If you have been around here for a while, you know that I love to celebrate all the things. With the start of a new school year on the horizon, I wanted to get some of our favorite people together and celebrate. This was our first Back to School Party in Texas and it's honestly my favorite one yet. I loved designing and putting together each of the details to make it so special for each of our friends.

Back to School Party 2026

Throwing a back to school party/playdate was something I did yearly where we used to live and I was so excited to host one for our new friends.

Back to School Party Food

Since the party was for kids, I kept the food simple and kid friendly. We had pizza rolls, popcorn chicken, watermelon, veggies, popcorn, and a cookie cake for dessert.

I made the cookie cake look "smart" and attached the One Smart Cookie sign from my First Day Breakfast Printables Kit to remind the kids that they are so very smart.

Back to School Party Food Ideas One Smart Cookie Cake

I created the Pencil Table runner out of colorful paper I had on hand. I just laid it all out to ensure I had it big enough and then taped it together in some spots, turned it over, cut the tip of the pencil and wah-lah a pencil shaped table runner just perfect for the occasion.

Pencil Table Runner for Back to School Party 2026

Back to School Party Decorations

You can't have a party without the decorations and this is one of my favorite parts. From the planning to the execution, I just love it all.

I bought some basic colored balloons from Walmart and put together a small balloon cluster, attached it to my curtain rods, and strung my Chalkboard Back to School banner up over our little window seat area. This banner set also includes one that says First Day of School if you are setting up for a first day breakfast.

For the table, I originally bought white tablecloths that I was going to draw lines on to make it look like notebook paper, but found lined bulletin board paper at Michaels that was perfect and saved me time. If you are going for the same look you can get these notebook paper tablecloths.

I used Kraft wrapping paper from Hobby Lobby and cut it in half length wise to create one long ruler for a table runner. I used a regular ruler to measure out each inch and just quickly drew the lines and numbers. If you are looking for an already made table runner option there are some on Amazon, though I can't attest to the quality since I made my own.

From there, I set a spot for each child. I used printables from my First Day of School Breakfast Kit to personalize each child's spot.

The living room was decked out in rainbow paper chains which my kids helped make and husband helped hang, as well as my 6ft Back to School Banner which I had printed at Walgreens. You can find the template in my Etsy shop.

Back to School Party Banner Printed at Walgreens

Additional decor included a cute little wooden pencil from Hobby Lobby, some back to school themed ribbon, my back to school pennant flag which can be found in the Breakfast Kit or in a stand alone pack with grade level flags, and some jars of rulers and pencils.

We had the very best time celebrating together and now we are all just counting down the days until the first day of school!!! These are all great ideas for inspiration for your very own party or even to take and use for the first day of school!!!

Be sure to check out more of our ideas from past BTS parties and First Day Breakfasts.