This post has been sponsored by Box Tops for Education. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It’s almost that time and we are so excited! After a year of distance learning and homeschooling we are so excited to prepare for a traditional school year. We are a little out of practice, but are so ready to get the school year started on the right foot. My husband and I have our top 5 back to school tips just in time to help you prepare your home and some must-have items, like Yoplait® GoGurt Strawberry, Annie’s™ Real Aged Cheddar Mac & Cheese, & Honey Nut Cheerios™ all at Smart & Final!
5 Back To School Tips for Parents
Back To School Tip # 1: Establish a Family Calendar
Our family calendar has become super important with so many events to keep track of. You can use a dry-erase calendar you can update monthly or fill in a traditional calendar you can hang somewhere.
A big back to school tip from this mama of 4- COLOR CODING! Each person in the home has their own color, it helps us keep track or who is up to what so much easier.
Tip #2: Stock Up on Box Tops Products To Support Our Schools
We are always so grateful for the work that our kids’ schools and teachers put in year after year. One way that we love to support them is by participating in the Box Tops for Education program. While doing your normal grocery shopping, look out for items specially marked as Box Tops items. My favorite part of the process, earning your Box Tops is so much easier now with their app.
To kick off the school year right, Box Tops has awesome ways where you could win huge rewards when you purchase Box Tops for Education participating products. You have the chance to win prizes. PLUS individuals can win $10,000 and participating schools can win $10,000 worth of Box Tops! All you need to do is:
- Buy specially marked packages of Box Tops participating products at Smart & Final
- Scan the QR code on the pack & enter the locker combination by 11/30/2021
- Unlock a chance at rewards for you or your school
- Scan your grocery receipt in the Box Tops app to earn more!
Tip #3: Have PLENTY of Afterschool Snacks
Chances are if you stocked up on Box Tops products you have a great selection of afterschool snacks! We have 4 kids, and although the twins are not in school yet well they join in on the snacking too. This means 4 kids, 4 snacks, EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. So stock up! Yogurts, crackers, fruit are favorites around here.
A way to change snack time and keep things fun is creating snack boards. You don’t need to get fancy, simply place a few snack choices on a cutting board and let your kids go for it!
Tip # 4: Grab Our Kids’ Favorite Lunch Foods
This area is probably where I need the most practice. Once upon a time I was totally killing the school lunch game! I mean I was ON POINT with Zoey’s lunches. Now I feel a bit rusty but I have remembered the most important thing, OPTIONS! Have a few different options for lunches and rotate them out weekly.
My biggest tip is to have a few different snack and lunch options and pair them up in different combinations to keep lunch fun and exciting.
Back To School Tip #5: Change Chores
During the Summer our chores change a bit. Without the kids in school we can get a bit more done collectively. There are a few chores that are daily and less weekly to-dos. However, when school starts we like to keep the focus on school & having fun so the chores shift a bit. To help my girls with organizing their days and keeping on top of their chores a little chore chart has been wonders.
During the school year we give them one daily house chore (cleaning table, cleaning up the playroom, etc) and 3 weekly chores (laundry, trash, dusting, etc.). This really helps keep it all balanced and the 3 chores get pushed to the weekend when we are all working on our home together.
Whether your kids are back in person for the first time in over a year like mine, you are homeschooling, distance learning, etc- these back to school tips are bound to set you off on the right start!
Offer valid: 8/1/21- 9/30/21. Scan receipt in App within 14 DAYS of purchase. See www.BTFE.com for App Terms of Service, Official Program Rules, and Privacy Policy. Standard data rates may apply.
NO PURCH. NEC. Void where prohibited. Open only to legal res. of 50 US/DC, 18+ only. Must be a BTFE member with App installed to claim a prize or enter the Sweepstakes. Begins 5/17/21 and ends 11/30/21. For Rules, visit btfe.com/unlock.