12 Ways to Make the First Day of School Special

What is it about the first day of school that is so exciting? Students don their new backpacks, put on new outfits and excitedly wait to meet their new teacher and classmates.  For those of us that homeschool, kids get excited about the new curriculum and activities, and getting back to a routine.  No matter the location, a first day is something to be remembered.  As such, here are 12 ways to help make this year’s first day of school extra special.

12 Ways to Make the First Day of School Special

1. A new outfit.  Go shopping with your child ahead of time, and let them choose a new outfit to wear on the first day of school.  Maybe even help them with a new hairdo or nail color if they cannot do so themselves.

2. New school supplies.  Similar to number one, go shopping with your child ahead of time, and let them choose out some new school supplies for the year.
3. Back-to-school pictures.  We like to take our first day of school pictures the evening before as the first day of school is always crazy, but take them whenever you like.  The nice thing about taking them the night before for us is that when they finish taking their pics, they take their clothes back off, and lay them out for the first day of school.  For even more back-to-school picture tips, check out this article which includes a link to several free back-to-school printables.
4. Balloons.  Who wouldn’t smile upon waking up to a roomful of balloons?  Or even one tied to their breakfast chair?  Either way, nothing says celebration like balloons.
5. Ride in the car.  If your child normally walks to school, maybe drive them this first day.  If you homeschool, you can still pretend to drive to school too.  My girls love piling into the car and driving out the garage door and back in.  They think it makes every school day better.   😉

6. Ride the bus.  If your child normally rides in the car to school, maybe they would like to ride the bus.  Homeschoolers, you can pretend here too.  Make the couch the bus, and let the kids “ride” it to school.  Be sure to give them a goodbye hug and kiss before they hop on (maybe before they leave the house so they don’t get embarrassed).
7. Back-to-school basket.  Consider giving them a back-to-school present for the first day of school.  Maybe it is a book they have been wanting to read or a stuffed animal they have been waiting for.  Maybe it is some of those “special” school supplies like a designer notebook or a beautiful sketch pad.  Place the item in a gift basket by their door so they see it when they first wake up.
8. A special breakfast.  What would your kids choose as their favorite breakfast?  Pancakes?  Cinnamon rolls?  Happy faced oatmeal?  A trip to the donut shop?  Consider making their favorite breakfast for the first day of school.  Just keep in mind that the first day of school can sometimes be chaotic so plan ahead.  You want to have plenty of time to make AND eat that special breakfast.

9. A special lunch.  Pack a special lunch for the first day or include a special note to encourage your child during school.  Need some ideas?  Kids Activities Blog has over 500 printable lunchbox notes that make it easy.
10. A special after-school snack.  What would make that after school time special?  A popsicle?  A cookie?  Peanut butter and apple at the park?[bctt tweet=”Make the first day of school special with one of these simple ideas!” username=”kathygossen”]
11. Create a time capsule.  In it you may want to include a back-to-school pic, a short video of your child answering a questionnaire, or even the questionnaire itself.  Save the capsule until the last day of school, and then let them open it to see how much they’ve grown.
12. Look forward to their homecoming.  Let them know you missed them while they were at school.  If they ride the bus, watch for them through the front window.  If you pick them up, be ready to hear all about their day during the car ride home.  For homeschoolers, provide an opportunity for you kids to tell the non-teacher in the family about their day.

Above all, never forget to give them an extra hug and kiss and an “I love you” before sending them off.  You might even want to write it on their hands like Jennifer does with her children.  This will most likely be what they remember most.