25 Fun & Exciting Ideas for Back To Homeschool

Summer is rapidly coming to a close and that can mean just one thing – it’s nearly time for back to homeschool! Between all the planning and preparing it can be easy to forget the fun, so today we are going to look at 25 fun & exciting ideas for your first day back to homeschool!

Homeschool Traditions

I don’t know about you, but I like to create fun & memorable moments around our homeschool time, especially at the start of the year. There’s something nostalgic about the day as we go through our list of traditions and I see changes year after year.

But, just like the kids change, I do like to add something new or different to our annual back to homeschool celebration so it’s not all just a day filled with the same old things year after year.

In the end, we have a bit of tradition, a dash of new inspiration, & plenty of fun!

Making Back To School Special

Today, I want to help you start your new homeschool year, whether you are a first-year homeschooler who is just starting your homeschool journey, or a seasoned veteran who is simply looking for something new to try.

Back to homeschool should be a special time, you mama, can make it so. Even without a ton of planning, or on a super-tight budget, you can add some back to homeschool fun with these 25 fun & exciting ideas.

And even if you don’t use them exactly as I have listed, feel free to take the inspiration they lend and use this post as a springboard to help you celebrate back to homeschool, the return to school after an extended break, or to save a homeschool day that has gone wildly off track.

No matter how you use these back to school ideas, my friend, you are sure to find inspiration & encouragement for your homeschool!

Back to Homeschool Tips

Before we dive into the good stuff my friend, and get you set up with some traditions for your back to homeschool celebrations, let’s pause to consider these homeschool tips that will help you all year long.

1. Start Slow – Plan on easing into your homeschool year rather than starting out with a full course load even in the lower grades.
2. Be Prepared – Have a plan for your homeschool year with goals for each child. If you are homeschooling older kids, let them be part of the goal-setting process.
3. Be Flexible – I know, I just said to be prepared, but you also need to be flexible. Perhaps the math books won’t be in for another week or two or maybe your high schooler can’t decide between biology or chemistry, it’s OK. You can start the year even if you don’t have all of your homeschool resources ready yet.
4. Plan For Fun – With traditions, games, and even excursions, the first day (or even the first week or two of back to school) should be centered around fun, easing in, and finding the routines that work for this year.
5. Enjoy It! – I know there’s a lot of pressure surrounding back to school and the start of the homeschool year, but Mama, plan to enjoy it. Take pictures, eat the pancakes, and enjoy the time you have with your children.

Ok, now… about those back to school for homeschoolers ideas, tips, and memory-making fun!

Be sure to read all the way to the bottom so you can grab your Back to Homeschool Idea List & Planner Freebie!

Back To Homeschool Traditions

1. First Day Breakfast – Whether you opt for pancakes or waffles, choose to eat at home, or head out, starting your homeschool year with a celebratory breakfast is always a great choice!
2. Back to Homeschool Outfits – Just because the first day of school is at home doesn’t mean you can’t partake in first-day outfits (even if your preferred homeschool attire is pajamas!).
3. First-Day Shirts – Some families love to start their young students out in an oversized shirt complete with their graduation year on it and a new handprint every year.
4. New Year Pictures – Make good use of the first day of homeschool by snapping a picture of two of your kids. Not only is this a great tradition, but it’s also a great way to see how quickly they grow up because it really does happen fast.
5. Grade Signs – You know the ones that first day of “x” grade. first day of school signs are a great way to make your first day special and then you can be sure to save them in your kid’s homeschool binders.

6. Special Snacks – Make some fun muffins, create an epic trail mix, or even let the kids have those once-in-a-while items you typically say no to most of the year.
7. Watch A Movie – Curl up with your kids (and those snacks) for a movie marathon or even a documentary if you want to be extra educational.
8. Go To The Park – Whether that’s a local playground, a waterpark, or a theme park, you choose, just get outside and find some adventure.
9. Try A Scavenger Hunt – Perhaps the park is out of the question, but what about a scavenger hunt?
10. Go On A Bike Ride – Grab those helmets and find the trail or path that’s right for your family.

11. Decorate School Supplies – Add a picture to the binder or use paper bags to cover books (you do remember how, right?!), and let your children personalize their school supplies as a great back to homeschool task.
12. Go To The Beach – Who needs to stay inside on a beautiful late summer or early fall day when you can head to the beach and log some first day of school credit as well?
13. Decorate Your Home – Have a party for your first day of school with balloons, streamers, and decorations around your schoolroom or the whole house.
14. Create a Homeschool Bucket List – Sit down with your kids and create a list of the things they want to do this year.
15. Decorate Your Child’s Bedroom Door – Pin or tape quotes, words of encouragement, goals, accomplishments from last year, or anything else you think might help your child feel energized & excited about the new school year.

16. Fill Out All About Me Pages – Typically for younger kids, you can fill out All About Me pages or a getting to know you worksheet with your kids. For more fun, do one yourself!
17. Make A Homeschool Day Paper Chain – Perfect if your state requires attendance, make a paper chain with one ring per day needed and remove one ring for each school day throughout the year.
18. Read the Day Away – You know I’m all about using books in our homeschool, and a first-day-of-school read-a-thon with either a classic chapter book or some homeschool poetry is a great way to ease into the homeschool year and create some great back-to-school memories.
19. Summer Journals – Create a journal that tracks all the adventures that summer brought.
20. Freewrites – We love writing in our homeschool right from day 1. Whether you opt to use Story Cubes, writing prompts, roll & writes, or simply set a timer and go, freewrites are a great back-to-school activity.

21. Ice Cream Bar – Stock up on your favorite ice cream flavors, cones, and toppings, and dig in for some end-of-summer fun!
22. Have A Picnic – Collect your supplies and venture off for a meal outside with your family. Perfect for combining a few of these ideas including the bike ride, scavenger hunt, and reading!
23. Go To The Library – There’s no time like the present to get stocked on books for the new homeschool year!
24. Visit A Museum – If you have one around, a museum could be a great experience for the first day of homeschool.
25. End The Day Early – You know you don’t need a full 6 or 8 hours to homeschool, but those first few days where you are easing in really don’t need a ton of time either. End the day early and simply do something fun with your kids.

What Are Your Back To Homeschool Traditions?

Whether you start right in with academics and filling in your homeschool attendance sheet, center your day around fun & food, or opt for a day filled with field trips & adventure, there’s no real wrong way to celebrate your first day back to school.

Need More Homeschool Ideas?

• 5 Things Homeschool Moms Need to Do Over The Summer to Prepare for Back to Homeschool
• 7 Ways To Make Language Arts Fun
• Math Frustrations Solved with These 7 Proven Tips!
• 25+ Fall Activities For Homeschool Your Kids Will Love!