Summer break is filled with fun and family times. For many, the end is an emotional experience. But it’s also a time of celebration because it marks new beginnings for students and their families. If you’re planning a back-to-school party or are looking for ideas for how to decorate for the first day back in the classroom as a teacher or school administrator, SoNice Party has everything you need to mark the occasion, making it a special and memorable experience for students.

What Is a Back-to-school Party?

A back-to-school party is a celebration for our child and their classmates. It helps them get back together again after summer break to get excited about the new school year and all it has to offer. 

Ideally, you’ll invite everyone from your child’s class along with their parents. It’s a chance for everyone to get to know each other or reconnect after several months apart. 

You can throw a back-to-school party before the start of the school year or right after one of the first days of school. Make it a picnic if the weather is still nice to get everyone back outside after their first days indoors for class. 

How to Host a Back-to-School Party

It likely still feels like summer where you live, which might make it hard to focus on back-to-school planning and preparation. 

Your child’s teacher is likely organizing your child’s classroom and getting ready for a fun time on the first day. You can aid that experience with a back-to-school party that sets the stage for a fun year ahead.

Here’s what you’ll need to set the stage for a fun gathering that will get your child excited for the school year ahead.

1. Plan Your Table

For most parties, the table is the centerpiece. It’s not just where you’ll eat but where you’ll gather and converse with new and old friends. Make it festive and help set the tone for children to get back into school mode mentally. 

Get a runner for the table that is bright and inviting. Then place jars filled with your child’s school supplies on the runner. Think colorful creations featuring pencils, crayons and markers. You can use the pieces in the future for projects and daily schoolwork.

The table will help set the tone for the party and make the theme come to life for guests. Consider including name tags at each place setting that look like what your child’s teacher does for the first day of school.

2. Build a Back-to-school Basket

Everyone loves little gifts. Children will get excited for the school year when they have something new in their favorite color or with their favorite character. For your child,  you might add a new outfit, the perfect lunchbox and a new water bottle to help them feel their best all school year. 

Keep the supplies fun and light to separate them from the required lists you might have for the classroom. Some items children love are smelly markers or erasers in fun shapes and designs.

Ask parents to bring their child’s backpack for an easier way of gifting the child some fun supplies. And that way you’ll know who the materials belong to with greater ease when it’s time to leave.

3. Build a First Day of School Photo Backdrop

Every parent loves having the first day of school photo of their child. But that first morning is also hectic and you have so much on your mind just to remember to pack a lunch and grab the backpack as you hustle out the door. 

Take the photo in advance and get the child’s classmates involved. Build a photo backdrop and make it fun for the children. Consider building a balloon garland to make the occasion special. SoNice has a variety of materials to make it easy, including high-quality latex balloons. If you want a DIY process with your favorite colors, get the balloon garland kit and then purchase the balloon colors of your choice. Or purchase a perfectly coordinated set that comes with everything you need to build a garland using the matte colors balloon garland.

4. Do Fun Activities

Invite children to make friendship bracelets as they start in a new classroom with a new teacher. That way, they can hand out the bracelets to their new friends and start to help everyone get acclimated. Invite your child to give them to someone who looks new or is struggling to make friends. This small gesture can build a more inclusive environment in those early days for everyone in the classroom.

Read books aloud during your back-to-school party that helps children learn about what to expect on the first day of school and build their confidence. For kindergarteners, help them envision what a school day looks like through stories as them embark on a new chapter.

5. Build a Fun Menu

Consider what foods children eat well. Make the menu fun, with mac and cheese, grilled cheese or other child favorites. Or host a brunch with pancakes and waffles. Let them sit and eat a leisurely breakfast with their friends now that leisurely breakfasts won’t be around for a little while as they hustle off to school.

Minimize cleanup and make the party festive with themed party plates. Or get plastic premium plates that you can use for any party moving forward, especially if you’re a teacher planning for generic gatherings in your classroom all year long.

6. Fill a Back-to-school Time Capsule

Children grow and change rapidly. Remember all the little details by placing them in a time capsule. Complete interviews with the children and place the answers in mason jars or other containers. Ask questions about who they want to be when they grow up, what their favorite things are, and what they look forward to most in the coming school year. You can even ask questions about what makes them nervous for the new school year to look back at the end and show them how strong and brave they are to have overcome that nervousness.

You’ll preserve memories for parents and the children and perhaps give your child something to talk to their child about when they enter a new grade and get started with new experiences.

7. Invite Parents to Bring Essential Party Supplies for the Classroom

Teachers enjoy celebrating their students throughout the year. But they don’t get a budget for party supplies or little items they can use to make their classroom warm and inviting. Parents can help assemble those little items to make the year fun. Teachers can make a list of items they would use from SoNice Party and invite parents to purchase and bring the items to the first day of school.

Quality Party Supplies at Wholesale Prices

Teachers and parents can find quality party supplies at wholesale prices from the reliable team at SoNice Party. You’ll find unique designs and themes to help prepare for parties of all types. Whether it’s a child’s birthday party or an all-school celebration that welcomes hundreds of individuals, SoNice Party is your destination for everything from plates and napkins to decorations. Create your wholesale account today.

Further reading:

• Themed Party Packs – Ready-to-use packages for popular themes
• Event Planning Essentials: Must-Have Party Supplies
• Wholesale Party Supplies for Event Planners: Simplifying Your Job