- 1). Have a cookie party. The day before school starts, have a make-your-own treat party for your child's class. Invite teachers and all classmates to mingle and decorate their cookies. Have many different types of frostings and candy toppings. Include little number candles to stick on top of each one, with "1" for first grade up to "12" for 12th grade. Kids can blow out the candles while making a wish for the school year.
- 2). Arrange a yearly party with the new grade level as the theme. For example, for fourth grade, play four-square, make pretzel dough shaped into fours and teach a square dance. For fifth grade, invite five friends over, have one-handed (five finger) contests where kids have to do a variety of tasks one-handed and make a five-layer cake.
- 3). Make a pencil box. Have guests bring mementos from their summer, like photos, ticket stubs, postcards, beach sand and friendship bracelets to decorate their pencil boxes. Use a piece of card stock cut to fit the top lid of the pencil boxes and glue all the items to the card stock.
- 4). Have your child color their grade number onto card stock, then cut it out. Take a photo at the beginning of school year with your child all ready for their first day, holding their colorful number. Make sure they draw a big number. Over the years, you can assemble these first-day photos into a memory book.
- 5). Set up a First Day snack table. After school the first day, have a special table or picnic blanket on the front lawn set up with great snacks. Have the number of the grade level formed out of treats, such as a "3" made of goldfish, for example. The kids will be surprised and excited to celebrate their newest milestone.
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