It's the beginning of a brand-new school year! They've got the new shoes, fresh outfits, backpacks packed with supplies, and fresh haircuts (or perfectly styled curls) ready for the first day. Now there's just one thing left: a little surprise from Mom.
If giving a back-to-school gift isn't already part of your family's August tradition, here are three reasons you might want to start this year.
It gives your child something to look forward to.
The excitement of a small gift can help take the edge off those first-day butterflies and replace some of the nervousness with anticipation.
It's another way to say, "I'm thinking about you."
The start of a new school year often means spending more time apart during the week. A thoughtful gift is a simple reminder that your love and support go with them, even when you're not together.
It turns back-to-school into a celebration.
Instead of focusing on summer ending, a special surprise helps create positive memories and sets the tone for a fresh start full of new opportunities.
As tempting as it may be to toss an expensive toy into the shopping cart, your child's back-to-school gift doesn't have to be extravagant. In fact, my biggest piece of advice is to think practical rather than pricey. You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars on the latest gadget. A thoughtful gift that encourages learning, builds confidence, or simply makes the school year a little more enjoyable can mean just as much—and often much more.
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Weighted Stuffed Capybara
This one's hard to resist! A sweet stuffed capybara is a precious way to give your child extra comfort at the beginning of the school year. This one's ideal for cuddling, naptime, and car rides, and it's 24-inch size makes it ideal for even big kids and teens. Every child needs a new buddy for the new school year!
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: The Illustrated Edition
I’m not gonna lie. I’ve been a fan of these beautiful books for years, and I still haven’t broken down to buy one. But it’s still on my list. Younger kids might really enjoy the illustrated Harry Potter books (or at least the first book of the series because they’re kinda pricey). It’s something they can put on the nightstand and enjoy reading every evening before bedtime. The art in this book is fantastic.
But if Harry Potter is a no-go, think of giving a different children’s book series. Some options: Little House books, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie books, Roald Dahl Collection (with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), or Diary of a Wimpy Kids book set.
Gift Card for Junk Food
For your “big kid,” a gift card to the place where she can get her favorite after-school sweet treat is ideal. It's something she can use on a whim, whenever mom isn’t in the mood to do the buying. What places does she love – Sonic for a SonicBlast? Starbucks for cake pops? The tea house down the street for boba? Older children appreciate having their own money or spending capital, so gift accordingly! I recommend a gift card valued at $50 - it should last a few months!
Fancy pencils that are worth keeping up with
You'll be purchasing those same old yellow #2 pencils for your student as part of her school supplies, but for gift-giving, I’m talking about something more “novelty” that she'll cherish. Special pencils with plumes, color-changing mood pencils, mechanical pencils with refills, these 4-in-1 rainbow pencils - this is the stuff dreams are made of, especially for girls who like to write letters to friends or do journaling. Add in a decorative notebook and some cute, colorful stickers, for completion!
Glow sticks (But why?)
Glow Sticks are a fun gift to give to your child the night before school. Of course, in and of themselves, glow sticks are not really a great gift; it's the use of them that makes them so awesome.
Here's what you'll do. Buy a pack of glow sticks of many different colors from the Dollar Store. Once nighttime arrives, break the sticks so that they light up, then place them around your child's bedroom. The objective is to create a moody, glow-vibe with relaxing music for your child to enjoy on his last night of summer break. For an idea that’s less subdued, use the glow sticks for an end-of-summer living room jam session that the whole family will enjoy.
One Very Special Homemade Coupon
Kids aren't into coupons because they're never the ones spending the money anyway, but a special "mommy & me" Date Night coupon is a different story! Create and print out a homemade coupon on card stock, and make a little gift tag to attach to it. Choose a place that you and your child can enjoy together, like a special restaurant or a play place you rarely visit.
TIP: You'll need to silence your cell phone and focus on being in the moment with your child. Even if you take him to a fun play place like Urban Air (which we highly recommend!) and there are other kids there to play with, YOU YOURSELF still need to engage with your child and participate. There's nothing like precious time with mom before school begins again.
Paint Supplies
If you have a budding artist at home, gifting him with an artist kit is a sure way to keep his creative muscles engaged throughout the evenings. Purchase paints, brushes, and palettes, and something to be used as a canvas. We like this Esrich all-in-one set with an easel and acrylic paints. Realistically, an artist set is a gift for the grown-ups too, because when the kids are occupied with something creative, mom gets a break (that is, until it's time to clean up the mess.
Mom-to-Child Friendship Bracelets
I don't know about yours, but my yourngest child can wear those paper bracelets from Urban Air for a whole week or two after visiting the place. I know it's gross - germy, and all that, but kids will be kids.
How about getting them something they're supposed to keep on their wrists forever? (Okay, maybe not forever). Friendship bracelets are a loving way of telling your child "I value our relationship" (even if you don't want your child to think of you as a "friend"), and it's something comforting they'll have nearby if they start getting homesick at school. Choose a braided bracelet that's cute and colorful, or something more masculine and subdued, depending on your child's style. We like these yin and yang bracelets we found on Amazon.
Fidget Toys
Your child doesn't have to have special needs for him to be an ideal candidate for a sensory toy. Kids get nervous - on the bus ride home, for instance. A fidget toy can provide fun, mental occupation for your child, and overall it can help reduce stress and anxiety. I bought my daughter some of the pop-its fidget toys included in this deluxe set, I found at Hobby Lobby, and they're useful for when she's having some chill down time.
A Cooler-than-an-iPhone Water Bottle
Trust me – it’s not the latest iPhone or Air Force Ones that one child needs. Your older child will be the envy of his friends with a brand new smart bottle. HidrateSpark makes water bottles that are the coolest around! The bottle links to his mobile phone and keeps up with how much H2O he's chugging throughout the day. There’s also a setting where the bottle can glow to remind him when it’s time to take a sip. It’s the perfect back-to-school gift for a teenager, especially one with an active sport or hobby. I've owned two of these bottles in the past. They both eventually broke, but I got good use out of them.
Science for your little Einsteins!
The perfect solution for the science-enthusiast is nothing more than a box of science experiments. This gift will enhance your young learner's school science lessons in a fun way. Amazon has so many options to choose from, but if you're in a pinch you can find these fun kits at Hobby Lobby and Michael's as well.
Practical Gift Bag
Do you have a more practical child? She might enjoy a self care kit. Fill a bag with items such as hand sanitizer, lip balm, wet wipes, breath mints, hand lotion, and other simple toiletries she can stuff in her book bag. I also recommend a pocket-sized Bible or a book of scriptures, positive quotes, or affirmations.
Goody Bag of Treats
Kids of all ages will enjoy a bag of delicious treats as a back-to-school present. Think fun gifts like pop rocks, a box of animal crackers, gummy worms, small stuffed animals, mini slinkies, and other trinkets. Of all the ideas on this list, this one is actually my least preferred, because it ends up being just another bag of “little junk things” in the house, like the ones they get from birthday parties but never really finish sifting through, or those pails of Halloween candy and Easter candy that are still in the pantry. Or is that just me?
Closing Thoughts
Celebrate back to school with a meaningful gift your child will remember! We hope he / she is appreciate the gift, and we wish them a wonderful school year!
