30+ Ways to Make
What to Do the Week Before: l Ask the kids. Say farewell to summer with their choice of an entertaining day out. Go on a hike, visit the zoo, or splash around at a water park. What do they want to do to end the season? l Have a glam session. You could all probably do with a fresh haircut. Take your tweens and teens out for a manicure and pedicure. l Involve the family. If you live near the grandparents, invite them to a favorite restaurant for a back-to-school brunch or meal. Ask extended family to write notes, whether that’s memories of their own school years or “good luck” messages. Collect the notes and give them as a present before the first day. l Create a countdown calendar for the days leading up to the first week of school with different activities. Each day, do something different to spend quality time together: play water games in the backyard, hold a movie night, make dinner together. l Make an annual time capsule with photos from the year, handwriting samples and drawings. Wrap and store it somewhere safe to be opened at the beginning of the next school year. l Do a back-to-school interview. Record items like height, weight, grade, friends and favorites: color, subject, foods and movies. Don’t forget to write down what they want to be when they grow up! Keep the interviews in a binder or notebook to enjoy reading over them each year.
Special! by Emily Webb
Summer is winding down, and returning to school is on the horizon. Consider starting these back-to-school traditions to make the beginning of the school year exciting.
52 Atlanta Parent
July 2023
l The best part of heading back to school is shopping! Plan an outing together to go shopping for a new backpack and fresh school supplies. Let him pick out a specific item or two that reflects his personality, whether it’s a whale water bottle or a dinosaur-themed backpack. After shopping, be sure to stop for lunch or ice cream. l Shop for the perfect back-to-school outfit. Hold a fashion show to show off new items. Help your kids pick out the best clothes the night before and set them aside, so there’s not a last-minute scramble in the morning. l Make it a time of gratitude. While you’re back-to-school shopping, pick up extra school supplies to donate to children in need. Before shopping, donate the items your kids have outgrown. l Remember the teacher. Start off the new year in a thoughtful way by gifting the teacher with school supplies, Clorox wipes or hand sanitizer. l Set up a scavenger hunt for school supplies. Hide items indoors and outdoors, and you can create a treasure map or clues for where to look.
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