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20 Meaningful Back-to-School Traditions for Families

ByLauren Tingley - M.Ed./CFLE

Back-to-school season is here again! You and your kiddos might be feeling excited, hopeful…maybe a touch nostalgic? No matter what grade your children are entering, this time always stirs up big emotions for the whole family. That means there’s no better time to make some unforgettable memories together before a fresh year begins with these Back-to-School Traditions to put a book end on summer.

When we turn back-to-school into a season of simple, joyful traditions, it becomes so much more than a date on the calendar. It’s about coming together, supporting one another, and launching into new routines with laughter (and maybe pancakes shaped like smiley faces!). Ready to create lasting memories?

As a teacher and mom, this is a topic that is near and dear to my heart.
The transition from summer-mode to school-mode is never an easy one and traditions are a simple way to create some structure and routine as you all face the unknowns and excitement of a new school year.

Here are 20 ideas, perfect for the week before, the day before, and the first day of school.

20 Back-to-School Traditions Your Kids Will Love

Young girl holding up back to school chalkboard sign for a photo.

The Week Before School Starts

  1. Create a Vision Board

Grab magazines, scissors, glue, and a big poster board. What are your children’s hopes for the year ahead? Let everyone decorate their own board with pictures or words that represent the feelings and experiences they hope to have. You can save these and have them as a special keepsake to look back on each year.

  1. Back-to-School Countdown

Nothing builds anticipation like a countdown! Get your kids pumped for the first day of school with a free printable paper chain countdown or bunch of balloons. Simply tear a loop off or pop a balloon each day. Amp up the fun by writing an inspirational quote on each loop in the chain or putting a small prize in each balloon.

  1. Back-to-School Treasure Hunt

Once you’ve gone shopping for all those school supplies, hide them around the house and write up some silly clues! Kids will love the thrill of the hunt—and you’ll love checking off that school supply list without a fuss. Such a fun way to build more back-to-school excitement.

  1. Host a Back-to-School Family Dinner

A special meal is the perfect way to celebrate this yearly milestone! There are so many options from creating your own menu and cooking yourselves or ordering pick-up for a stress free night. Take the time to share everyone’s hopes for the new year around the table.

Have a large family with lots of school-aged kids?
Plan for an annual back-to-school dinner with all of the siblings and cousins as you all gear up for the schoo year.

  1. First Day Favorites

What’s your child loving right now? From favorite books and hobbies to what they want to be when they grow up, capture it all on printable, in a journal or make a poster. Snap a photo to reminisce for years to come.

  1. Goals in a Jar

Pass out sticky notes and have everyone write down all of their goals or anything they are looking forward to this year. Toss them in a jar and then take turns pulling a few each night during dinner the first week of school and guessing who’s goal it is.

  1. Personalize School Accessories

Decorate those lunch boxes, pencil cases, or notebooks with stickers, fabric, or a splash of paint or customized stickers. The perfect way to make sure your items stay out of the lost and found!

  1. Back-to-School Bedtime Story

Similar to reading “The Night Before Christmas”, reading a back-to-school themed book is a wonderful tradition that your kids will always remember. Pick one to read every year or choose a new one to form a collection you can pass on for your children to read with your grandkids.

Back-to-School Book Suggestions:
First Day Jitters
Meet August
The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of School
The Day You Begin 

  1. Plan a Service Project

Giving back feels good! Bake cookies for teachers or donate extra supplies. What better way to start the year than by spreading a little kindness?

  1. School Year Time Capsule

Fill a box with little treasures: drawings, hopes, maybe even a lucky rock. Save it to open on the last day—future you will thank you!

The Day Before School

Siblings doing a back to school fashion show with their new clothes.
  1. Host a Back-to-School Fashion Show

You spent all of those hours going back to school shopping, now’s the time to show off the goods. Have everyone take turns trying on their favorite ‘fits and strut down the hallway in their first day of school pick for the grand finale.

  1. Cook a “Lucky” Meal

Is there a food your family believes brings good luck? You can even create your own based on family-faves: Lucky Lasagna, Past-the-Test Pizza, Top-Student Tacos or Back-to-School Burritos.

  1. Prep Notes for Lunchboxes

A sweet note tucked into a lunchbox goes a long way. Share a joke, a drawing, or a simple “You’ve got this!”—it’s like a hug from home. Get the whole family involved and write notes to share with eachother during the first week of school. The kids can tuck theirs in their parent’s lunches for work.

  1. Summer Highlight Reel

Create a slideshow or social media post full of all of your summer adventures. Watch it as you reminisce and relive all of your summertime highlights, filling your heart with good vibes before the big day.

  1. Family Movie Night

Who doesn’t love a cozy movie night before the big day? Queue up a school-themed favorite or family-friendly classic.

The First Day of School

Back to school breakfast toast
  1. Special Breakfast Tradition

Nothing gets you pumped for the first day of school like a special breakfast. Think donuts, Fruity Pebble Pancakes or Fun Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits.

  1. Breakfast on the Go

No time to make a special breakfast at home? Pick your favorite drive-thru bagel shop, coffee shop or bakery and make the morning memorable with a special treat to start the day.

  1. Walk to School Together

If you can, lace up your sneakers and enjoy a walk together. It’s the perfect time for last-minute pep talks (and a few extra hugs).

  1. Celebratory After-School Snack

Is there anything better than a special treat after a big day? Surprise your kids with homemade cookies, fruit kabobs, or another family favorite.

30 Easy After School Snacks that Won’t Ruin Dinner

  1. Recap with “Best, Worst, Weirdest”

Once everyone has made it home and you gather around the dinner table, let everyone share one high, one low and one totally random event from their day. You’ll be amazed at the stories and laughter that follow.

More Back to School Ideas

Just a Little Reminder

The simplest rituals can become the ones your family cherishes most. Years from now, these are the moments you’ll all look back on with a smile. Pick a few traditions that feel right for you, and make them your own. Back-to-school should be full of encouragement, togetherness, and love…and maybe a new family favorite breakfast, too. Here’s to another wonderful school year filled with connection, laughter, and memories that last.

Hi! I’m Lauren Tingley M.Ed. and Certified Family Life Expert who empowers overwhelmed families to thrive in their modern lives. As a veteran educator and mother, I understand the pressures and challenges of juggling careers, raising children, and having fun as a family. As an experienced home cook and parenting expert, I love sharing ideas for family-friendly meals, kid-friendly activities, and simplifying family life. My advice and ideas have been featured in major publications like Parents Magazine, Good Housekeeping, and Care.com. I’m passionate about connecting with mothers and inspiring them to create a simpler, more balanced life. Click here to learn more about my background, experience, and philosophies.