Why are the children the first to arrive for the lottery in the book the lottery?

The children are the first to reach the square for the lottery because they have nothing to do as the school was closed for the holidays. moreover, it could also be because they do not fully understand the gravity of the situation and the 'event' is a sort of entertainment and respite from their normal boring holidays.

Explanation:

Shirley Jackson's short story "The Lottery" revolves around the age-old tradition of a small village in choosing a 'winner' for the annual sacrifice. The story delves into how past traditions, which may seem outdated and even barbaric still tends to 'dictate' how man live their lives and how this acts as an obstacle for any development and progress.

At the beginning of the story, the narrator mentions how the children were the first to assemble for the 'lottery' draw. This was partly because "School was recently over for the summer, and the feeling of liberty sat uneasily on most of them". But it could also suggest that they think of this "lottery" as something exciting, and do not fully understand the gravity of the situation had the 'winner' been one of them.

For them, this event was a form of entertainment, a break from the usual boredom of holiday, a respite from their boring everyday life trying to keep themselves occupied. They readily collected stones, for they know it is required and they willfully did it without being told to do so. Unlike the parents who took their time reaching the scene, the children represent the 'innocent' souls unaware of the consequences for the lottery's "winner".