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Home » Kindergarten Teaching Ideas

27 Kissing Hand Freebies and Teaching Resources

By Leslie Simpson · About 6 minutes to read this article.

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The Kissing Hand is a classic book for many kindergarten and elementary classrooms on the first day of school.

Here are Kissing Hand freebies, activities, videos, and books listed all in one place so you won’t have to go digging to look for them.

27 Kissing Hand Freebies and Teaching Resources for Kindergarten

Be sure to click on the name of each Kissing Hand freebie to see where it came from and to download it or read more.

The Kissing Hand Freebies

(27 Fresh Kissing Hand Freebies and Teaching Resources) First Day Hershey Kisses Treat Bag Toppers - KindergartenWorks.com
source: happyteacherhappykids.com

First Day Hershey Kisses Treat Bag Toppers - These sweet printable Hershey's kiss treat bag toppers are adorable and just the right size to go on a snack size baggie.

(27 Fresh Kissing Hand Freebies and Teaching Resources) Chester Raccoon Roll and Cover - KindergartenWorks.com
source: herdingkats.blogspot.com

Chester Raccoon Roll and Cover - Three different versions to easily differentiate the numbers your students are comfortable with. Build beginning number recognition and number sense with this dice game.

(27 Fresh Kissing Hand Freebies and Teaching Resources) 99 Page {Free} Kissing Hand Unit - KindergartenWorks.com
source: kinderbabies

99 Page {Free} Kissing Hand Unit - This free printable unit is incredibly huge. There are lots of card activities and this alphabet game board too. My favorite is the dice roll game and it is the second item I roll out in the practice zone.

First Day of Kindergarten Certificates for The Kissing Hand

First Day of School Certificate - This sweet first day of school certificate features Chester the raccoon. Have these printed up and ready to go in no time so that they are already done before the first day of school. (Based on this original that's no longer available.) Or check out this non-raccoon alternative first day of school certificate.

(27 Fresh Kissing Hand Freebies and Teaching Resources) My First Day of School Memory Book - KindergartenWorks.com
source: kinderalphabet.com

My First Day of School Memory Book - This simple memory book may be just the right amount of coloring and "writing" for documenting the first day of school over the first week of school. You can add a photo of the student on the illustration page.

(27 Fresh Kissing Hand Freebies and Teaching Resources) Chester Raccoon Craftivity - KindergartenWorks.com
source: alwaysfirstgrade.blogspot.com

Chester Raccoon Craftivity - This sweet raccoon head and tail background makes a nice craftivity to connect with the book. You could do a handprint and name sample in place of writing sample for first week of school for a little less writing {ahem, per brand new kinders still learning to hold a pencil}.

Kissing Hand Response Coloring Page
source: kindergartenatheart.blogspot.com

[Original unavailable] Coloring Page - A simple and straightforward coloring page that asks parents to ask the student about the story. Plus, here are a few more coloring pages you may find handy. [similar coloring page avaliable here]

How I Felt on the First Day of School Writing Page for The Kissing Hand
source: mrsbyrdskinder.blogspot.com

On the First Day I Felt Page - Print this handy response page for day two or three of the first week of school. Students write about how they felt on the first day and draw a picture.

(27 Fresh Kissing Hand Freebies and Teaching Resources) Chester Raccoon Craftivity Topper or Headband Pattern - KindergartenWorks.com
source: wildaboutfirsties.blogspot.com

Chester Raccoon Craftivity Topper or Headband Pattern - These raccoon face and hand patterns would make adorable headbands. They also can top any writing or work piece you've done in kindergarten or first grade.

(27 Fresh Kissing Hand Freebies and Teaching Resources) Chester Loves School Emergent Reader - KindergartenWorks.com
source: printables.atozteacherstuff.com

Chester Loves School Emergent Reader - This simple black and white emergent reader has 5 pages listing things that Chester loves: his mommy, friends, teacher, bookbag and of course - school!

Kissing Hand Activities for Kindergarten

(27 Fresh Kissing Hand Freebies and Teaching Resources) First Day of School Feelings Class Book - KindergartenWorks.com
source: mrsparisisclass.blogspot.com

First Day of School Feelings Class Book - Create a class book of your first day of school hand prints to save all year long.

(27 Fresh Kissing Hand Freebies and Teaching Resources) Painted Kissing Hand - KindergartenWorks.com
source: spartanburg2.k12.sc.us

Painted Kissing Hand - This is a classic activity that I think originally came from the Mailbox magazine. I've recreated this myself even but simply used die-cut hearts to glue on instead of whipping out the scissors on day one. Here is a free alternative to print and use.

