First Day of School Coloring Pages
Our first day of school coloring pages are a cheerful way to mark a big step in childhood. This collection offers 8 free, printable pages inspired by the German Einschulung, where kids start school with a backpack and a colorful Schultüte, a decorated cone filled with treats and school supplies. Print one at home, talk about what to expect, and let your child color away their nerves. To keep the fun going, check out our school cone, Back to school or School coloring pages too.
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Scenes that capture the big day
Each page shows a different moment of the first school day. Your child can color a proud kid with a new backpack and a Schultüte, a big cone leaning against a school bag, or two friends comparing their cones. Other pages show a classroom decorated for the occasion, a family posing in front of the school, balloons and confetti drifting across the playground, and a child handing a drawing to the teacher. There is even a page of a child walking to school alone, perfect for talking about independence. The lines are clean and bold, with large areas that are easy to fill and small details like stripes, stars and ribbons for kids who love to decorate. Every page tells a little story, so children often start chatting about their own school hopes while they color.
Tips for printing and coloring
Print on standard letter paper at 100% scale. For crayons and colored pencils, regular printer paper works well. If your child likes markers or watercolor, choose heavier cardstock so nothing bleeds through. Younger children, around 3 to 5, will enjoy the large cones and balloons with chunky crayons. Older kids can add patterns to the Schultüte, write names on the backpacks, or draw extra school supplies around the scene. Try a family activity: color a page together the evening before school starts and hang it on the fridge as a countdown. You could also let each child design their own dream cone and fill it with drawings of favorite treats.
Looking for more occasions to celebrate? Try our birthday coloring pages for party fun, our mothers day coloring pages for a handmade gift, or our Halloween coloring pages once the school year is underway.
Coloring ideas for first day of school
Make the Schultüte the star with bright, bold colors: reds, yellows, and blues with sparkly stripes or polka dots. Use warm pastel tones for the classroom walls and softer greens for the playground. Give each backpack a different color so friends are easy to tell apart. Color the balloons and confetti in a rainbow mix, and add glitter pens or stickers to the cone's ribbon for a festive finish.
Frequently asked questions about first day of school coloring pages
What age are these coloring pages best for?
They suit children from about 3 to 8. Toddlers and preschoolers enjoy the big cones and balloons, while early readers can add details, patterns, and names to backpacks. Kids about to start school often like them most, since coloring helps them feel excited and prepared.
How do I print these pages at home?
Open the page, choose Print, and select letter size at 100% scale so the picture fits the sheet. Standard printer paper works for crayons and pencils. For markers or paint, use thicker cardstock. Printing in black and white saves ink and keeps the lines crisp.
Are the pages available as PDF?
Yes, every page can be downloaded as a free PDF. The file keeps the lines sharp and prints in the right size, with no sign-up needed. You can save the PDFs on your device and print as many copies as you like for home, class, or a party.
What is a Schultüte?
A Schultüte is a large decorated cardboard cone given to children in Germany on their first day of school. It is filled with sweets, small toys, and school supplies to make the day special. Many of our pages show it, so kids can color their own.