Ultimate List of Back-to-School Tips: Snacks & Lunches, Crafts, Routines, & More!
We’ve put together the ultimate list of back to school tips: after-school snacks, school lunches, crafts, back-to-school routine ideas, and more to help make your school days go more smoothly!
It’s almost time for kids to head back to school, so we’ve got some good ideas for you.
Even though we homeschool, this is a busy time of year for us as well. Our co-ops and other organizations all take a break over the summer, so in August we’re also having to start packing lunches and preparing backpacks.
It definitely makes it difficult to blog and homeschool at the same time, even with our awesome homeschool room organization and planning for productivity.
To help out with that, we’ve put together the ultimate list of back to school ideas and tips after-school snacks, school lunches, crafts, back-to-school routine ideas, and more to help make your school days go more smoothly!
And don’t miss out on these awesome back-to-school printables and crafts and these teacher appreciation gift ideas.
Ultimate List of Back to School Ideas
Check out these back-to-school ideas!
Back to School Crafts & Printables
Free Printable Hand Sanitizer Label for Back To School Classrooms
All of the kids in class will be healthier this year thanks to this free Hand Sanitizer Printable reminding them that just one pump leaves the germs behind.
Easy crafts for “back to everything”
Here is a fun list of easy crafts that work perfectly for back-to-school!
15 Back-to-School Sensory Bin Ideas
Fifteen clever ideas for sensory bins with a back to school theme.
DIY Chalkboard Sign for Back-to-School
How to make a chalkboard sign for the first day of school using a canvas and chalkboard paint.
Felt-Covered Wolf Notebook Tutorial
Wolf notebooks are the perfect favor to make for a wolf themed birthday party. The felt-covered composition books are easy to make with the free printable wolf templates and are completely no-sew.
DIY Ruler Table Runner
Get your kids excited for school spirit with this adorable DIY ruler table runner!
DIY Tie-Dye Backpack
Here’s a cute and easy DIY Tie Dye backpack tutorial with iron-on vinyl!
Back-to-School Lunch Ideas
Make lunch easier (and funnier) with these cute ideas!
Free Back to School Lunch Box Jokes
If you’re looking for some new Back to School Lunch Box Jokes, here are some of our favorites, you won’t want to miss.
Cheap School Lunch Box Ideas PLUS Lunch Box Notes
Perfect cheap school lunch box ideas and lunch box notes.
The Best Lunchbox for Preschoolers and Young Children
Packing a lunch for preschool is easy with this lunchbox that has lasted for over two years now. It’s parent, child, and teacher friendly!
Best kids lunch boxes (you will want to use #4 yourself!)
Forget the boring brown paper bags and send your kids to school with one of these adorable kids lunch boxes, lunch bags, and snack packs. Reusable lunch containers make a happy wallet and a happy environment!
Best Ever Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Crunchy Air Fryer Grilled Cheese is a new take on the comfort food classic you grew up with. You will love how crunchy the bread is and how you get perfectly melted cheese straight out of the air fryer!
Homemade Gluten-Free Pizza Lunchables (Vegan, Allergy-Free, Grain-Free)
Lunchables without the scary ingredients! Homemade Gluten-Free Pizza Lunchables that are vegan, allergy-free, & grain-free too! This healthy, kid-loved, and mom-approved make-ahead lunch recipe will make the school year a bit more fun!
Homemade Gluten-Free + Allergy-Free Uncrustables (Vegan)
Just what the little picky eaters want! Homemade Gluten-Free + Allergy-Free Uncrustables! A school-friendly, top food allergy-friendly, vegan, and gluten-free version of the packaged “PBJ crustless pocket” sandwich! Make these ahead of time for a quick and easy lunch recipe or snack for the entire school week!
5 Mins Air Fryer Pita Bread Pizza + Tutorial {Vegetarian}
5 Mins Air Fryer Pita Bread Pizza is just the thing to serve up as a quick and easy weeknight supper, kid-approved snack, school or weekend lunch. All it takes is 3 everyday ingredients and almost no effort to enjoy delicious cheesy pizza goodness.
Pita Pockets with Roasted Veggies and Hummus • Happy Kitchen
Pita Pockets with Roasted Veggies and Hummus Recipe: Healthy and delicious lunch meal your kids will look forward to. These vegan rainbow pita pockets are very easy and quick to make and can be eaten warm or cold.
After School Snack Ideas
Most kids are so hangry after school – cure that with these back to school snacks!
Homemade Gluten-Free + Vegan Goldfish (Allergy-Free, Grain-Free)
Nothing says childhood more than Goldfish crackers! Now you can make your own Homemade Gluten-Free & Vegan Goldfish that are top 8 allergy-free, grain-free, sugar-free, and secretly protein-packed! A healthy snack recipe mom’s and kids will love!
