Remember when you were a kid and it was back to school time? I went to traditional school, I was not homeschooled, and I remember getting excited about school supply shopping and new fall clothes. That was the excitement of back to school.
And the 1st day of school. That was fun as well. New outfit, mom made our favorite breakfast, and we left with our cool new school supplies excited for the year.
So, as homeschoolers, we don’t necessarily need new school supplies, or a new backpack every year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun.
Remember to celebrate back to school. Make it special. Even if you homeschool year round, you probably take a break as you transition into your next year’s curriculum or graduate to the next math level. Whatever way you “move up” be sure to take a minute and celebrate the start of your next year.
Here are some fun things to do to celebrate back to school time in your homeschool.
#1 – Go School Supply Shopping
Back to school time for the traditional schools brings school supply sales. Then, after the rush, the supplies will likely go on sale even more to get rid of the excess. Decide when you want to shop and let the kids have fun getting some next supplies. Fun pencils, a cute eraser, and maybe a new back pack from time to time is fun. Even if you don’t do co-ops or anything that REQUIRES a backpack, you might find having one is a good way to stay organized or take school on the go with you if you have a doctor appointment or want to school under the tree at the park from time to time. Kids loving picking out a new backpack and fun folders or pencils.
Even if you have to go to Goodwill or the 2nd hand store, take the time to let your kids pick out one new outfit for the year. This could be one that they will wear for school pictures or to an event or whatever you think would be good. My daughter looks forward to picking out her one new outfit every year. And every year we have had a different budget for that outfit, but she loves it. My son really doesn’t care much but he likes that he gets something. This year he wants a Minecraft t-shirt – ok. So, looks like his new back to school outfit will have a Minecraft t-shirt in it. My daughter, on the other hand, will have to do some narrowing down!
#3 – Have a fun 1st day of School Breakfast
Donuts are a very special thing in our house. We don’t have them often (or ever really) so about 2 years ago we started the tradition that on the 1st day of school I run out and get donuts for us to have. They love that they get donuts for the 1st day of school. They think its fun and its a special occasion thing and they get super excited about it. No you don’t have to choose donuts, but try something interesting or different. Maybe you go out for breakfast. I have friends that their first day of school tradition is that they go out to breakfast with dad before he goes to work. Do what works for your family. But make the 1st day of school special.
#4 – Keep the day short
Don’t try to cram it all in on the first day. We do a light day the first day and then go out to lunch and then to the park. This makes the first day more fun and not long. It’s a good transition from no school to school for us. We enjoy getting the opportunity to get school done, it motivates them to get started when they know they get to go out to lunch and, besides, at my house, they need to go to the park and play because they have to run off all that sugar from their donuts! 🙂
I have seen many ways to document the first day of school on Pinterest. You can find fun printables to fill out, coloring pages, chalkboard print outs, and all kinds of fun things to do. We have stuck to hand written signs with a name and grade on them. Whatever you choose to do, document the first day of school somehow. We do a picture with the handmade sign and love to look back it after the year has concluded. You will be happy you have this documentation someday. It can be a fun way to display that new outfit or silly clothes your kids love to wear to their school. Whatever you choose, grab a quick photo – you will be glad you did.
There are many ways to celebrate back to school time. I have certainly found that making the day special gets us off to a much better start and preparing for the year with some fun activities makes my kids look forward to school starting, not blind sided by the change in schedule.
What do you do to celebrate back to school at your house?
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