There are so many ideas to make back to school fun and exciting. Starting school for some kids is fun enough on its own but for others, it’s a little scary and overwhelming. 

That’s why adding a little extra fun is a great way to ease some of a child’s nerves about returning to school. Some of these ideas can be used any year and others are meant to become traditions that are repeated each year. Who doesn’t love a good tradition? 

 

It’s Okay to Start Traditions Later than Kindergarten!

One thing I often hear from other parents is that they wish they would have started a tradition early on. I always remind parents that it’s never too late to start a new tradition (unless, of course, it’s the last day of high school).

Now before we get started, I thought I’d share a little fun throwback back to school tradition from my family. My Mom didn’t start this tradition until we are a little older. It just shows you that despite not starting the tradition until later, I still fondly remember it as a back to school tradition for our family.

Here I am in fifth and tenth grade. My outfit in fifth grade was the absolute coolest. All of my friends were coming to me for fashion advice. (Thanks, Mom, for scanning these for me! And for purchasing me such a neat outfit. That’s a lot of different types of stripes in one outfit.) Of course, my bell-bottom jeans (that I picked out myself), had bells so big you couldn’t even see my shoes. I am wondering how I got around the school without tripping all day.

Looking for some more tradition fun? Check out these birthday traditions. (Can you tell that I love traditions?)

 

25 Ideas to Make Back to School Fun and Exciting

To make finding a new idea for back to school easier, I split the list into four categories. 

• Back to School Picture Ideas

• Other Magical Back to School Ideas

• Back to School Breakfasts

• Back to School Parties

 

Back to School Parties

Back to School Party from Iron and Twine

What an adorable party to host with the neighborhood kids, cousins, or friends. The paper bag theme makes decor easy. The kids’ meals are super simple and store-bought cookies can make dessert just as easy.

Vintage Globe Back to School Dinner from Life is a Party

The globes add a special touch to dinner over at Life is a Party. This would be fit for older children that still enjoy a special back to school dinner that isn’t into the little kid decor.

 

Back to School Party from The Sits Girls

This is another charming back to school party. The best part is they include some free party printables including a memory page. I love the Jitters Juice which is supposed to help with first-day school jitters (maybe it will help my jitters, too??).

 

Back to School Party from Hoosier Homemade

I love Hoosier Homemade’s back to school games for this simple back to school party. Just wait until you see their creative pencil party favors.

 

Back to School Party from Catch my Party

I love Catch my Party. I could honestly spend hours browsing parties thrown by other amazing Moms (and Dads). Check out this fantastic party created by Celebrate in Detail.

Back to School Breakfasts

Pencil Waffles from the Joys of Boys

These Waffles are too cute! What kid wouldn’t love to eat these on their first day of school? They’re the perfect size for dipping into syrup.

Apple Waffles from Random Thoughts of a Supermom

These apples make back-to-school a little extra special. They are even a little healthier than your average waffle (with a surprise addition).

Apple Doughnut from Your Home Based Mom

What an easy breakfast to make for the first day of school! What kid doesn’t love doughnuts? Plus, there are easy enough that they won’t add a ton of extra stress on an already stressful morning.

 

Doughnut Rulers from Your Home Based Mom

Your Home Based Mom does it again with these adorable maple bar doughnuts. They’re another quick and easy breakfast that will get your kid in the mood for school.

Breakfast Sundaes from Dinner at the Zoo

While these aren’t shaped like a traditional school item, they are SO much fun. My boys love yogurt so this would be perfect for them. Sprinkles make everything more exciting.

 

Back to School Plates from Spaceships and Laser Beams

Make any breakfast a little extra special with these quick, easy, and cheap apple paper plates. I don’t know about you, but I always have random colors of paper plates laying around from previous parties. I am pretty sure I have some felt, too. With some leftovers, it would take just a few minutes to make these adorable plates.

 

Other Magical Back to School Ideas

Free Printable Lunchbox Notes from Mom Envy

Looking to add some cute lunchbox notes the first day (or week) of school? Check out these 40 free ready to print notes. There are even 10 for your non-readers!

 

 

Free Bracelet Poem Printable from Over the Big Moon

(The original version and poem is from Tie Dye Diva)

What an adorable idea to give a child a bracelet to make the first day of school a little less scary. I would have loved this as a kid.

 

Back to School Shopping Date & Board Game from The Dating Divas

This site has two great back to school ideas to your kid excited for school. First, is a date night to go shopping for school. My son and I have planned to do this and he is so excited. I always think it’s a good idea to let kids be involved in buying their school supplies (so they can pick out what they like, can see the materials they will be using throughout the year, and give you the opportunity to talk to them about how they’re feeling about school).

 

Candy Grams from The Gunny Sack

What a perfect gift from a grandparent, friend, or neighbor. It’s also super inexpensive and easy-to-make. Tonia gives you a free printable to make a quick and easy back-to-school treat.

 

The Backpack Fairy from Blissful Roots

Isn’t this so much fun? What a great way to start your child’s school year. If your like me and want to have their backpack ready the night before, then you could do the same thing but place it in a gift bag at their seat for breakfast in the morning or outside of their bedroom door.

Back to School Schultutes from Frog Prince Paperie

These are so much fun. I love that she takes a simple gift of some fun school supplies and a few treats and turns them into something much more exciting with some pretty paper and tissue paper.

 

Back to School Interview from Giggles Galore

This a free printable back to school interview. This would be an adorable keepsake save each year.

 

Countdown from The Stay at Home Mom’s Survival Guide

Do you have a child that is anxious or excited about starting school? This countdown will help little ones know how many days they have left until the first day of school.

 

Back to School Picture Ideas

Biography Overlay from Priceless Impressions

This is what I have decided to do for my boy’s back to school pictures. I am not great with handwriting (especially a chalkboard), and you all can tell by now that I love Photoshop. So I plan to use these as inspiration to do an about me for my boys on their first day of school. It will be so much fun to look back years later and see what their favorites were or what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Chalkboard Sign to Hold Designs by Nicolina

Need a last-minute sign for your kids to hold? Quickly download and print a First Day and Last Day sign over at Designs by Nicolina.

 

Colorful Grade Balloon From Designed Improvised 

Balloons and kids always make an instantly cute picture. There is something whimsical about a child holding a balloon. This colorful balloon with the child’s grade couldn’t be a sweeter way to mark the new school year.

 

Graduation Year T-Shirt from Where the Smiles Have Been

I have always loved this idea. Since I have a Silhouette it would be an easy project for me to complete. I was so excited to see that Christine has updated this each year so we can watch her son grow (which has made me want to do this that much more).

Holding Last Year’s Picture from Call Me Crafty Al

Oh my goodness, this is so sweet. I love seeing how much they change from one year to the next.

 

“Stop Crying Mom” Sign from Adventures in Bradysitting

What I love about this is first, it’s hilarious. Second, you can change the saying year after year. It could say, “Mom, stop celebrating.” “Mom, stop embarrassing me.” All the funny kids say to you as they get older. And since it’s chalkboard, you can change it up for each child and use it for the traditional grade pictures.

 

Yearly Chalk Drawing from Paging Fun Moms

This is so simple and fun. If you’ve run out of ink, no problem. Just grab some sidewalk chalk. The best part is your kids can help out, too!