Back-to-School Fun for Kids

August 7, 2017 by Sarah White Leave a Comment

I know, I know, no one wants to think about back-to-school time. But I know some people who have gone back already and many of us will have kiddos heading back to school soon (or starting up homeschooling again), and there are ways to make it a little more fun for all of us.

If you have preschoolers or are a preschool teacher, check out these cute back to school songs for preschoolers. They’d be great for circle time or walking through the halls. You’ll find them at Teaching Mama.

You might also like to do a preschool countdown with books about going to school if you have a child who is going to school for the first time, or who has the jitters (or is excited about it, for that matter). Hands On As We Grow has the details, and Buggy and Buddy has a great list of books for back-to-school time not just for preschoolers.

Or keep your countdown a little simpler (but still super cute) with a paper chain countdown like the one at Preschool Inspirations. Tear a loop of each day until it’s time to go back to school. Honestly, I think my almost-8-year-old would love one of these, too.

My Life and Kids has a great roundup of back-to-school games, some of which are great for teachers to use in the classroom and others can be played at home. Or check out the back to school word search from Superheroes and Teacups.

This sweet bus craft with family photos from No Time for Flash Cards is great for a child going to school or riding the bus for the first time, or for a child missing their older sibling while they are still at home.

All kids seem to love terrible jokes, and this collection from Kids Activities Blog has some groaners that will be great for breaking the ice at school or getting rid of some nervousness on the ride to school. (Example: How do you get straight A’s? By using a ruler!)

You’ll find more great jokes in the form of printable lunch notes at Happiness is Homemade, where she also has an amazing roundup of other sources for printable lunchbox notes that will keep you going all year.

Make your mornings a little easier with tips from B-Inspired Mama. And don’t forget to do something cute for your first day of school photos (might I suggest my easy chalkboard sign?) and make sure you think about your family’s privacy before you post those photos online (thanks for the reminders, JDaniel4’s Mom).

How do you celebrate or prepare for going back to school? I’d love to hear your ideas!

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Book Review: Hanukkah

If you want to teach kids the basics of Hanukkah in the classroom or at home, the picture book Hanukkah by Lesléa Newman and illustrated by Rotem Teplow is a nice place to start.

The book explores the Jewish holiday through the eyes of Lior, a boy whose name means “my light” in Hebrew, which is appropriate for talking about the Festival of Lights.

The book goes through all the preparations the family does, including cleaning, setting the table and cleaning the menorah. It talks about what the menorah symbolizes and the Hanukkah story of the oil in the Holy Temple of Jerusalem lasting for eight days when it should have only been a one-day supply.

The meaning of the letters on the dreidel are also explored, in that when you are in Israel they have a different fourth word (the letters symbolize the Hebrew letters for “a great miracle happened there” or, in Israel, “a great miracle happened here”).

Because the story of Hanukkah involves oil, a lot of the foods that are eaten during the celebration are fried in oil, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (fried jelly doughnuts). Other foods mentioned include challah, noodle kugel and sour cream and applesauce, which are served with the latkes. Family and friends drop by to share their food, light their menorahs together and play dreidel (the game is explained in the story). It also talks about how the candles are lit through the eight days and what happens at the end of Hanukkah.

The book includes Hanukkah blessings in English and Hebrew and talks about the lunar cycle of the Hebrew calendar, which is why Hanukkah is sometimes celebrated in November and sometimes in December. It also talks about why Jewish holidays are celebrated beginning at sunset rather than in the morning.

Other topics covered include Hanukkah greetings; how to spell Hanukkah; how to make an edible menorah and an tzedakah box (to collect money for charity); recipes for latkes and applesauce; and a more detailed story of Hanukkah than is included within the story of the book. There’s also a quiz to see how well you were paying attention.

This sweet little book is a quick read and a cute overview of the basics of Hanukkah and what the symbols, foods and games mean. It’s a great book for classrooms or at home for sharing basic knowledge.

About the book: 48 pages, hardcover. Published 2024 by words & pictures, suggested retail price $14.99.

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