Have students do a drawing or a painting of themselves. Each child can share his portrait and tell something about himself as a get-to-know-you activity. Then create a bulletin board with all the portraits.
Students can draw or paint a scene representing something they did over the summer. Each child can present her picture, explain what the scene is and tell about her vacation.
Make copies of a simple squiggle you create. Have each student turn the squiggle into whatever they want and color it. Compare the different results you get from the same starting point.
Give each child a piece of construction paper and have them fold it in thirds. Let them write or paint their names on the center third and decorate it with stickers, paint or markers. Glue the two open edges together for nameplates for their desks.
Have each student decorate a piece of construction paper to be the front cover of her memory book. Include the student's name, grade, school year and any design she wants. Attach the cover to blank sheets of white paper that the students will fill in with memories to review at the end of the school year.