Corn snakes are great first snakes, but I'd hardly say they are active and diurnal.
Many kings do seem to be diurnal, and they are pretty easy to care for as a first snake. They are active when hungry (which is most of the time).
Garter snakes are quite active and very much diurnal. At least the ones I've dealt with are. They are certainly decent first snakes.
Pituophis (gophers, pines and bulls) are pretty much diurnal, but not nearly as active as garters. They can be intimidating as a first snake because they are fairly defensive when young. A lot of it is bluff though so they can be handled if you dont mind the occasional strike.
Indigos and cribos are diurnal but pretty expensive, and probably not the best for a beginner.
There are others that are diurnal and active, but nothing else comes to mind that is also easy to handle. Coachwhips for example would not make a great first snake. I'm sure there's something I've left out though.
A nice garter is probably a good bet.
other Roy
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1 adult bull snake: "Dozer"; 1.1 juvenile bull snakes: Oscar and Phoebe; 3 baby red-sided garters; 1.1 macklot's pythons
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