As the first day of school approaches, it’s important not only to keep an eye on your child’s mood, behavior, sleep patterns, and appetite but to recognize all the positive aspects of heading back to the classroom. Parents need to celebrate both the return to school and the academic success their kids have achieved so far.
But what does that kind of celebration look like?
Below are five back to school ideas that will help bridge the gap between summer mode and school mode, and build positive excitement and anticipation for that all-important first day back in the classroom.
1. “Yes Day”
If you have elementary school–aged children, there’s a good chance you crowded together on the couch to watch Yes Day! on Netflix, which is based on the 2009 picture book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld. A “yes day” is what it sounds like: It’s an entire day where your every answer to your kids will be, “yes.”
Sibyl Volker and her husband started doing end-of-school “yes days” when their now 8-year-old son finished kindergarten. It’s become a tradition every June for the Portland, Oregon, family of two.
“We’ve promised them each their own day to pick out adventures before school starts,” Volker shares. “Our daughter has already decided she wants to ride roller coasters, and our son will likely want to play video games and go swimming.”
If your family’s “yes day” includes candy for breakfast, delight them with a smorgasbord of sweets for the morning meal.
But what about food? “There will be sugar,” Volker remarks. “And probably tacos.”
Do the kids want breakfast for dinner? Then say “yes” with a customized assortment of baked goods including scones, a pecan kringle, English muffins, and a cinnamon roll. Now that’s a good start to the day….
2. Movie night
Everyone loves going to the movies. Re-create that in-theater magic by hosting a movie night at home.
Start by creating a movie marquee listing age-appropriate film titles to choose from — school-themed movies or films based on your family’s favorite books are a good place to start.
For an indoor experience, rearrange furniture so the screen is the focal point; toss pillows on the floor so little ones can stretch out. For outdoor viewing, line up patio chairs, blankets, or sleeping bags under the stars, all facing the projection screen.
Don’t have a projection screen? You can DIY a makeshift screen by clipping a white full-size, flat sheet to a dark wall and then clipping it to staked poles or even a clothesline. The secret is to pull the sheets super taut to remove any wrinkles.
And, of course, no movie night is complete without snacks. Set up a table off to the side where kids can help themselves to a scoop of butter, cheese, and caramel popcorn or grab an individual back-to-school-themed snack pack or cake pop. And don’t forget the beverages…for kids and adults!
3. Time capsule
Time capsules are an interactive storytelling project that the entire family can create for their future selves. Items that go into the time capsule can have personal meaning or represent life at this point in time. They can be sentimental or even a bit humorous, such as:
- A favorite toy or stuffed animal
- A family photo
- A letter to your future self
- Old cell phones
- A family questionnaire
4. Classmate meet and greet
If you already know the other students in your child’s class, planning a meetup at a local park or playground is one of the more fun and social back to school ideas. Setting up designated activity zones, such as a craft table to make personalized name tags and a cookie decorating station, will help kids get back into the groove of hands-on projects and time management.
5. Teacher appreciation party
Teachers have long been unsung heroes, so why not host a teacher appreciation party? Your child and their classmates can create handmade gifts that communicate both their excitement about going back to school and their appreciation for all their teacher’s hard work.
One gift could be a thank-you poster on which each student makes a handprint with nontoxic, washable paint and writes a personal message.
Expressing gratitude can also be done in the form of personalized gifts, such as pencil holders, tote bags, name plates, and more.
