10 back to school traditions to do with your kids

Last Updated on April 1, 2024

Back to school traditions are one of the fun ways to get organised for back to school, and as well as being ways to build special memories, they can also help to alleviate any first day nerves your kids may have.

Here are 10 back to school traditions that you may like to start with your kids this year.

School supplies shopping

As well as being a great way to prepare for going back to school, going school supplies shopping with your kids is something that allows them to get back into school mode, as well as choose school supplies that reflect their age, and changing personality.

Stationery scavenger hunt

Once you have your kid’s school supplies, doing a back to school stationery scavenger hunt where you hide your kid’s stationery and they have to find them and put them in their school bags, is a unique first day of school tradition.

One on one time

Spending one on one time with your kids before they start school is a really nice way to find out how they feel about the year ahead, and give them any encouragement that you think they need.

If you get the chance to talk about school during your one on one time, it’s a great way to find out about school from a child who doesn’t talk about school much during the year.

Back to school wish list

Making a back to school wish list of everything your kids want to achieve during the school year, the friends they want play dates with, or the things they’re hoping to learn is something that may keep your kids motivated during the school year.

First day of school photo

One of the back to school traditions that I do is take a first day of school photo of my son holding a sign saying what he wants to be when he grows up.

I also take a last day of school photo with him holding the same sign, but with what he wants to be on his last day of school, so we can compare not only how much he’s changed, but if he’s future job has changed as well.

You can also take photos of all your kids together, with your kids posing in the same spot each year, or even holding a different type of first day of school sign.

Record their height

As well as taking a first day of school photo, recording your kid’s height on their first day of school, and then again on their last day of school, is a great way to see how much they’ve grown over the school year.

Back to school breakfast

A fun back to school tradition is to make a special back to school breakfast, which could be a breakfast your kids love, or a new breakfast recipe that you think they would enjoy.

Back to school dinner

If you don’t have time before your kid’s first day of school for a special breakfast, then a special dinner may be a better idea.

Lunchbox notes

Something more personal that you could do for your kid’s first day of school is to leave them a note in their lunchbox with a special message of encouragement, or a funny joke.

After school treat

One last thing you could do as a back to school tradition is to take your kids out for an after school treat.

Some examples of this are visiting their favourite park, going to the movies, going out for dinner, having a movie night at home, or making sundaes.

I hope you’ve found some special ways to celebrate back to school with your kids that you’d like to try.

What’s your favourite thing about the start of a school year?