10 First Week of School Art Activities That Require Almost No Prep! 

Ah, the first week of school.

The hallway smells like freshly sharpened pencils, the bulletin boards are suspiciously empty, everyone is pretending they remember how the copier works, and somewhere in the building a teacher is already asking:

“Does anyone know where the good stapler went?”

Welcome back! 

The first week of school can feel like absolute chaos, especially for art teachers. You're learning names, figuring out schedules, explaining where the sinks are, performing your , and somehow you're also supposed to teach an actual lesson.

But here's the good news:

Your first week of art class doesn't need to be complicated.

In fact, I think the best first week art activities accomplish three things:

1. They get students creating immediately.

2. They help you build classroom community.

3. They introduce your expectations and routines without feeling like a three-hour staff meeting.

Here are some of my favorite back-to-school art activities for starting the year on the right foot.

1. Create a Personalized Sketchbook Cover

One of my favorite first-week activities is having students create a personalized sketchbook cover.

And no, I'm not talking about simply writing their name in bubble letters and calling it a day.

Give students the opportunity to create a cover that tells you something about who they are.

They might include:

• Favorite colors

• Hobbies

• Favorite animals

• Family

• Music

• Sports

• Places they've visited

• Things they love

• Personal symbols

This immediately gives you something to talk about with students.

Instead of:

“Tell me about yourself.”

you can ask:

“What's this symbol?”

“Why did you choose that color?”

“Is that your favorite place?”

Suddenly, you're having a conversation.

And that's how classroom community starts.

2. Art Technique Exploration

The first week is also a perfect time to introduce or review foundational art techniques.

Rather than immediately assigning a finished drawing, let students experiment.

Create a technique sampler with sections for:

• Hatching

• Cross-hatching

• Stippling

• Scribbling

• Scumbling

• Blending

• Contour lines

• Texture

• Pattern

• Line variation

Students can experiment with pencil, pen, or crayon.

This works particularly well because there isn't a single "correct" final product.

Students can simply explore what their materials can do.

And if someone tells you:

“I'm bad at art.”

you can respond:

“Good news. Today we're not making art. We're experimenting.”

Technically, you're still making art.

But they don't have to know that.  If you would like my free resource for this activity follow this link:

 3. Art About Me: A Visual Identity Project

Here's another great first week of school art activity.

Instead of having students write a traditional "All About Me" page, have them create a visual representation of themselves.

Give them a collection of prompts:

I am...

A color: _______

An animal: _______

A place: _______

A hobby: _______

A food: _______

A sound: _______

A symbol: _______

A word: _______

Then have students turn their answers into an artwork.

This is a fantastic way to introduce symbolism in art while learning about your students.

And let's be honest, you learn a lot about a kid when they choose:

“A food that represents me: Takis.”

4. Collaborative Classroom Artwork

Want to build classroom community right away?

Make something together.

Instead of having every student create an individual artwork, give everyone a small piece of a larger project.

For example:

The Community Quilt

Each student decorates one square using:

• A favorite color

• A symbol

• A pattern

• Their name or initials

Put all the squares together to create one giant classroom artwork.

The message is simple:

Everyone contributes something different, and all of the pieces belong together.

It's a wonderful visual representation of classroom community.

5. "What Kind of Artist Are You?"

This can be a fun way to introduce different approaches to creativity.

Give students several quick prompts:

Draw something from memory.

Draw something you can see.

Create something completely imaginary.

Use only lines.

Use only shapes.

Create something without lifting your pencil.

Then have students reflect:

Which activity felt easiest?

Which was most difficult?

Which was most fun?

This introduces students to something important:

There isn't just one way to be an artist.

Some students love drawing.

Some love color.

Some love building.

Some love patterns.

Some would rather photograph something than draw it.

And some will spend 20 minutes creating the most elaborate pencil eraser you've ever seen.

That's okay too.

6. A First Week "No Wrong Answers" Painting

If you're ready to introduce paint, keep the first project simple.

Give students a limited color palette and challenge them to create an abstract painting using:

• Lines

• Shapes

• Texture

• Pattern

• Color

Rather than giving them a picture to copy, give them a problem to solve:

“How can you create a painting that makes someone feel something without drawing a recognizable object?”

This introduces elements of art and principles of design while allowing students to experiment.

And because there isn't one expected final image, students can experience success at different skill levels.

 7. The "Artist Interview"

Here's a sneaky one.

Pair students together and have them interview each other about art.

Questions could include:

• What's something you like to create?

• What's your favorite color?

• What is something you're really good at?

• What's something you'd like to learn?

• What kind of art do you like?

• If you could make anything, what would it be?

Then students create a small portrait or symbolic artwork based on what they learned about their partner.

This accomplishes two things at once:

Students get to know each other AND practice artistic observation.

Teacher win.

8. Introduce Your Art Room Rules Through Art

Turn your expectations into a creative activity.

Give small groups different classroom scenarios:

Now you're teaching:

• Classroom procedures

• Problem-solving

• Collaboration

• Communication

without simply reading a list of rules at them.

To purchase this lesson, click the link below:

9. The "I Can't Draw" Challenge

You know the student.

Maybe you've already heard:

“I can't draw.”

before you've even handed them a pencil.

Start with something that doesn't require traditional drawing ability.

Try:

The Continuous Line Challenge

Students draw an object without lifting their pencil from the paper.

Or:

Blind Contour Drawing

Students observe an object while drawing without looking at their paper.

The results are usually hilarious.

And that's exactly the point.

When everyone creates something strange, students quickly realize:

We're not here to be perfect. We're here to experiment.

That can completely change the atmosphere of an art classroom.

 10. Start With a Sketchbook Routine

If you're teaching an ongoing art course, establish a sketchbook routine during the first week.

A sketchbook can become:

• A place for brainstorming

• A place for practicing techniques

• A visual journal

• A research tool

• A place for observations

• A place to collect inspiration

• A place to make mistakes

I love telling students:

“Your sketchbook is where you're allowed to have bad ideas.”

Because that's exactly what it should be.

If students believe every page needs to be beautiful, they stop experimenting.

If they understand that a sketchbook is a place to think, they'll actually use it as an artist would.

Don't Forget the Real Goal of the First Week

You are teaching students what kind of place your classroom is going to be.

Is it a place where mistakes are okay?

Is it a place where students can take creative risks?

Is it a place where different ideas are celebrated?

Is it a place where students feel comfortable saying, “I don't know how to do this yet”?

That's what you're establishing.

The first week isn't just about making art.

It's about creating a culture where students want to make art.

Make the First Week Easier on Yourself

And because I am firmly on Team "Teachers Deserve to Have a Life Outside of School," I don't think you should spend your entire summer creating elaborate first-week lessons.

Your first week should be engaging for students and manageable for you.

Look for activities that:

✔ Require minimal preparation
✔ Use supplies you already have
✔ Allow different skill levels
✔ Introduce art vocabulary
✔ Build classroom community
✔ Establish routines
✔ Encourage creativity
✔ Can be adapted for different ages

Because there is absolutely no reason your first week of school should involve you staying until 7:43 p.m. cutting 900 tiny pieces of construction paper.

We've suffered enough.

If you're looking for first week of school art activities, art classroom community activities, sketchbook activities, art technique worksheets, SEL-inspired art lessons, and ready-to-use art curriculum, check out my Teachers Pay Teachers resources.

My goal is simple:

Help teachers spend less time prepping and more time teaching, creating, and actually enjoying their classrooms.

Because the first week of school is chaotic enough.

Your lesson plans don't need to be.