Countdown to the 1st Day of School Calendar

Get the kids excited for the first day of school as you countdown the days together and share a special family treat each day.

Inside each of these decorated library pockets is a little message with an idea for a fun back to school activity for the kids to celebrate the days leading up to the first day of school.

This is a fun project to do together with your kids. They can help make the countdown calendar with you and come up with some fun ideas for the index cards. Ready... 3,2,1, Go!

Supplies

manilla cardstock or old file folders
library pocket template
scissors
2-sided strong adhesive tape
decorative scrapbook paper cut in 3-inch squares
3X5 index cards
stamp pad and small sponge
ribbon
binder clips

Directions

You will need 10 library pockets. You can purchase those at an office supply store, or make your own. We found several templates on-line for the library pockets and had the kids trace around the template onto some old file folders.

Cut each library pocket out and apply a piece of 2-sided tape to each side piece of the pocket. Fold the pocket together on the lines that are indicated on the template. The tabs are folded and adhered to the back of the pocket.

With a small sponge, ink the edges of the decorative scrapbook paper              pieces. Adhere the decorative paper to the front of each library pocket.

You can purchase or print the numerals 1-10 for the front of each pocket. Use circular punches to cut the numerals out. Apply the numerals to a larger colorful circle or scallop shape with a dimensional adhesive sticker to make them stand out a bit.

Cut a 3 X 5 index card to fit inside each pocket. Ink the edges lightly with a brown stamp pad and sponge and adhere a tab to the top. Punch a hole in the top of each tab and tie a short piece of ribbon.

Brainstorm a fun activity for each of the 10 days in your Back to School countdown.  The kids will have plenty of ideas. Let them write the activities on the index cards and then slip them into each pocket.

Attach each library pocket to a length of ribbon with a binder clip. Now your Back-to-School garland is ready to hang! The kids will look forward to each day, and the fun activity that awaits them as they count down the days to a new school year.