It’s almost that time once again. Another end to another summer as we head into the 2024-2025 school year. Kendra Adachi, host of The Lazy Genius Podcast, often talks about closing ceremonies, and I think this is the perfect time to add in a closing ceremony that can become a family tradition that everyone looks forward to and creates a family memory. This can be something over the top or something super simple.
Looking back on my own childhood, a back-to-school tradition that we had was going school shopping for some new clothes and shoes for the upcoming school year. My brother and I were each given a budget—a great learning exercise for us to practice deciding what we really wanted versus what we actually needed. We didn’t shop often, so this was an exciting outing for us. This tradition lives on a little bit with my kids’ getting new back-to-school shoes and maybe a new shirt for school picture day. Maybe it will become more of a thing as they get older and care more about their clothing choices. I know my soon-to-be freshman daughter would be all in on a shopping day!
As the mom in my own family now, I’ve initiated the simple tradition of going out for ice cream both to celebrate the start of the school year and to mark the end of school and the start of summer vacation. We don’t go out for ice cream or froyo often, so that alone makes the tradition more special. The novelty of whatever you choose for your observance makes it even more exciting.
Of course, I am a parent of the Pinterest era, so I have the chalkboard sign for each of my kids to pose with for first- and last-day-of-school photos. We also have graduation year t-shirts that they get wear for a photo each year as well. They may roll their eyes now, but I see how remarkably their little kindergarten bodies, once swallowed up by this size large t-shirt, grow in the blink of an eye to a point that the shirt actually starts to fit them. It’s been a cute way to show the passage of time. I also find it important to show my kids the photos each year because, regardless of how excited they are to participate in Mom’s shenanigans, they do like seeing how little they were and how much they have changed over the years.
Other back-to-school traditions could include eating a certain type of food, going shopping, taking a family outing, reading a specific book, doing an interview or making a time capsule each year, or even making a bucket list or setting some goals for the upcoming school year.
Perhaps your family goes out to eat at a restaurant special to you, or you enjoy trying a new restaurant each year. Maybe you only make a special meal or dessert once a year that everyone looks forward to like the Lyons and Nauman families do. Sarah Lyons, mother of six, says, “I make cinnamon roll waffles on the first and last day of summer.” Joellyn Nauman, mother of four, says, “We make a fun breakfast of pancakes with ice cream and M&Ms. The kids talk about it every year, so I won’t forget! It’s so fun to make family traditions that they will remember.” Ingrid Brown, mother of two, has a great idea for including extended family and friends in the fun: “We do a back-to-school bonfire the night before school starts. S’mores for the win!”
If food or shopping isn’t your jam, maybe having one final family outing on the last weekend of summer would be fun. Head to a miniature golf course like Howl in One Mini Golf, the Nelson-Atkins Art Course or Black Bob Park to have some fun together. If you’re looking for more of a thrill, head to Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun to send the summer off right.
Books have always been a big part of my parenting journey, and I like to read seasonally to my kids. Sadly, mine insist on growing up, but I’m holding strong to keep reading to my youngest as he heads into fourth grade this year. Some back-to-school books I have enjoyed reading to them over the years include The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, A Case of Bad Stripes by David Shannon, You Are Special by Max Lucado, We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins, Stand Tall, Molly Lou Lemon by Patty Lovell and Princesses Don’t Wear Glasses by Tia Cherie Dammen. If you’re looking for some non-picture book read-alouds about school, we’ve enjoyed Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume and the Wayside School series by Louis Sachar.
Family traditions help children feel connected to your family and give them a sense of belonging. Traditions don’t have to be expensive or elaborate but give us something fun to look forward to as seasons change. Traditions can also change, so if you try one that doesn’t fit your family, don’t feel like you’re stuck doing it just because you want a tradition. Perhaps your family’s tradition is to try a new tradition each fall as the kids head back to school until something sticks. The memories of the failed “traditions” will be fun to look back on as a family as well. The main focus is to connect with your family as you head into a new season.
Stephanie Loux is the mother of Layla, 13, Mason, 11, and Slade, 8.