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Dukes and Duchesses

Dallas Fort Worth Creative Lifestyle Blogger

parties/entertaining playgroup school · Written by Randi Dukes

Back to School Party

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Luke and Lila’s playgroup is heading to school and we had to celebrate big with a back to school party!  Next week, four of them will begin kindergarten and one will start pre-K.  It’s a big moment!

back to school party

I always love to plan a party but I had a lot of fun with this one: primary colors, lots of free printables, dollar store school supplies, and lots of online inspiration {see the individual links throughout the post} made it cheap and simple to throw together.

A chalkboard message greeted the kids …

Back to school party

… along with a little garland made from notebook paper.  I simply cut pieces of notebook paper and folded them over a piece of twine.

Back to school party

I set the table in bright, primary colors.

Back to school party

The centerpiece was simple but fun:  a large felt apple mat from the dollar store, a classroom rules sign on a clipboard, a vase full of green apples, a smattering of crayons, and a little scrabble message {inspiration found here}.

Back to school party

Each place was set with a placemat made from notebook paper and a word strip place card from the dollar store {inspiration}.

Back to school party

Straws were wrapped with back to school flags …

Back to school party

… and water bottles were wrapped with names written on word strips.

Back to school party

Each child had a pencil favor on their plate.

Back to school party

The kids were so excited to be celebrating such a big event!

Back to school party

We bobbed for donuts …

Back to school party

… and gobbled them up …

 Back to school party

… then personalized pencil cases, ate breakfast, and played.

Back to school party

We were so bummed that two members of our playgroup couldn’t make it to our back to school party but we took a group picture with the friends that were there … and the mommies held back tears.

Back to school party

I can’t wait to hear about all the upcoming school adventures for this awesome group of kiddos!

more posts like this

For more back to school ideas, be sure to check out these simple apple brownie bites …

apple brownie bites for back to school

… a painted pencil garland …

painted pencil garland

… and a repurposed bundt pan apple wreath!

repurposed bundt pan apple wreath


36 Comments

About Randi Dukes

I’m Randi, a Dallas-based mom of five kids, ranging from third grade to college and including a set of twins. I love strong coffee, craft and DIY projects, my planner, and my big ol’ family. When I’m not creating something for my blog, I can be found in the car, running kids from one place to another. I’m the one knitting at the red light. Connect with me on google+ | twitter | facebook

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Comments

  1. Smallgood says

    August 17, 2011 at 7:31 pm

    That is precious! It has so much punch with such little effort and money. You must be proud (and just a tiny bit sad).

    Reply
  2. Jenny says

    August 17, 2011 at 7:49 pm

    What about the Farmer boys? Nice job on everything. I’m so excited for all those kiddos and their next big adventure!

    Reply
  3. Amy says

    August 17, 2011 at 8:21 pm

    I’m sorry to tell you, I did not hold back tears! 😉 Thanks for hosting us! I loved all your little details, and I adore this little group of friends!!!

    Reply
  4. Samantha says

    August 17, 2011 at 9:17 pm

    This is so cool! It makes me wish I was going to school!!

    I always thought foolscap was the size…cos you get a4 binders and foolscap binders…?

    Reply
  5. barb says

    August 17, 2011 at 11:23 pm

    You must still be weeping.

    This is so darn cute.

    Reply
  6. Simply Smith says

    August 17, 2011 at 11:45 pm

    Oh my gosh, this is SO cute! I love the bobbing for doughnuts idea!!

    Kelly

    Reply
  7. Linda says

    August 18, 2011 at 1:41 am

    I love all your details! It’s so sad they are all off to school, but exciting. It’s totally called foolscap. I love Claire’s little dress, it’s like she’s theme related.

    Reply
  8. Heidi says

    August 18, 2011 at 5:23 am

    Great ideas! Thanks!! Come check out my blog too…junkintheirtrunk.blogspot.com
    {Junk in their Trunk}

    Reply
  9. Beth says

    August 18, 2011 at 1:17 pm

    My tradition is to welcome my kids home from their first day of school with a party like this, so I will be using some of these ideas for inspiration. Thank you!

    Are those paper straws? Where did you get them?

    Reply
  10. Dixie Delights says

    August 18, 2011 at 6:23 pm

    this is SO adorable. I’ve pinned nearly all the images to my pinterest 🙂 Good luck to y’all!

    Reply
  11. Christina says

    August 19, 2011 at 3:51 am

    You always have such cute parties! I like the lined paper placemat!
    Thanks for the inspiration,
    Christina
    http://www.inspirationforcelebration.com

    Reply
  12. Maureen says

    August 19, 2011 at 12:40 am

    AAAAAAAAmazing! You are so amazing. I love, love, love that table.

    Reply
  13. Randi~Dukes and Duchesses says

    August 19, 2011 at 12:12 pm

    Beth … yes, those are paper straws and I bought them from Garnish (thinkgarnish.com).

