30 Back to School Activities for Kids
There’s something about that first back to school display at the store that gets me every single time. One minute it’s summer popsicles and pool days, and the next I’m standing in the school supply aisle wondering where the last three months went.
If your house feels anything like mine this time of year, equal parts excited and a little bit emotional, I put together this list to help make the transition back to school fun for everyone. Some of these are sweet little traditions, some are just practical must-haves, and a few are perfect for keeping the kids busy while you’re doing approximately eleven things at once. Pick and choose what fits your family, and don’t feel like you have to do all 30!
Getting Ready
1. Pick Out a New Backpack Together Letting them pick their own backpack (within reason, ha) makes the whole shopping trip feel special instead of like a chore. My daughter loves unicorns and picked this purple unicorn backpack.
2. Choose a Fun New Lunch Box A lunch box they actually like is a small thing that makes a big difference on those first few nervous mornings. This unicorn bento box is perfect for little girls
3. Practice the Walk or Bus Route to School If it’s a new school, walk or drive the route together a few times before the big day. It takes so much of the mystery (and worry) out of it.
4. Do a Trial Run of the Morning Routine A week before school starts, practice the whole morning, wake up time, getting dressed, breakfast, the works. It sounds simple, but it makes the actual first morning so much smoother.
5. Pick Out the First-Day Outfit the Night Before One less decision to make on an already big morning.
6. Label All the School Supplies with Name Stickers A rite of passage, honestly. Sit down with a cup of coffee and knock it out in one evening.
7. Set Up a Homework and Backpack Station by the Door A little basket or shelf by the door for backpacks, shoes, and homework saves so much scrambling later in the year.
8. Make a Countdown Calendar to the First Day Kids love watching the days tick down, and it turns the anticipation into something fun instead of something scary.
Building Excitement
9. Read a First-Day-of-School Book Together There are so many sweet ones out there about The first-day jitters. Reading one together opens up a conversation about how they’re feeling.
10. Take a “First Day of School” Photo on the Porch A tradition worth starting if you haven’t already, it’s so fun to look back on these year after year.
11. Write a Note to Tuck Into Their Lunch Box Doesn’t have to be fancy. Even just “Have a great day, I love you” can make their whole afternoon.
12. Talk Through First-Day Jitters with a Worry Jar Have them write down (or tell you) what they’re nervous about, tuck it in a jar, and “put it away” together. It’s a small gesture that helps a lot of kids feel lighter.
13. Plan a Special First-Day Breakfast Pancakes, a fun cereal they don’t usually get, whatever feels like a treat. Starting the day with something a little special sets a good tone.
14. Pick a “Meet the Teacher” Gift A small gift for the teacher at open house or on the first day is such a sweet way to start the relationship off right.
15. Set a Growth Chart to Track the School Year A fun one to pull out again at the end of the year to see how much they’ve grown.
16. Play a Family Icebreaker Game Together Sit down as a family the night before and play a quick game, it eases nerves and gets everyone talking instead of worrying.
Learning About Themselves
17. Fill Out an All About Me Printable This is such a sweet keepsake, and a lot of teachers actually use these in the first week too, a fun one to fill out together at home and bring along, or just keep for yourself.
18. Talk About Goals for the New School Year Doesn’t need to be serious. Even “I want to make a new friend” or “I want to learn to write my name better” counts.
19. Make a “This Year I Am Excited About…” List A nice way to focus on the good stuff when nerves start creeping in.
20. Share Favorite Memories from Last School Year A fun way to remind them how much fun school actually is, even when the first-day nerves are talking.
Keeping Busy in the Car or Waiting Room
21. Bring Along a Car Ride Activity Book Perfect for waiting in the pickup line or those last-minute errands before the first day.
22. Play a Round of 20 Questions No supplies needed, works anywhere, and always turns into more laughing than you’d expect.
23. Try a License Plate or I-Spy Game An oldie but a goodie for keeping kids entertained in the car.
24. Pack a Quiet-Time Activity Kit A small pouch with a few coloring pages, stickers, or a mini notebook is a lifesaver for waiting rooms and long car lines.
25. Play a Round of the Alphabet Game Find something out the window that starts with each letter, A to Z. No supplies needed, and it keeps kids looking out the window instead of asking “are we there yet.”
Settling Into the Routine
26. Set Up a Morning Routine Chart or Clock Helps kids start owning their own morning routine instead of you having to remind them ten times.
27. Create a Simple Reward System for the First Week Doesn’t need to be elaborate, a sticker chart or a special Friday treat for a good first week goes a long way.
28. Plan a Fun After-School Snack Tradition Something for them to look forward to the second they walk in the door.
29. Start a “How Was School Today” Question Jar Fill it with fun conversation starters (“What made you laugh today?” “Who did you sit with at lunch?”) for nights when “fine” is the only answer you’re getting.
30. Celebrate the First Week with a Family Game Night We love pulling out our Back to School Game Bundle for this one, it’s got quick, no-prep games like This or That and Scattergories that are perfect for a low-key celebration once that first week is officially behind you.
