First day of school traditions are sure to make heading back more fun and memorable. Including simple ideas like a fun breakfast or a back to school lunch, to taking pictures, you’ll want to get started making these first-day memories as soon as possible.
Traditions for the First Day of School
Back to school time can be overwhelming, exciting, and a bit sad rolled all into one. While we’re excited for some freedom, the craziness of structure and lack of freedom can be a bummer for kids and parents alike. Even more so, this year kids all over the world are excited for some semblance of the school year they know and love.
This year, let’s make going back to school fun and exciting with these fun first day of school traditions.
1. Make a fun first day of school lunch!
It’s no surprise that I would recommend making a fun lunch for back to school. While many of us don’t have the patience, time, or even the want to make a fun lunch each day, once in a while is always a fun idea. It’s also a great way to remind kiddos all day that you’re thinking of them on their special day.
Make the day extra special by adding a fun lunch to your first day of school traditions.
(Already overwhelmed by back to school lunches? Check out my lunch box hacks here!)
2. Back to School Pancakes
My boys love pancakes, but they’re kind of a pain when it comes to day to day breakfasts.
I like to make a big batch of my fluffy buttermilk pancakes and freeze extras. When paired with sprinkles, fruit, whipped cream and a candle, you’ve got a fun and memorable breakfast to add to your family’s back to school traditions.
You can even try these apple cinnamon pancakes, ricotta pancakes, or even these fun green pancakes! if pancakes aren’t your thing, try these fun waffles for kids. They are fun, easy, and use frozen waffles.
3. Take their height
I always loved the idea of having a spot in our house to make the kids’ heights over the years. The problem is, it can be hard to consistently measure them. What a great way to remember to actually mark their heights than to mark it on the first day of school?
We measure our kids for their birthdays and the first day. They love it! We have spring babies, so it ends up being about every 6 months, but you may need to change it to space it out as needed.
4. Get a first day of school fun outfit!
Back to school shopping is always fun. As a kid, I mostly looked forward to grabbing a few new outfits. Make it one of your first day of school traditions to let your kids pick out their special outfit that fits their own style. New school year, new you!
5. The Requisite First day photo
Now that they have the fun outfit, make sure you take that iconic first day of school photo! Print out or have them decorate a “First Day of X” picture and snap a shot of their smiling faces before leaving for their first day. It will be a great way to look back each year and see them grow!
Bonus if you take a shot of them in the same place and pose each year.
6. A back to school dinner to remember
Make a dinner that your kids will adore – their favorite foods for their first day back! Or, do yourself a favor and order in their favorite food. Less work for you while you get back into the swing of busy weeknights!
We love these crazy easy pepperoni pizza rolls that you could make in 20 minutes or less.
7. Get a survey from them
Who doesn’t love those cute back to school surveys for kids to take? Ask them each year their favorite foods, what they want to be, and more simple questions that might change year to year. You’ll be glad you did when they’re graduating high school and wondering where that little baby went!
I love this printable one from What Mommy Does
8. First day after school snack
Go all out on a fun after school snack. Ignore healthy nutrition guidelines and make giant chocolate chip cookies, a make your own snack mix bar, or take them out to grab a cake pop from Starbucks. Its once in a while, making it totally worth the sugar rush.
Get my healthy cake pop recipe here or my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe here
9. Go off with a bang
Years ago I read about a mom who squeezes a whole summer of fun into the week before her kids go back to school. While they have fun during the summer, she made sure that last week was back to back day trips, pool time, and general fun.
Why? Because this way, when her kids when back to school and the teacher asked, “what did you do this summer?”, they had fresh memories and didn’t just mumble something about video games or “nothing”.
GENIUS, I tell you.
Okay so tell me – what are your plans for making back to school special? Do you have any first day of school traditions? Let me know in the comments!
Leave a Reply