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Doesn't it feel like school was JUST getting out for summer? Summer vacation never seems like it's long enough when you're a kid, but hey, it can't last forever. But, this just means it's time for back-to-school shopping (who doesn't love new kicks and the aroma of a fresh box of crayons) and of course, an unforgettable back-to-school bash. If you aren't quite sure how to throw a back-to-school party, don't worry—you're not alone! Our team of experts put on their party hats and are ready to share everything you need to know about throwing an end-of-summer party your kid (and their friends) will love.
Deciding on the right timing for your back-to-school party really depends on 1. When your child is going back to school and 2. Do you want to host an end-of-summer party or more of a "welcome back to school!" celebration?
Most schools typically start in August or early September, so hosting a back-to-school bash a few weeks (or even the weekend) before their first day back is perfect. Many families may be out of town on family vacations leading up to their child's return to the classroom, so this is one time when throwing a party closer to the big day is actually preferable.
If you're having a back-to-school party after their first day back, aim for a date that allows everyone to settle into the school routine while still holding onto the excitement of a fresh start. Consider hosting the party within the first few weeks of school, on a weekend when schedules are typically less hectic. By this time, they've likely made a new friend or two so it can be a great way to strengthen their friendship early on!
Between the classic summer party activities and new ideas for this generation, there's no shortage of epic party themes that even the coolest of kids will love. Here are our top 20 back-to-school party themes:
No party is complete without games and activities—especially when kids are involved. A few of our favorite party games and activities include:
Location, location, location, amirite? But seriously, this does not need to be an OTT party with a venue out of Vogue. This party is all about celebrating the end of summer and the start of a new school year, so an open space (especially outdoors) is perfect for mixing, mingling, running, jumping and playing!
The #1 rule for planning a kids' party menu is this: keep it simple. Kids have simple palates and are perfectly happy to munch on their usual faves with their friends. Feel free to get a little creative with the presentation, though!
Remember, back-to-school parties are also an excellent opportunity to involve parents and encourage potluck-style contributions. Ask attendees to bring their favorite school-themed dish or snack for everyone to enjoy. Not only is this a great way to ensure a full spread without doing it all on your own, but it's a fun way to swap recipes and bond with your fellow parents!
If you have your heart already on a certain theme, that will help guide your back-to-school party decor, but you can also keep it simple with some quintessential decor options.
Now that you have some A+ party ideas to bring to life, it's time to let everyone know! Evite makes it easy to invite everyone by offering digital back-to-school party invitations with text, email, or shareable link delivery, free RSVP tracking, a private message board for your guests, and tons of playful designs to choose from. You can also upgrade any free invitation template to enjoy Premium features like customizable envelopes, stamps, stickers and backgrounds, or upload your own design!
Another useful feature Evite invitations offer: crowdfunding. If you're looking to raise funds for your child's teacher's classroom or extracurricular school activities, you can create and add a crowdfunding campaign right to your event. You can also opt to add a class registry if you already have a list of school supplies your child's classroom needs. Some back-to-school invitations to consider pairing with your chosen theme:
Browse All Back-to-School Invitations
While you can keep your celebration small with close friends and family, you can also use your back-to-school party to bring your child's class together. This is very much a "more the merrier" party, so invite everyone in your child's class that they get along with or haven't yet met along with their parents. You'll likely see a lot of them over the coming school year, so this is a thoughtful and fun way to break the ice and get to know them better.
Absolutely! Teaming up with a fellow parent is beyond helpful when juggling multiple responsibilities. A co-host can help with planning, coordinating activities and managing the event, and you can also collaborate on ideas and bring different perspectives to the party.
If you use a back-to-school party invitation from Evite, it's super easy to add a co-host—when you're on Step 2 of the invitation creation process, you'll see an "Add Co-Host" button right below your name. Just add your co-host's name and email address, and we'll let them know they're on Team Back-to-School Party with you!
Even after the confetti is cleaned up, there are still tons of ways to keep the school spirit going. Our back-to-school checklist can help you plan out which school supplies to get, how to answer your child's most common questions and other ways to get them excited about school. Once school is back in session, let your child's new teacher know how much you value them by sending a teacher appreciation card or help plan school events for both parents and kids!