    Reply
  14. HI THERE! says

    August 19, 2011 at 3:11 pm

    Such a cute party! Pinning this for next year! First time on your blog and I’ve had such a fun time looking around! Have a great weekend.
    Jenn 🙂

    Reply
  15. Modern Wivelyhood says

    August 19, 2011 at 6:56 pm

    I love this party! Such a fun idea, I featured this on my Friday 5! Have a fun weekend!

    Reply
  16. Michelle says

    August 19, 2011 at 7:32 pm

    Adorable!

    Reply
  17. Desiree @ The 36th Avenue says

    August 20, 2011 at 12:09 am

    This is AMAZING!

    If you have a minute I’d love for you to share it on my link party.

    I hope to see you there 😉

    Reply
  18. Laura@Corner House says

    August 20, 2011 at 5:21 am

    So so cute. I love all the little detail. And the scrabble tiles, genius.

    Reply
  19. Michelle says

    August 20, 2011 at 4:39 pm

    Best party I’ve seen in a long time. What a clever idea! The donut bobbing is great.

    Reply
  20. Marsha says

    August 21, 2011 at 12:39 am

    What a lovely idea and a fun party for the children. I know that they will have happy memories of the morning for years to come.

    Reply
  21. Melanie @ bear rabbit bear says

    August 21, 2011 at 8:06 pm

    Thanks for linking to Crafts for Under Twenty Somethings! I love this- it’s so cute! I’m adding it to my blog’s Themed Party directory!

    Melanie
    bearrabbitbear.blogspot.com

    Reply
  22. Jennifer says

    August 22, 2011 at 4:24 am

    This is the cutest! You must link it up to In the Looop’s back to school spotlight! http://ruinthelooop.blogspot.com/ I’m sending you an invitation now!
    Jen
    Scissors & Spatulas

    Reply
  23. Kelsey says

    August 23, 2011 at 12:19 am

    Such an awesome breakfast idea! Amazing job!

    -Kelsey
    http://www.everyday-is-a-celebration.blogspot.com
    http://www.poofycheeks.blogspot.com

    Reply
  24. Jara says

    August 23, 2011 at 2:27 am

    This turned out super cute! I uses a lot of the same printables to throw a similar party for my kiddos here: http://www.downsdays.blogspot.com! Have a great school year – looks like you have lots of friends joining you – that makes it fun!

    Reply
  25. Jamie Kaufmann says

    August 27, 2011 at 7:13 pm

    This is SO ADORABLE! I may have to do this for our first day of homeschool. 🙂

    Reply
  26. Erin @ In Between Laundry says

    August 29, 2011 at 2:39 pm

    Just adorable! We’re planning a back-to-high-school dinner for my husband’s high school Sunday School class and I found so much inspiration for our own party. I know your kiddos loved their special breakfast! http://www.inbetweenlaundry.blogspot.com

    Reply
  27. Erin @ In Between Laundry says

    August 29, 2011 at 2:40 pm

    And I pinned it! 🙂 http://pinterest.com/in_btwn_laundry/

    Reply
  28. melismama says

    September 23, 2011 at 10:41 am

    So cute and creative! Love it!

    Reply
  29. S. Parker says

    April 4, 2012 at 7:43 pm

    I just found your site via Pinterest. I love this. It is so welcoming.

    Reply
  30. CSI girl says

    August 14, 2012 at 7:41 pm

    Cute as always. Link it up this week to the back to school challenge!!!
    the CSI Project!

    Reply
  31. Lina - Fancy Frugal Life says

    August 16, 2012 at 3:54 am

    Oh my goodness…I love it. So cute. Love each detail!

    Lina via CSI blog

    Reply
  32. BeanBugCrafts says

    August 16, 2012 at 6:58 am

    This is such a cute and sweet idea! I love the loose leaf paper placemats! Thanks for sharing, I found your post from the CSI project.

    Reply
  33. Four Marrs and One Venus says

    August 20, 2012 at 5:56 pm

    This is such a cute cute idea!! I love the table setting…so fun!

    Reply
  34. Emily Cann says

    August 12, 2013 at 8:40 pm

    Love the table at this back to school party! So easy put together yet really lovely! I love all of the cute details too with the straws and the pencils. I just had to share this with my followers for my round up of back to school parties.

    Reply
  35. Brittney Guy says

    July 28, 2021 at 1:39 pm

    Embarking on another uncertain school year during this pandemic I feel blessed to have found this page! I want to celebrate my kids returning back to school with a party! Whether they be virtual again or set foot back on campus, I want them to have fun and learn. This by far is a great theme and they actually use the supplies in the long run so no money lost. Again thanks and All parents be blessed this school year or whichever year you end up on this page~

    Reply
    • Randi Dukes says

      August 5, 2021 at 8:13 pm

      I hope you have a great school year!

      Reply

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Welcome to Dukes & Duchesses!

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I’m Randi, a mom of five living in Dallas. I love strong coffee, long lists, bright colors, thrift stores, repurposed junk, and power tools.

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