Starting the day with a warm, welcoming greeting is one of the easiest and most effective ways to build classroom community in kindergarten. Morning greetings will help your little learners feel safe, seen, and excited to learn—and they also establish structure and connection right from the start. Whether you’re a first-year teacher or looking to freshen up your routine, here are 10 Fun and Friendly Morning Greetings for Kindergarten Teachers to Use with Students.
Create a positive classroom culture—one cheerful greeting at a time!
1. Let Your Students Choose Their Greeting
Set up a “Morning Greeting Choice Board” with picture icons showing different options:
High five
Hug
Fist bump
Wave
Dance move
This gives your students the power to choose how they want to be greeted, promoting autonomy and comfort from the moment they arrive.
2. Sing a Morning Welcome Song
Start your day with a catchy “good morning” song. Use classroom favorites like “Hello Neighbor” or make up your own! Singing boosts classroom energy and helps create routine and rhythm.
3. Mirror Greeting
Greet each student with a silly movement, pose, or face—then have them mirror you. Switch it up and let them take the lead! This interactive greeting encourages focus, fun, and social interaction.
4. Personalized Morning Notes or Messages
Leave short, kind notes on your students’ desks or cubbies. Even a few words—like “You’re a great friend!”—go a long way in making students feel valued and special. Not only will they love receiving a note, they will be practicing their reading skills. You can start the year out with a fun sticker or postcard.
5. Puppet or Mascot Greetings
Use a stuffed animal, puppet, or classroom mascot to deliver your morning greeting. Change its outfit, name, or voice to keep things exciting. Kids love the surprise and it builds emotional connections.
6. Name-and-Compliment Greeting
Add a little sparkle by pairing each student’s name with a cheerful description:
“Good morning, Awesome Ava!”
“Hello, Super Simon!”
It boosts confidence and reinforces positive classroom culture.
7. Feelings Check-In
Combine your greeting with a simple emotions chart or color zone. Let your kindergarteners show how they’re feeling as they walk in—it opens the door for SEL (social-emotional learning) support early in the day. (SEL in Kindergarten)
8. Stickers, Stamps, or Tokens
Give a sticker, stamp, or small token to each student as they enter. These small gestures add excitement and become a motivational tool you can use all year long.
9. Morning Question of the Day
Ask a fun or thoughtful question to spark curiosity: “Would you rather be a superhero or a mermaid?” These can be great openers or conversation starters.
10. Dance Into the Day
Play music at the door and let your little learners dance their way into the classroom. It’s energizing, joyful, and a great way to wake up little bodies and minds!
Greeting your kindergarten students each morning isn’t just a fun routine—it’s a powerful classroom management and community-building tool. When students feel seen and welcomed, they’re more likely to participate, cooperate, and grow emotionally and academically.
Try rotating these 10 greeting ideas throughout the week to keep mornings fresh, engaging, and full of connection!
