First Day of School Traditions for Homeschool Families

First Day of School Traditions for Homeschool Families

If you’ve been homeschooling for a while, you know that the first day of school is a big deal—not because you’re loading up backpacks or heading to the bus stop, but because it’s the start of another year of learning, growing, and making memories together.

Over the years, I’ve found that creating little traditions for the first day helps set a joyful tone for the year. They don’t have to be elaborate or expensive—just thoughtful touches that make the day feel special and worth remembering.

Here are some ideas you can mix and match to create your own family’s first-day traditions.

🥞 Breakfast Traditions

There’s just something about starting the year with a special breakfast that feels right. It doesn’t have to be fancy—just different enough to feel like a celebration.

• Pancake shapes (make numbers for the grade level, or spell out “YAY”)

• Cinnamon rolls with sprinkles

• A fruit platter arranged like a rainbow

• “School Morning Smoothies” in fun cups with paper straws

🍎 Snack Traditions

Plan a little mid-morning treat that signals, “We’re celebrating!”

• Apple slices with caramel dip (the classic “back to school” apple)

• Trail mix you make together the night before

• Cheese cubes and crackers in a muffin tin for a DIY snack tray

☕ Special Drinks

Whether it’s for the kids or just for mom, a fun drink adds something extra to the day.

• Hot cocoa with whipped cream (yes, even in September!)

• Apple cider in mason jars

• A fancy coffee drink just for you—because let’s be honest, you earned it

📚 Book & Read-Aloud Traditions

Books are such an easy way to start the year with connection.

• Gift each child a new book—this could be a novel, a beautiful picture book, or a special read-aloud for the whole family

• Some fun first-day read-alouds:

  • First Day Jitters – Julie Danneberg

  • The Day You Begin – Jacqueline Woodson

  • Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School - Herman Parish

  • If You Take a Mouse to School - Laura Numeroff

  • How Do Dinosaurs Go to School? - Jane Yolen and Mark Teague

  • Chrysanthemum - Kevin Henkes

  • School’s First Day of School – Adam Rex

  • If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don’t! – Elise Parsley

  • If I Built a School – Chris Van Dusen

  • A Fine, Fine School – Sharon Creech

  • The Day My Teacher Came to School – Maureen Fergus

  • David Goes to School – David Shannon

  • Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes – James Dean & Eric Litwin

  • Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten – Joseph Slate

  • You’re Finally Here! – Mélanie Watt

  • Back to School with Betsy – Carolyn Haywood

  • Our Class is a Family – Shannon Olsen

  • All Are Welcome – Alexandra Penfold

  • The Invisible String – Patrice Karst (for easing first-day jitters)

  • I Am Too Absolutely Small for School – Lauren Child

  • Adventure Annie Goes to Kindergarten – Toni Buzzeo

  • Llama Llama Misses Mama – Anna Dewdney

  • Come to School, Harry – Mary Lyn Ray

  • Chu’s First Day of School – Neil Gaiman

🌳 Outdoor Traditions

Get outside for a family activity to kick off the year.

• Nature walk scavenger hunt

• First-day picnic lunch at a favorite park

• Sidewalk chalk messages in the driveway to welcome “students”

✏️ Creative First-Day Assignments

Ease into learning with lighthearted, creative work.

• Writing prompts:

  • “What do you think you’re going to learn in math this year?”

  • “If you could learn anything in history, what would it be?”

  • “What would your perfect school day look like?”

  • “If you could invent a new school subject, what would it be?”

• Annual self-portrait: Have them draw themselves on the first day every year and save them in a binder—it’s so fun to see the changes over time

• Grade level photo: Take a picture of each child holding a sign with their grade (or “Year #” if you don’t use grades)

🎁 First-Day Surprise

One little gift can be such a big hit.

• A new set of colored pencils or markers

• A fun desk accessory (erasers, stickers, washi tape)

• A cozy blanket for reading time

• A puzzle or game to play together that afternoon

Final Thought:First-day-of-school traditions don’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. Whether it’s pancakes, a nature walk, or a brand-new book, the point is to start the year with joy, connection, and a sense of togetherness.

One day your kids will look back, and the memories of these small traditions will be the stories they tell.