The back to school breakfast tradition is all over the internet. You’ve probably seen a few set ups here and there, you might have even thought…who has time to pull that off? I’m here to tell you, you do! Honestly, it’s a fun and meaningful tradition, that if done right won’t add too much more stress to the back to school season! Here are a few tips and tricks to make this tradition work for you.
Scheduling
Most importantly, pick the right time. If school mornings are nothing short of chaos, then perhaps you consider moving it to the Saturday or Sunday before the first day of school. Or, who’s to say it can’t be a back to school dinner the night before school starts. There is NO reason it has to be THE morning of the first day of school. If adding a festive breakfast to the first days makes you hyperventilate them switch up the timing and make it work for you!
Decorations
A big part of what makes the BTS breakfast fun is having a decorated table scape! But here’s the key- keep it simple, but festive. Believe me our kids aren’t looking for Pinterest perfect decorations, but they will feel special if you put in a little effort.
- Use extra school supplies, books and apples as a center piece.
- Roll out a little kraft paper as a table runner. Write letters, math facts or well wishes on it with markers.
- Grab a yard or two of school themed fabric to lay out as a table runner and reuse it each year.
- Use balloons or streamers in primary colors.
- Decorate the night before. If you are going with the BTS breakfast, then set up the decorations the night before to save some stress and time in the morning. You can set it up after bedtime or let the kids help you set it up!
Food
- Think about what you usually have for breakfast, and how you could make it festive. Frozen waffles= normal school day, frozen waffles with whipped cream and sprinkles = festive bts breakfast!
- Make one item festive and special and then fill in the menu with everyday items. Add some yogurt or fresh fruit, or a smoothie with a fun straw.
- If you want to make the food a little different than your daily flair consider items you can prep the day before. Things like egg casserole or muffins that you prep and/or bake the day before. I made fun “apple” donuts by using store bought cake donuts and dipping them in a simple vanilla glaze (powdered sugar, milk, vanilla). Then I added red sprinkles and a pretzel stem. The leaves were shaped from a tiny bit of green laffy taffy we had handy. These were super easy and could be made the night before.
Include other traditions
- Don’t forget the first day of school picture. Set out any signs/pintables that you might use as props for the first day of school.
- Use the BTS breakfast as an opportunity to pray over your child and their school year.
- Gift them a little 1st day of school surprise. Something small like a new book to read or a fun pencil or eraser that they didn’t know you picked up, or a little baggy of gummy “bookworms” or smarties for their lunch.
- A first day of school interview. I love these little interviews for the first and last day of school to see how much they have grown and changed. You can download my version below.
- Warm fuzzies. Take a second to say positive things about each child, and allow them to say positive things to each other and wish them well on their new school year.
Blessing on a New School Year!
Megan
