10 First Day Jitters Activities: Fun Ways to Ease School Nerves

The first day of school often brings a mix of excitement and anxiety for students. This is a completely normal feeling, but addressing these emotions is important for setting a positive tone for the year ahead. As educators, implementing thoughtful first day jitters activities can help students feel more comfortable and ready to learn. This guide will explore fun, engaging, and effective activities designed to calm those first-day nerves while making learning exciting from the start.

Understanding First Day Jitters

The first day of school can be overwhelming for students, but they’re not alone in feeling this way! The popular children’s book First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg perfectly captures this experience in a fun and relatable way. It follows a character named Sarah, who is reluctant to begin her first day at a new school—only to reveal at the end that she is actually the teacher!

First Day Jitters book

Reading First Day Jitters aloud is a fantastic way to normalize those feelings and spark conversations about first-day emotions. Pairing the book with engaging first day jitters activities can help students feel more comfortable and excited to start the school year.

Creative Activities to Calm First Day Jitters

The best way to combat nervousness is with fun, hands-on activities that help students feel safe, engaged, and included. Here are some of the best first day jitters activities to set a positive tone in your classroom!

1. Jitter Juice

“Jitter Juice” is a fun and symbolic drink that helps students feel more at ease.

Jitter Juice

How to Do It:

• Mix lemon-lime soda with fruit punch; add edible glitter or sprinkles for fun.​
• Serve in small cups labeled “Jitter Juice.”​
• Explain that drinking “Jitter Juice” helps to chase away the jitters.​

This playful approach can make students feel more at ease and is often accompanied by a reading of the book First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg.

2. Jitter Glitter

“Jitter Glitter” is a magical way to help students feel more confident and at ease on their first day of school. By giving them a small bag of glitter or a special glitter lotion, students have a tangible reminder that they can overcome their worries.

Jitter Glitter

How to Do It:

• Prepare the Glitter Bags – Fill small bags with a pinch of glitter and attach a note explaining its “magical powers.”
• Explain the Purpose – Tell students they can sprinkle a little glitter under their pillow before bedtime to help chase away worries.
• Alternative Option – Use glittery hand sanitizer or lotion as “Jitter Glitter Gel,” which students can rub on their hands for confidence.

3. Create a “Jitter Jar”

A “Jitter Jar” allows students to acknowledge and release their worries by writing them down and placing them in a communal jar.

Jitter Jar

How to Do It:

• Materials Needed: A jar or box, slips of paper, and writing utensils.​
• Instructions: Ask students to write down any worries they have about the school year and place them in the jar.​
• Discussion: Periodically read and address common concerns anonymously to reassure students.

4. “All About Me” Worksheets

These worksheets encourage students to share information about themselves, fostering connections and reducing anxiety.

How to Do It:

• Materials Needed: Pre-made worksheets with prompts about favorite things, family, hobbies, etc.​
• Instructions: Have students complete the worksheets individually.​
• Sharing: Allow students to share their worksheets in pairs or small groups.

“All About Me” worksheet

Download this “All About Me” worksheet for kids to fill out!

5. First Day Feelings Graph

A class feelings graph helps students express their emotions visually and encourages open discussions about their first-day experiences.

How to Do It:

• Prepare a Chart – Create a graph on a whiteboard or chart paper with categories like Excited, Nervous, Happy, Curious, Shy, etc.
• Student Participation – Give each student a sticker or marker to place on the emotion they feel the most.
• Discuss the Results – Ask students why they picked their feelings and discuss ways to support each other.

“First Day Feelings” graph

Download this first day feelings worksheet to help students express their emotions on their first day of school!

6. Classroom Scavenger Hunt

Familiarize students with their new environment through a guided tour followed by a scavenger hunt. This interactive activity helps them become comfortable with the classroom layout, resources, and routines, reducing uncertainty and promoting confidence.

How to Do It:

• Preparation: Create a list of items or areas in the classroom for students to locate.​
• Instructions: In pairs or small groups, have students find and check off each item on the list.​
• Debrief: Discuss the locations and purposes of each item or area found.

“Classroom Scavenger Hunt” sheet

Download this Classroom Scavenger Hunt worksheet for an interactive and engaging way for students to explore their surroundings!

7. Sticky Note Feelings Wall

A Feelings Wall allows students to write their emotions on sticky notes and place them on a designated board.

Sticky Note Feelings wall

How to Do It:

• Set Up a Board – Label a section of the classroom as the “Feelings Corner.”
• Encourage Participation – Ask students to write their emotions on sticky notes and place them on the wall.
• Class Discussion – Read some notes aloud (anonymously) and reassure students that all feelings are normal.

8. Jitter Beads Bracelet

Creating a Jitter Beads Bracelet is a fun and interactive way to help students feel in control of their emotions.

Jitter Beads Bracelet

How to Do It:

• Provide UV beads and pipe cleaners for students to create their own bracelet.
• Explain the Meaning – The beads change color in sunlight, symbolizing how emotions can shift throughout the day.
• Wear as a Reminder – Encourage students to wear their bracelet as a reminder that their feelings are valid but can change over time.

9. Jitter Beans

Using jelly beans or any small, colorful candy, students can sort, count, and graph their emotions while enjoying a sweet treat.

Jitter beans

How to Do It:

• Pass Out the Jitter Beans – Give each student a small handful of jelly beans.
• Assign Emotions to Colors – Create a chart where each color represents a different feeling (e.g., red = excited, yellow = nervous, blue = happy, green = unsure).
• Sort & Count – Ask students to sort their Jitter Beans by color and count how many of each they have.
• Create a Graph – Students record their results by coloring in a Jitter Beans Graph or using tally marks.
• Reflect on Emotions – Discuss the different emotions students felt before arriving at school.

10. Before & After Reflection

This activity helps students track how their feelings change from the start to the end of the first day.

How to Do It:

• Provide a Worksheet – Students write or draw how they felt before school started and how they feel now.
• Class Discussion – Talk about how emotions shift and let students share their experiences.
• Compare Responses – Discuss what helped students feel more comfortable.

“My First Day” worksheet

Download this worksheet to help children reflect on and capture their first-day experience with drawings and fun prompts!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can teachers help with first day jitters?

Teachers can alleviate first day jitters by creating a welcoming environment, implementing the activities mentioned above, and maintaining open communication. Being approachable and empathetic encourages students to express their concerns, allowing teachers to address them promptly.

2. What book goes with Jitter Juice?

First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg is the perfect book to pair with Jitter Juice. It tells a relatable story of a student feeling anxious about school—only to reveal at the end that the student is actually the teacher!

3. What is the main idea of First Day Jitters?

First Day Jitters centers on the universal experience of feeling nervous before starting something new. The story reveals that even adults, like the teacher in the book, experience jitters, conveying that such feelings are normal and can be overcome.

Wrapping Up

First-day nerves are completely normal, but with the right first day Jitters activities, teachers can turn anxiety into excitement! By creating a welcoming and supportive classroom from day one, teachers set the foundation for a positive school year. Encouraging students to share their feelings, participate in engaging activities, and connect with their classmates helps ease nerves and build confidence.

Want to make the first day even more fun? Check out Worksheetzone for high-quality worksheets designed to support teachers and students on their learning journey!