12+ Special Back to School Traditions To Start This School Year
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Who says heading back to school has to be a sad thing? These back to school traditions are an awesome way to kick off a great school year!
Hi friends,
Can you believe it’s that time again?
Back-to-school season is knocking on our doors so it’s time to dust off those backpacks, sharpen those pencils, and gear up for an awesome school year!
Tbh, the school year can be a bit of a rollercoaster. So why not start the ride on a high note?
Let’s sprinkle some magic on the return to the classroom with some seriously cool back to school traditions!
This post is all about back to school traditions
Awesome Back to School Traditions
1. Back to school photos
Okay, I’ll admit it.. This one is more for us parents. At least for now.
But, later on in life our kids will be so thankful for these precious memories and moments.
Aside from the obligatory front door first day of school photo, there are tons of other, more unique ways to take a first day of school photo!
We have tons of cute, funny and memorable first day of school photo ideas you gotta be sure to check out!
{Related Post: 25 First Day of School Picture Ideas You’ll Want To Recreate This Year!}
2. Back to school time capsule
How fun and special is this idea?!
As parents we know a year for kids might as well be five years. They change so much in such a short amount of time!
Put together a “__ grade time capsule” with your little one that they aren’t allowed to open till the last day of school!
This time capsule could include a piece of string that’s as tall as they are, a letter to themselves of what they hope to do and learn that year, a handprint, a note from you, etc.
It’ll be such a special moment for them at the end of the school year to reflect on how much they’ve changed and grown over the school year!
3. Decorate backpacks together
Let their personality shine!
When we’re busy ordering all of our back to school supplies we’ve made it a tradition to order backpack pins!
The kids love being able to sort through cute pins and patches to add to their backpack.
Something this simple really gets them excited for the first day of school!
Cute Back to School Backpack Pins
4. Plan the perfect back-to-school hairstyle
If your kids are anything like mine, they’ve had their first day of school outfit planned since July ?
But, you’re never fully dressed without a.. fun hairstyle!
I know back to school season means back to busy early mornings but carving out the time to do a special hairstyle for at least just the first day is something you won’t regret.
While you’re in the bathroom doing their hair be sure to use that time to share some affirmations for their big day too! Truly a great bonding and self esteem building opportunity.
5. Pack a fun back to school lunch
My kids always look forward to their first day of school lunch!
I try to make lunches a little fun everyday but the two times a year I really go the extra mile are on the first day and their birthday!
6. Add a sweet back to school lunch note
Nothing like a mid day pick-me-up note from mom to remind them how brave they are, how proud you are and that you’re thinking of them.
My daughter, who is a big 8 year old now, admitted to me one night that she loves when I write her notes and requested for me to start doing them again.
So yes, even if they don’t say anything, those small things like writing a quick note, make all the difference ✨
7. Decorate the car for back to school
This back to school tradition will have kids feeling like true V.I.P’s on the first day of school.
Grab some washable window markers and decorate the car for school morning drop off!
You can write things like “incoming 2nd grader” or “hip, hip, hooray! It’s the first day” or “Honk for first day of school good luck”!
Draw stars, apples, rulers, etc. all over the car and really do it up!
This is definitely one way to make an entrance and start the year off right!
8. Get to know the teacher (printable)
On the first day of school we love to send in a “teacher questionnaire” for our new teacher to fill out!
This is a must for us for two reasons.
One, it gives your little one a little insight into who their new teacher is. You can see if there’s anything you guys have in common, something you wouldn’t have guessed about them, etc.
It’s a good way to “humanize” a new teacher and adult authority figure in their life to help them to feel more comfortable around them!
Two, this paper will be a major cheat sheet for you when it comes to gift giving ideas! You’ll have a way better idea of what to get them for times like Teacher Appreciation Week, Christmas, etc.
Definitely a must!
9. Memory jar
Start a tradition of creating a memory jar!
On the first day of school, have your child write down how they’re feeling, something they are looking forward to or a goal for the year.
Throughout the school year, add more notes/photos to the jar to document positive moments!
Similar to the time capsule idea but instead of sealing it and not touching it, you’ll be adding to it all year long!
10. Back to school interview
Conduct a short interview with your child after their first day of school!
We a free printable here that they can answer and fill out themselves.
