12 Ways To Get Your Kids Excited To Go Back To School

The last few days of summer are here, and as Labor Day approaches, it's time to start getting the kids ready to go back to school. The long weeks of the summer vacation are almost over, and the days in the park and at the pool are about to be swapped for classrooms and homework. Your kids will probably be gradually getting more nervous, anxious, and stressed as the first day back draws closer — going back to school is never easy — but it doesn't need to be as scary as many kids convince themselves it is. Help transform this worry into excitement by following our 12 suggestions to help your kids actually look forward to the end of the summer break.

Make your kids proud to show off their new school supplies on their first day by allowing and helping them to decorate their equipment, whether it's adding badges to a backpack or covering a new folder in stickers and doodles.

Help your kids focus on the things they love about being back at school by signing them up for the extra-curricular activities they really enjoy, so that they have something to look forward to outside of the classroom.

Get your kids' days off to the best, tastiest start, and make sure they have enough energy to keep them going until lunch time by giving them a special breakfast to celebrate the first day back at school.

If your kids are getting really nervous and anxious about going back to school, help them focus on the positives, and remind them of all the things they love about being there. This could be anything from starting a new subject that they're excited about, spending more time with their friends, or being a year older where they're finally one of the "big kids."

Going back to school is worse than just spending all day in the classroom: Having to resume doing homework is a burden kids are rarely excited about. Help them embrace the extra work by setting up a cute and cozy homework nook; this way they'll look forward to spending time in the space.

Obviously, the start to every school year should be fueled by new school supplies. Even if there's nothing wrong with the ones that they had at the end of the previous year, beginning with fresh, new equipment is an easy way to get your kids excited about returning to the classroom.

Help your kids be calmer and more relaxed about going back to school by showing them how everything is already organized and ready to go. Set out everything they need for the first day neatly a few days in advance, so they can see there's nothing to be worried about.

One easy way to get your kids excited to go back to school is to remind them how much time they'll spend with their friends once they're there. Set up a play date with their classmates so they can all reconnect before the first day, thereby making sure that that first day back isn't too overwhelming.

Your kids will find the first day back at school so much easier if they have something to look forward to at the end of the day. Make sure you plan in advance what the after-school treat will be: It could be anything from a treat from the bakery, a visit to the ice cream shop, going to the swimming pool, or even just being allowed to eat their dinner in front of the TV.

The first day back at school is not the time to experiment or be half-hearted with the kids' lunchboxes. Plan what you're going to make in advance, and be sure that everything in there is something they love. Even better, add in a delicious surprise that will put a smile on their face when lunchtime rolls around.

The first day at a new school is always incredibly nerve-wracking. If your kids are heading off to a new school this year, try to find some time to visit the school before the first day. It will help calm their nerves if they can visualize where they're headed and feel at least a little familiar with the space.

Help the kids get through the first week by planning some fun activities for the weekend. If they have something to look forward to at the end of the week, the time will pass by more quickly. They'll be in a much more positive state of mind if they can visualize more than just the endless weeks of school that await.