25 Back to School Traditions

Posted by Courtney McLaughlin

The start of a new school year is an exciting time, but it can be hard to say goodbye to summer. Starting new traditions can help ease kids through this transition and embrace a season of new beginnings.

These 25 ideas are fun ways to celebrate moving from carefree days to another year of learning and growing. Ask each family member to choose one activity to try or see how many tasks you can complete before the first bell rings! From the silly to the serious, spending time together will help your family enjoy getting ready for school.

Last Splash - Stay until closing time on the last day your pool is open for the season. Take a few action shots to capture kids enjoying every moment of summer.
Neighborhood Potluck - Invite friends, neighbors, and pets to celebrate the last days of summer. Set up lawn games and ask everyone to bring a dish to share.
Picture This - Ask each family member to send three or four of their favorite pictures from the summer and put together a photo book. Present the thoughtful gift the night before school starts.
Goal Getter - Ask kids to share a few goals they would like to accomplish during the school year. Keep the lists handy and review them every few months to help stay on track.
Motivational Theme - Brainstorm a theme for the new school season. It could be a slogan, quote, or song lyric. Laminate the words of inspiration and put them in a visible place.
Day Trip- Wake up early and hit the road for an epic day trip full of surprises. Enjoy a day in the mountains, lake, shopping mall or nearby city. Include an ice cream stop and take lots of pictures!
Lazy Day - Pick one of the last days of summer to do absolutely nothing! Stay in your pajamas, eat breakfast in bed, line up lots of snacks and movies, and soak up the chill.
Ice Cream for Dinner - Why not? Create the ultimate sundae bar with all their favorite toppings and dig in!
Summer Stats - Don’t let the new year start without recording everyone’s height, shoe size, etc. Mark it on a closet door or write it down and keep it in the family planner.
My Favorite Things - Send an online poll to your crew asking about their favorite vacation spot, best summer meal, most memorable moment, etc. Reveal the findings the night before school starts.
Splash Park - Plan an outing to stay cool and enjoy a last day at your favorite water park. Pack snacks and a picnic so you can keep the fun going till the sun goes down.
Camp Out - Soak up a late summer night around a campfire complete with hotdogs, marshmallows, and scary stories. Visit your local campground or pitch a tent in the backyard.
Water Balloon Fight - Surprise the family with an impromptu water balloon fight. Serve supper outside then ready, aim, throw!
Meal Prep Day - Be ready for busy weeknights with freezer-friendly meals. Assign kids tasks like shopping, chopping, and assembly, and turn up the music to keep it fun.
Sidewalk Chalk - Say goodbye to summer and send positive vibes with pretty sidewalk chalk messages. Draw colorful hearts, rainbows, and words of encouragement for your neighbors.
Plant A Tree - With each summer that passes, plant a tree and watch it grow. You can also donate a tree to your local park!
Painted Rocks - Head to the river and collect a handful of smooth rocks. Paint with the year, child’s name, school, and grade, and place them around your home.
Drive-In Movie - If you have a drive-in movie theater in your area, pack the crew in the car for a night under the stars. Bring along plenty of popcorn and treats!
Get Organized - Pick a day to clean out closets, desk drawers, and backpacks to make way for new clothes and school supplies. Use a timer to make tasks more manageable and stay on track.
Give Back - Get kids involved in supporting neighbors in need during back-to-school season. Raise money with a lemonade stand or collect spare change in a jar and donate school supplies or other necessities to your school or a nonprofit organization.
Popsicle Party - Reuniting with friends and classmates before school starts can help kids get excited for the big day. Plan a meet-up at a playground or park and bring easy treats like popsicles to share.
Next Summer Wish List - Just because summer is almost over doesn’t mean you can’t start thinking about the next one. Start a suggestion box for next year’s adventures.
Theme Park - Ride the day away at your local amusement park. Stay close to home or make it a last-minute getaway.
Summer Bingo - Perfect for family game night, create Bingo cards with all the cool things you did during the summer months and call out answers until you declare the winner.
Send Off Supper - Let kids pick the dinner menu the night before school starts. Ask your family to share their favorite summer memories and talk about what they are looking forward to in the new school year.