21 Easy Afterschool Snacks
These Easy Afterschool Snacks are sure to be a hit with your kids! Plus they can be budget friendly while making the kids happy at the same time!
How To Make Hummus — Best Homemade Hummus Recipe
Give your kids a healthy snack after a long day of school. This hummus makes for a perfect after-school snack!
Instant Pot Egg Bites — Keto, Low Carb, Gluten Free
Amazingly healthy and delicious egg bites, perfect in lunch boxes and as after school snacks.
Back to School Apple Cupcakes
Back to School Apple Cupcakes: Moist vanilla cupcakes topped with fluffy buttercream frosting and decorated to resemble an apple. The perfect first day of school treat!
Orange Strawberry Muffins
Juicy sweet strawberries, orange zest and fragrant vanilla sugar combine into these awesome Orange Strawberry Muffins. They are quick and easy to put together and great for breakfast, brunch or eating on the go.
Homemade Granola Bars
A gluten free healthy energy bites recipe. Perfect for back to school snacking!
Apple Cookie Pops
These clever Apple Cookie Pops are easy to make & a fun twist on bringing the new teacher an apple! Make with your child to take whey they “Meet the Teacher,” or have it as a fun after-school snack!
Pencil Cookies
These cute & easy to make Pencil Cookies are a perfect back to school snack idea!
Take-Along Watermelon Skewers with Feta and Mint Pesto • Happy Kitchen
These take-along watermelon skewers with feta and mint pesto dressing are a quick and easy appetizer or snack for your next outdoor gathering, BBQ or picnic! Enjoy these delicious and healthy watermelon skewers on a hot summer day!
Mini Peanut Butter Banana Muffins - Delicious HEALTHY bite-size snack!
Soft textured, beautifully flavored and loaded with chocolate chips, these Peanut Butter Banana Muffins are perfect snack.
Easy Dinner Ideas
Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese - Easier Than Boxed!
This super easy instant pot macaroni and cheese is the best version you’ll ever eat! It’s delicious and can be made healthier by adding vegetables and ham. Kids and adults love it – your children will be begging for this yummy instant pot mac and cheese for dinner every night.
Easy Pepperoni Pizza Muffins Kids Can Make
Kids will love helping make dinner with this simple recipe for easy pepperoni pizza muffins! They take less than five minutes to put together, and are a quick dinner or meal for a busy day on a tight schedule.
Easy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe (with freezer option)
https://savingtalents.com/worlds-most-delicious-and-easy-breakfast-casserole/
The Secret Ingredient for the World's Best Pancakes & Waffles
One favorite dinner when you’re back at school is pancakes that you can top with ice cream, delicious homemade strawberry jam, and chocolate chips. Don’t forget the secret ingredient!
Cheap & Easy Tuna Casserole
This cheap and easy tuna casserole only uses 6 ingredients and is easy to put together!
Easy Dinner Idea: Silly Chili Macaroni
Looking for an easy dinner recipe that children will love? Give this simple Silly Chili Macaroni a try! It’s a favorite of kids and adults alike, and it’s easy to customize! It’s also a perfect pantry, stockpile, or food storage meal.
Super Easy Six Minute Instant Pot Spaghetti
Are you ready for the world’s easiest spaghetti recipe for a quick, cheap dinner? This instant pot spaghetti recipe cooks in just minutes, and you don’t have to boil noodles over a hot stove! Get spaghetti and meatballs from the instant pot in just minutes!
Strawberry Salad With Cherries and Blueberries — Vegan
Amazingly delicious low carb Strawberry Salad With Cherries and Blueberries
30 Back to School Quick And Easy Crockpot Meals
Many of us live with hectic schedules. These quick and easy crockpot meals will help you feed your family healthy meals with little effort.
10 Fast & Easy Keto Recipes for Weeknights
Embrace the hectic school routine with our pick of the FASTEST, family friendly, EASY keto recipes for busy weeknights (and weekends!) From one-pan low-carb dishes to the tastiest skillet recipes, you won’t be caught off guard again! Recipes are suitable for ketogenic and gluten-free diets
12 Easiest Make-Ahead Freezer Meals
These meals are perfect to make on the weekends and save for the school days that are full of homework, school, and sports.
18 Quick Five Minute Meals
If your kids are picky eaters, try one of these 18 easy dinners that have been kid-tested and are perfect after a busy school day.
Back-to-School Tips, Routines, & Motivation
Banish first day jitters with these 6 tips!
The first day of school brings many changes into your child’s life which can create anxiety and fear. Help your child banish those first day jitters and have a great first day of school with these 6 simple tips!