(27 Fresh Kissing Hand Freebies and Teaching Resources) Loving Hands Cutout - KindergartenWorks.com
source: krokotak.com

Loving Hands Cutout - Make a precious hand print that is traced turned into 2 handprints and a heart.

Chester Raccoon Puppet {automatic download} - I believe this raccoon puppet template was originally found from Kristen at Love Two Teach. You may also love these alternative pieces that are more simple.

(27 Fresh Kissing Hand Freebies and Teaching Resources) Chester Raccoon Craft - KindergartenWorks.com
source: dltk-kids.com

Paper Plate Raccoon Craft - Add a little gray paint to a paper plate and you've got the start to a modern-looking raccoon. This craft could be a paint and assemble project or add to your hallways displays.

Kissing Hand First Day Poem and Song - Teach a first day of school song to the tune of Kookaberra which reinforces the nocturnal nature of raccoons and why Chester would go to school at night. You'll also find a poem for the first day of school that might be suitable for first grade.

(27 Fresh Kissing Hand Freebies and Teaching Resources) Kissing Hand Necklace - KindergartenWorks.com
source: mrsnelsonsclass.com

Kissing Hand Necklace - Here is a fun twist on the "I Love You" sign language Valentine. This first day of school necklace has a "kiss" (a heart shaped sticker) in the middle and students can wear it for the rest of the first day of school.

"Chester Hunt" Tour the School - Acquaint your sutdents with hallway procedures and the layout of the school by taking a school tour. It's a fun and surefire way to get them up and moving! This activity is similar to the Pete the Cat scavenger hunt.

(27 Fresh Kissing Hand Freebies and Teaching Resources) Comparing Class vs. Chester Raccoon - KindergartenWorks.com
source: eberhartsexplorers.blogspot.com

Comparing Class vs. Chester Raccoon - Dig into learning with a whole group comparison activity. After re-reading the book, students can compare Chester with the class.

Chester Raccoon books and videos

Not sure if you have enough first day or first week read aloud books?

Here is a list of current titles available that I think are a good classroom fit. (And just a heads up that these are affiliate links to Amazon)

  • The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
  • A Kissing Hand for Chester Raccoon

Alternative first day of school books to The Kissing Hand

  • The Night Before Kindergarten
  • First Day Jitters
  • Welcome to Kindergarten
  • Kindergarten, Here I Come!
  • Mrs. Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten

Kissing Hand audiobooks

These are the best online versions of this story being read aloud to students.

Each video is right about 5 minutes long and a great way to break up the first day of school.

And you can use this video follow-up teaching guide after. It is put together in a nice, list format and has a book summary, discussion points, and 14 activity ideas.

Let's wrap it up

There you have it - Kissing Hand freebies, activities, videos, and books listed all in one place. I hope that you save time with this teacher-curated list.

Ready for more story ideas to help keep your classroom going all year long? You may just love 87 Cool Pete the Cat Freebies and Teaching Resources.

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.

More Beginning of the Year Ideas

  • 5 Activities You Shouldn’t Skip the First Week of Kindergarten
  • How To Line Up the First Day of School
  • Simple Chart for Teaching Students When to Use the Restroom
27 Kissing Hand Freebies and Teaching Resources27 Kissing Hand Freebies and Teaching Resources
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About Leslie Simpson

Leslie is the teacher behind KindergartenWorks. She believes in teaching kinders how to be pretty incredible along with teaching them to read, write and think for themselves. She enjoys drinking hot tea, making mud pies with her three kids and sharing what she's learned with teachers.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cathy says

    September 03, 2022 at 9:43 pm

    Hi,
    I always print your Kissing Hand certificate each year but I can't seem to access it this year. Any tips?

    Reply
    • Leslie Simpson says

      September 11, 2022 at 9:49 pm

      I couldn't find it anymore either. Seems that the original authors took it down. Let me see if I can create a cute raccoon-themed certificate!
      - Leslie

      Reply
  2. Tracy Rubinstein says

    September 08, 2021 at 8:55 pm

    Thank you so much for all of your amazing activities and lessons! I am a new kindergarten teacher and you are helping with my first day jitters!!

    Reply
  3. Dori Mattia says

    August 23, 2021 at 10:58 pm

    Your amazing I want to follow you. I have been a special education teacher for 30years but am always looking for a bright new idea. Looking foward to your stuff.

    xo Dori

    Reply
  4. Dianne says

    January 15, 2020 at 12:56 am

    Thank you so much for all of these wonderful activities Leslie. I love them all!

    Reply
  5. Cheryl says

    July 28, 2017 at 2:36 am

    Thanks for sharing so many ideas I think that I will focus on some activities for the first 2 half days. Take home note great parent connection.

    Reply

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