How to make a Starting School Gift Box

Is your child starting school this year?

We have seen the idea of Starting School Baskets growing in popularity on social media so we thought it would be fun to create our own so you can see what we would choose to put in ours!

A couple of little notes on this though before you decide if this idea is for you:

1) Please bear in mind how your little one is feeling about starting school. If they are particularly anxious you don't want to overwhelm them. But equally depending on your child, this may help it feel more exciting!

2) When we create gift bundles like this for our children we often put things in them that we either already have or would have got anyway- they don't need to be expensive and certainly shouldn't include anything just for the sake of it that they might not get use out of.

What's in the box?

I have chosen to include items that meet a range of purposes and needs which I will explain in a bit more detail.

At the end I have also included some extra ideas which might be perfect for your children- its great to try and follow their interests which is another way of helping them to view school as a "safe" and "fun" place to be.

first day of school gift basket for starting school

best gift ideas for children starting school

1. Our first day at school flag is a cute way to decorate your box, but it also doubles up as a photo prop for your little one's!

Would you like to make your own?

Download our free printable

the colour monster book for starting school

2. "The Colour Monster" by Anna Llenas

We chose this book as its a lovely story about identifying emotions but you might wish to choose a book focussed on starting school or something from their favourite author that they can look forward to reading when they get home from school.

We have some more suggestions for books/toolkits in our Starting School Gift guide.

Check out the guide

3. Our Love Note Patches are the perfect way to support your little one's transitioning to school.

They are made with your handwriting and can be ironed into their uniform or on their bag, designed to give them a little confidence and connection to you while you are apart.

Buy Patches

play doh for after school sensory regulation

4. Play Doh! Oh my gosh so many possibilities for open ended play and creative ideas.

But the extra added bonus here is that also acts as a great sensory tool; rolling and squishing it is really calming and helps to regulate emotions.

It is the perfect after school wind down activity.

5. Remain connected when you are apart with our Together Always Kiss Pins.

Pop a pin on each other's clothing or bag for a visible kiss you can carry around, giving comfort and connection all day long even when you are apart, these are perfect for starting school.

They are designed to come as a pair because the act of giving each other a kiss is where the connection lies, and your little one knows you also have something to remind you of them all day too.

Buy Kiss Pins

6. Stickers

Kids love colourful and fun stickers and opportunities to be creative can be calming give them a sense to autonomy (great for after school when they may have felt like they didn't have much choice or control).

They might even wish to decorate their box with them! Or their school reading record.

7. Drink bottle/cup

I have included this because its sparkly and fun, and the space theme fits in with my little one's interests. This would be used along with their after school snack. You could of course include a new water bottle for school instead!

Also, did you know that drinking a cold drink through a straw can be calming and regulating?

8. Scented pencils

Ummm, hello fun! Perfect for doodling but also smelling the scents can be another sensory tool for calming before or after school.

9. Affirmation cards

Cute cards like these make great little lunch box or pocket notes. While your child may not be able to read, you can read them together and they can appreciate the colourful pictures. It is another reminder that you are thinking of them while you are apart, and the novelty of a different card each day adds some excitement.

(An alternative to this which you could do could be to use a hand drawn picture on a post-it note)

10. Squishies

My kids love these tiny squishy animals which I think serve multiple purposes. They can be used for play (they usually come in packs), they make great fidgets for squishing and stretching (another sensory tool), and they are also small enough to go in their pocket if they would like a little "buddy" to take to school from home.

A word of warning though for the latter, they may not be allowed to bring "toys" from home and you also run the risk of them being lost of played with my other children which may be an issue for your little one.

11. Poppit

Another great fidget to support with sensory regulation. They could also be used for number games or even filling with yoghurt to make frozen buttons for an after school snack!

I love it when one item can be used in multiple ways 🙌

12. A soft toy

This might be something nice for your little one to come home to; a familiar toy for their wind down time. It is small enough to hold while playing with something else and the soft fur would be calming to stroke.

13. Fun pens

I added these in for no other reason than I thought they were cute and knew my child would like them- little pens shaped like ice creams!

Your child won't need to take any pens or pencils into school at this age, these are for doodling at home.

14. Hair clips

Fun and sparkly hair accessories to match with their new school uniform.

Having something you know they will enjoy wearing and a way of "customising" their outfit can be really beneficial for some children giving them choice and autonomy.

You might have noticed I mention sensory regulation a lot, this is because when children come home from school (particularly during the first half term) you will often see a change in their emotions and behaviour. This is due to getting used to their new normal and needing to "conform" all day. Snacks and wind down time is really beneficial here along with sensory tools.

Our first day at school baskets can easily be adapted for back to school too! A lot of the items I have chosen are good for older children too.

Some more ideas

The most important thing when creating your starting school gift box is to include useful items that you think your little one with love and make good use out of. So here are a few more ideas, feel free to pick and choose any that might resonate with your family!

It might be temping to add some school style work books, but I have purposely not included them because depending on your child it could be overwhelming that they are learning all day, and then they think you expect them to do more work at home. Instead I have included a fun doodle book so they can be creative while also working on their pen skills (shhhhhh...)

The interlocking octons, math link cubes and foam shapes are all great for open ended play, sensory and brain breaks, and can also be used for helping understand number concepts in the future but making it fun!

They may not be able to write yet but the note books have other purposes. The purple book is furry and fun, another sensory tool for stroking! And the happy journal is a lovely activity you can do together when talking about their day and how they are feeling.

The liquid timer is great for calming as they watch the colours swirl. These can be great for bedtime wind downs or you can use as an actual timer for activities like brushing teeth.

I love the Little People, Big Dreams series. I have included these because they are inspiring, and make lovely bedtime stories to encourage an enjoyment of reading (offering you some time to connect after a day apart). There are so many historical (and current) personalities to choose from.

Do you need a box?

You can purchase one of our personalised crates here. We can even add a personalised name on for you!

The great thing about these crates is that they are a good size and can double up as a handy place to keep all of their school things such as homework or reading books they bring home.

Purchase here