The first day of school is a big deal, even if your kids are staying home in their pajamas (lucky them!). As a veteran homeschool mom of 11 years, I’ve learned that creating special first-day-of-school traditions can make that day memorable and fun. And let’s be real—who doesn’t love a little excitement to kick off a new year?
Here are several unique and fun first day of homeschool ideas to help your kids feel the love and get excited about learning in your new homeschool year.
1. Pajama Day Kickoff
Start the school year in the coziest way possible—by declaring it a Pajama Day! Let the kids pick out their favorite PJs, and maybe even join them if you can. It’s a simple way to have some fun, but it sets a relaxed and great start for the year ahead.
You could even give them each a new set of comfy pajamas to wear for the other fun things planned!
2. “Welcome to Your Classroom” Surprise
Transform your homeschool space overnight with decorations like streamers, balloons, and a personalized welcome sign. When your kids walk in, they’ll feel like they’ve just stepped into a brand new adventure, perfect for a special first day of school.
My family doesn’t have a dedicated homeschool room, but they always look forward to “The Table Tradition”—our dining room table decked out like a party with special treats, new books, and gifts. Each child has a special spot at the table with their name and their new curriculum for the year. It’s one of our favorite first-day-of-school traditions!
3. First Day Feast
Who says breakfast has to be boring? Whip up a special school breakfast that’s fancier than the usual cereal. Think homemade cinnamon rolls, pancakes with all the toppings, or a fun treat like ice cream for breakfast. This tradition makes school time feel like a special day right from the start.
Or if you’re more of a going-out-for-brunch family, choose a favorite local spot to have a mid-morning treat to go to each year for nostalgia, or be adventurous and try a new restaurant each first day.
4. Yearly Photo Shoot
Capture the moment with fun first day of school photos. Let the kids pick out their favorite outfits and create a backdrop that reflects their favorite subject or hobby. These photos become treasured special memories to look back on every single year. We love seeing how much everyone has grown since we started homeschooling!
You can also take pictures with printable first day of school signs! These are fun and can help your homeschool kids remember what grade they’re in (are my kids the only ones who forget?). Or skip the grade and share other milestone info that’s unique to your kids.
5. Goal-Setting Session or Homeschool Vision Boards
Sit down with your kids and set some goals for the new grade or school year. Make it a mix of serious and silly—like mastering multiplication and learning to bake the perfect chocolate chip cookie. This tradition helps them think about what’s important and sets a positive tone for school work. Add some extra fun with a cool new planner or create a school season bucket list to track these goals.
6. Create a Time Capsule
Have your kids write a letter to their future selves or fill a small box with their favorite things, drawings, or predictions. Seal it up and tuck it away to be opened on the last day of school. It’s a fun way to see how much they’ve grown over the school season and a great thing to do at the beginning of the school year.
Our Time Capsule printables are the perfect way to make this an easy tradition!
7. Special First Day Read-Aloud
Choose a picture book or chapter book that’s meaningful to your homeschooling family or one that reflects a theme of the school year. Start a tradition of reading the same book every first day or pick a new one each year. It’s a sweet way to set the tone for the day and spark a love for reading. We love wrapping up the book like a present and putting it on our table display.
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8. First Day Field Trip
Why not break away from the routine and take a field trip on the very first day? Whether it’s a visit to a local museum, a nature walk, or even a trip to the zoo, this is a fun tradition that adds a spark of adventure and excitement to the beginning of the school year.
If it’s in your budget, buy a season pass to a fun educational experience in your area and try it out the first day of school so you can look forward to enjoying it the rest of the year! Some locations have discounts for homeschool families.
If you want to go all out, take a surprise vacation on the first day. We did this several years ago, and my kids still talk about how it was one of their favorite first days ever!
9. Decorate Your Desk
Let the kids have fun personalizing their workspace. Whether it’s new school supplies, a few favorite toys, or some artwork, allowing them to make the space their own can make it feel more special and exciting—a perfect way to get them ready for school activities.
10. “All About Me” Posters
Have your younger kids and older kids create an “All About Me” poster with their current likes, dislikes, hobbies, and goals. This is one of the best things to look back on each year to see how they’ve changed and grown. Plus, it’s a fun and creative activity to start the school season and will show how their handwriting changes which is especially fun for elementary school.
