First Day of Homeschool Celebration Ideas

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The first day back to school can feel like a drag. While public school kids get new clothes and shoes, homeschool kids often just get a few basic supplies. But there is no reason homeschoolers can’t be excited about kicking off a new school year, too! Your first day of homeschool celebration should be a good one! That’s why we rounded up over 100 “first day of homeschool celebration” ideas!

100+ First Day of Homeschool Celebration Ideas

Do you want to surprise the kiddos with a day of fun when they least expect it or are just looking for something fun to do after you’ve completed your school work for the day? This list of 100+ first day of homeschool celebration ideas has something your kiddos will love, no matter their age! Kick the year off right by adding some excitement to your day!

Go Somewhere:

• Park
• Ball fields
• Creek
• Movie theater
• Soccer fields
• YMCA
• Visit family
• Art studio
• Hiking
• Splash pad
• Museum
• Roller skating
• Kayaking
• Swimming pool
• Beach
• Bowling Alley
• GeoCaching
• Arcade
• Library
• Ice skating
• Overnight trip to a local hotel
• Volunteer
• Cave
• Trampoline park
• Amusement park
• Ice skating
• Tide pools
• Ride bikes

Eat Something:

• Serve only cafeteria foods (Wear a hair net and use trays, for an added punch!)
• Homemade Donuts
• Order Pizza for lunch
• Make Homemade Ice Cream
• Pancakes shaped like the grade they’re in
• Have a candle-lit dinner
• Go out for breakfast in your pajamas
• Load up on candy
• Order takeout (My kids are obsessed with chinese food!)
• Go out for appetizers!

Make Memories:

• About Me pages
• Do an experiment
• Hide the supplies and make them search for them
• Back-to-School gifts
• Draw a self-portrait
• Create handprint art
• Host a themed party
• Take annual photos
• Write yearly goals on balloons and let them go
• New pajamas for the kiddos
• Indulge in audiobooks
• Create a “School Year Bucket List”
• Make homemade play doh
• Declare it an “Art Day!”
• Create a family T-Shirt to wear to all field trips, etc.
• Draw on sidewalks with chalk
• Have a water balloon fight

Take a Field Trip:

• Local college
• Farm
• Fire station
• Local butcher shop
• News station
• Nearby factory
• Airport
• Local historical spot
• Radio Station
• Lighthouses
• Visit the local newspaper printer
• Sheriff’s Department & Jail
• Waste water treatment plant
• State Parks
• Festival
• Courthouse
• Local restaraunt
• Apple-picking
• Aquarium
• Fish Hatchery
• State Capitol Building
• Science Museum
• Zoo
• Local theater
• Dairy

Stay Home:

• Wrap all of the books and supplies
• Decorate with streamers
• Scatter balloons all through the house
• Order the kids flowers with an encouraging note
• Campout in living room
• Bake cookies
• Watch movies
• Read your favorite books
• Have a spa day
• Play board games all day
• Create a scavenger hunt
• Learn a new skill
• Make art from things you’ve found in nature
• Invite friends over to celebrate
• Listen to music
• Stay up late & sleep in
• Run through the sprinkler
• Paint
• Have a dance party
• Build a fort
• Start a family project (like making a rug or quilt)

No matter whether you are celebrating your first day of school or the local public school’s first day, there’s no denying that a few fun ideas can make it a total blast for the whole family!