It's the beginning of the school year! They've got the brand new kicks, the new fits, and all the school supplies from the list. Oh, and fresh haircuts for the boys and curls for the girls, of course! Now what? All that's left is for you, mom, to find them the perfect gift for back to school.
If BTS gift-giving isn't already a thing that you do every August, here are 3 reasons to begin the tradition this year:
- The tradition of receiving a back-to-school gift will give your child something fun to look forward, which helps ease the “first day” jitters / nerves.
- A special gift is just one more way to remind your child “I care about you” at the beginning of this new season that the two of you will spend mostly apart through the week.
- A gift is often synonymous with a “celebration”, helping to set the tone that back-to-school is a positive event! (It is, isn’t it?)
As tempting as it might be, don’t just run to Target and pick up some ridiculously overpriced toy he’ll play with for just a few hours. It's a new school year, and the gift you give should be useful and meaningful for the occasion. You’ve seen all the (somewhat) cheesy but super cute printables that usually start making their rounds this time of year: one that says "you're one smart cookie" and you’re supposed to pair it with a real edible cookie. Or the printable that reads "Hope you have a ball this school year" and you pair it with a bouncing ball. Or the ones that say "I hope this school year blows you away" and you pair it with blow pops. There are so many great ideas, and there are hundreds of Pinterest boards out there to point you in the right direction if that's what you have in mind.
If you're looking for something more substantial, keep reading. I do want to encourage you to think small. Sure, you’ll want to give your child something more meaningful than a pack of bubble wands or a new pencil case, but his back to school gift doesn’t need to be so over-the-top that it breaks your budget (like a new iPad). Something simple at an affordable price works best. (If you make a purchase using my affiliate links below, I might be eligible for a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support of a small, local, mommy-owned business!)
Beautifully illustrated book - 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 - 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!
