10 Back-to-School Activity Ideas for High School Students

The start of the school year is a key time to create positive momentum and unite the class. For high school students, it's essential to offer them appropriate activities that foster cohesion, mutual support, and good humor from the very first days. Discover in this article 10 original and varied back-to-school activity ideas specially designed for high school students, ranging from traditional icebreakers to creative projects and sports challenges. A great way to start the school year on the right foot!

Summary :

1. Icebreaker activities to get to know each other

   • The Chinese Portrait Game

   • Speed-meeting, high school version

   • The creative presentation sheet

2. Outdoor cohesion activities

   • Orienteering in high school

   • Inter-class Olympiads

3. Creative projects to decorate the high school

   • The collaborative fresco

   • The photo exhibition "My summer in pictures"

4. Intellectual and cultural challenges

   • The general knowledge quiz in teams

   • The tailor-made back-to-school escape game

5. Wellness and personal development workshops

   • The Laughter Yoga Session

   • The solidarity project

Icebreaker activities to get to know each other

The Chinese Portrait Game

Chinese Portrait is a fun and original way to get to know each other at the beginning of the school year. The principle is simple: each participant must answer a series of questions by identifying themselves with an animal, a color, an object, etc. For example: "If I were an animal, I would be... because...".

However, beyond its playful aspect, this game has a real educational interest. It allows students to reflect on themselves and to express themselves in a visual and creative way. It is also an opportunity for them to discover their classmates from a different angle, beyond appearances.

Ultimately, the Chinese portrait is an excellent tool for breaking the ice during this back-to-school period. Accessible and unifying, it establishes a climate of trust and goodwill in the classroom, thus promoting group cohesion from the very first days.

Speed-meeting, high school version

Speed ​​meetings are a great way for high school students to get to know each other quickly at the beginning of the year. Here are some activities to suggest during these quick exchanges:

• Questions and answers: Each pair has two minutes to ask each other as many questions as possible (about their studies, hobbies, projects, etc.) before switching partners. A good way to break the ice.

• The Chinese Flash Portrait: "If I were a movie, I would be...", "If I were a song...". Each participant completes these sentences to reveal themselves in an original way to their partner. Change every 3 minutes.

• Find someone who...: A list of experiences is given (visited a foreign country, plays an instrument, etc.). The goal is to exchange ideas to find someone who matches each suggestion.

• Duo Challenges: Pairs must complete a small challenge (take an original photo, find three things in common, etc.) before the time runs out. A great way to build rapport!

The creative presentation sheet

Invite each student to create a collage that represents them, using photos, magazine cutouts, small objects, etc. They can add a few keywords that define them. Encourage them to be creative in their arrangement.

Invite each student to create their own profile in the form of a comic strip of a few panels, with an avatar representing them. They can share their passions, their journey, and their dreams in an original and graphic way.

Have each student create a self-portrait using a variety of artistic techniques: painting, collage, felt-tip pens, colored pencils, etc. Ask them to incorporate elements (colors, patterns, objects) into the background that reflect their personality.

Ask each student to imagine a logo or crest that would represent them, incorporating their initials, favorite colors, and symbols of their interests and personality traits. Encourage a touch of humor!

Encourage each student to present their "profile" in the form of a cloud of words that represent them, with their first name in large letters in the center and all around the main keywords that define them: qualities, passions, dreams, etc.

Outdoor cohesion activities

Orienteering in high school

For a fun and unifying start to the school year, there's nothing like a big orienteering race throughout the school! Divide the students into teams of different levels to encourage mutual support and discovery:

1. The 2nde students will thus be introduced to the topography of the high school in a fun way, guided by their elders.

2. The 1st and final year students will review their benchmarks in an unusual way while creating links with the new arrivals.

Each team, equipped with a map and a questionnaire, will have to solve a series of puzzles leading them from one strategic point to another:

• School life and its administrative mysteries

• The gymnasium and its sporting challenges

• The CDI and its treasures of knowledge

• Labs and their scientific experiments

• The refectory and its flavors to guess

A great way to boost cohesion and kick off the year on a positive note, involving students, teachers and staff in a shared adventure full of surprises and conviviality!

Inter-class Olympiads

To bring students together and create healthy competition, there's nothing like organizing sports Olympics between classes:

1. Volleyball Tournament: Each class forms its own team to compete in exciting matches. Fair play and team spirit are key.

2. Orienteering: Equipped with a map and a questionnaire, groups will have to solve puzzles that will take them to the four corners of the school. A great way to rediscover the area in a unique way.

3. Crazy Relay: In teams, students take on fun events like sack races, wheelbarrow relays, and costume slalom. Lots of laughs guaranteed.

4. Giant Cultural Quiz: Classes compete to test their knowledge in a large interactive quiz. A fun way to combine sports and culture.

Creative projects to decorate the high school

The collaborative fresco

Here's how to organize a collaborative mural with the whole class:

1. Theme: Choose a unifying theme related to a class project, a topic being discussed, or current school events. This will give coherence to the work.

2. Materials: Provide large panels of paper, cardboard, or wood to attach to the wall. Each student will have their own space to decorate.

3. Materials: Provide a wide variety of materials: paint, markers, pencils, colored paper, magazine pictures, etc. Everyone will be able to express themselves in their own way.

4. Instructions: Explain the theme and technical constraints. Encourage students to be creative and collaborative. The goal is to create a harmonious piece.

5. Opening: Once the mural is finished, organize a private viewing to showcase the collective work. Invite parents and the educational team to admire the original creation of your budding artists!

The photo exhibition 'My summer in pictures'

To highlight high school students' holiday memories, here are some ideas for activities to offer them around a photo exhibition:

1. Various themes: Suggest different categories of photos to students to present, such as landscapes discovered, significant encounters, sports or cultural activities practiced, moments shared with family or friends.

2. Original formats: In addition to traditional prints, encourage them to display their photos creatively through collages, posters, a digital slideshow, a mini album or even an ephemeral mural.

3. Accompanying texts: Suggest that they add a caption, an evocative title or a short personal text to explain the context and share the emotions and anecdotes linked to each image.

4. Festive opening: On the day, invite the entire educational community to come admire their photos during a friendly gathering. Students will be able to comment on some of their favorite photos and share their summer experiences.

5. Public competition: To stimulate everyone's interest and pride, organize a visitor vote to elect the "favorite," "funniest," and "most unusual" photos, with a small prize up for grabs.

Ultimately, offering original and varied activities to high school students during this back-to-school period is essential to foster cohesion, mutual support, and good humor from the very first days. From icebreaker games to creative projects, including sports and intellectual challenges, the goal is to allow everyone to find their place within the class group, while stimulating curiosity and the desire to learn. A successful return to school is one that gives all students the opportunity to reveal their talents and personality, in a caring and dynamic environment.