Back to School Activity Placemats
New backpacks, fresh school supplies, and that mix of excitement and nerves, back to school season is here! Whether you’re easing the kids into the new routine or just trying to survive the last few weeks of summer chaos, these placemats are here to help.
Introducing these FREE printable Back to School Activity Placemats! You get 5 totally unique designs, each one loaded with fun, school-themed activities to keep kids busy and excited for the year ahead. And of course, they’re completely free!
What’s Included?
Each of the 5 placemats comes packed with a mix of activities so there’s always something new to discover. Here’s what kids can look forward to:
- Word searches – Hunt for school-themed words hiding in the grid — think pencils, backpacks, friends, and more
- Mazes – Twist and turn through fun back-to-school paths
- Coloring sections – Big, bold illustrations of school supplies, buses, and classroom fun just waiting for some color
- Tic-tac-toe grids – Classic two-player fun, no setup needed
- How many can you find? – Spot and count hidden school-themed objects scattered across the page
- Word unscrambles – Unscramble mixed-up school words for a fun brain challenge
- Dot to dot – Connect the dots to reveal a surprise back-to-school picture
- This or That – A fun conversation-starter game (Pencil or pen? Recess or Lunch? Morning or Afternoon?)
Every placemat is designed to print on regular US letter paper (8.5 x 11) and works great as a standalone coloring page too. Laminate them and they become a reusable activity mat for homework nights all year long!
How to Download & Start Coloring
These are high-res PDFs that print perfectly on standard US letter paper (8.5″ x 11″). Just grab your crayons or fire up your favorite digital coloring app – it’s super simple to get started!
If You Want to Print:
- Click the design you want – it’ll open in a new tab.
- Save it to your device or print it directly from your browser.
- Get your crayons, markers, or colored pencils and have fun!
If You Prefer Digital Coloring:
- Click the image to open the PDF.
- Download it to your tablet or computer.
- Open it in a coloring app – Procreate, GoodNotes, and Adobe Fresco are all great options.
New to digital coloring? Check out this beginner’s guide to using Procreate! or Watch this quick GoodNotes tutorial!
Free Back to School Activity Placemats
Our Favorite Coloring Supplies:
These are my tried-and-true faves for coloring time (some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you):
When to Use These Placemats
These are perfect for so many back-to-school moments:
- First day of school countdowns – Build excitement in the days leading up to the big day
- Back-to-school parties – A fun, no-prep activity for classroom or neighborhood celebrations
- Restaurants and family outings – Keep kids busy and entertained while you enjoy a meal before the new routine kicks in
- After-school downtime – A relaxing way to unwind once homework is done
- Classroom icebreakers – Great for teachers looking for a fun first-week activity
- Road trips back from summer vacation – Print a few for the ride home before school starts
Why Kids Will Love It
There’s something for every kind of kid in this set — the word search whiz, the maze master, the coloring enthusiast, and the one who can’t wait to debate “Pencil or Crayon?” in This or That. Each placemat feels like its own little adventure, so kids stay engaged far longer than you’d expect. They can jump between activities, color however they like, and make the back-to-school season feel just a little more fun and a little less scary!
Want Even More Freebies?
Check out these other free coloring sheet collections:
- Fun on the Farm Activity and Coloring Book
- Alphabet Coloring Pages
- Child Safety Activity Coloring Pack
All coloring pages are for personal use only – so color, craft, and enjoy to your heart’s content at home or in the classroom, just please don’t use them for commercial purposes.
