How do your kids feel about going back to school after summer vacation? Excited? Anxious?
As the end of summer approaches, many kids and teens feel nervous about going back to school. After all, school means classes, homework, and responsibilities! Some students may even be frantically trying to catch up on their summer reading.
If your kids are feeling anxious, remind them of all the things they have to look forward to in a new school year. To help you out, we put together a list of 6 things you can do to get kids excited about heading back to school:
Get some fresh school supplies
Shopping for new school supplies can be a fun way to prepare for the new year! School supplies always come in lots of different colors and designs, so let your kids pick out their own notebooks, binders, folders, and anything else they’ll need for the upcoming year. If they’re involved in the shopping process, they’ll feel a stronger sense of ownership over their school supplies and their schoolwork.
There’s also a huge variety of school supplies today to match just about anyone’s personal taste. You can get animal shaped paperclips, cartoon-style sticky notes, Spider-Man scissors, Finding Nemo staplers, and just about any other themed items for back-to-school!
You can also get crafty while prepping for class. Grab some single color notebooks, folders, and binders and decorate them yourself. This can make for a fun and memorable DIY project with your kids.
Check out our DIY Clipboard Art Project for some inspiration!
Reconnect with friends
As the new school year approaches, it’s a great time for kids to reconnect with friends they may not have seen during summer break. Before school starts, arrange playdates for your younger kids, and encourage your older kids to reach out to their friends for a get-together.
During the school year, kids get to see their friends and classmates almost every day, unlike during the summer. Getting together with friends will get your kids excited to start seeing them on a regular basis again!
Sign up for afterschool activities
The school year presents countless opportunities for kids to participate in sports or clubs. Find out what kind of extracurricular activities are available in your area, and see what your children are interested in.
They can do something they already know they love, or try something new! This is the perfect time for kids to try different hobbies and find a new passion. Plus, extracurriculars often involve making new friends, learning new skills, and taking fun trips!
Pro Tip: Boys & Girls Clubs across the country offer fun and affordable afterschool programs and activities. Find a Club near you!
Discover their favorite subjects & classes
Ask your children what their favorite classes are — whether it’s art, history, science, PE, or something else, most kids will be able to name at least one class that interests them. Lean into that!
Keep your kids excited about learning by getting involved in the things they’re enthusiastic about. Take them to the local library, a children’s museum, or a live performance, and let them do their own research and explore topics they find engaging. Giving them the freedom to learn on their own will allow their curiosity to grow.
Tests, essays, and homework can sometimes make going to school difficult, but at the end of the day, school is a chance for students to learn and grow. Emphasize the importance of learning, and let your kids know how much fun it is to discover new things about topics they care about.
Back-to-school events
There are a lot of community events that typically take place throughout the end of summer and the beginning of fall, so find a fun activity you and your kids can go to! Search online for back-to-school events near you, and you’re sure to find something in your area.
Many communities hold BBQs, block parties, and fairs to celebrate going back to school. Come October, there will also be plenty of Halloween events, so look those up too, and give your kids something to look forward to!
Make a special breakfast
After months of staying up late and waking up in the middle of the afternoon, getting up early might be one of the things kids dread the most about returning to school. Help them get out of bed easier with a special breakfast on the first day of school. A good breakfast will also give them enough energy to help them get through the day!
Need some inspiration? Here are 3 easy favorites:
- Peanut butter, banana, and chocolate smoothies
- Scrambled eggs with bacon
- Blueberry oatmeal muffins
The first day of school will be here before you know it, so make sure you’re prepared when it arrives! Whether your kids are going into kindergarten or their senior year of high school, it’s completely normal for them to feel apprehensive about transitioning from summer break to a new school year. However, you can help make the transition easier by reminding them of things they can be excited about! You got this!
