Back To School Activities That'll Get Kids Excited

It’s time to break out that backpack and head back to class! Every year at this time, students gear up for another year of learning, socializing, and growing as individuals. While it may be bittersweet to leave the freedom of summer behind, some back to school activities for students can make the transition a little sweeter. 

Why Are Back To School Activities Important?
Setting the tone for the year ahead is a great way to maximize your student’s education. Many kids come into class from the summer break feeling reinvigorated to take on their learning, but others may be dreading sitting at their desks once again.

Both types of students can significantly benefit from a solid collection of school activity ideas. Not only will it create a better school year, it will also give students the desire to jump back into their studies without missing the freedom of summer break too much.

Back to School Activities for Kindergarteners and Preschoolers
Younger students just starting their educational careers may be the easiest to impress with back to school activities for kids, because they’re still super excited about the new experiences they’ll partake in back at the classroom.

In kindergarten and preschool, kids begin making new connections and learning independence from their parents. Some of the best back to school activities for kids in this age group include:

Personalizing Their Backpack
Instead of choosing an expensive decorative backpack for your young child, why not buy a blank canvas and create one? Your child can pick and choose what they want their gear to look like, getting them excited about embracing their individual style and showing it off at school.

Create a Crown for their First Day Back
Creating a new “First Day of School” crown for your young child is a simple and effective arts and crafts activity that will increase their excitement for school. Have them decorate it how they want and bring it to class to show all their new friends.

Make Breakfast Fun
On the first day of school, you and your child can create a back to school themed breakfast to get them excited about heading to the classroom. They’ll get the sustenance they need to get through the day with energy, and cooking together is a really fun way to start the day.

Don’t Forget the Photo Shoot
After your child has picked out their favorite outfit and put on their crown and backpack, why not have a fun photo shoot? It can be an excellent activity to help ease any stress they may have for the day while helping them gain confidence before stepping into an unknown world.

Fun Back to School Activities for Elementary Students
Older children in elementary school may require a different approach to making the return to school fun. That’s why it’s important to personalize your activities by age.

For elementary school students, some fun back to school activities include:

Create a Memory Book
Taking memories from the year before and creating a back to school memory book can be a great way to motivate children to get back out there and create even more memories. Include photographs, art they’ve created, or any other mementos, and you’ll have a meaningful keepsake in no time.

Start a Tradition
The time before heading back to school can be difficult for some students. They have to say goodbye to summer freedom and return to structured lessons and recess. But instead of focusing on what they’ll be saying goodbye to, why not start a tradition they’ll want to say hello to year after year? You could read together before bed, set up a homework station for them to work at, or take them on a back to school shopping trip for fun school supplies.

Make a Time Capsule
Time capsules are a great way to capture a point in time using all your child’s favorite things. Get them to put toys, books, or any other important pieces in a capsule and close it for an extended period. You can do this yearly and add it in as a back to school tradition!

Make a Goals List
Each new school year means new opportunities for students, so why not try making a goal list with your child? They can write down everything they want to do, see, and experience during the school year. When the year ends, they can look back on their accomplishments with pride.

Exciting Back to School Activities for Middle Schoolers
As students age, their desire to return to school may change. But that doesn’t mean you should skip the back to school ideas for students altogether. You can still do many things for your older child that will keep the desire for learning alive as the new school season begins.

Put Together an Autobiography
Instead of having a one-and-done activity at the beginning of the year, why not ask your child to describe their experience through an autobiography project? They can journal about their life experiences, whether school-related or not, and at the end of the year, they can read through everything that’s happened. It’s a fun way to get students excited about things and can also teach them about self-reflection.

Create a Space and Schedule for Learning
Students fare better if they have a specific schedule throughout the year. Instead of winging it, why not sit down with your child and have them create a plan and choose a space for their studies? This will help them get ready to head back to the classroom, and they’ll feel a sense of independence by creating a space and schedule all on their own.

Plan some Fun Activities to Do Outside of the Classroom 
During the first few weeks of school, adjusting can be difficult. Because of this, it’s crucial that your child knows it’s not all going to be books and homework. Before starting school, sit down with your child to plan fun activities they can look forward to throughout the year. This way, they’ll be able to work on their studies while still having the time to experience the joys of life. Think work/life balance for your kid!

Heading back to school is an exciting and sometimes scary time for students and parents. But these school activities can make it that much more exciting and fun for both of you!

 

Featured image by note thanun on Unsplash