Do you spend hours searching for the perfect activity for back-to-school night? I understand this stress! This is the first opportunity to show families the welcoming, supportive, and enjoyable classroom their child will spend time in. So, there is a lot of pressure to create a night families will always remember as their child embarks on their educational journey. Thankfully, I have the perfect family scavenger hunt for an unforgettable back-to-school night! Children will be so excited to return, and parents will feel relieved seeing the fantastic environment!
Building Routines with Families
When kindergarteners come to school, everything is new to them. This includes everything from sitting in a chair and asking to use the restroom. Instead of saving these routines for the first week of school, it is so helpful to introduce them early. Personally, I love to do this during a family scavenger hunt for an unforgettable back-to-school night! Parents love being part of the routine and can even reinforce important routines at home!
Welcoming Families to the Classroom
As students and families enter the classroom, they are full of emotions—including nerves and excitement! So, it is important to begin a scavenger hunt with a warm welcome as soon as they arrive. They need to know you see them and that they are welcome to come in and explore the classroom. I love to have sunflowers out and a bright smile as families arrive. A warm welcome is the perfect way for parents to become partners in their child’s learning journey.
Building a Scavenger Hunt
When building a family scavenger hunt for an unforgettable back-to-school night, it is important to keep some order. If parents feel the scavenger hunt is chaotic, they may worry about the quality of lessons. However, if it is organized and exciting, they will feel so happy for their child! So, this carefully crafted scavenger hunt ensures there is organization, excitement, and joy!
Task 1: Name Writing
A name is a vital part of who a child is. So, the scavenger hunt begins with a fun name-writing activity. Families and children will find the sign-in sheet and their name ticket model. Then, children will work on very carefully writing their names. Parents will definitely help since this is new! After they finish, they will place their name in a pocket chart. I also have a note to take home a set of name tickets for at-home practice. Personally, I love to use Kindergarten Handwriting on TPT.
Task 2: Supplies
In kindergarten, children need a lot of supplies! To keep the classroom organized and free up the hands of parents, they sort their supplies into bins. This is a great way to save precious teacher time and help children work on math skills!
Task 3: Cubbies
Cubbies are a huge part of kindergarten! They are the storage center for children. So, parents get to help children find their cubby. Honestly, you will see so many parents take pictures during this task! It is a massive moment in their child’s life.
If there are any papers to send home, I also leave them in the cubby.
Tasks 4 & 5: Book Box
Books are so important in any learning journey. So, parents help their children find their book box, which is a clear plastic shoe box. They will then take it to the big carpet area and sit by our calendar.
After finding their bookbox, children explore our classroom library. They will pick out a book and place it in their box to read next week. I love reviewing the choices to see the interests of my students!
Setting up the Remaining Tasks
Organization is essential when building a perfect family scavenger hunt for an unforgettable back-to-school night! However, families need to have some fluidity in the tasks to complete. While the beginning order is essential to get to know names and interests and reduce parents’ carrying so much, the rest is fluid. Parents can move about in any order!
The rest of the tasks focus on the specifics of our classroom. So, there is a task about finding the assigned coat/backpack hook in our closet and our classroom pet.
I also love to include activities that help classmates and families get to know each other. So, I often have a table set up for playdough where children roll and cut shapes! Additionally, I have a manipulatives table where students get to build something. It is so incredible to see their creations!
The ABCs are an essential part of kindergarten. So, I set up a table where students work on ABC Play Dough Fingerspelling Mats. This is a great way to show parents a fantastic activity to practice at home. I even set out an ABC Phonics Family Reference Chart for parents to hang on their refrigerators.
Before families leave, I have them help their child find my desk since this is where they will turn in folders. I also leave them a special surprise! Additionally, I ask parents to help their children find the bathroom. I have a sign about practicing locking and unlocking the door, flushing the toilet, and washing hands. Honestly, this practice is crucial to a successful first week!
The Kindergarten Giving Tree
As students complete their scavenger hunt, I ask them to check out the “Kindergarten Giving Tree.” This includes apples with a wishlist for classroom supplies and needs.
Helpful Tips and Suggestions
There will be a lot going on in the classroom! So, it is helpful to have large colored numbers or colored tablecloths that easily distinguish the different tasks.
Kindergarten is a monumental experience for our students and families. So, I love to set up photo opportunities to help families capture this moment.
Be sure to check out Nellie Edge Kindergarten TPT Store for more amazing resources!
Kindergarten is full of emotions! Parents and children feel more relaxed by having a family scavenger hunt for an unforgettable back-to-school night. Best of all, teachers get to walk around and spend time getting to know their classroom families and partners in education!
Save these Open House ideas!
Make sure to save this fun family scavenger hunt to your back to school Pinterest board! You will be able to come back to it when you are ready to plan a fantastic open house!
