50 Ways to Celebrate Back-to-School Week for Homeschoolers -

Looking for some ways to celebrate back-to-school week for homeschoolers? Lets talk about that first week back and ways we can make it more fun.

Every year looks a little different, but a couple things that we always try to include are a back-to-school speech from Dad and a celebratory breakfast.

We have found that pausing to celebrate back-to-school week with our homeschoolers is a great way to infuse some enthusiasm and get our homeschool year off on the right foot.

What should I do the first week of homeschool?

If your overall goal for your kids is to not only learn, but to love learning. Then make the first week a reflection of those values. Take the time to celebrate the possibilities and who they are becoming. Slow down and build some interest and curiosity for what the year might hold. Surprises, unexpected trips, and some tasty treats can go a long way.

Sure, get a little school work in. But feel free to ease into your routine and make the back-to-school week a memorable one.

Now for our list of 50 ways to celebrate back-to-school week for homeschoolers!

50 ways to celebrate back to school for homeschoolers pin

50 ways to celebrate back-to-school week for homeschoolers

There are tons of great ways to celebrate back-to-school week for homeschoolers. From special meals and speeches to new school supplies and treasure hunts, find a couple to try with your kids this year! Here are a few terrific homeschool back-to-school celebration ideas to get you started.

Back-to-school Activities for Homeschoolers:

1. Decorate your Learning Space.

Starting off our list of back-to-school activities you could decorate your learning space to help ring in the new school year! Hang balloons, streamers, banners, posters, number lines, alphabet posters, or whatever you can come up with to make it colorful and inviting.

2. Print first day of school signs and then take pictures

For the next back-to-school idea for homeschoolers, you can print off back-to-school signs with the appropriate grade levels and have fun posing for some cute back-to-school pictures.

3. Have a back-to-school poetry tea time

Another fun way to kick off a new homeschool year it to introduce your kids to some fun poetry books for kids along with some tea and a few tasty treats.

4. Decorate notebooks and journals

Get creative on the first day of school! Using patterned paper, stickers, washi tape, or paint and decorate your notebooks for the coming year.

5. Have a special lunch

Make a fun lunch! Fix something out of the ordinary (like sandwich kabobs) and give your day an element of back-to-school celebration.

6. Give small school-related gifts

Next, you could surprise your homeschool kids on the first day of school with something like a new pencil case, colorful binder, or sturdy backpack.

7. Do a school supply treasure hunt

Want to have a memorable back-to-school week with your homeschooler? Make some clues, hide them, then let your kids fill up their school caddy’s with all the supplies they find.

8. Write out goals

Talk about what your kids are interested in, have them come up with some goals they would like to accomplish for the year.

9. Make a vision board

Cut out pictures, quotes, or motivational sayings and make a vision board of all their goals.

10. Give a speech

Inspire your kids with an impromptu back-to-school speech. (Be sure to add lots of humor, inflection, substance, and enthusiasm.)

11. Decorate clipboards

Do you use clipboards in your homeschool? If so, find creative ways to decorate and spruce up those clipboards.

12. Make an All About Me book

Another fun back-to-school activity is to fill out an all about me book so you can refer back to it at the end of the year and compare and remember.

13. Pick a theme for Your Year

To set the tone for a fresh school year, pick a word, idea, motto, or theme for the year then write it down and frame it. Then, come up with some ways you can incorporate that into your daily homeschool.

14. Get a new school outfit

Who says you can’t go back-to-school clothes shopping? Go for it.

15. Have a picnic

Do a little school, then pack a basket full of your favorite lunch foods and have a picnic outside.

16. Create a backyard obstacle course

Give your kids a fun, back-to-school week challenge by creating an obstacle course in your backyard for them to go through.

17. Have a board game day

Spend your whole school day playing and problem solving with your favorite board games.

18. Go on a field trip

Instead of staying indoors for your first week of school, find a few places to go. (200+ Homeschool Field Trip Ideas.)

19. Host a back-to-school party

Plan a few games, hang a couple decorations, make some snacks then invite your other homeschool friends over to celebrate the beginning of a new year.

20. Set up a digital planner

Get your kids interested in getting their schedule and studies organized by getting them started on their own digital planner.

21. Write a letter for the last day of school

Have your kids write a letter to themselves for the last day of school

22. Create a time capsule

Put together a few momentous items then put it away for later.

23. Buy a new book

Visit a local thrift store, or a book shop and let your kids pick out a new book.

24. Make a back-to-school treat

Gather in the kitchen and make a fun treat together.

25. Write a note to your kids

Write a motivating letter to your kids encouraging them to have a good year and letting them know how proud you are of them.

26. Measure your kids

Take the time to mark your kid’s height on a door frame of measuring stick.

27. Do a fun science experiment together

Jump into learning with a hands-on activity to spark their interest.

28. Have an arts and crafts day

Clear the table and make space to create. Bring out the paints, colorful paper, and art books and get started.

29. Do your studies outside

Make good use of what’s left of summertime weather, and do your homework under the trees what the birds sing.

30. Have a reading day

Grab some snacks and get a head start on your reading list. Spend your school hours enjoying your favorite books.

31. Go to the zoo

Skip the books and go do your learning at the zoo. Pack a lunch and have fun observing the animals.

32. Do a handprint craft

For your little ones do a handprint craft (handprint heart tree) to put in their memory box.

33. Go to a museum

Take school to a local museum. Bring your journals to take notes, and have fun exploring everything there is to see.

34. Go on a bike ride

Kick off your nature study by enjoying the outdoors on a bike.

35. Open a Craftsy

Have a craft you want to learn? Open an account and get started learning.

36. Make a what we did this summer timeline

Practice making timelines while remembering the fun of the past summer.

37. Hide positive affirmation cards for your kids to find

Motivate and encourage your kids by leaving affirmations around the house for them to find.

38. Celebrate ‘School Year’s Eve

Make the night before school extra special. For example, make a fancy dinner, or open a few presents.

39. Do a first day of school interview

Do a first day of school interview– Fill out a printable or just make this a fun discussion activity. Ask about their favorites, interests, and goals.

40. Plan out a fun reading list for the year

Make a reading list that your kids will be excited to go through.

41. Make binder covers

Another way to celebrate back-to-school with your homeschooler is to let your kids design their own binder covers.

42. Organize your learning space

Make a party out of putting new books and supplies in place.

43. Decorate pencils

Decorate pencils– Find creative ways to decorate your pencils. Grab a little paint, tassels, or funky erasers and get those pencils ready for school time.

44. Make a pencil holder

Use what you have around the house and let your kids make their own pencil holder.

45. Print out a student planner to follow for the year

If digital planners aren’t for you, print out a student planner on paper and let them get organized.

46. Open and Outschool account

Take your learning online and find new classes that your kids might want to take.

47. Print motivational posters for your learning space

Decorate your space with quotes and sayings that will keep your kids inspired throughout the school year.

48. Buy a new backpack

Take your kids to the store and let them pick out a new backpack. They can use their new bag for field trips, library visits, and even going to grandmas’.

49. Go out for an ice cream cone

Take advantage of the last days of summer and finish your first homeschool day with a cool end-of-summer treat.

50. Go for a hike

Start your school year in the great outdoors. Bring your nature journal and draw your findings.

How can I make homeschool fun the rest of the year?

The best thing about homeschool is that it is what you make it. These back-to-school activities don’t have to be only for the beginning of the year. Pull this list out in the middle of the year as well. And try some of these activities with your kids.

Kids love little elements of change and surprise. Take the time to regularly find way to incorporate these into your routine. If you do, you will find that interest of learning kicked back into gear.