Can you believe that summer is almost summer and before you know it, the beginning of a new school year will be here?!!! Whether your child is starting preschool, 3rd grade or 9th grade, there are some things you can do to kick off the new school year with a bang. First day of school traditions can be started no matter what grade they are in, so why not start this year!
Photo Session- This is a great first day of school tradition, as you can do this each year and see how they’ve grown from year to year. You can take their picture in the living room after they have gotten dressed or at the bus stop as they wait for the school bus. Don’t forget to share the photos with your friends and family on Twitter, using hashtags like #Backtoschool, #Preschool, #Firstgrade or #Freshman.
Lunchbox Quote or Joke– Tuck a quote, joke or note of encouragement into their lunchbox. Here are some great ideas! First day of school quotes: “You’re off to great places. Today is your first day! Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way”- by Dr. Seuss and “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”- by Nelson Mandela. First day of school jokes: Question- Who is the king of school supplies? Answer- The ruler and Question- What do you call a kid with a dictionary in his pocket? Answer- Smarty pants. First day of school note of encouragement: “Always be yourself, because you’re the best,” and “Remember how much I love you today and forever.”
Family Movie Night- After their first day of school has come to a close, kick back, unwind and celebrate the start of a new school year with family movie night, complete with yummy popcorn. Need some ideas? Check out the 1996 Harriet the Spy, the 1996 Matilda, the 2005 Sky High, the 2006 High School Musical or the 2010 Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Time Capsule– Creating a time capsule on the first day of school each year, will provide your child with memories for years to come. You can use a plastic bin and have your child decorate it with stickers, glitter, markers or paint. What do you put in the time capsule? Here are some ideas: a newspaper clipping from that day, a cutout of their handprint, a special note from the teacher, a piece of ribbon cut to measure their height and/or a picture of them standing at the bus stop.
I love family traditions. These are some great back to school traditions. We homeschool, but have a few first day traditions of our own.
The first dayof school is always a special day and a time to capture memories and pictures. I have got to start sending my son some notes in his lunch for laughs, encouragement and affection too.
My oldest is starting Kindergarten on Monday so these ideas are actually pretty amazing and perfectly timed! Thanks for sharing!!
Great back to school ideas. All my friends do the first days of school picture. It is amazing when you look back at the end of the year and see how kids have grown over just a year.
That time capsule idea is fantastic! I wish I thought of this when my son started kindergarten. I guess we can always start next year.
These are great ideas! It’s nice to start a tradition especially if it’s your child’s first time to go to school. It’s really sweet to leave them notes in their lunchboxes!
I love seeing all the back to school photos on Facebook! Our kids are grown, so this is just a fun event, watching all the cute pictures pop up on my screen!