Around the World with Kids: Back to School Traditions

If your school-aged kids haven’t already returned to their studies, they will be soon. Across the United States, classes start anywhere from late July to the Tuesday after Labor Day. There are “Back to School” sales to navigate and lists of supplies from teachers to fill. That means, new backpacks to purchase, pencil boxes, lunch pails, fall fashions, and more. But what the first day looks like differs globally. Let’s take a mini-trip around the world with kids to see what starting a new school year looks like.

See if any of these traditions surprise you and your kids…

Back to School in Germany

In Germany, kids are given a Schultüte (pronounced shool-too-teh) or “school cone.” This school cone is a large, decorated paper cone filled with candy, school supplies, and small presents. This tradition dates back about 200 years, and some Schultüte today are so large they nearly dwarf the students!

Back to School in Japan

In Japan, children returning to school carry the unique and iconic randoseru. A randoseru resembles a hard-sided backpack, and it’s stuffed with books, a pencil case known as a fudebako, and origami paper. Their randoseru also contains a pair of house slippers, which are worn indoors. Kids bring a special lunch of rice with seaweed sauce and quail eggs for good luck on their first day.

Back to School in Russia

In Russia, kiddos celebrate “Day of Knowledge” on their first day back. This holiday marks a celebration of education and what will be learned over the course of the new school year. Children come bearing colorful bouquets of flowers for their teachers. In return, teachers come prepared to pass out balloons.

Back to School in Iran

School starts on the first day of fall in Iran. Students assemble on the playground and line up by class. They listen to a speech by the principal and then participate in a greeting celebration. This celebration includes music about education and schools. After everyone has greeted each other, students follow their teachers to class where the teacher introduces herself and then goes around the room for students to introduce themselves.

Back to School in the Republic of the Congo

On the first day of school, all students gather to clean their classroom. Later, teams of about six students will take turns keeping up their learning space. Teachers give students a list of school supplies and books to purchase. Then, they lead a review of last year’s materials before launching into the new year of learning ahead.

Around the World with Kids

Well, we’re at the end of our whirlwind journey around the world with kids headed back to school. Were there any first day traditions that surprised you or your kids? Did you find any you might want to incorporate into your own family like the German school cones or the Japanese backpacks? Let us know how in the comments below.

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