A first day of school video for kids: a pep talk with a backpack on

The first day of school comes with a brand new backpack, a lunchbox that is somehow already sticky, and a small person with a very big feeling in their tummy. A short first day of school video can turn some of that feeling into excitement. It is a little film that says: here is what will happen, here is the fun part, and here is when I will pick you up.

This page is for kindergarten, first grade, a new school, or the first day of anything. You will find three kinds of first-day films, lines to borrow, a script, and a few mistakes to avoid.

What is a first day of school video for kids?

It is a short, cheerful film you make for your child before (or after) their first day. Most are pep talks: they preview the day in simple pictures, mention one thing to look forward to, and promise the reunion. Kids can rewatch it in the week before school, which makes the unknown feel familiar.

Which kind of first day video should you make?

Pick based on what your child needs. A nervous kid needs a preview. A confident kid wants a hype film. And almost every family enjoys a little memory film afterwards.

What should you say in a first day of school video?

Say what will happen, what is fun, and when you will be back. Keep it concrete: "You'll hang your coat on a hook with your name" beats "School is a wonderful adventure." Kids trust details. Finish with the pickup, because "when do I go home?" is the question behind most first-day nerves.

• "You'll meet a teacher whose job is to help you."
• "There will be a snack time. Your snack is apples. Try not to trade them for a rock."
• "If you don't know where to go, you can ask. Everybody asks on the first day."
• "Lots of the other kids are new too. Somebody might need a friend. It could be you."
• "I'll be right at the gate at three o'clock. Look for the silly hat."

A first day of school script to copy

This pep talk is about 45 words, which fits a 20 second film. Swap in your details.

Big day, Noah! First: backpack on. Then: say hi to Ms. Rivera. Then: painting, playing, and apple snacks. If you feel wobbly, take a big lion breath. At three o'clock, look for the silly hat. That's me. Go get 'em, first grader.

The "lion breath" line gives them a tiny tool to use, and the silly hat gives them a picture to hold on to. Swap in whatever your family already does, like a secret handshake or a special wave.

What are some fun first day of school video ideas?

• The backpack's point of view The backpack is nervous too, and your kid has to look after it all day. Role reversal works wonders.
• The countdown Five sleeps, four sleeps, three... One short clip per day, ending on the big morning.
• Big sibling's advice An older brother or sister shares three top tips. The one about the slide is always the most important.
• The map of the day A little drawn path: gate, classroom, playground, lunch, pickup. Simple and calming.
• The hero outfit The new shoes are secretly super-speed shoes. Nobody at school needs to know.
• The memory film After day one, ask three questions and turn the answers into a film for the grandparents.

For the memory film, ask at dinner: "What was the best thing? What was the funniest thing? Who did you sit next to?" Three answers become three scenes. Kids are often vague ("fine," "nothing") right after school and suddenly chatty at bedtime, so keep the notebook handy until lights out.

How do you make a first day of school video?

1. Step 1

   Find out the real details. Teacher's name, snack time, pickup time. Kids spot vagueness.

2. Step 2

   Pick one worry to answer. Where to hang the coat, where the toilet is, who to ask.

3. Step 3

   Pick one thing to look forward to. Paint, the playground, a class hamster.

4. Step 4

   Write it in five short lines and end with the pickup.

5. Step 5

   Watch it together a few days before, then once more at breakfast.

The quick way: a first-day pep talk in Nine

Nine makes short drawn films with a voice, music and sound effects, so your five lines can become a bouncy little pep talk. Use Start from a template for something fast, like a name and one line ("Go get 'em, Noah!"). Paste your lines as A script and each paragraph becomes a scene. Or record your own voice with A voice recording, so the pep talk sounds like you, which is the whole point.

Want the backpack bouncier or the music calmer? Just say so and get a new version. A drawn film needs no photo of your child or the school. You get a video file in tall, wide and square, and Nine never sends it anywhere. Films run up to 20 seconds on Film, $29 a month. See pricing or try it.

More for big steps: graduation video message ideas (for the far end of school), a story video about moving house, and a grandparent video message for a good-luck boost from afar.