how to make back to school fun for kids: 10 tips from a 12-year-old who knows

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This week marks the official end to summer, but if your kids are unusually cranky, maybe it’s not all because of the school bell.

Maybe it’s because you, as a family, neglected to do one of these ten ‘must-do’ things.

(I’m kidding. Kind of.)

According to Maddy, my now seventh grader (unbelievable!), these ten things are what kids really want. And they’re what she believes will make back-to-school totally awesome, top-notch, and fab for kids.

Because that’s what we want, right? Perfectly happy kids?

You better believe that our family did not entertain all of these suggestions. This was, essentially, Maddy’s ‘wish list’, and she offered to write it up ‘officially’ as a guest post on this site so that other parents may learn and other kids may be smilin’.

I’m curious as to what other parents–and other tweens–think about this list.

These are the things that Maddy believes could really help to kick off the school year on the right foot.

Here’s the skinny. . .

How to Make Back to School Fun for Kids — 10 Tips From a 12-year-old Who Knows:

When shopping for back to school supplies, don’t follow your kids around the store. Instead, give them about $40 to buy their own things. Kids like to have freedom to buy their own supplies and make their own choices. It can be a good lesson in thrifty shopping.
If you go shopping for back to school clothes, offer advice. Girls like to hear that a cool aunt or actress has something just like what’s in a store. If the parents don’t know what’s in style, just say what you think.
Have your kids throw a back-to-school party for their friends. If you want to do it inexpensively, have a small party at your house with a handful of kids and a few snacks.
Let kids make their own lunches. Buy some cool lunches for the first couple days like sushi, personal pizza, or whatever the kids like.
Do something extra. Offer to buy locker decorations for girls; boys most likely won’t care for them. Boys may like magnets of a popular brand, or maybe a cool game.
Go out for a family back-to-school dinner at a restaurant of the kids’ choice. The kids have to go back to school, and it will be hard for them. They will be happy to chose the place for dinner.
Make sure that the summer packets are done. If they’re not finished, have your child do them because your kid won’t want to be embarrassed by being the only person in the class without their packets done.
Maybe a new phone case? If your kids have a phone, offer to get a new phone case. It might sound funny, but phone cases can be a good conversation starter if kids have nothing to talk about.
Get kids prepared. When you go get back to school supplies, get a good binder so that it doesn’t fall apart the first week of school. There’s nothing worse than a cheap and broken binder.
Keep kids active. Make sure that your kids are active. They can do a sport or club, and it will help them feel a part of a group. If they don’t like sports, look for a music club, an academic club, an art club, etc.

Thanks, Maddy! Very helpful and honest list, my dear.

I’ll definitely keep this in mind for the future . . .

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What do you think of Maddy’s recommendations?

Do you have any feedback? Any questions? Ideas? What would you add to the list? Let us know!

We’d love to hear them!

Huge and happy thanks to new teachmama.com contributor and overall totally awesome kid, Maddy Mascott, for this interesting and honest post.

Maddy is 12-years old and spends her time tumbling, cheering, swimming, and diving. She loves reading and crafting and spending time with friends.

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Need or want a few more ideas that may be helpful as you move into the new school year?

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Want a little more back-to-school fun? A few more rockstar resources?

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