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Back to School, Back to School…
Well folks, summer break is coming to an end. The 2022-2023 school year is right around the corner. My oldest is starting Kindergarten this year and its got me feeling super sentimental. I got to thinking about what fun back-to-school traditions I could start with my family to continue every year. Simple things that are realistic and make the beginning of the year special. So, here is a list of 15 Back to School traditions that I’ve put together. I hope you’ll start a tradition or two this year!
1. First Day of School Picture
I know you’ve seen these all over social media. The typical first day picture with a cute little “First Day of School” picture board like this one. Take a few minutes on the morning of the first day of school to snap some pictures of your kiddo with that board. You won’t regret it. Plus, you can do a follow up picture on the last day of school and see how much they have grown.
2. Decorate Their Bedroom Door
I don’t know about you, but my kids get jazzed when I throw up some streamers and blow up some balloons. It is a cheap and easy way to make the day special. After they go to bed, spend a few minutes decorating their door. When they wake up, they will be so surprised and excited for the day!
3. Chalk the Walk
If there is no rain in the forecast, it could be super fun to have your kids help you color your driveway/sidewalk with chalk. I always like to look at Art for Kids Hub on Youtube to get some inspiration and step by step instruction on drawing masterpieces. Seriously though, how fun to walk down the sidewalk or driveway on a uniq, back-to-school themed work of art you and your kids created! Snap a pic of it too so you can look back at your creations over the years.
4. Read a Special Book the Night Before
My sweet mother-in-law had this idea and sent the kids the book, The Kissing Hand. It is so sweet. I cried the first time I read it. It is going to be the perfect book to read for the night before the big day. Here is a great list of back-to-school books I found from A Teachable Teacher.
5. All About Me Questionnaire
You can find free printables of these questionnaires all over the internet. I just think it would be so f it to interview your child every year and see how their responses change and mature. Here’s another idea: VIDEO record your kids’ responses each year. Goodness, can you imagine having 17 years of first day of School interviews recorded? How priceless would that be? I am doing this FOR SURE. Here are a few FREE printable questionnaires: Teachers pay teachers, Pjs and Paint, do.play.learn.
6. Celebrate School Year’s Eve with a Special Dinner
One dinner that I rarely make (because it is a lot of work) is breakfast for dinner (or Brinner as I like to call it). I go full out: homemade pancakes from scratch, eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit salad…the whole shebang. Usually, I reserve Brinner for special occasions only. I am thinking that New School Year’s Eve is just the occasion for a special dinner this year! Here is my favorite pancake recipe.
7. Lunch Box Love Note
A simple “I LOVE YOU” stuffed into a lunch box can brighten your little one’s face, especially on a day when they may be missing their Mama. I remember my mom doing this for us growing up. I can’t wait to pass this tradition on to my own children.
8. Ice Cream
Let’s be honest, at the very least your kid has earned an ice cream treat for surviving an 8 hour day away from their home and their mom. It is a harsh reality of assignments and rules they walk into on the first day. So, give them some ice cream. It can even be BEFORE dinner…I won’t judge.
9. Say a “First Day of School” Prayer as a Family
Gather your kids and your spouse and take a moment to pray for the upcoming school year. Pray for your children’s protection and the wisdom to know right from wrong. Pray for them to find friends who make good decisions and influence your children in a positive way. And Pleasen forget to pray for their teachers and administrators, bus drivers and custodians. Let each child have a turn to pray as well. What better way to start off a new school year than this?
10. A Visit from the Backpack Fairy
This may be a fun tradition to keep for younger children (like elementary age). Have your child set their backpack in a special place the night before the first day of school. After they go to sleep, fill it with treats and fun school supplies for them to open that next morning.
11. Record Your Children’s Height
Find a wall in your house and start recording your kids’ heights. Make a point to do it every year on their first day of school. It is such a fun way to look back at how much your child has grown over a year. The kids love seeing proof of themselves getting bigger too! You can even buy something like this measuring stick to hang on the wall to record their measurements so that if you ever move, you can take it with you!
12. One Last Summer Adventure
The last 2 years, we have taken my kids to a waterpark right before the school year starts. It has been a fun way to close the summer. My in-laws rent an RV spot and take their camper. The kids spend the night with them and then we meet them for the waterpark adventure the next day. Your last summer adventure doesn’t have to be some big ordeal. It could be a hike and a picnic. It could be a trip to the children’s museum in your city. The possibilities are endless.
13. Give a Little Gift
What kid doesn’t love a shiny new toy? Celebrate the start of the new school year with a fun new toy for them to enjoy. Our favorite “toy store” is 5 Below. Everything is $5 or less, y’all. It is perfect for a mom with 3 kids who all inevitably break their new toy within 1 week of having it. I can get the perfect little toy for not a lot of money and my kids feel special. It’s awesome.
Happy School Year!
We here at Texas Frozen Tropics hope that you and your family have a wonderful 2022-2023 School Year! We hope you can use at least one of our 13 back to school traditions. I put together a little graphic with all these traditions for your quick reference:
Let the adventure begin!
