Back to School Party Ideas to Wave Goodbye to Summer

Help ease the first-day-of-school nerves by hosting a back-to-school party with your kid’s closest friends or all of their classmates from school. It can be a great opportunity for students to meet new friends or catch up with kids in their grade that they haven’t seen since school ended. Maybe you can even have a special appearance by a favorite school teacher! Make it the ultimate summer party with exciting games and activities, party decorations, good food, and great company.

The kids will love their last hurrah of the summer with the help of our back-to-school party planning checklist, complete with theme suggestions, invitation templates, and game and activity ideas. 

Back-to-School Party Ideas and Planning Checklist

Design: Mint Parcel

There are lots of things to keep in mind when planning your back-to-school party to ensure you kick off the new school year on the right foot. Here are some essentials to focus on.

Make the Guest List

Before fully diving into planning mode, it’s important to consider how many kids will be invited. Is this an intimate gathering with their besties from school, their whole class, or even their whole grade? Knowing how many kids are invited will make a big difference in determining the venue and setting expectations. 

Another key question is what age group you will be hosting. Pre-K? Elementary, middle, or high school students? This will help define the kids’ party games and activities, decor, and venue.

Appoint a Party Planning Committee

Even if it’s your idea, you don’t have to take it all on — don’t be afraid to ask others to pitch in. Yes, even if it’s at your own house! Ask some classmates’ parents to bring a dish to share, come early to help set up the decorations, be part of the cleanup crew, or oversee some of the games and activities. Lots of parents love to be involved.

If you’re wanting to orchestrate a school- or class-wide get together, send an email to your school’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA). They likely can assist in getting a group of parents and school teachers to help, potentially support financially and, most importantly, help spread the news of the big day.

Select a Date 

Picking a date that works for everyone is a tall order with fall sports kicking off in late summer and many families still soaking in the vacation time. If it’s a small gathering, send a poll with date options to some of the parents of your kid’s closest friends. If it’s a larger event, go with what works for you and the planning committee, but make sure it’s within one to two weeks of school being back in session to support the “welcome back” intent. 

Determine a Location

There are so many fun locations to host a back-to-school party. When locking in a location, have a good handle on the guest list, budget, and whether or not you’re allowed to host a party at the school. The location can help influence the theme of the event. If the venue is outdoors, have a backup plan if Mother Nature isn’t cooperative.

Identify a Theme 

Hosting a themed party helps set expectations for what the day will entail and increase the excitement. Here are a few that will guarantee kids and parents alike will have a blast:

• Carnival: There’s no need for rides at this carnival but still room for plenty of fun! Set out an array of carnival games (ensure each station is manned by a parent or older kid) in an open field or lawn and give the kids a chance to test their skills. Consider things like Plinko, ring toss, knocking down cans, a lollipop tree, pool noodle toss, balloon darts, or giant bowling.
• Ice cream social: A true trademark of summer and a treat that most kids love, you can’t go wrong with an ice cream party. Sit back, relax, and watch kids catch up with friends while enjoying this sweet treat. If it’s a large event and budget allows, consider having an ice cream truck on site to take orders. Or set up ice cream stations with different options (popsicles, ice cream sandwiches, drumsticks, ice cream cups), or create a sundae bar with various toppings. 
• Picnic at the park: Have guests pack a picnic lunch (use a picnic basket or their school lunch boxes) and play the day away at a local park. Consider renting out a pavilion at the park to ensure enough picnic tables are available or see if you can have access to the school playground.
• Field day: Bring out a competitive spirit and sense of camaraderie with an old-fashioned field day. Incorporate activities like a relay race, three-legged race, obstacle course, egg balancing challenge, sack race, water balloon toss, and tug of war.
• Pool party: Dip into the new school year with a pool party where kids can use their (pool) noodles. Expand the wet and wild effect beyond the pool with other water activities, like a slip ‘n’ slide or water balloon fight with reusable, magnetic water balloons.
• Bonfire: Enjoy a night of talking, break out some lawn games, and be sure to make plenty of s’mores. This makes a great back-to-school party for older students.
• Campout: Another back-to-school party that would bode well with an older crowd is having an overnight campout. Have participants pack their backpacks, flashlights, and sense of adventure. Pitch some tents in the back yard or see if they can camp out on school property. 

Regardless of the theme, weave in some school supplies to fit the back to school vibe. Consider decorating with a chalkboard with a welcome note, grab streamers, table runners, cupcake toppers, themed napkins and plates, and more to set the scene.

Prep Invitations

Design: Cynthia Jacquette Art and Design

Once you have the who, what and where locked in, start making invitations that cover the date, time, location, and theme. Also include any items they need to bring with them and clear RSVP instructions (deadline and who to contact). For example, “Please bring a dish to share” or “School T-shirts encouraged” or “Don’t forget your bathing suit and sunscreen!”

Wondering how to best get the word out? For a large school event, post the invitation on the school’s social media channels or even have the PTA send it out to their email lists. If it’s a small group, then email or text the invitation directly.

Make sure everyone gets a big enough heads up — summers get busy!

Decide What to Serve

Stricter bedtime routines and sugar restrictions are just around the corner, but for now, let them indulge in an array of sweets. Consider setting up an ice cream sundae bar, having coolers with popsicles, juice boxes galore, a snow cone machine, cupcakes, a popcorn machine, or donuts. Plus, you can almost never go wrong with pizza, regardless of the age group or size of the gathering.

Pro tip: Make sure to have alternatives on hand for anyone with food allergies.

Plan a Range of Games and Activities

Depending on the theme, try out a mix of these game and activity ideas to make it even more memorable:

• Capture the moment: Set up a back-to-school photo booth, complete with photo props, with a dedicated parent taking pictures to share after the event.
• Set up outdoor games: Break out the ladder golf, cornhole, backyard Jenga, a giant Connect Four, and limbo.
• Treasure hunt or scavenger hunt: If they’re really young, set up a makeshift sandbox and have them dig for treasure. If they’re older, break them into groups, each with a list of clues to help them hunt down a fun surprise.
• Entertainment: Hire a magician, face painter, or DJ to add to the thrill of the day. You could also rent some bounce houses.
• Guest appearances: Depending on the age group, inviting teachers, school mascots, or a favorite princess or super hero can make the party all the more magical.
• Party favors or prizes: Incorporate the overall school theme and pass out things like crayons, erasers, pencils, markers, stickers, and free printables to party goers or game winners. No need to break the bank: All of these items can be found at the dollar store. Bingo!

Enjoy Your Summer Sendoff With These Back-to-School Party Ideas

Back-to-school parties are an excellent way to amp your child up about the new school year. Use this party planning checklist as a guide to end your summer on a high note.

If you’re in need of more invitation inspiration, check out these summer party invitations. All of our invitations are fully customizable for a personalized touch. Or, if you’re looking for ideas for other celebrations in the future — from baby showers to birthday parties to graduation open houses — continue reading our Stationers blog.