A back to school activity is a creative way to welcome students back to school or celebrate the start of the new school year. As much as the kids enjoy summer vacation, they love to go back to school. Children love to see friends they haven't seen all summer, meet new friends and get to know their new teacher.

Several creative back to school activity ideas include a name game, school bus photo gallery and how to make a classroom book. You could even make an easy school bus cake for a first day of school activity. These ideas are fun, easy and inexpensive to do. They involve children in getting to know each other, and get back into the swing of things at school.

Play a name game with the children so everyone remembers each other's names. Everyone will say their name and what is their favorite animal (or food, toy etc.) that starts with the same first letter of their name. Have the children stand in a circle and starting with the teacher, say "my name is Mrs. Johnson and I like jackrabbits ?. For younger children, use a beach ball to toss around the circle until everyone has caught the ball and said their name.

To make a school bus photo gallery, cut a big yellow school bus out of yellow poster board or butcher paper. Cut out windows that will become photo frames. Take a picture of each child (head shot only) and print them up so you can use them right away (unless you have access to a Polaroid camera). Tape the child's photo in a school bus window and hang on the wall. If you have a large class, you may need to make two school buses.

A classroom book is a fun group back to school activity. One group of children can design the book front and back covers, another make a school map and another group list the class and school rules. Everyone will make a student bio page to add to the book. On the student bio page they can list their name, family, favorite pet or food and favorite subject in school. Display this classroom book in a location that everyone can take turns reading it.

I hope these back to school activity ideas will help make the first day and week of school a fun experience for your kids. Children love being with their friends and will enjoy doing activities that include getting to know each other.