A 5-Day Challenge to Gear Up for the Year
Back-to-school season doesn’t have to be all checklists and chaos. Turn it into a week of fun with a Back-to-School Family Camp at home — a playful, purpose-filled way to prepare for the new year with games, challenges, and bonding time. Think scavenger hunts, lunchbox taste tests, and even a sleep schedule reset that feels more like a party than a chore.
Whether you’re homeschooling, public or private schooling, this 5-day experience helps kids ease into the new routine while creating memories you’ll all cherish.
Day 1: The Great Supply Scavenger Hunt
›› Hide school supplies all around the house or yard. Tuck items like crayons, glue sticks, rulers, or notebooks in clever hiding spots.
›› Create a trail of clues using silly riddles or a treasure map.
›› Include surprise “extras” like stickers, pens with fun designs, a secret snack token or a new notebook with their name on it.
›› Create teams if you have multiple kids and assign different colored tags to their items. For younger kids, use picture clues. For older ones, try rhymes or mini-puzzles.
›› End the scavenger hunt at a “Backpack Decorating Station” with iron on patches, keychains, pins, or fabric markers to personalize their gear.
Day 2: The Routine Reset
›› Set a goal bedtime and wake-up time for the first day of school, then shift your schedule back by 15–30 minutes each day.
›› Turn it into a game: each morning, those who get up on time and get ready can spin a prize wheel or earn points toward a Friday treat.
›› Practice getting dressed, brushing teeth, and packing bags with a “beat the timer” challenge.
›› Create a dry erase morning and evening checklist to build independence and responsibility with their chore expectations and daily routines.
›› End the night with a short bedtime story or family gratitude circle — let each child say one thing they’re excited or nervous about for school.
Day 3: Lunchbox Taste Test — Charcuterie Style!
Let kids explore new lunch combos in a fun, creative way they’ll actually eat using a build your own lunch charcuterie board. Turn your kitchen table into a mini lunchbox tasting party with a kid-friendly charcuterie board.
›› Grab a big board or tray (or even a cutting board).
›› Set out a variety of mini lunch items in little piles or bowls.
Proteins: turkey roll-ups, boiled eggs, cheese cubes, mini meatballs
›› Fruits: grapes, strawberries, apple slices, clementines
›› Veggies: cucumbers, baby carrots, mini peppers, snap peas
›› Crunchies: pretzel sticks, crackers, pita chips, veggie straws
›› Fun extras: mini muffins, shaped cheese, chocolate chips, fruit leather ribbons
›› Dips: nutella, ranch, yogurt, hummus, ranch
›› Give each child a bento style snack container, silicone muffin tins, or their lunch box to build their own mini charcuterie lunch.
›› You could create a checklist for them to check off their favorite foods or have them write a list of what they love or like.
Day 4: Camp Confidence Showcase
Help your child/children boost their confidence and create joyful memories before school starts by transforming your living room, backyard, or porch into the “Campfire Stage” — string lights, set out sleeping bags or camp chairs, and put up a sign like Camp [Your Family Name]’s Got Talent!
›› Give each performer a flashlight “spotlight” or a glow stick microphone.
Invite each camper (kids, parents, siblings) to share a short, silly, or serious act:
Sing a song they love
Perform dance moves or a TikTok routine
Tell their best joke
Show an art piece or cool LEGO build
Recite a poem or silly made-up story
Do a silly animal impression
›› Emphasize that everyone’s “talent” is special — it’s about trying, not perfection!
›› Give each child a fun paper “Merit Badge” for their performance:
Bravest Camper
Silliest Skit
Kindest Cheerleader
Most Creative Star
›› End with a group photo holding up their badges as a memory of their Back-to-School Camp night and a special camp treat (kabobs with marshmallows and fruit, mini s’mores cups, etc.)
Day 5: Dress Rehearsal
›› Do a full “mock day”: wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast, daily chores, pack lunch, and take a pretend walk or drive to school.
›› If your child walks to school or rides the bus, practice the route.
›› Play “teacher” and go through a mini-lesson or a fun school-themed activity.
›› End the day with a family movie night featuring a school-themed movie (like Matilda, Back to School, or Inside Out). Serve popcorn in brown paper lunch bags and toast with sparkling grape juice to a great year ahead.