It’s that time of the year again. Your kids are all set with new backpacks, textbooks, notepads, pencils et al. You can’t wait for them to get back to school and start another year of learning new skills and making new friends. Also, that means you’ll have some breathing space at home to cherish your much-needed me-time.
The beginning of every school year deserves a special start. While things may not be the same this year, you can still make the initial days of your kid’s academic year memorable. Whether your child is going to an actual classroom or attending online classes, you can celebrate with fun and quirky back-to-school traditions.
In this blog, we’ve curated a list of the best back-to-school traditions to help you get started. Let’s take a look.
1. Start with a Visit from the School Fairy
Every child enjoys getting their hands on brand new school supplies. From notebooks and folders to pencils boxes and tiffin boxes – children need a plethora of supplies when they’re going back to school.
Instead of handing over the stationery right away to them, you can spice things up with a visit from the School Fairy. All you need to do is wait for your kids to go to bed the night before their school resumes. Once they’re asleep, sneak into their room with a package containing school supplies.
Place it beside their bed or on their study table, so that the package catches their attention first thing in the morning. Don’t forget to include a note of encouragement from the School Fairy.
While you’re at it, add a few of your child’s favorite snacks from any Alon/DK store near your neighborhood. It’s just the motivation they need to jumpstart their first day of the new school year.
2. Pack a Sack
Of course, making pancakes or waffles on the first day of school seems like a great idea. But you wouldn’t want to load your kid’s body with a sugar rush early in the morning. Instead, if you enjoy cooking up a storm for your little one, a better idea is to pack a fancy lunch box for them.
Include bite-sized food items they enjoy eating. You could even turn lunchtime fun by cutting their food into different shapes. It’s a great idea to cut sandwiches into pieces of a puzzle. Similarly, you could carve a smiley face on a grilled cheese sandwich to make your kid’s lunch special.
Another simple way to make lunch interesting is to hop onto the bento box bandwagon. You’ll find plenty of cute and unique bento box ideas across social media platforms. Don’t forget to include a special handwritten note for your little one with their lunch.
Packing an eye-catching lunch box is a good way to celebrate the first day of school, even if your kid is attending online classes. It keeps them from interrupting your workday when they feel hungry. Also, it creates a semblance of a normal school routine.
You can further amp things up by curating a super cool lunch on the day of school that corresponds to their grade. So, if your kid is in the fifth grade, you reward them with a special lunch on their fifth day of school. It’s particularly useful when you have more than one kid and want to dedicate an entire day to each one of your children.
3. Plan an After School Party
There’s nothing more relaxing than enjoying a hearty meal with the family after a long day. It becomes even more cherishable when your kid has just been through their first day of the new grade.
Ditch your weeknight dinner staples, and plan a menu around a theme, such as your child’s favorite movie, video game, or sport. Also, instead of going overboard with the menu, stick to foods that you know your child will relish. Include a few snacks and treats from your favorite Alon/DK store in the menu as well.
Apart from enjoying quality time together, it’ll also give you an opportunity to learn how your kid’s day went. Turn it into a fun game of counting the top ten things that happened at school throughout the day. It’s a great way to inculcate a culture of listening and sharing at home.
4. Do Something Meaningful
If you’ve been following the same back-to-school traditions for years, it’s time to shake things up a bit. The idea behind every tradition is to make the first day of the new school year memorable. And there’s no better way of ensuring that than with a meaningful symbolic gesture.
Ask your kid to create a bucket list of the things they wish to achieve in the coming year. Think beyond grades and push them to uncover their hidden skills and aspirations. From learning a new sport to making more friends – you can encourage your child to set simple, realistic goals.
Another great idea for celebrating the day is to start building a time capsule. Ask your kid to fill it with photographs, notes, and other knick-knacks throughout the year. It’ll be fun to look back at all the memories at the end of the year.
5. Teacher Appreciation – Say It with a Special Treat
The previous year hasn’t just been a whirlwind for your child. It’s been just as crazy and unpredictable for teachers. They definitely deserve a gesture of gratitude and support from students and their parents.
A simple way of showing your support to teachers is to send them a care package. Load it with healthy snacks, good quality coffee, and soft beverages. They could always use an extra dose of caffeine before another year of online classes. Don’t forget to add a “thank you” note to the package.
Make This School Year Worth Remembering
Going back to school may not be the same this year due to the pandemic. But the right back-to-school traditions can set the tone for the rest of the year. From themed family dinners and bento boxes for lunch to teacher appreciation packages – you can choose from various unique traditions.