8 Fun Back To School Traditions

These back to school traditions are great ways to celebrate the start of a new school year.

Summer has flown by in my household and school is too quickly approaching on the horizon.  That means it is time to start thinking of back to school – shopping for clothes and supplies, gathering lunch box ideas, and registrations.  In the midst of the busyness it is great to add in a few fun new back to school traditions, whether it is your child's first day of Kindergarten or they are already in 5th grade it is never too late to begin marking days with a special activity.

 8 Fun Back To School Traditions

1. First Day of School Photo's – Take a picture every year, in the same spot if you can, to really get an idea of their growth and change. There are a  veritable ton of free printable “First Day of School” signs on the internet – check out Pinterest. You can also write the info on a chalk or dry erase board and snap away!

2. Special Breakfast – Pop a French toast casserole in the fridge the night before to bake for breakfast on the first day of school, or make a batch of chocolate chip pancakes. It doesn't have to be a complicated breakfast, just make it special by allowing enough time for it to be a sit down family time.

3. School Supplies – Present school supplies in a brand new way- wrapped up, in a basket, make a school supply cake, hide them around the house for a fun scavenger hunt, or stuff a new backpack full and let them dig through it. Include a few special items like shaped erasers, scented markers, or folders with their favorite character. This is just a simple way to make the ordinary more fun.

4. Notes in Lunchboxes – Everyday or once a week, a sweet note from mom or dad can make your little one's day. Handwrite a special encouragement or find a bunch of printable predesigned notes on Pinterest.

5. Decorate – Either before they wake up, or as a surprise for when they get home. A few streamers and balloons hung in their bedroom doorway or lining the driveway can really add to the festive feeling of a new school year.

6. Back to School Interview – I love the idea of interviewing your kids each year and documenting their responses, as well as some growth milestones. You can dedicate a journal for this or scrapbook it. Record their age, height, weight, grade, and also a list of favorites like; color, friend, food, tv show. Don't forget to list what they want to be when they grow up, often this changes from year to year.

7. Special Dinner – Eat out or set the table with your child's favorite foods on the evening of the first day of school. Corn dogs and Mac N' Cheese, pizza, or steak. Let your child or children pick the menu. Better yet let them help you prepare the food while they tell you all about the new teacher, the new friends, and the old from the first day of school.

8. Short-Term Time Capsule – Include photos from the year, a sample of their handwriting, etc. Bury it in a special spot in the yard, each year you can dig up the year before, look it over and bury a new one to look forward too next year.

Try one or two of these new back to school traditions with your children this year!

More Back to School Tips

15 DIY School Supply Ideas

How to Save Money on School Supplies

9 Ways to Save on Back to School Supplies

9 Ways to Save on Back to School Clothing

How to Get Back to School Clothes Cheap or Free

15 Gluten-Free Lunch Ideas for Back to School