10 Easy Back to School Traditions To Try This Year

August 29, 2024

As the start of the new school year approaches, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with uniforms, supplies, and squeezing out the last bits of summer fun. But it’s also a great time to start new family back to school traditions that make the transition something to look forward to!

Establishing simple back-to-school traditions can help ease the transition for both children and parents. So, let’s explore some easy and fun ideas to kick off the new school year with a smile!

The Ultimate Back-to-School Breakfast Bash
Make a Back-to-School ‘Bucket List’
First-Day Photo, Interview Style!
School Year Time Capsule
The ‘Night Before School’ Tradition
School Week Meal Planning – With a Fun Twist!
Back-to-School Goodie Bags
End-of-Summer Family Picnic
The After-School Tradition
Back to school brain boosters

You might also be interested in: 10 Fun Educational Games to Ease Your Child Back into Learning

1. The Ultimate Back-to-School Breakfast Bash

Why not kick off the first day of school with a fun family breakfast? It doesn’t have to be complicated – think pancakes, fruit, and maybe a few breakfast muffins – but it’s all about making it feel special. You could surprise the kids by setting up a decorated breakfast table, complete with a “Happy Back to School” banner and a small treat bag at each place.

Or, get them involved with setting the table the night before to build excitement and let them pick their favourite breakfast menu!

This is such an easy back to school tradition to start but adds a memorable touch to the day. Plus, it’s a great way to create a calm, joyful family moment before the school run.

Top tip: Make sure to prep the night before – have uniforms, school bags, and shoes all ready to go, so there’s no rushing and you can really enjoy that breakfast together!

2. Back-to-School ‘Bucket List’

Gather the family for a fun brainstorming session to create a back-to-school bucket list.

Each person can jot down a few fun activities they want to experience by the end of the school year—like trying a new sport, hosting a sleepover, or having a special family outing. Include a few family goals too, such as a “Monthly Movie Night” or “Weekly Games Night.”

It’s a great way to add a sense of adventure to the whole school year with little moments and activities that everyone can look forward to together!

3. Interview-Style First-Day Photo

Make your first-day photo extra special with a fun mini-interview! Instead of just snapping a picture, capture your child’s current favourites and dreams with a quick Q&A.

Ask your child questions like these:

Year: (Which school year are you entering?)
Age: (How old are you?)
My favourite food is:
My favourite film is:
My favourite subject is:
When I grow up, I want to be:

Have them write or draw their answers on a sheet of paper or a chalkboard, then take their photo holding the completed sheet.

This simple idea adds a personal touch to the first-day photo and creates a keepsake you’ll enjoy looking back on as their interests and dreams evolve over the years.

4. School Year Time Capsule

Capture the essence of the new school year by creating a time capsule filled with items that represent your child’s current interests and milestones. The idea is to hide it away and open it up at the end of the school year (or just before the next school year begins) for a fun trip down memory lane!

Some fun ideas to include:

A current favourite book or a note about why they love it
A list of their top songs or a playlist they’re always listening to
A letter to their future self with hopes and goals for the year
A mini artwork or doodle that represents their current favourite things
A ticket stub from a recent family day out or activity
A printout of their favourite meme or funny quote that’s popular right now

Parents can join in the fun too by adding a little note with a prediction about the year ahead – will they learn a new hobby? Make a best friend? Perhaps they’ll ace a school subject! It’s a fun way to reflect on how much they’ve grown, and they’ll love seeing how their tastes and interests change over the year.

5. The ‘Night Before School’ Tradition

The night before school starts can be a bit chaotic, so why not introduce a cozy, calming back to school tradition that everyone can look forward to? Have a “back-to-school movie night” or a “book and hot chocolate hour.”

Let the kids choose their favourite film, or snuggle up with a story about school adventures to help set a positive tone for the next day. For parents, it’s a lovely way to wind down too, and enjoy a little treat before the routine kicks in!

This relaxing pre-school ritual not only helps ease the back-to-school jitters but also creates a special family memory.

6. School Week Meal Planning – With a Fun Twist!

Take the pressure off meal planning by involving the whole family in this back-to-school tradition! Make it a fun and creative experience by letting the kids help design the menu for the first week of school.

Or you could even come up with a set of themes for school-day meals for the term or school year…

Meal Theme Ideas:

Meat-Free Monday: Start the week with a tasty vegetarian dish. Let the kids help pick or create a new veggie recipe together
Tasty Tuesday: Explore a new cuisine each week. One week could be Italian with homemade pizza, and the next could be Spanish with a paella!
Wrap-Up Wednesday: Make it a wrap or roll day! Whether it’s wraps, burritos, or sushi rolls, get creative with different fillings and flavours.
Throwback Thursday: Revisit a popular family dish or perhaps a favourite from your own childhood. It’s a nostalgic way to bring back old favourites.
Family Feast Friday: End the week with a meal everyone loves. Consider a “Build-Your-Own Pizza Night” or a “Family Favourites” spread with everyone’s top picks.

This back to school tradition not only takes the pressure off meal planning but also makes the process interactive and enjoyable for everyone, while helping with meal prep for the week. By involving the kids in meal planning, you create a sense of anticipation and excitement for the school week ahead too!

7. Back-to-School tradition: Goodie Bags

Add a bit of cheer to the first day back with a simple goodie bag! It’s a lovely way to start the new school year on a positive note. Consider packing a few small treats like their favourite sweets, a new keyring for their school bag, or even a handwritten note with a friendly message like “You’ve got this!”

This small gesture can help make the transition a bit easier and give your child a boost of confidence. For parents, it’s an easy and budget-friendly way to bring a smile to their child’s face and set a positive tone for the school year ahead.

A little surprise can go a long way in making the first day back a little brighter!

8. End-of-Summer Family Picnic

To wrap up the summer holidays, why not head out for a family picnic? Find a local park, pack some sandwiches, snacks, and drinks, and spend a few hours soaking up the last bits of summer sunshine. You could play some outdoor games and let the kids run off their energy before they’re back in the classroom.

For parents, it’s a great way to reflect on the summer and enjoy some quality family time before the busy school routine kicks in.

9. The After-School Treat Tradition

To end the first day of school on a high note, start a back to school tradition where the whole family enjoys a treat together. Whether it’s a scoop of ice cream or a visit to a favourite park, this little reward gives everyone something to look forward to. It’s a great way to unwind, chat about the day, and enjoy some quality time together.

10. Back to school brain boosters

To ease the transition from summer holidays to school routines, introduce a back-to-school tradition that blends fun with learning. Playing educational games like a family quiz or a maths treasure hunt is a fantastic way to get everyone’s brains back in gear in a relaxed, enjoyable way.

For an extra boost, explore the interactive learning games on Busy Things which offer engaging maths and coding challenges, creative English and art activities and MUCH more! These games make learning enjoyable and help prepare your child for the new school year.

Check out our blog on 10 Fun Educational Games to Ease Your Child Back into Learning for lots more back to school brain boosting ideas!

We hope these simple ideas for back-to-school traditions will help to make a great start to your family’s new school year! What traditions will you be starting this year? Share your ideas in the comments below – we’d love to hear from you! Here’s to a fantastic school year ahead!