You know when the new school year starts up sometimes it feels like you’re missing out with all the back to school pictures. Yet we forget as Homeschoolers we can do anything we want like first day pictures as well as doing a Back to HOMESCHOOL party! I think creating your own first day traditions is so special. We are year round homeschoolers but I love having a specific day that marks the start of a new year. This will mark our 4th year homeschooling and this year I’ll have a Y2 student (Second Grade), Pre-K and a sweet and wild tag along toddler.
For the First Day Traditions we keep it simple but fun!
Back To Homeschool Breakfast
We start with a special breakfast you can change it up or do the same thing each year. I love Cinnamon Rolls, this recipe is my favorite and go to for Cinnamon Rolls but I skip the coffee or if you like sourdough I love this one too!!. Cinnamon Rolls it feels so special to us and I can make them the day before and quickly pop them into the oven the morning of. This is another go as big or small as you want, overnight oatmeal is another nice option for make ahead breakfasts or grab doughnuts. Or go full Hobbit breakfast with Bacon, Eggs, Pancakes, etc.
For the Party set up, I’ve got a table cloth and then some cute back to school fabric I had found from Joann Fabrics a few years ago I use as a table runner. I add our favorite homeschool picture books to the table (I’ve been adding one each year to our home library), some cute apple plates and free printables to decorate with. I like to sneak in a surprise gift for the kiddos like some school supplies we needed.
After breakfast we do a First Day Of Homeschool interview, I made my own this year but you can also check out these by Willow Tree Homeschool( in her Freebie section) we’ve used these in the past too! We all draw self portraits and test out any new school supplies or sticker books we got. Then we do first day pictures I use these free signs to have the kiddos hold up.
Having a fun party is totally doable on any budget and simple to put together yet makes the day feel so special and makes for a wonderful tradition.
A list of our favorite Homeschool Picture Books
- This Is My Home, This Is My School by Jonathan J. Bean
- Mama, Why Am I Homeschooled? by Jacy Ruwe
- Charlie Goes to School by Ree Drummond
I’m adding a new one this year (a fun surprise each year) but it’s on back order so we’ll save it for next year!
We actually don’t need much when it comes to school supplies each year so it’s nice to add some new craft supply or read aloud activity. A new board game or a new yoto card (an audiobook they wanted to read/ listen to), if you use the make your own cards over and over you don’t even need to buy new ones each year. You can even get yourself a little something as a teacher gift, this year I got a stamp for the books in our home library or last year I got a homeschooling book I had really hoped to own. There are so many possibilities that you can go as big or small as you want!
You can use the pictures and homeschool interview questions in a scrapbook and also use how they answered some of the questions to benefit your lessons! I really love seeing how other families celebrate these tradtions and I was inspired by Home Centered Learning’s post, she has so much information and fun ideas!!
Happy Homeschooling friends!
