How you structure your summer can make a huge difference in how your kids feel when it’s time to go back to school. I’ve learned that easing into routines before the school year begins—without making summer feel like school—can help kids feel more confident, more rested, and more ready when that first day comes around.
That doesn’t mean packing their days with worksheets and early alarms. For us, it looks more like gently weaving in structure: keeping a consistent (but later) bedtime, encouraging reading just for fun, or doing things like a “creative hour” each day where they get to paint, build, or write. We also try to make space for curiosity — visiting a nature center, watching a documentary together, or cooking something from another culture.
If you’re juggling work or just looking for more enriching ways to keep your kids engaged, having extra help can be a game-changer. Whether it’s having quiet time each afternoon, setting mini weekly goals (like reading three chapters or learning to ride a bike), or creating a “summer fun list,” keeping a light rhythm over the summer sets the tone for a calmer, happier transition into the school year. And that makes back-to-school feel a lot less overwhelming — and maybe even exciting.
Keep Kids Learning and Engaged During Summer — Without Making It Feel Like School
Summer should feel like a break — and it can — while still keeping kids curious, creative, and even learning along the way. The key is to make it feel fun, flexible, and low-pressure.
In our family, we do things like set up a “summer bucket list” of fun challenges: read five books, try a new recipe, build something out of recycled materials, or create a backyard obstacle course. We also love taking little day trips — a nature walk, a local science museum, or even just stargazing in the backyard with a space app.
We also make time for creative screen time: not just watching shows, but doing art tutorials on YouTube, trying beginner coding games, or using apps that sneak in math or reading skills in playful ways.
Another great way to add structure (without pressure) is to bring in extra support, especially if you’re working or need help juggling it all. One thing that’s made a big difference for us is having an au pair. Programs like Go Au Pair offer families a unique way to get childcare that’s flexible and culturally enriching. Our au pair has helped lead crafts, organize bilingual story time, and even taught my kids how to make a dessert from her home country — all while forming a really sweet bond with them. It’s a wonderful way to turn everyday moments into meaningful experiences.
If you’re not ready for a full-time caregiver, you can also try rotating “theme weeks” (like cooking week, nature week, or science week) or creating a daily rhythm that includes quiet reading time, outdoor play, and one small “project” each day — like making slime, planting herbs, or writing a silly comic book.
By keeping things light, playful, and varied, you’ll help your kids stay mentally active without making summer feel like school. And that makes the transition back to the classroom so much smoother — because their curiosity and confidence never stopped growing.
Best Tips for Getting Kids Ready for Going Back to School
It’s the night before the big day, and your little one is bouncing off the walls with a mix of excitement and nerves. Backpacks are neatly packed, and new shoes are eagerly awaiting their debut on the playground. The new school year is a fresh start, a chance to make new friends, and an opportunity to learn and grow.
With a few fun strategies up your sleeve, you can make this back-to-school transition smoother than ever before, ensuring that your kids are not only prepared but also genuinely pumped about the adventures that lie ahead. So, let’s dive into these seven tips that will have your family excitedly counting down the days until school starts!
Start new routines before school starts
At home we start changing the routines a couple of weeks before school starts. We cut the amount of time the kids spend in front of a screen (which by the way is already low), they start getting up earlier and going to bed earlier as well. Additionally, we introduce fun and educational activities like engaging math riddles for kids from Brighterly to stimulate their minds. And make sure to check out these morning routine ideas to motivate kids to have a positive day.
Make it fun and let them participate
Getting up early and getting ready for school can be hard but if you make it fun and let you kids, specially as they get older, participate in some of the decisions things will go smoother. Give them choices for their breakfast or their lunch box so that they feel like they have some say in what is happening and learn to make their own decisions and get them involved in the preparations. To save time you can do this the night before.
Get them the right support
When kids succeed in school they are also more motivated to learn and to go to school. Find great resources that will provide your kids with a solid foundation in math, science and language arts. This together with the strong parent engagement will help your kids stay on top of their schoolwork and not only succeed but develop a love for learning.
It’s also very important to create a good relationship with your children’s teacher, principal and any other adults in their lives like coaches. When kids have a hard time it’s so important to build resilience in children through community connections.
Create a space for them to do their homework
Having the right space for focusing on school work can really make a difference in your kid’s willingness to do homework and in their ability to concentrate. Find a space that is quiet, comfortable and where there are no distractions.
Prepare things the day before
Teach your kids to help you with getting out the clothes they are going to wear and having their backpack in order the day before to prevent the early morning rush.
Be a cheerleader
Get them excited about going back to school and about learning. Talk about the importance of education and make it fun. My kids get excited with things like new clothes and new backpacks or fun lunch boxes. You can also give last year’s backpacks a new life and turn them into a fun DIY project they will be happy to show off to their class mates.
But most importantly talk to your kids about how they feel. If they are nervous or anxious acknowledge and validate those feelings. New things can be scary and that is ok. Let them know that you are there for them and that you can support them and help them along the way to make this new adventure something they enjoy and look forward to. This is all part of raising a happy and healthy child.
Create a positive environment
If you have a good attitude towards the morning routine that will be contagious and your kids will feel that positive energy. So lead by example and get excited about them going back to school. Focus on all the fun they will have, the friends they will make and the wonderful things they will learn. This will help you raise a confident child who focuses on the positive things in life, just like you do!
You can find more ideas to get kids motivated about the new school year here. And check my tips for back to school shopping to ensure a successful start of the new school year!
Paula studied architecture and now makes a living as a freelance writer,traveler and amateur photographer.She started her writing & publishing career as the editor of Bebé y Mamá, the first parenting magazine in Guatemala.She is the founder of www.GrowingUpBilingual.com and www.365thingsswfl.com and writes articles in Spanish and English for both magazines and the web on travel,food and bicultural and bilingual parenting .
When she is not on a plane or road trip she likes to create recipes inspired in the flavors of her native Guatemala.
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Crearles un espacio para estudiar fue un éxito en con mi hijos. A ellos les gusta las cosas antiguas como su madre!!! y cuando les compré unos escritorios antiguos tipo “secretary” de los que se cierran con llave, se volvieron locos y ahora se pasan ahi. Además de estudiar lo usan para dibujar y crear sus cositas. Un poquito de motivación y se sienten que tienen una esquinita especial para ellos.
Love these positive tips for getting kids back in the groove of school. Mix routine and fun with Stridepost – an online family organizer with a calendar and to-do tracker that lets kids earn points for doing tasks and cash in for rewards they choose! It’s up to your family what tasks get your kids points; whether it’s making their own lunches, getting their homework completed, or just waking up on time, Stridepost helps parents establish good habits. It’s Your Family, Your Pace!
http://www.stridepost.com/
My kids aren’t old enough for school yet but I do remember the back to school rush. It was honestly one of my favorite times of they year; new books, new clothes, new shoes! I’m excited to do this with my kids when they are old enough, but I am not in any rush!
As a kid, I never really had a space dedicated to doing my homework. As a result I never really had one when I entered middle and high school. I think it would have really helped me focus if I had a space like this, so I definitely want to do this for my children. Thank you for sharing these tips!