15 Ideas for BACK TO SCHOOL

We are coming in quick on Back to School over here, and THIS is the year I am going to be ready. OOOORRRR…. THIS is the year that I am REALLY going to TRY to be ready is probably more accurate!! I have been searching Pinterest for some back to school help, and thought I would share some of my favorite finds.

I am loving this Back to school countdown from Simply Kierste. Just print and use a little washi tape to mark off the days…easy peasy. I think I missed it for this year, but instead of answering the HOW MANY DAYS UNTIL question, this seems like a great idea.

I LOVE the idea of a back to school interview with my kiddos because it would be SOOO fun to look back on and see how their handwriting and answers change from year to year. I LOVE LOVE LOVE these printable back to school interview sheets because they stay the same from year to year AND they have a spot for those special back to school pictures.

And speaking of back to school pictures, these printable sheets make SUCH cute picture props. PLUS I actually have a hard time telling which pictures are from WHICH years…even though I think I will NEVER forget. I cannot decide between this neutral first day of school printable ….

…ORRRR this Colorful first day AND last day printable. I DO love that this has an option for a matching last day photo as well!!!

I used to always put notes and jokes in my kiddos lunches, but last year I was a slacker. Since they mentioned it the other day, I decided I would try again this year. It works best for me if I print off a TON of Lunchbox jokes at the beginning of the year and just have them on hand for the rest of the year. Helpful hint…keep them where the kiddos wont read them all beforehand:)

I am thinking I will print off some lunch box love notes too for those days when I KNOW my kiddo is gonna need a middle of the day MOM virtual hug:)

If you know me, you know I HATE mornings and I HATE packing lunches. I REALLY want to set up a school lunch station like this in my pantry to help the kiddos pack their own lunches and make healthy choices as well.

I also love the idea of labeling the AMOUNT of items they should choose from each area of the lunch packing station…because I have one kiddo who would FOR SURE have 3 desserts and no fruit if left on his own.

My kids LOVE lunchables , but I really like the idea of these DIY lunchables …and how smart to use muffin cups to keep everything separated. I also plan to order some of these small cups to help with packing this year…perfect for sauces, granola, candies, seeds, etc.

I think I might try out these DIY ice-packs also. I swear no matter HOW many freezer packs I buy, we can NEVER find a freezer pack when we need one. This seems like a cheap easy alternative.

There is ONE thing I know for SURE that I need to do better this year…ORGANIZATION!!! I think the idea of a large family calendar is a great idea because my oldest is GREAT about reminding me of activities…but she doesn’t have access to my phone calendar. SOOOO if they can BOTH see the calendar each day, maybe we can work together to remember more of those important dates and deadlines.

This 4 month option is my current plan, so that I do not have to RE-do the calendar as often and so I can plan ahead. My hope is to hang it above the kids backpacks so that they at LEAST have to walk past it twice a day…haha.

Andddd so of course I will be needing a backpack station!!! There is NOTHING that drives me MORE nuts then when my kids dump their backpacks, coats, and lunchboxes on the living room floor…or the kitchen counter…or WHEREVER they land first when tromping through the door. I need to work on this one ASAP!!

And because the theme of the year seems to be a station for ALL the things…I am thinking a homework station sounds PERFECT!! I think a homework caddy is such a handy idea because it can come out, be used by more than one kid, and then be put away and hidden. I cannot even begin to count the times that my kids go to do homework and I hear…WHERE IS THE RULER??? WHERE ARE ALL THE PENCILS??? WHERE IS THE (insert ANY and EVERY school supply here)???

I don’t know why I never thought of this…but this one blows my mind!!! Using a closet organizer as a school clothes organizer is GENIUS!!! Have them pick out their outfit, socks, shoes, and accessories ahead of time…I am SOOOOO doing this!!

I usually make cookies for after school on the first day, but I might up my game this year and make these cute graham cracker pencils. Did you eat graham crackers and frosting as a kid??? Because for me it is an ALL TIME FAVORITE treat!!

Raise your hand if you are a procrastinator (me with both arms high in the air)!! I am almost ALWAYS up late the night before school trying to find a teacher gift. I love that this simple tag is not only cute, but it is inexpensive AND thoughtful too.

Although you can NEVER go wrong with a yummy treat either!!! I also sometimes send the gift on the FRIDAY of the first week (because of the procrastination) as a YOU MADE IT THROUGH THE FIRST WEEK gift. It is never to late for a teacher treat right??

Back to school is ALWAYS a stressful time, but I also love that it is a time to start new habits and traditions in our home. We tend to get lazy during the Summer and it is SOOO nice to be back on track when school starts. I pinned SOOOO many more good ideas to my BACK TO SCHOOL board if you wanna check it out. I am REALLY hoping that THIS year I can make some of my favorite pins a reality and be ready for the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!

Pin for later!!

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