5 Fun Ways To Get Your Kid Involved In Back-To-School Prep

The back-to-school period often stirs up a range of emotions. Parents might feel a sense of relief in returning to a structured routine, while children may be excited about reconnecting with their friends. However, there’s also a hint of sadness in bidding farewell to the carefree days of summer, something that resonates with family members of all ages.

Alongside these feelings, classic back-to-school nerves can surface. As parents prepare for this yearly shift, they might find themselves grappling with numerous unanswered questions: What will the upcoming school year hold? How can they manage all the tasks that come with this hectic season? How can they support their children in facing new challenges and learning to take on added responsibilities? And where has all the time gone?

Ease some of the stress of back-to-school season by involving your kids in the preparations. This not only provides you with some extra assistance but also helps children learn and embrace new responsibilities. Here are five enjoyable ways to engage your kids in getting ready for school.

1. Let kids join in on packing their lunches (and make it enjoyable!)

Reduce your morning workload by allowing your kids to help with their lunch preparation, or at least assist if they’re still too young to manage it entirely. Giving children a sense of independence in their tasks is crucial for their growth, and letting them make choices about their lunches can be a fun way to teach them about nourishing their bodies.

To simplify the lunch prep for both of you, provide them with some guidelines: create a checklist of foods they can choose from, ideally organized into categories. This way, you can ensure they’re getting a balanced selection of items to keep them energized throughout the day.

Encourage them to choose one or two items from each category: protein, vegetables, fruits, complex carbs, and treats (we recommend UNREAL Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups or Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups, which have 36% less sugar than major brands and include protein from the nut butters).

Guide them through this process until they feel comfortable handling it on their own—then encourage them to take charge! You can always do a quick check of their lunchbox before they head out to ensure they have a balanced selection of foods.

2. Establish a mindfulness routine for the whole family to practice together

Any parent will agree that one of the biggest challenges during the back-to-school season is managing morning and bedtime routines. While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, a great way to foster family cooperation is by introducing simple mindfulness routines that everyone can participate in, even with busy schedules.

In the morning, consider starting with a quick daily affirmation. Affirmations can effectively promote positive thinking, boost confidence, and help children develop a healthier inner dialogue. Practicing affirmations in the morning can empower kids to face school challenges, whether it’s dealing with a difficult subject or managing nerves about a new extracurricular activity.

In the evening, try a family gratitude practice where everyone shares one thing they’re thankful for that day. This simple reflection can yield significant benefits, as research shows that gratitude can lower stress and anxiety, enhance empathy, and strengthen family bonds.

To make these moments even more enjoyable, incorporate them into dessert time. On nights when you don’t feel like baking, consider UNREAL’s Dark Chocolate Caramel Peanut Nougat Bars, made with simple, non-GMO ingredients and containing 2 grams of protein per bar.

3. Make it a priority to enjoy the outdoors as a family

One reason the back-to-school transition can be tough for kids—especially those who are active—is that they end up spending much more time indoors, seated, and in front of screens. It’s essential for the family to carve out time to connect with nature, as studies show that spending time outdoors is associated with benefits like improved attention, mental health, and memory.

These outdoor moments can be as simple as taking walks around the neighborhood or enjoying quick bike rides to the local park. After-school breaks in nature expose children to fresh air and natural light, which can uplift their mood and even improve their sleep at night. Additionally, these outings provide a welcome break from screen time, benefiting the entire family.

You can also organize more adventurous weekend outings, such as hikes, scavenger hunts, or picnics. These experiences foster an early appreciation for nature and the outdoors.

Involve the kids in planning these weekend activities by letting them help pack the night before. They can gather all the essentials: reusable water bottles, bug spray, blankets, sunscreen, hats, and, of course, delicious snacks. To enhance the fun, consider making your own trail mix at home by combining your favorite nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and treats. We love adding UNREAL Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds and UNREAL Dark Chocolate Coconut Almonds for an extra touch!

4. Let kids take charge of the grocery list and assist with meal planning

While parents handle the actual grocery shopping, kids can definitely contribute to the planning process. Keep a running list of items that need to be restocked in the kitchen, allowing family members to add items as they notice they’re running low.

Take it a step further by involving kids in meal planning: create a weekly meal calendar together and discuss what ingredients you’ll need to buy. Have them check the kitchen to see what you already have (to avoid duplicate purchases), brainstorm meal ideas, and go over necessary items like produce and breakfast foods.

Don’t forget to include some snacks and treats for the whole family to enjoy, such as UNREAL’s Milk Chocolate Covered Pretzels, which are a delicious sweet-and-salty option that’s grain-free and contains 40% less sugar.

Involving the family in grocery planning not only alleviates some pressure from parents but also makes kids more enthusiastic about their meals and snacks.

5. Create new traditions that the whole family can anticipate

The beginning of a new school year often brings many changes, which can be unsettling for kids and families alike. To ensure some of these new routines are something your child looks forward to, establish fun weekly traditions that everyone can participate in.

Keep these traditions simple to plan and execute, making it easier for parents and allowing kids to get involved as well.

For instance, you might have a weekly dinner where the kids choose the pizza toppings and the entire family makes it together. Alternatively, you could designate a weekend game day where each week a different family member picks the game to play, ranging from tag to soccer. Another option is a movie night complete with theater-style snacks like popcorn and UNREAL Milk Chocolate Gems, which are made with 100% real ingredients, get their vibrant colors from vegetables, and are absolutely delicious.

Make this back-to-school season one that everyone anticipates

Back-to-school time can be stressful for both kids and parents, but it can also be enjoyable! By involving kids in daily routines, you can help them learn and grow, create some fun moments, and even lighten your own to-do list.