10 First Day of School Traditions: Celebrate Your Little One’s First Day of School!

It’s that time of year again when we have to start getting ready for a new school year. How do you make going back to school fun for the littles? Do you have any first day of school traditions? Here is a list of 10 first day of school traditions for kids to enjoy.

1. All About Me

Download and print this lovely ‘All About Me‘ memory keeper for your child to fill out on their first day of school. Compile them together for your kids to enjoy looking back at and seeing what they were like and how they have changed (or not!).

2. First Day of School Photos

Remember their first day of school with a sign that shows their age/year and what they would like to be when they grow up. Take lots of photos to capture their first day. Collect their yearly photos and create a milestone memory box. 

3. School-Ready Books

Leading up to the first day of school, especially if your child is going into Kindergarten or Year 1, reading some first day of school books might help them get ready for their big day.

4. Friendship Game

The Friendship Game is a cute idea to try on shy kids. Use a pillbox to fill with some treats and the incentive to get those treats. When they come home, they can tell you what they achieved that day, whether it was smiling at someone or saying hello to someone they didn’t know. They can then choose their reward from the treat box.

5. Secret Banana Message

Using a toothpick or something sharp, write a secret message on your child’s banana. By the time they go to eat it, the secret message will appear. Finding a surprise in their lunchbox might make going back to school easier.

6. Mini Schultüte

This is a German tradition where kids get a cone filled with treats and back-to-school items. It’s literally the sweetest first day of school gift!

7. Lunch Box Printable Notes

Download these cute printable lunch box notes to add some fun and extra love to your child’s lunchbox. Those fruit faces are adorable, aren’t they?!

8. Set up a Homework Station

Spend part of the school holidays planning and setting up an area where your kids can do their homework. Or surprise them by setting up a homework station while they are at school on the first day. 

9. Make a Fun & Healthy Breakfast

Get your kids ready for their first day of school with a healthy yet fun breakfast like this Oatmeal Owl.

10. Back to School Celebration Cake

Surprise your kids when they come back from school with a First Day of School party! You can download and print these cute cake toppers to put on top of your cake or cupcakes and celebrate finishing their first day of school.

Need Some Back To School Tips and Hacks?

Check out our tips for a stress-free school morning routine! You’ll love our amazing back-to-school hacks for busy parents. These should help you breeze through the crazy back-to-school days!

Looking For Personalised Labels for Back To School Essentials?

We’ve got super cute school name labels for all your back-to-school supplies! You’ll love our different name labels that can go on lunch bags, drink bottles, pencil labels, socks, and so much more! They’re waterproof and stay stuck all year, so they last and last and last. We’ve even got iron-on clothing labels that have saved thousands of mums from having to replace school clothes and uniform items. The best part? They’re Made to Order For You in Australia and shipped super fast. Mums and kids love them!

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10 Back To School Activities Around The World

Have you ever been curious about the different back-to-school activities and traditions all over the world? Here’s a look at what the first day of school is like in different countries all over the globe and some back-to-school activities you might like to add to your own school traditions! 

Germany

The first day of school in Germany is always a huge event because they have no preschool. German kids receive schultüte, which roughly translates to “school bag.” But these are no ordinary school bags! They are giant cones filled with school supplies, toys, and candies! Talk about a sweet treat!

France

If most kids had their way, I am pretty sure they would want to study in France! French schools have one of the shortest academic years in the world. They devote 2 hours to lunch (I wonder how big their lunch bags are!) and have Wednesdays off! They do, however, still have to go to school for half the day on Saturday. But still!

Brazil

Brazilian schools return in February – just like us in Australia! Prices of school supplies like colouring pencils sometimes rise by as much as 500%! That is why some mums stock up on school goodies as early as 6 months before school starts.

Japan

Japanese children also receive a special bag on their first day of school just like German kids. They receive a sturdy backpack called randoseru. These durable bags are handed down from one family member to another. These bags also typically carry the children’s first packed lunch of the school year, which typically consists of gohan (rice) and quail eggs. The Japanese believe that this tradition brings good luck. Traditionally, boys carry black-coloured randoserus and girls carry red ones. Today, these bags come in different styles and colours.

Russia

September 1 marks the first day of school in Russia. This day is also known as “Knowledge and Skills Day”. Russian schoolchildren typically have flower bouquets for their teachers and they get a balloon in return.

The first bell is a tradition where one of the youngest girls in school is hoisted upon the shoulders of one of the oldest boys to parade around the students as she rings the first bell of the school year.

Kazakhstan

In Kazakhstan, children aged seven years old start their education with Tyl Ashar or the “Initiation to Education” day. Parents cook large feasts of lamb, other treats, and sweet desserts to mark this ceremony. Kazakh children also recite their Jety-ata (seven generations of grandfathers) from memory to honour their ancestors.

India

Pravesanothsavam is the first day of school in India. Special presents for the children mark this occasion. Aside from school essentials, umbrellas are popular gifts because the first day of class normally comes in the monsoon months.

Italy

Schools in Italy do not require uniforms, except for children in kindergarten. They wear a work apron called grembiule. Boys usually wear a blue and white checked apron and girls wear pink and red checked ones. In primary schools, the colour of the aprons changes to deep blue.

Netherlands

Bakfietsen or cargo bikes are a popular eco-friendly way to go around town in the Netherlands. You will frequently see these bikes transporting children to school as the first day rolls around.  

USA

The US marks the first day of school with first-day photos! Kids typically wear their brand new first day of school outfits, holding signs of the grades they are starting written on it. Pinterest has a lot of first-day picture ideas if you’re looking for some inspiration.

Want to Share Your Own Back To School Tradition?

Post your back-to-school tradition photos and tag us on Facebook and Instagram. We might just feature them on our blog. 

Looking for Back To School Tips?

Read about our busy parent back-to-school hacks. We also got Back To School Essentials you can get online so you can stay organised and  stress-free.

Organising Your Kids Back To School Essentials?

Don’t lose any of your kids’ school supplies with our name labels. They are easy to use and looks very stylish! They are perfect for labelling pencils, lunch boxes, activity books, water bottles, and many more! Being 100% waterproof they’re safe to use on most containers in dishwashers, sterilisers, microwaves, and freezers. The best part? These are all made for you in Australia and shipped super fast! You’re going to love them!

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