10 Ways to Keep Up the Back-to-School Buzz

August 18, 2019

As parents, we work hard to get our kids pumped up for back-to-school season. The first day comes, and we rejoice. But after the first few weeks, the excitement wears off and the challenges begin. It’s normal. So how do we maximize every last bit of the back-to-school buzz? We get creative! Here are 10 ways to keep your kids excited about heading back to school, even as we march into fall:

Make a summer scrapbook. Digital or otherwise, a scrapbook is a great way to fondly look back on the fun times. Summer was a blast and needs its own dedicated book!
Make pictures to illustrate daily routines. To help reinforce schedules, Google daily routine clip art for free, then print, cut, and tape one of your choosing to a poster board, and—voila!—you’ve got yourself a visual routine chart.
Look forward to days ahead. Get a fun calendar just for the kids and start jotting down cool upcoming events like early dismissal days, Halloween, etc. For younger kids, highlight which days are school days and which days are the weekend.
Make an inspirational playlist. It can be a new song to play each day on the way to school or school-themed songs. “What’s my mom gonna play today?” How about “The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades“?!
Send lunch box surprises. During my oldest son’s first year of kindergarten, I drew a picture on his napkins each day. He was always so excited to see what it would be and would show his friends, even if the pictures were not that great. Not feeling artistic? Even just a little note every now and then can be enough motivation to make the day great.
Give out after-school rewards. Tell your kids that if they finish the first week by getting up on time without complaints, they’ll get shaved ice on Friday after school. Have a family dance party after your kiddo turns in his/her first homework assignment. If your student lasts 30 days without missing a day or getting a tardy, host a back-to-school “blow off steam party” and invite a small group of his/her friends. Keep attitudes positive by rewarding desirable behavior.
Join activities outside of school. T-ball, soccer, golf, volleyball, football, and lots of other sports start back up in the fall. The YMCA of San Antonio has some great, affordable options. There’s also the Boy and Girl Scouts of America, not to mention music, art, dance, and science clubs to join.
Make a fall bucket list. It can be simple things from finding the first autumn leaves, to eating something pumpkin spiced or learning about Día de los Muertos. Have fun with it!
Devote one day a week to special breakfasts. One day a week (or month), skip the cereal or breakfast bars and cook up something extra special for your kids. Creating a simple mini-tradition like this gives your kids something cool to look forward to even as the fun of the school year wears off.
Create a time capsule. Grab an empty can of Pringles, have your kids write a note to themselves about what they want to accomplish this school year, and throw in a picture from the first day. Then all year they can look forward to opening it on the last day of school to see how much their handwriting has improved and how far they’ve come in meeting their goals.