Summertime is coming to an end and soon it's back to the books. If you and your kids have the back-to-school blues, why not create some special traditions to make starting the new school year more fun?
Here are some ideas to get you started!
Purchase School Supplies For Kids in Need
School supply shopping is oh, so fun. But shopping for someone else can be a blast, too. Sign up to donate supplies to a student in need and have your child make the selections. You'll get a kick out of how excited kids get when choosing supplies for another kid. They take their job very seriously. This is a great way to remind kids of how fortunate they are to have supplies of their own and how helping someone else feels good. There are programs across the country that you can participate in. Search online to find a program in your area like Volunteers of America's Operation Backpack or Kids in Need Foundation.
Take a Special First Day of School Photo
We'd be remiss if we didn't mention this one. Who doesn't love the super cute first day of school photos that everyone posts on Facebook? Photo ideas range from the simple to the downright crafty. Regardless of how fancy you want to get, a first day photo of the kiddos is truly a must. And, of course, there are gajillions of ideas on Pinterest if you want to get ambitious with your pics!
Hold a Measuring Ceremony
The first day of school is a big milestone and what better time to do a measuring ceremony? The night before school starts (don't try this during the busy morning on top of everything else you'll be doing!) line up the kids and log their stats. How tall are they? How much do they weigh? You can even trace their feet and hands on a blank piece of paper and use a tape measure to measure the circumference of their little heads! Be sure to write the measurements down in one place and keep it safe. Then, at the end of the year, measure again! You know they'll grow mentally, so it will be fun to see how they'll grow physically as well.
Host a Pancake Breakfast With Friends
To calm first day jitters, why not invite some friends over for breakfast? Consider an easy meal the kids will love, like a pancake bar. Cook up a bunch of pancakes and give the kids options of toppings from syrup to berries to whipped cream to chocolate chips and more. Then, send the kids off to school as a group.
Choose Goals For the Year
Get your year off to an inspirational start by helping your child choose some goals for the year. Create categories like school, sports, friends, art, family, or another area that's important to her. These goals can be broad or specific, depending on your child. It will be fun to see what she comes up with! Here's an added twist: come up with some related goals of your own. Then, work together throughout the year to exceed them!
Write a Back to School Biography
Here's a great way to get a little writing practice in before school starts. A week or so before the first day of school, have your child write a biography about himself. You can write a series of questions for him to answer or just let him write about what types of things he thinks are important to include (that would be fun in itself!) Each year, read the prior year's biography and marvel about what's different and what's the same.
Treat The Gang to After School Ice Cream
After a long and probably hot day at school, head over to the ice cream shop for a cold treat. It's a great way to hold on to that last bit of summer and chances are, you'll run into some other families so you can chat about what a day everyone had!
Back-to-school traditions are all about helping get kids excited for the new year, reminding them how special they are, and encouraging them to look forward to all of the exciting things in store for them. It's up to you: choose a bunch or just one or two special traditions. Either way, your kids will remember them always. And, so will you.
Amy Desrosiers says
My kids will be heading back to school soon. I am excited to get them into one of these traditions.
Karlyn Cruz says
I really love this! My son is going to be in the first grade so I think I'm going to definitely use the new scrapbook I got and place some really great pics in it this year. Thank you for these ideas and I know his friends would love the ice cream after school idea! How fun!
Rosey says
I love the idea of treating everyone to ice cream. I recently bought supplies for a LOT of kids (long story). It's nice to help, and you're right it can be fun.
Chrystal | Nevermore Lane says
I like the idea of having a little pancake breakfast with friends. Good way to start the school year. Especially if there are new kids in the neighborhood needing to get to know someone at school.
Jamie H says
We're a homeschooling family, but we do a couple of these already. Every year I sit down with each kid and we go over goals for the year. I set goals I know they need to attain, but I accept their input, and I love hearing the things they come up with! We also take advantage of the back to school sales to buy items to fill shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child!
Our Family World says
I like the idea of hosting a Pancake breakfast with the child's friends. It would reduce the child's anxiety if he/she would start the first day of the school year by having breakfast with their friends and going to school together afterwards. I'm letting my sister know about these ideas too.
Annemarie LeBlanc says
I like your suggestions of starting a back to school tradition. The only thing I did when my kids were young was to take a photo of them on their first day of school. Looking back at those photos, it is just amazing to see how much they grow in a year's time.
Wendy Polisi says
I love the pancake idea. Having them all go together is a wonderful idea.
Vicky says
So many great ways to make the start of school year memorable. We always do a photo on our doorstep of the kids with their backpacks. It is fun to look back and see how much they have grown and changed.
Tami says
While my older two have graduated high school, I do have a child heading into preschool. Even though it won't be 'back to school', it will be a great opportunity to start some of these new traditions. While we already plan to take a photo, I love the idea of a measuring ceremony.
Bites for Foodies says
These are some really great ideas! I especially love the idea of giving to the needy...my kids have been taught from a young age to be generous and to give to those in need. I think they would actually love that idea!
Amanda says
I love these ideas! They are all so fun and memorable. The back to school biography is an awesome idea, something fun to keep and for them to look back on!
April says
I miss back to school prepping! I loved getting my kids excited for a new school year. The best part for them was school shopping! Not very exciting, right? We loved camping to wind down for the summer as well!
Nickida says
What a fun and cool idea. I'll be doing some of these for sure before the kids head back in two weeks. I love to idea of buying for families in need. It's a great way to show your kids how to pay it forward and help those who may not be able to afford it.
Carol Cassara says
I don't have kids but I think taking pictures is a lovely tradition, you get to document the start of each year and keep memories of it too! I love these ideas!
AnnMarie John says
Awesome ideas to get the kids excited for school! It's been a little crazy since our youngest is starting school this year. We try to make it super fun for her! These will help for sure.
Melissa Dixon says
I like all of these ideas for heading back to school. These are all ways to make it more fun for everyone. I really like the idea of documenting things and watching for change over time. I never thought to measure on the first day of school, what a great way to see change! Thank you for sharing!
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
Growing up my Mom always took the standard waiting for the bus on the corner picture. I love the idea of buying supplies for children in need.
Veronica says
So important to start a legacy of traditions that include giving. Great lessons for the youngsters
Liz Mays says
These would be so fun! We did do photos for most years. It's interesting to look back on them now!
Ora Lee Gurr says
This is an excellent list of back to school things to do. My favorite is listing goals because they can be about any part of school and help make each day interesting.
melissa chapman says
I love the first day of school as a milestone and we always take a picture. I usually follow their weight and height from their annual checkup but first day of school works too.
Sapana V says
These activities are really cool. I liked each activity.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
These are such great ideas! I think it's important to establish traditions for almost every part of life. It makes lifelong memories for the kids.
robin rue says
Those are all super fun ideas. I think I might have to do a pancake breakfast this year.
Debra C. says
I love how present you're making back-to-school time! The measuring ceremony, back to school photo - super fun! And purchasing supplies for children in need shows to kids how to give back. Such great information!!