Kids can explore their new preschool or kindergarten classroom with this back-to-school scavenger hunt. Preschoolers will have fun discovering new and familiar items in their early learning environment.

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There's lots to see and do in the first week of preschool - new students, new teachers, and new toys and play materials.

Getting to know you're way around the people and play areas is a learning curve for both kids and teachers.

One way to introduce kids to the preschool environment is with a back-to-school scavenger hunt.

For some students, this may not be their first term in a particular setting. But with new faces, new furniture placement, new routines, or new materials, the excitement - and strangeness - may be evident for the first few days.

Download the free Back-To-School printable and enjoy exploring the preschool or kindergarten classroom with your early learners.

First day of school scavenger hunt

A scavenger hunt is always a fun activity for kids. You can find ideas online for scavenger hunts with many different themes - seasons, nature, sports, holidays.

This back-to-school themed scavenger hunt welcomes kids to the classroom. Download the free printable and have fun on the first day of school.

First Day of School Scavenger Hunt

How to extend the scavenger hunt.

1. Take your students on a tour of the classroom.

• Visit each play area (center). Play areas may include a block corner, an art area with easel, and a housekeeping section with play kitchen, dolls, and dress-up clothes.
  
  
• Draw attention to the materials in each center. Discuss how the materials might be used.
  
  

2. Place an item from each center on a table during circle time or small group.

• Talk about the play area where each item belongs.
  
  
• Invite students to take turns choosing an item and returning it to the appropriate center.

Download and print the free printable.

First Day of School Scavenger Hunt

Learning with a scavenger hunt.

Choosing materials, using materials appropriately, and putting materials away, are daily components of an early learning program.

A scavenger hunt helps kids become familiar with their environment. This back-to-school hunt helps kids learn how to organize and take care of their play space.

When kids are familiar with the materials, and where they are located, cleanup becomes a regular part of their daily routine.

Explain the consequences of not cleaning up toys and materials to help kids understand the why.

• We can easily trip over toys left in the middle of the room after play time. And they take up space that could be used for a fun small group activity!
   
• If items are not returned to their proper places, you can't find what you need the next time you want to do an activity. 

Children learn good practices when they are included in the care of the learning environment. Use this scavenger hunt printable to initiate hands-on learning in your classroom.