Back to School: Creative Ideas for the Perfect School Cone

As the back-to-school season approaches, excitement fills the air. It’s a time that ranks just behind Carnival, Christmas markets, and asparagus season in importance for many families. One cherished tradition during this period is the preparation of the school cone, a gift filled with goodies to celebrate a child's first day of school. Here, we present a variety of ideas for what to include in this special cone, which also doubles as a gift inspiration list.

HAPPY BACK TO SCHOOL!

This fun and creative list of ideas is brought to you by Böhnert, a shop that offers a wide range of classic books and titles across various genres. You can also find stationery and school supplies there, with the option to order your school books for delivery!

Magic Tricks

Consider adding a card set featuring 50 magic tricks that use paper and string, or the book ‘Magic in Elementary School.’ These items are perfect for families with older siblings or parents eager to assist. It’s a delightful way to introduce your little magician to the world of magic!

Library Card

If your child doesn’t already have their own library card, now is the time to get one!

Puzzles and Riddles

Depending on your child's reading ability, adventure books or riddle sets can be great additions. Some children enjoy workbooks, while others prefer card sets to solve. A personal favorite is the ‘Slimy Sneaky Sticker Riddles,’ which is a delightful classic that kids love.

Slime

Slime is a timeless favorite! Whether it’s in jars, tubes, or kits to make your own, slime is always a hit with kids.

A Special Book

With so many beautiful editions of classic literature available, it can be tough to choose just one. However, feel free to gift as many books as you wish! The key is to encourage reading. If you're looking to save money, a library card can help keep the budget intact for beloved titles like ‘Ronja the Robber's Daughter’ and ‘Amari.’

Books like ‘The Poop Factory’ and the ‘Caught!’ series are perennial favorites for young readers. For those interested in art, ‘How Does Art Make It to the Museum?’ is a fantastic read. And let’s not forget the humorous ‘Is It All Work?’ which is a known favorite.

Friendship Book

With a new class comes the opportunity for a new friendship book. If you’re not the parents, be sure to ask beforehand! Children often have specific preferences for these books, whether it’s about their favorite movie, hero, or soccer team. Meeting their desires will surely make them happier, even if the design isn’t to your liking.

And for the millennials out there, yes, there are now friendship books for adults too!

Subscriptions and Annual Passes

This is the premium choice! All eyes turn to grandparents for this one. It doesn’t have to be a zoo; perhaps there's a dinosaur park nearby or a favorite museum? Alternatively, consider a magazine subscription that offers great deals without ads specifically for kids.

Sweet Treats

That's right: indulge in the sugary goodness! Skip the fruit sugars or alternative sweeteners. Celebrate this special occasion with a giant chocolate bar or a 1kg jar of chocolate spread. Go all out!

A little tip: if you buy marshmallow or UFO candies, they make excellent fillers for the bottom third of the school cone.

Small Items

Always a hit: hair ties, tattoos, bath bombs, socks, play dough, nail polish, and stickers. These are reminiscent of the excitement from December 1st to 24th!

School Supplies

You won’t know until first grade whether your child will lose, destroy, misplace, or treasure their school supplies. Regardless, it’s wise to include some of the pricier items from the supply list in the school cone. Think oil pastels, for instance.

No Phones

Anything but a phone, please! Perhaps a Polaroid camera? That might be a bit pricey, so consider one of those small cameras with thermal paper! Kids can color the pictures afterward. Tamagotchis were also a big hit in the past.

Unique Items

Let me tell you, nothing thrilled my kids more at that age than their very own tape dispenser along with a year’s supply of tape. Embrace your child’s quirky interests and find out what they truly enjoy. For us, carnivorous plants and binoculars were also high on the list!

In Conclusion Those who know me are aware that I have written extensively on the topic of starting school, but it all began with the immigrant mom: the journey of starting school.