Whether they’re starting Kindergarten, or starting a new school, their first day can be exciting, fun and a little scary. Here are some ideas for making that 1st Day Special and Memorable for you and the tiny humans.
1. Take a picture of your child. We snap a picture of them in front of the school sign. We know this won’t last once they’re too old/cool to have their parents taking pictures of them in front of the school building so we make sure to get a picture of them in the same spot in front of our house each year. You can have them hold a sign or chalk board with the date, their age and what grade they’re going into. This makes a great first page to their keepsake journal.
2. Start a keepsake journal. The bookstores usually have several to choose from. This one we found on Amazon. It’s a great way to record their physical and emotional growth throughout the year. It has places for pictures and pockets for any other little special keepsakes they collect.
3. Start the Day with a special breakfast. It can be a smorgasbord of all of their favorites or a special treat that you wouldn’t normally allow them to have. Like a cupcake. It’s practically a muffin anyway! Decorate the table with flowers or balloons.
4. Write your child a special note and stick it in their lunchbox. A little something to let them know you’re thinking about them and how proud you are of them.
5. Put their sidewalk chalk to good use. Write a special message for them on the sidewalk/driveway out front. Or, if they’re catching the bus, do it on the sidewalk at the bus stop.
6. In addition to needing new supplies for school we seem to always need to freshen up our stash at home too. Set a bucket with new supplies in their breakfast spot or have it waiting on them when they get home from their first day.
7. Plan a special after school treat like a stop off at their favorite ice cream shop or cupcake bakery. Or a quick trip to the park.
8. Prior to the first day of school, let them help you make a little something to give their teacher on the first day. Pinterest has some great ideas that are super simple and inexpensive.
9. Let your child choose their favorite meal or restaurant for dinner. Make it a first day celebration!
10. Make sure to share some special one on one time with your child that afternoon or evening to talk about their day. It’s important to your child that they get some undivided attention from Mom or Dad. Get each child alone even if it’s just for 5 or 10 minutes each. You might be surprised at what you’ll learn about their first day when they aren’t talking over each other or competing for your attention.
What traditions do you do to make back to school special for your children?
