{"id":1261,"date":"2018-08-31T21:40:56","date_gmt":"2018-09-01T02:40:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neverdonewithfun.com\/staging\/5228\/?p=1261"},"modified":"2019-11-23T12:28:08","modified_gmt":"2019-11-23T18:28:08","slug":"easy-first-day-of-school-gift-for-school-age-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neverdonewithfun.com\/staging\/5228\/2018\/08\/31\/easy-first-day-of-school-gift-for-school-age-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"Easy First-Day-of-School Gift for School-Age Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Easy<\/a>When I was in grade school, I came home the first day of every new school year to a pan of freshly baked brownies and a new box of crayons. I distinctly remember one year my mom found a “rainbow crayon” that colored multiple different colors. I was in heaven.<\/p>\n

It wasn’t about the actual gift but about celebrating a day that is simultaneously a milestone and an accomplishment. This little back-to-school ritual made me feel loved and special.<\/p>\n

As Easton finished his first week of kindergarten, I wanted a little something to show him the same attention. Nothing big; just a little gesture to say “I’m proud of you” and “It’s going to be a great year.”<\/p>\n

Now that he’s a school-ager, he unpacks his backpack in the basement at his “desk” — a Little Tikes plastic monstrosity that he’s almost too big for — in case he has any homework to do. Spoiler alert: No one gives kindergarteners homework their first week of school.<\/p>\n

But we’ve been going through the ritual anyway because it makes him feel grown-up and I encourage every attempt at independence that I possibly can. Today, I left a few surprises on his desk to find when he got home. The excitement on his face when he raced back upstairs to show me his discoveries was exactly what I needed to reassure myself that my big kid is going to be OK at his big new school.<\/p>\n

\"Easy<\/a><\/p>\n

What should a simple, not over-the-top school celebration gift include? A couple of key elements to set him up for success over the coming school year.<\/p>\n

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.<\/em> Read my full\u00a0<\/em>disclosure policy<\/em><\/a>\u00a0for all the boring details<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\n
Simple Back-to-School Celebration Gift for Elementary School Students<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n

You’ll, of course, want to customize your items to match your child’s age and interests, so let’s take a “something borrowed, something blue” approach to choosing.<\/p>\n

1. Something to read together.<\/strong> <\/span>Kindergarten is a big year, as Easton is going to really dive into books and be able to read on his own by the time the year is finished. As an avid reader myself, I’ve been fostering a love of books since birth. Our current favorite is the Stick Dog series by Tom Watson<\/a>. It’s the first chapter books we have read together, and we both look forward to reading a couple of the funny, illustrated chapters each night before bed together. Pick any book your child is into: another from their favorite series, or something focused on school.<\/p>\n