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Back-to-School

Challenges

by Maria Gracia Updated on August 1, 2024 Each challenge is designed to help you and your kids ease into the back-to-school routine, prepare for a successful academic year, and create an organized and productive study environment. Join our newsletter to be notified when new content is added to our website. 1. Bedtime and Wake Time Transition:  Gradually adjust your kids' bedtimes and wake times to align with their school schedule. Two weeks before school begins, start by moving bedtime 15 minutes earlier each night and waking them up 15 minutes earlier each morning until they reach the desired school schedule. 2. School Supplies Scavenger Hunt:  Create a fun scavenger hunt to gather school supplies. Make a list of essential items, and together with your kids, search for each item around the house or in local stores. Reward them with a small treat or sticker for every item found. 3. Homework Station Setup: Designate a specific area in your home as a homework station. Organize school supplies, such as pencils, erasers, rulers, and calculators, in containers or desk organizers. Ensure good lighting  and a comfortable chair to promote an ideal study environment. 4. Morning Routine Practice: Start practicing your school morning routine a week before school begins. Set a timer and have your kids follow their morning routine, including getting dressed, brushing teeth, and having breakfast. This will help streamline the actual school mornings. 5. Back-to-School Closet Clean-out: Go through your kids' closets and donate or discard any clothes that no longer fit or are not suitable for the upcoming season. Make a list of essential clothing items they need for school and go shopping together. 6. Lunchbox Meal Planning: Involve your kids in planning their school lunches for the first week. Create a menu with their favorite healthy snacks and meals. Prepare and pack the lunches together, so they feel excited about their lunchbox  choices. 7. Family Calendar Creation: Create a family calendar dedicated to school and extracurricular activities. Use color- coded markers to differentiate each family member's schedule. Hang it in a central location, such as the kitchen, for easy reference. 8. After-School Activity Organization: If your kids participate in after-school activities, set up a designated area to store their equipment, uniforms, or musical instruments. This will help avoid last-minute searches and ensure they are ready for their activities. 9. Back-to-School Books and Reading Nook: Visit the local library or bookstore with your kids to pick out some new books for the school year. Create a cozy reading nook with a bean bag or comfortable chair, and encourage them to read for pleasure. 10. Time Management Game: Create a time management game for your kids to learn time allocation for different activities. Use a timer and allocate time for homework, play, reading, and chores. This will teach them the importance of managing their time efficiently. 11. Back-to-School Goals: Sit down with your kids and discuss their academic and personal goals for the upcoming school year. Write these goals down on a colorful poster and display it in their study area as a source of motivation. 12. School Paperwork Organization: Set up a system to manage school paperwork, such as permission slips, class schedules, and school newsletters. Use labeled folders and a file organizer to keep everything in order. 13. Back-to-School Countdown: Create a fun and colorful back-to-school countdown calendar. Each day, do a small activity together, like reviewing school materials or practicing a skill, to build excitement for the first day of school. 14. Healthy Snack Preparation: Prepare some healthy and easy-to-grab snacks in advance, such as cut fruits, veggies, or granola bars. Have a designated snack drawer in the kitchen that your kids can access after school. 15. School Bus Safety Practice: If your kids take the school bus, practice safety routines with them. Go over bus stop safety, boarding and disembarking procedures, and how to behave on the bus. 16. Locker Organization: For older kids with lockers at school, practice organizing their lockers efficiently. Show them how to use shelves or organizers to keep their books, supplies, and personal items tidy. 17. Back-to-School Vision Board: Help your kids create a vision board for the school year. Gather magazines, pictures, and quotes that represent their goals and dreams. Hang the vision board in their study area for daily inspiration. 18. Digital Organization: Organize digital files and folders on your computer to keep track of important school documents, like class syllabus, study guides, and project materials. 19. School Bus Morning Practice: If your kids are new to taking the bus, do a dry run of the morning routine. Practice walking to the bus stop, waiting for the bus, and boarding it together. 20. First Day of School Photo Tradition:  Establish a first-day-of-school photo tradition. Take a picture of your kids on the first day of school each year to capture memories of their growth and excitement. 21. Back-to-School Shopping Budget: Set a budget for back-to-school shopping and involve your kids in the decision-making process. Teach them about budgeting and prioritizing needs versus wants. 22. School Contact List: Create a contact list with important school phone numbers, email addresses, and teacher names. Keep it handy in case you need to get in touch with the school. 23. Organized Backpacks: Help your kids clean out their backpacks from the previous year and restock them with necessary school supplies. Show them how to keep their backpacks organized throughout the year. 24. Back-to-School Confidence Boost:  Boost your kids' confidence by reminding them of their strengths and capabilities. Leave encouraging notes in their lunch boxes or study area to uplift their spirits. 25. Study Buddy System: Encourage your kids to find study buddies or join study groups. Studying with peers can be both motivating and helpful in understanding challenging subjects. 26. School Morning Playlist: Create a fun and energizing playlist of your kids' favorite songs to play during school mornings. Music can set a positive tone for the day ahead. 27. Back-to-School Meal Prepping: Prepare some freezer-friendly meals or lunchbox items in advance, so you have less cooking to do during the busy school week. 28. Organized Extracurricular Activity Bag: If your kids participate in extracurricular activities, help them pack their activity bags the night before. Ensure they have all the necessary equipment or uniforms. 29. Homework Time Block: Establish a consistent homework time each day to create a routine. During this time, ensure there are minimal distractions and that they have all the necessary materials at hand. 30. Set Morning Rules: Kids can get easily distracted before leaving for school. Institute a no-TV, no-video games rule before school. 31. Celebrate the First Day of School: On the first day of school, have a special family dinner or activity to celebrate the start of a new academic year. Reflect on their first day experiences and share in their excitement. Score Yourself! Here's a scoring key to help you track your back-to-school progress and organization level. Back-to-School Superstar: Complete 25 or more challenges before school starts Back-to-School Champ: Accomplish 20-24 challenges before school starts Back-to-School Pro: Achieve 15-19 challenges before school starts Back-to-School Achiever: Accomplish 10- 14 challenges before school starts Back-to-School Starter: Accomplish 1-9 challenges before school starts Back to Organizing Challenges Index