“It’s the most wonderful time of the yeeeaaarrrrrr!” As a kid, I actually used to sing that in anticipation of the school year starting. I’m pretty sure I was ripping off that Staples commercial from 1996, but the sentiment was true. It’s hard not to get excited about fresh, blank composition books and newly sharpened pencils.
Whether you or your kids are as excited as I was, there are so many ways to commemorate the end of summer and the start of something new. Here are a few suggestions for both kids and adults to help jumpstart your back-to-school celebration plans.
Camp Out
Really soak up the last of summer before spending the majority of your days indoors for the next nine months. This can be as low-key as pitching a tent in the backyard or inviting friends over for a bonfire. Create the menu based on foods that you can cook on a campfire, like mountain pies, or pull out the grill. Don’t forget the s’mores. After dark, learn about the stars with Sky Guide, or any other astronomy app that locates the constellations and makes them much easier to spot.
Classic Classroom
For the kid of any age who just can’t get enough of the classroom (e.g., me, circa 1996), host a little preview of all the fun the school year has in store. This is the perfect time to execute on that chalkboard wall you’ve been wanting to paint, or just hang a chalkboard wall decal for a less permanent schoolhouse vibe. Old flashcards, textbooks and maps also help set the stage. Break out some board games like Scrabble, Cranium or, my favorite, Dixit, and practice drawing skills, trivia, storytelling and vocabulary words!
Summer Reads
Throw a book-themed party. Invite guests to bring a copy of the best book they read over the summer, and do a book exchange, white-elephant style. Each participant can pitch his or her contribution, sharing a little bit about the book and why it became a favorite, before diving into the swap game.
Clothing Swap
Before going shopping for new school or work clothes for yourself or kids, collect up all your old, lightly used favorites that you stopped wearing, share them with friends and ask that they bring theirs. You know your friend’s skirt you’ve been coveting? It could be headed to your closet next. Everything that goes unclaimed can be donated, and everyone comes away with extra room in their closets and something new to them.
Casual Backyard Happy Hour
In many cases, the real winners come back-to-school time are parents. Set aside time with your friends before you have to start shuttling kids around for after-school activities to enjoy cocktails, wine or craft beer in the backyard. A cider-tasting happy hour would be a nice way to celebrate the upcoming school season. Even if you’re not a parent, consider hosting happy hour now that everyone’s summer travel is over but before your friends’ fall calendars fill up.
- Grill photo: Splitshire
- Book photo: Public Domain Archive
- Toast photo: Barn Images
