The end of the summer is always bittersweet, especially with back to school just around the corner. Whether your child is going into Kindergarten or the last day of high school, these back to school gifts for kids are sure to make the moment special.
After all, you only get 13-15 first days of school in your life (unless you are a teacher…), so why not make it special?
Lots of us love taking special photos of our kids on the first day of school. (Make sure to get my Free Printable First Day Of School Signs For All Grades (Updated For 2023)
The first day of school gifts below is another special back-to-school tradition to start this year.
You will find ideas for all ages and budgets plus some great gift ideas for teachers to give to welcome students back to the classroom.
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The Best Back To School Gifts For Kids
Short on time?
This back to school gift for kids is the most popular.
It’s the perfect back to school gift for all grades and especially nice for kids that are a bit anxious about leaving you and heading back to school.
It has a ton of 5-Star reviews.
Looking for Back to School printable signs?
Check out these options:
First Day Of School Chalkboard Printables
Free Printable First Day Of School Signs For All Grades
First Day Of Kindergarten Sign (Free Download)
First Day Of School Gifts
I’ve separated these back to school gifts into a few sections so you can find the gifts that are best suited to your child’s age.
Obviously preschoolers like different stuff from high schoolers and so on.
I’ve also tried to find budget-friendly ideas and even link to a few DIY options for the crafty parents out there.
What Is A Good Back To School Gift?
A good first day of school gift can be something sentimental or it can be something useful. Or it can be both.
Sentimental ideas include:
- Jewelry
- Trinkets
- Cards
- Books
Useful back to school gifts might include:
- Pencils
- Pencil Case
- Backpacks
- Notebooks
You also print off a cute back to school quote and have it framed if you need a back to school gift on a budget.
Don’t forget that back to school gifts can also be useful items that are just that extra bit special.
For example, this year I have got my daughters these gorgeous Celestial Silk scrunchies to wear on the first day of school.
They are made with pure mulberry silk and the ones I chose have gems that I know they will love!
Best First Day Of School Gift
The best first day of school gift in 2023 is a fun book that you can read together the night before school starts.
The bestselling first day of school book in 2023 is “The Day You Begin” By Jacqueline Woodson
Why I love this book:
- This book is great for kindergarten to third grade.
- It acknowledges challenges that children might face at school and suggests a coping strategy.
- It’s a great book for teachers to read to their classes, to start a conversation on acceptance.
- It is perfect for all kids who feel different for all different reasons (color of their skin, the food they bring to lunch etc)
- It is a New York Times Bestseller
Back To School Gifts For Kids of Any Grade
A lot of the first day of school gift ideas above are perfect for any grade but here are a few extras that you might like:
First Day Jitters
This book is perfect for anyone who has ever experienced that feeling of anxiety at the start of something new.
Backpack Name Tag
A personalized name tag is the perfect back to school gift as it is budget friendly and you can even make them yourself with a few craft supplies.
I like these ones from Etsy.
First Day Of School Gifts For Students
Are you a teacher looking for some fun back to school gifts for students in your class? Here are some fun ideas that won’t break your budget:
Welcome Back to School Rubber Bracelets
Pencils – Welcome Back To School
DIY First Day of School Gifts For Students
Cute Glow Sticks with a Printed Sign
Pencils with a note
Combine these cute pencils with our free printable back to school interview – its a fun first day of school activity!
Cute Mazes
I found these on Teachers Pay Teachers.
Best Books For Teachers On The First Day Of School
The two books below are by the same author and are both highly rated on Amazon as back to school gifts for teachers.
They are perfect for story time on the first day or school for any grade.
A Letter From Your Teacher: On the First Day of School
First Day Of School Gifts For Kindergarten
If you have a little one who is starting Kindergarten this year, there are tons of cute options for first day of school gifts.
Where I live children actually do two years of Kindergarten so we really do have a “back to school” even though they are in Kindergarten, although for a kids, this might be their first day ever of school.
Make sure to download my First Day Of Kindergarten Signs (Free Download) so you can take some cute picture on the porch.
Here are some of my favorites back to school gifts for kids going into Kindergarten.
On The First Day of Kindergarten Book
This is a really cute book to read the night before school starts.
A Brave Button
These personalized pocket buttons are designed to help kids deal with the worry and anxiety of going back to school.
Hello Kindergarten T-Shirt
These t-shirts are so cute for the first day of Kindergarten!
First Day Of Kindergarten Bracelets
I love these bracelets from Etsy that is perfect for children dealing with separation anxiety.
Back To School Gifts for Preschoolers
Preschool is a big step for little kids, sometimes it is the first time away from you or out of a daycare situation. Here are the best gift ideas for the first day of preschool:
Pete and Kitty’s First Day Of Preschool
Who doesn’t love Pete The Cat? This book is a fun take on the first day of school for preschoolers.
The Kissing Hand
No post about back to school traditions would be complete without a mention of The Kissing Hand.
It is one of the most popular books in Kindergarten and Preschool classes on the first day of school.
The story follows Chester Raccoon who is nervous about starting school.
To help ease Chester’s fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary.
First Day Of Preschool Balloon
These balloons (available for all grades) make great back to school gifts for kids.
They also double as a great photo prop for the first day of preschool.
Photo: TracePaperPen on Etsy
Mommy’s Special Hearts
One tradition I have always done on the first day of school with my daughters is to give them a “Mommy’s special pom pom” to put in their pockets and hold if they are missing me.
My older daughter suffers from anxiety and she has definitely found it really useful.
This is one of the easiest back to school gifts for kids that literally anyone can do.
You can buy pompoms at the dollar store or you can get something else like these cute felt hearts from Etsy.
I recommend something like pompoms or the hearts as you want to have a number of the item for the inevitable moment that they get lost.
Back To School Gifts For High Schoolers
An Academic Year Agenda
A nice agenda is a great gift for a high schooler in any grade. I like these bestselling ones from Amazon.
Back to School Gift Necklace
This necklace comes with a really sweet note that is perfect for high schoolers on the first day of school.
On Your First Day of High School Bracelet
I love this bracelet that is especially for the First Day of High School.
The Best Back To School Gifts For Teachers
Want to give the teacher in your life a cute back to school gift? Here are some of the best ideas from around the web:
You can never go wrong with a personalized teacher gift like this cute notebook from Etsy.
Custom pencils like these ones make a great teacher gift! (you can also get them as a back to school gift for kids with their name).
How cute are these socks? They are available for all different grades.
More Back To School Ideas
Free Printable First Day Of School Signs For All Grades
First Day Of Kindergarten Sign (Free Download)