Make the transition to a new year a joyful and positive experience!

Courtney McLaughlin is a freelance writer in Charlotte, N.C. She gratefully shares her life, home and heart with her daughter and their dog.

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25 Back to School Traditions

Last Splash - Stay until closing time on the last day your pool is open for the season. Take a few action shots to capture kids enjoying every moment of summer.
Neighborhood Potluck - Invite friends, neighbors, and pets to celebrate the last days of summer. Set up lawn games and ask everyone to bring a dish to share.
Picture This - Ask each family member to send three or four of their favorite pictures from the summer and put together a photo book. Present the thoughtful gift the night before school starts.
Goal Getter - Ask kids to share a few goals they would like to accomplish during the school year. Keep the lists handy and review them every few months to help stay on track.
Motivational Theme - Brainstorm a theme for the new school season. It could be a slogan, quote, or song lyric. Laminate the words of inspiration and put them in a visible place.
Day Trip- Wake up early and hit the road for an epic day trip full of surprises. Enjoy a day in the mountains, lake, shopping mall or nearby city. Include an ice cream stop and take lots of pictures!
Lazy Day - Pick one of the last days of summer to do absolutely nothing! Stay in your pajamas, eat breakfast in bed, line up lots of snacks and movies, and soak up the chill.
Ice Cream for Dinner - Why not? Create the ultimate sundae bar with all their favorite toppings and dig in!
Summer Stats - Don’t let the new year start without recording everyone’s height, shoe size, etc. Mark it on a closet door or write it down and keep it in the family planner.
My Favorite Things - Send an online poll to your crew asking about their favorite vacation spot, best summer meal, most memorable moment, etc. Reveal the findings the night before school starts.
Splash Park - Plan an outing to stay cool and enjoy a last day at your favorite water park. Pack snacks and a picnic so you can keep the fun going till the sun goes down.
Camp Out - Soak up a late summer night around a campfire complete with hotdogs, marshmallows, and scary stories. Visit your local campground or pitch a tent in the backyard.
Water Balloon Fight - Surprise the family with an impromptu water balloon fight. Serve supper outside then ready, aim, throw!
Meal Prep Day - Be ready for busy weeknights with freezer-friendly meals. Assign kids tasks like shopping, chopping, and assembly, and turn up the music to keep it fun.
Sidewalk Chalk - Say goodbye to summer and send positive vibes with pretty sidewalk chalk messages. Draw colorful hearts, rainbows, and words of encouragement for your neighbors.
Plant A Tree - With each summer that passes, plant a tree and watch it grow. You can also donate a tree to your local park!
Painted Rocks - Head to the river and collect a handful of smooth rocks. Paint with the year, child’s name, school, and grade, and place them around your home.
Drive-In Movie - If you have a drive-in movie theater in your area, pack the crew in the car for a night under the stars. Bring along plenty of popcorn and treats!
Get Organized - Pick a day to clean out closets, desk drawers, and backpacks to make way for new clothes and school supplies. Use a timer to make tasks more manageable and stay on track.
Give Back - Get kids involved in supporting neighbors in need during back-to-school season. Raise money with a lemonade stand or collect spare change in a jar and donate school supplies or other necessities to your school or a nonprofit organization.
Popsicle Party - Reuniting with friends and classmates before school starts can help kids get excited for the big day. Plan a meet-up at a playground or park and bring easy treats like popsicles to share.
Next Summer Wish List - Just because summer is almost over doesn’t mean you can’t start thinking about the next one. Start a suggestion box for next year’s adventures.
Theme Park - Ride the day away at your local amusement park. Stay close to home or make it a last-minute getaway.
Summer Bingo - Perfect for family game night, create Bingo cards with all the cool things you did during the summer months and call out answers until you declare the winner.
Send Off Supper - Let kids pick the dinner menu the night before school starts. Ask your family to share their favorite summer memories and talk about what they are looking forward to in the new school year.

Make the transition to a new year a joyful and positive experience!

Courtney McLaughlin is a freelance writer in Charlotte, N.C. She gratefully shares her life, home and heart with her daughter and their dog.