11. Back-to-School Brag Board
Set up a spot where you can display your child’s work or achievements throughout the year. Kick it off by hanging something special from the first day—like their goal list, a drawing, or even a fun certificate for surviving the first day of homeschool. It’s a great way to keep track of their progress and have a go-to spot to keep special items.
12. First Day Scavenger Hunt
Create a simple scavenger hunt around the house with clues leading to new school supplies, a fun book, or a special treat. It’s a playful way to get them excited about the day and the school year ahead.
13. Handwritten Notes of Encouragement or Back to School Letter
Slip a little note into their new books or lunchbox with words of encouragement. Something like, “You’ve got this!” or “I’m so proud of you!” can go a long way in making them feel loved and supported. A simple way to brighten their school time.
My mom wrote us a special letter each year on our first day of school, and they helped all of us feel loved!
14. DIY School Spirit Shirts
Let the kids design their own homeschool “spirit” shirts. Grab some plain T-shirts and fabric markers or paint, and let them go wild with their creativity. This fun start to the year helps build excitement and pride in their unique homeschooling experience. If you have a homeschool theme for the year, everyone can design their shirt based on the theme. You could also make shirts with your homeschool name!
15. End-of-Day Reflection
At the end of the day, take a few minutes to sit down together and reflect on how the first day went. Ask them what they enjoyed, what they’re looking forward to, and if there’s anything they’re nervous about for the coming year.
16. Homeschool Spirit Week
Kick off the school year with a themed spirit week, starting on the first day. Themes could include Crazy Hat Day, Favorite Book Character Day, or even a Costume Day. It brings an extra dose of fun and creativity to the start of the year. Join with some homeschool friends or a co-op for extra fun.
17. Write a Family Mission Statement
Gather as a family and create a homeschool mission statement. Discuss what you value most in your homeschooling journey and write it down. Hang it in your school area as a daily reminder of what you’re working towards together.
18. First Day of School Playlist
Create a playlist of your family’s favorite songs or some upbeat, motivational tunes. Play it in the background during the first day to keep the energy high and make the day feel lively and fun.
My family loves adding to our family dance party playlist and staring out the school year with a dance!
19. Morning Gratitude Circle
Start the day with a family gratitude circle where each person shares something they’re thankful for. This tradition can help set a positive tone for the day and the school year ahead.
20. First Day of School Interview
Conduct a fun interview with each child, asking questions about their favorite things, what they’re looking forward to, and what they hope to learn. Keep the answers in a special notebook or file to look back on in future years.
21. Have a Gameschooling Day
My kids love playing board and card games, and they’re a great way to transition after the summer break. Pop some popcorn and play away to start your school year.
Check out these posts for some of our favorite board games and card games.
22. Bake a “School Year” Cake
Bake a cake together on the first day and decorate it to celebrate the new school year. You could even make it a tradition to bake the same cake every year or try new recipes that reflect what your kids are learning.
23. Personalized School Supplies
Before the first day, let the kids personalize their school supplies with stickers, washi tape, or drawings. Then, on the first day, they get to “unveil” their creations and use them for the first time.
24. First Day of School Picnic
Pack a picnic lunch and head to a local park for a change of scenery. After some outdoor fun, you can dive into a little learning or just enjoy being together as a family. My kids love breaking in their new school books at the park before they go to play!
25. First Day of School Art Project
Start the year with a creative art project. Whether it’s painting, drawing, or crafting, this activity allows your kids to express themselves and sets a creative tone for the year. Each child can make their own individual piece or make a collaborative mural for your homeschool space.
26. “What I Want to Be” Posters
Have your kids create posters about what they want to be when they grow up. They can include drawings, magazine cutouts, or words that describe their future aspirations. Hang the posters up as a reminder of their dreams.
27. Start a “Good Deeds” Jar
Begin the school year by decorating a jar together and labeling it the “Good Deeds” jar. Throughout the year, add notes about kind acts, achievements, or moments when someone went above and beyond. At the end of the year, read them together and celebrate. Service learning adds beautiful depth and fun to your homeschool.
28. First Day “Adventure Box”
Fill a small box with items related to the subjects or themes you’ll be exploring this year. Let your kids open it on the first day to build anticipation and excitement about what’s to come.
You can mix and match these ideas to create a first-day-of-school experience that’s perfect for your family. Whether you go big or keep it simple, these traditions are sure to make the day memorable and set a positive tone for the entire school year. Happy Homeschooling!