Back to School Event Ideas for the 2022-2023 School Year
If you are looking for some great ideas on how to make your next school event memorable and get your students excited for the school year to come, then look no further. We have compiled a list of our favorite back-to-school event ideas. These ideas will give you a fresh take on all back-to-school events that sometimes can get repetitive year after year.
School supply drive
The start of the school year is just around the corner, and you know what that means — back-to-school shopping! This year, encourage families to do something good for our schools while they're out shopping.Share a wish list with parents to help make sure every student gets everything he/she needs. After the event, families purchase items and bring them along to meet-the-classroom night. During the event, kids can help sort supplies and pack bags while teachers speak to parents.
This ensures every child in the classroom is set up for success in the upcoming school year even if their parent or guardian does not have the means to buy all their needed school supplies. Keep in mind fundraising is popular throughout the school year as well to keep thinks running smoothly.
Lunchroom lessons
Many younger students have not been at school or daycare for a full day so adjusting can be hard for those who haven't. Incorporate a way to give the children a taste of what it is like to sit down for lunch and be able to stay by themselves to understand the process.A way to incorporate this into your open house or meet the teacher day is to meet the children and then send them to lunch with their peers while their parents stay in the room and you. Now there is an opportunity for kids to see their lunch routine and somewhat mock what a day of school will be like for them while you will have time to talk to parents one on one and answer any questions they might have about the upcoming school year.
School bus intro
Just like the lunchroom might feel new to some students, the bus can be daunting for younger ones as well. Arrange for a bus driver and a vehicle to be at the school when parents drop off their kindergarteners or any student who does not feel comfortable riding the bus and allow them to practice getting on and off while you are there. A quick trip around the campus parking lot usually does the trick to calm their nerves and show them it is not scary.
Relay Races
The classic relay race is one where runners carry a baton around a track while running. Kids love doing this because it gives them a chance to build bonds with peers, have a little friendly competition and help build teamwork skills. They can even do it indoors, making it perfect for winter sports like hockey and basketball. If you don't have access to a track, try marking out a path with cones or paint.
This is great for breaking the ice with younger kids, do this as a welcome activity and once you have played the kids will feel more comfortable together and be ready for their welcome night.
Time Capsule
The idea of writing a letter to one’s future self has been around since ancient times and a lot has changed since then, in the world and in schools.
One thing hasn't changed though - every kid loves getting mail. And what better way to send a letter to your future self than to put it into a time capsule? Have children write themselves a letter for them to open at the end of the school year or when they graduate from middle school to high school or even high school to college. It is exciting at any age to imagine reading a letter from your past self and see how much has changed.
Book Swap
Have each child bring a favorite book to a party. Then, let them trade books with another guest. You could even set up a table where everyone brings one book and trades it out.
To make the book swap a longer event so both kids and parents could mingle you can choose to read a couple of books out loud to the children or even have the children read a favorite page of the book they brought to the book swap.
Scavenger Hunt
The idea behind a scavenger hunt is simple: Give kids something fun to do, and you give them something fun to remember. But how does one go about creating such an event? With a little planning, creativity, and some help from parents, teachers, and friends, you can make a scavenger hunt feel like a real adventure.
Picnic
A picnic is a laid-back activity that gives everyone a chance to enjoy other company together.
Picnics are easy to organize—just pick a spot, set up tables and chairs, and invite your students and families over. Ask your students to bring their favorite snack or dessert, this gives you all the supplies for the picnic while making it fun for your students to share their favorite things with their peers.
Most of these events are for younger students but if you are looking for back-to-school events for college-level students here are some. These events will be somewhat different from ones that have been suggested to hold for kindergarten through 12th grade, they are all about comforting the student and helping them adapt to being away from home. Many of these events listed below do not take much planning to execute.
Pet Therapy
Many college students have pets at home that when they go away, they will miss, especially coming in as a freshman. Even if students don't have dogs, dogs have a special way of comforting people without even knowing. Having a dog welcome them into their new dorm while moving in or outside of the hall their first college class will be held in will calm their nerves and give them a friendly smile.
This is also something you don't need to plan for, anyone who sees a dog that is willing to be pet will most definitely stop. It is something that students don't have to commit to either, it can be in passing and still be considered a successful event as long as it makes students feel good!
Free Lunch
Moving into college, and having to now live on your own for the first time is stressful not having the support of your guardian there for your everyday. Getting into the motion of managing your money correctly takes a while. Telling college students they can get a free lunch? They will be there in a second!
These lunches do not need to be extravagant either a pop-up tent outside a resident's hall serving sandwiches or a food truck parked outside will be plenty to draw in students. To make this more beneficial for students besides a free lunch, you can have upperclassmen who are involved around campus serving the food, students in sports, clubs, Greek life, and anything that is an on-campus club that students can join.
Campus Walkthrough
Before classes start offer students a chance to walk throughout the campus with an upperclassman or professor to show them around where the main buildings are and where their classes will be. The biggest fear for college students on their first day of classes is being late or not being able to find their classroom, it's not like high school anymore where it's only one building to get lost in, it's a whole campus.
This also allows students to mingle with other students who have been in their position offering advice and comfort to them.
Tailgate
A tailgate is a college staple. Introduce the new students to a fun event that they will be participating in for the rest of their college careers. Bring out the grill, chips, dip, and bags! What more could you need?
Consider hosting a bag tournament where they can win tailgating apparel that students can wear throughout the years. T-shirts and sweatshirts can be donated by the university's bookstore or apparel store around campus, ask around for a sponsor!
Conclusion
Going back to school at any age or school year can be overwhelming, planning a special event or activity for students will take their minds off the stress for a while and allow them to relax and enjoy! Although some of these are categorized for older students, and some for younger you can change anything in the events. Add or take away things to make them age-appropriate for the students you are hosting. Fundraising 
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