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| Original photo credit. |
As a homeschooling parent, we want to make the back to school experience as fun for our kids as possible. We don’t have many of the opportunities for back to school fun that school children have (such as class parties), so it is up to us to make the first day of school as fun as possible!
If you are looking for some fun back to school ideas for homeschoolers, try some of these fun activity ideas that I’ve found around the web.
Throw a Not Back to School Party
I love the idea of having a fun party with friends and family celebrating the fact that you don’t have to go back to school! Some families choose to plan their party date for the day the local school district starts back up (where we live that is August 25), but you could do it any time! A lot of homeschool groups have their own party, so check with local groups in your area if you don’t want to host your own party.
The awesome thing about this party is you can make it as simple or as complicated as you like. Hang with friends at a park, or go all-out with some of these ideas:
Dukes and Duchesses has some cute and easy (always important for me) school-themed decoration ideas that would be perfect for a not back to school party! I love how she uses notebook paper, pencils, and throw-away plates to create a seriously cute party theme.
Crossing the Bugger Dixon Line has a book-swap theme that would be perfect for a homeschooling party! You could swap fiction and curriculum for a seriously awesome party that is also super-cute!
If you want an even easier theme, Lillian Hope Designs has a set of FREE back to school printables that are super adorable. She even has a create-your-own bookmark station that makes my reader’s heart extremely happy.
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| Photo Credit: Faith Photography |
First Day of School Traditions for Homeschoolers
So far, Monkey and I haven’t gotten around to starting any back to school traditions, but I really want to do something this year! Here are some ideas that are perfect for homeschoolers:
Why not start simple and take a first day of school photo? There are tons of free printables for this online (and it is really easy to make your own- I love PicMonkey for this), but I really like these chevron printed ones from Love Bakes Good Cakes.
How about interviewing your student on the first day of school? Giggles Galore has a cute (and FREE) printable interview sheet that would make a great addition to any school scrapbook.
Since homeschoolers have the luxury (haha) of being at home, why not make the first day of school special with a delicious first day of school breakfast? You don’t have to get too fancy with this if you don’t want to, but Echoes of Laughter has some amazing inspiration for breakfast ideas.
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| Photo Credit: Echoes of Laughter |
Special Lunch Ideas for Homeschool Children
One of the “drawbacks” of being homeschooled is that we don’t often pack lunches for our kids. But that doesn’t mean lunchtime can’t be special! You don’t have to have a fun lunch every day, but it can be a great way to make the start of school special. I love these school lunch ideas:
Basically, the way to make lunch more interesting is to put it into compartments, make it into a fun shape, or use other cute shapers and picks to make things fun.
Annabel Karmel knows the way to make food fun is by putting it on a stick! This is probably my favorite idea, because we don’t have a lot of time for creating elaborate lunches even on the first day of school. :-)
If you are stumped for ideas, 5 Dollar Dinners has you covered with 31 days of school lunch ideas.
And for the kids with allergies, Keeley McGuire has a list of 25 lunch ideas that are allergen and gluten free.
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| Photo Credit: Keeley McGuire |
Make the First Day of Homeschool Fun
Those are just a few ideas to get you thinking about how to make your first day of homeschool special.
What fun back to school traditions do you use in your homeschool?
We would love to hear them!
More Back to School Fun from Homeschool with Purpose Contributors
5 Simple Tips for Transitioning Back to School– Schooling a Monkey
5 Things You Don’t Need to Homeschool– All Things with Purpose
DIY Alphabet Poster Game– Crazy Good Readers
Homeschooling Ideas to Get Back on Point– Shifting Seasons
Brenda is a writer, editor, and homeschooling mom of 2 (ages 8 and 1 ½).
As a homeschool graduate herself, and the sibling of 6 other homeschooled graduates, she offers assurances to worried homeschooling moms that it really does work out all right in the end.
Brenda blogs about homeschooling, crafts, life, and more at Schooling a Monkey.
*All images used with permission.
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