BACK-TO-SCHOOL!! It’s time to PAR-TAY!
At least, the parents feel like celebrating — the kids? Not so much. But never fear, Family Fun is here to help get your kids excited about hitting the books once more.
The start of a new school year can be stressful for the whole family. Lots of kids are anxious; their fears may center on making friends, coping with a new teacher, or just figuring out how to find the restroom. We grown-ups may dread the morning mayhem, the after-school scramble, the carpooling and the carping about homework. But here are some things you can do to help make your child’s transition back-to-school go smoothly:
If getting up early to catch the bus is part of going back to school at your home, you’ll appreciate the Bus-Stop Bagel Bash. It’s a fun, low-stress way to ease into your new schedule, since it takes place on the day before school starts.
A child who is feeling tentative about starting school would love to tuck Mom, Dad and maybe even his cat, Fluffy, into his pocket for ready reassurance with a tailor-made, pocket-size photo.
Need a simple project for those itchy, edgy, last few days of summer vacation? Have your child assemble this Back-to-School Time Capsule. By adding to it each year, she can create a book of memories and milestones. Imagine a fifth grader looking back on what she liked and disliked in the summer before second grade; it would give her a great feeling of personal growth–and no doubt a good laugh!
A bookshelf offers a solution to a problem I dread each year: that pile of backpacks, papers, shoes, coats and sporting equipment that floods the foyer every afternoon when the kids get home. Sure, it takes a little extra effort to put the shelf together, but just think of the time–and stress–it will save you.
A refrigerator can display only so much artwork, so here’s another way to preserve those prized possessions. Store them in a pizza box portfolio.
Turn book covering into a party! When textbooks have been handed out but the homework hasn’t yet piled up, it’s prime time for a little book beautification. Set out a bunch of covering materials (see ideas below), some scissors, a pencil, a ruler, maybe some munchies and drinks, and let the kids hit the books.
This game provides a painless way to brush up on math skills at the end of the summer–or during the school year. Played by the same rules as bingo, it’s so much fun that you may find that the neighborhood kids want to come over and play along!
Rushed Mornings? Here are some tips to get your mornings off right
Kids bored after school? Try these fun activities.
Packing lunch? Here are some fun, creative and healthy ideas.
| 5 Ways to Pack a Healthier Lunch | Chew on your pencil | Sticks and Stones |
| Bologna Boat | Face Sandwich | Lunch Ahoy! |
| PB & J Blossom Sandwiches | Sailboat Sandwiches | Sandwich on a Stick |
And lastly … here are some fun crafts to help get the kids excited about going back-to-school.
Hang this organizer on your front door and never lose your keys, sunglasses, or other essentials again. Sticky notes help remind family members of more ephemeral matters.
Table your constant stream of morning reminders with this clever place mat, which allows kids to take responsibility for their own must-dos.
A plain bag pops with pizzazz when you add decorative details cut from felted wool — made by shrinking old sweaters until the wool is thick and ravel-proof.
When your child outgrows her favorite shirt, turn it into a handy bag.
Footwear takes a giant leap toward creativity with this clever quartet.
Small pieces of felted wool can have a big impact when they’re turned into beautiful jewelry. Repurpose an old wool sweater or two into stunning accessories by felting the fabric — shrinking the wool until it’s thick and ravel-proof.
(This was not a paid post. I just really dig Family Fun and thought I would pass on these fun tidbits. Enjoy!)
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