' games, to setting expectations resources and classroom displays, teachers from our Tes community have got you covered.

Back to school resources 2026

All about me activities

Explore a range of hand-picked premium and free resources to use on the first day back, with everything from fun dice games and handprint craft activities to self portraits and worksheets to explore their first week feelings.

For even more ideas for learning about your new class on the first day of school, check out the Meet your new class collection.

Getting to know each other activities

To help you encourage your new class to get to know each other, why not use one of these fun activities? There’s plenty to choose from including icebreaker games, class bingo, a ‘Would you rather’ game and a ‘Getting to know you’ trail.

Looking for a selection of icebreaker activities for the first week back? Take a look at our Icebreaker activities for students resource highlights.

Setting expectations and routines

A selection of first day lessons, daily slides and classroom expectation activities you can use to create an effective learning environment and establish daily routines at the start of the new school year.

If you need more resources for setting expectations and managing classroom behaviour, have a look at our Behaviour management collection.

Classroom preparation resources

Get your classroom ready for the new school year with these hand-picked classroom preparation resources. There’s everything from classroom jobs and door sign templates to visual timetables and drawer labels.

For more hand-picked classroom organisation and display essentials, check out the Preparing your EYFS and primary classroom collection.