Things to do before going back to school
Don’t let back to school time be stressful, do things things to prepare yourself and your family. Make the transition easier and smoother.
How to Set Up a Monthly Meal Plan
One of the easiest tricks to back-to-school routines is to make your meal plans a month in advance. No more wondering what to make for dinner at the end of a busy school day!
Special Education Archives | A Day In Our Shoes
Back to school can be extra stressful for kids with IEPs. Here are some tips for smooth sailing into the new school year.
Why These Essential Oils Need to be in Your Back to School Arsenal
From junior’s first day at kindergarten to your daughter’s senior year at college, back to school time brings together mixed emotions for parents and students alike. Many people think about focus issues when it comes to using Essential Oils but there are so many other ways that EOs can help with back to school time. Here are 10 great reasons why EOs should be in your back to school arsenal.
Introducing Your Blended Family to Your Stepchild's New Teacher
Back-to-school can be a stressful time for stepmoms! This post takes the guesswork out of introducing your blended family to your stepchild’s new teacher!
DIY Back-To-School Command Center
Get ready for back to school with a DIY Back-To-School Command Center. Use the command center to keep your home organized with your new school schedule and routines.
How We Changed Our After School Routine
The “normal” after school routine did not work for our family. Check out how we changed our after school routine and how everyone is happier!
Get Your Home Back-To-School Ready! 6 Systems for Stress-Free Mornings and Happy Mamas
Get your home and yourself organized for back to school with these 6 simple but very effective systems! They’ll help you get out the door with no tears.
Reboot Your Bedtime Reading Ritual
Ease your children’s transition back to school by re-establishing your bedtime reading routine.
Free All About Me Worksheet
A printable one sheet for parents to print and fill out so that their new teacher gets to know their child
10 Super Smart Back to School Hacks you’ll Love!
These easy back to school hacks will have you organized in no time!
Back-To-School Morning Routine (plus a free printable!)
Are you getting into a back-to-school routine? Definitely print out this Back-To-School morning routine printable!
Preparing for Kindergarten
Starting kindergarten can be such a magical and fun time but also a scary thing. Prepare yourself and your child to make the transition easier and more comforting with this tips.
Frugal & Thrifty Back-to-School Ideas
Here’s the ultimate list of back-to-school frugal tips! Plus get tons of frugal deals on school supplies in our Amazon deals group.
7 Ways to Homeschool on a Budget
Are you homeschooling your kids? Here are 7 ways to homeschool on a budget. Save money and live frugally while homeschooling.
7 Ways to Save Money on School Supplies
Want to save money on school supplies? Here are some simple ways to save money before school starts.
How to Save Big on Back To School Shopping
Budget tight? Need to save money on your back to school shopping? Check out these 14 easy tips to save big on your school supplies and clothes.
29 Insider Tips for Clothes Shopping on eBay
So you want to save some money on back to school shopping by purchasing clothes on eBay? Between running our eBay store, and Hubby himself having purchased 500 items over the span of many years, we’ve learned a lot about how eBay works. If you want to shop for back to school clothing on eBay, here are 29 tips from two insiders.
Save Money For Back To School Clothes With Thrift Shopping
Save Money For Back To School Clothes With Thrift Shopping! Thrift shopping is budget friendly but it is also the perfect way to build up your wardrobe to!
Preparing for School on a Tight Budget
Don’t let back to school shopping cause stress or drain your finances. Use these tips to help you prepare for school on a tight budget.
5 ways to save money this school year!
Back to school time can be a stressful time for parents, especially if money is tight. Here are 5 tips to help save you some money for back to school time.
Pin It!
Is this ultimate list of back-to-school tips helpful for you? Share it on Pinterest! And don’t miss out on these awesome back-to-school printables and crafts.
This is an amazing list!!! I know how much time it took to put this post together. Amazing friends!
Great list. I can’t believe it’s already time to plan for school!
I love all the snack and dinner ideas!
WOW, what a great list of resources and so much information! I have pinned this for later!
This is a really comprehensive list, I can tell you put a lot of thought and time into it. I am sharing this list on my page so all my mom friends can pin it! Thanks for sharing!
loved the compilation! so helpful!
Love the 5 minute Pita Pizza! Well, I love anything “pizza”, but the Pita idea especially!
And you know what “back to school” time really means…Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Time!
What a comprehensive list for preparing for back-to-school. Thanks for sharing!
This is such a great compilation! Definitely going to be using some of the snack ideas.
I love the blog some great back to school tips would you mind if I shared this post on my blog at marciesaringhands,weebly.com
Sure, please do!
Wow, this is an amazing collection of tips! I have bookmarked this article for future reference 🙂
I freaking love this post! So many ideas!