Going back to school can cause a lot of mixed emotions in kids. First day jitters can come from a combination of things like a new teacher, new classroom, new friends or even a new school. Help them cope with their emotions by having a fun themed breakfast celebration that will get kids excited for school.
We have had our back to school breakfast celebration for a few years now. The boys run down in the morning with the same excitement as Christmas morning. Check out our owl pancakes and other first day of school traditions to incorporate into your traditions too.
THE SET UP
To start, the theme is pretty much what you would expect of apples and school related items. Most of the table top decorations and banners were purchased from the dollar spot at Target. Every new year, I stroll the bins looking for anything new or different than what I already have. Then I reuse it the next year.
Warm up your hot glue gun to make the flower vase and food bowl. I found the flower vase in the floral section of my local grocery store. It was a tall galvanized tin with a plastic insert for holding water. Simply use regular yellow pencils to surround the outside of the vase and secure with hot glue. I added the green ribbon for an added touch. Next for the food bowl, I used a clear plastic candy dish that I found at Party City and then glued dollar store crayons to the outside all the way around. Finally for the chalkboard sign, I hot glued apple decorations to the sides.
Dollar Tree had the red plates and tumblers that I used for the place setting. Using green felt, I cut out a shape of a leaf and hot glued it to the top of the plates. I then used my circuit to personalize each cup. Each place setting was placed on cork board cut to size. This thin cork board can be found at Joann’s. Finally using the hot glue gun again, I secured two rulers together to make a name card holder. You may want to stock up on glue sticks!
SCHOOL SUPPLIES GIFT
Each boy got all their normal back to school supplies ahead of time, but I also shopped for some cool unique items to add as a gift for the first day. Most of the items fit into these colorful personalized boxes. This year, they got fun shaped erasers, electric pencil sharpener, mini stapler, tons of colored gel pens, and new headphones. Here is a list of ideas to give them as a gift on the first day.
Gift Ideas:
- New Watch
- Fun Shaped Erasers
- Scented Markers
- Colored Pencils (like metallic)
- Gel Pens
- Mini Stapler
- Electric Pencil Sharpener
- Personalized Pencils
- Fun Design Pencils
- New Pencil Case
- Hand Sanitizer
- Post It Notes (in various shapes)
- Backpack Charms
- Locker Magnets
- Picture Magnets
- Locker Decorations
- Small Dry Erase Board
- Book Covers
- New Water Bottle
- Key Chain
- Fun Journal or Diary
- Fidget Toys
- Assorted Washi Tape
- New Helmet
- Calculator
- Colorful Highlighters
- Fun Shaped Paper Clips
- Page Flags
- Bookmark
- Flash Card
- New Book (for fun)
- Calendar/ Planner
- Wireless Mouse
- Wireless Keyboard
- Mouse Pad
- Lanyard
- Mints or Gum
- New Backpack or lunch box (if not have already)
NEW GRADE BOOK
For the longest time, each boy also got a book that talked about the first day of school for their new grade. For example, The Night Before Kindergarten, First Grade, Here I come, and Second Grade, Here I Come to name a few. I did have a hard time finding a 4th Grade book this year so opted for grade flags to put at each seat that I found at Target dollar spot. Maybe at this age you can get them the next book in a series or by an author that they like.
FUN THEMED FOOD
Nothing can make a meal more fun than cute themed food. We have done the owls for a couple years now. But this year we needed something new, so pencil waffles were served. This idea is so easy and cute to make. Simply cut up frozen waffles once cooked into a rectangular shape then add raspberries to the top and bread triangle and raisin to the bottom. We also served a huge stack of pancakes with blueberry drizzle on top. So yum! Each kid also got a skewer of strawberries shaped like apples and blueberries plus a mini egg quiche, sausage, and fruity pebble yogurt parfait. If that wasn’t enough we had apples with carmel dip, mini strawberry muffins, and mini powdered donuts. They for sure went to school with a full stomach!
BANNERS
The banners and garland strung around the room were made of flash cards or bulletin board cut outs. Simply find a set of school items at the dollar store or Target dollar spot then punch holes to string them together.
If you have been around my blog, then you know I like fun themed meals. I find so much joy in creating these memories with my boys. What do you do for the first day of school for your kids?
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