This makes an awesome keepsake OR you can add it to their time capsule/memory jar! At the end of the school year they can fill out a similar interview paper and see how their answers have changed.
11. Back to school paper chain countdown
This is such a fun way to start hyping up for the first day of school!
Grab some construction paper and cut them into 1-2 inch thick strips and use tape or a stapler to connect each piece of paper together.
Hang the chain somewhere they will remember and remove one chain every day leading up to the first day!
You can write inspirational little notes on each chain or I’ve even seen some parents give one new school supplies item a day to go along with the paper chain countdown!
12. Ready confetti
Wait! Don’t let all of that paper chain countdown paper go to waste!
Save the paper chain, cut it up into small squares and put it in a baggie.
On the first day of school label it as “magical ready confetti” and sprinkle it over your kiddos heads before they head out for good luck.
Think of it like pixie dust but rather for good luck on their first day! This is one of those back to school traditions that they will always remember!
13. Chalk walk
Decorate the driveway with chalk for the first day of school!
This is a great alternative to decorating the car if your kids are bus riders rather than car riders.
Write and draw inspirational notes to cheer them on as they head out to walk to the bus stop! Add a “good luck” hop scotch, “You’ve Got This!” signs, etc.
We normally do this on the last day of school but you can totally do it for the first day too!
14. Back to school books
Going back to school can be nerve wracking for any kid no matter how well adjusted.
Between a new classroom, new peers, new teachers, etc. it’s a lot for anyone. One way I help my kids get mentally ready for the first day back is with books!
We love to read books all about the first day of school, books that remind them that everyone is welcome at school and books that go over back to school emotions and how to process them.
Best Back to School Books For Kids
15. First day of school teacher gift
When we’re out and about getting school supplies and clothes we always make sure to pick up a small first day of school teacher gift.
Is this necessary? Absolutely not!
That said, we like to do this because it helps us feel like we’re starting the year out on the right note.
The first few weeks of school are an adjustment for everyone – including teachers so we like to express our gratitude when and where we can!
With the small gift, we also send in that “teacher questionnaire” for the teacher to fill out that helps us get to know them a bit better!
16. School supplies scavenger hunt
I heard about this on TikTok and thought it was such a neat idea!
If supplies shopping is super overwhelming to do with the kids, this is a fun alternative!
Set up a mini “back to school scavenger hunt” around the house where their mission is to find all of the hidden supplies and gather it up in their backpack.
This way you don’t need to drag them around going back to school supplies shopping but it’s still fun and gets them excited for the first day back!
17. Back to school outfit fashion show
Here’s an incredible way to boost confidence for the first day of school!
Kids seem to do an awful lot of growing during the summer so by the time back to school season rolls around they typically are need of a new outfit or two.
Let them strut their stuff down the hallway and cheer them on as if they’re in a fashion show showing off their new pieces. We literally include the whole family in this and everything and it’s always so much fun!
18. Backpack Fairy
This is another one of those back to school traditions we saw on TikTok! We’ve never done this personally but I think it’s such a sweet idea I just had to share!
The backpack fairy is a tradition you can start where the night before the first day of school, your kids leave their backpacks by the door and overnight the backpack fairy comes and stocks their backpacks full of their new school supplies!
I think this is a great way to motivate kids to get to bed on time and has them excited to jump out of bed on the first day of school. A very sweet tradition!
19. After school silly string surprise
Once the first day back to school is over, it’s time to celebrate!
Your kiddo just got through their first day where they were super brave, welcoming and hopefully had a lot of fun.
A fun and memorable way to end the first day of a great school year is with a little fun of course! Let them know how proud you are of them today and always.
A quick note from us:
Back to school season can be an extremely hectic time of year for parents so we want to remind you to take inspiration where you find it and leave what doesn’t serve you and your family.
There’s always so much being throw at us that’s easy to feel like we’re falling behind because we didn’t make an entire breakfast spread for the first day with pencil shaped waffles and red balloons or whatever it may be..
This list of back to school traditions are shared with the intentions to inspire you, not to make you feel like you’re not doing enough! Again, take what you feel will work for you and your family and leave what doesn’t.
The entire point of starting SchoolRunMessyBun was to be an inspirational resource for parents and caregivers to help you navigate these early school years and make them awesome!
Cheers to a great school year ahead!
Talk soon,
-Angie
