10 Amazing Back to School Hacks Every Parent Should Know

written by Sarah Flowers August 16, 2017

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It’s back to school time! Time to get those kids in gear and ready to learn again. These Top 10 Back to School Hacks will make the transition seamless for the kids and stress free for you!

For more helpful family hacks, check out the following:

15 Genius School Lunch Hacks That’ll Make Your Life So Much Easier

15 Free Activities to Keep the Kids Entertained All Year Round

18 Fun + Free Kid-Friendly Summer Activities

20 Free [or Cheap] Business Sponsored Kids Programs

10 Genius Back to School Hacks Every Parent Needs to Know

ADJUST SLEEP SCHEDULES BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS

One of the hardest parts of going back to school for kids is that their sleep schedule changes quickly, and they have to scramble to catch up! Give your kids a helping hand and a head start by slowly adjusting their sleep schedules in the weeks before school starts. Go slow if you have time, and adjust by 30 minutes at a time. This tactic will make the first weeks of school so much easier!

1ST DAY OF SCHOOL PHOTO IDEAS

Children grow up so fast! Capture the memories with these great 1st day of school photo ideas. I especially like the idea of recording their favorite food, colors, and activities, since these can change so quickly as they grow.

From Passion for Savings

SIMPLIFY PACKED LUNCHES

Check out this ingenious idea from Tasty Junior. Simplify school lunches by arranging different lunch components ahead of time. Then, let your children pack their own lunches. This teaches your children some responsibility and saves you time throughout the week. For more must-know lunch hacks, check out 15 Genius School Lunch Hacks That’ll Make Your Life So Much Easier.

From Tasty Junior

DIY BACKPACK STATION

If left to their own devices, most kids just chuck their backpacks on the floor and run off to play, leaving you with the mess. Take control of clutter before it happens with this super functional yet stylish backpack station. This idea is so simple and easy, it can fit into almost any home size and decor.

From Apartment Therapy

SCHOOL CLOTHES ORGANIZER

When I was still in school, choosing what I was going to wear that day was a major factor in making me late for school. You can set out your kids’ clothes every night, or you can save time and streamline the process with this awesome tool. This way, you can choose outfits for the week all at once, and store them in this handy organizer.

From BHG

DRY ERASE FAMILY ACTIVITY CALENDAR

Between sports, piano lessons, and playdates with friends, keeping track of kid’s schedules (especially with more than one kid in the house) can be super difficult! Make family scheduling easier with this dry erase board you can use for years to come!

From The Krazy Coupon Lady

HEALTHY SELF-SERVE AFTERNOON SNACKS

When the kids come home from school famished, make sure they have something healthy to grab, so they don’t reach for less nutritious fare. This self-serve snack basket eliminates the need for them to ask you for snacks after school. Just prepare snacks ahead of time to simplify the after school rush.

From Super Healthy Kids

DIY AFTER SCHOOL ROUTINE CLOCK

After the kids get home from school, life gets hectic. Even without after school activities, their evenings are still jam-packed with homework, dinner, bath time, and more. It’s so easy to lose track of time on these busy nights. This DIY clock is an invaluable tool to help you organize their evenings and make your life less stressful.

From Kids Activities Blog

DOLLAR STORE PORTABLE HOMEWORK STATION

Many children like to do their homework at the kitchen table where they can spend time with family and get help with their homework from Mom and Dad. This handy DIY caddy holds all the necessary supplies, so kids can do their homework, then quickly clear the table for dinnertime. Even if your kids don’t work at the table, this is still a great idea to keep their school supplies tidy and organized.

From Simple Made Pretty

DOWNLOAD THE PHOTOMATH APP

I know when I was in school, my parents had no idea how to help me with my math homework once I got into the more advanced classes. My mom had never taken Algebra and had forgotten some of what she had learned. I hear this same experience from my friends who either forgot how to do certain problems or never learned the type of math their children are learning in school. Let the PhotoMath app come to your rescue! This app does the work for you and can check your child’s math homework with step by step instructions.