Back-to-school season is full of possibilities—new faces, fresh routines, and blank bulletin boards ready for a creative spark. If you're looking for a classroom theme that’s fun, flexible, and just plain adorable, owl-themed activities are a wise choice.
Below, you’ll find some no-prep, low-stress owl activities to help your students open up and settle in. Plus, if you're planning a bulletin board that builds classroom community, I’ve included one of my favorite owl-themed projects teachers love to reuse year after year!
5 Free Owl-Inspired Activities for a Fun First Week
1. Hoo's in Our Class? (Name Game)
Go around the circle and have each student say their name with an action that starts with the same letter (e.g., Jumping Jasmine). Then everyone repeats it with a “hoo” sound before it—“Hoo is Jumping Jasmine!” It’s a silly way to get to know names fast.
2. Owl Says… (Movement Game)
A twist on Simon Says, using “Owl says…” instead. Mix in school-related actions like “sharpen your pencil,” “line up,” or “sit crisscross.” Great for listening skills and laughter.
3. Guess the Owl! (Mystery Student)
Pick one student to answer three fun facts about themselves. Have the class guess who it might be. You can do a few each day during your morning meeting for the first week.
4. Owl-Themed Read-Aloud and Drawing Prompt
Read a book like Owl Babies or Little Owl’s Night, then ask students to draw an owl showing how they felt on the first day of school—happy, nervous, excited, etc. Add speech bubbles or thought clouds.
5. Whooo’s Goals?
Give each student a sticky note and ask them to write one goal they have for this school year. Stick them on a large owl poster or tree branch for a quick class display.
Owl-Themed Bulletin Board Idea That Builds Connection
5. "Hoo Are You?" or "Owl About Me" Bulletin Board
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate each student’s unique personality while creating a warm and welcoming space? My All About Me Owl Craft makes a fantastic first-week activity and a cheerful bulletin board display.
Here’s what teachers love:
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Three different owl designs to choose from
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Six variations of get-to-know-you prompts (each owl comes with two options)
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Easy for students to color and personalize
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Perfect for general education, speech therapy, and special education
This activity works well with grades 2nd–4th, but can easily be adapted for other levels too. Once completed, hang them with one of these titles:
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“Hoo Are You?”
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“Owl About Me”
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“Owl Standing Learners”
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“A Parliament of Talented Owls”
Wrap-Up: Why Owls?
Owls are calm, curious, and wise—just like the kind of classroom you’re working hard to create. Whether you’re building community, decorating your boards, or gathering insights about your students, an owl theme gives you flexibility and fun from day one.
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