With summer vacation ending, it’s time to get the kids ready for school. New school supplies, haircuts, and special end-of-summer outings all play into the back-to-school routine. From creative lunches to organizing artwork, here are a few tips to ensure a smooth transition into the school year and get this year off to a great start in your Signature home.

Create a Homework Station. 

– Location Matters. Choose a centrally-located, clutter-free space that is quiet enough for your child to concentrate but close enough for you to make sure they’re staying on task.

– Stock Your Space. Ensure the station is full of all the basic supplies needed for homework.

– Organize It. An organized, clean space is welcoming and easy to focus in.

– Personalize It. Let your child pick out a clock, special supply holder or comfy cushion to make the space custom.

Organize Artwork. Appoint yourself head curator of your household gallery with these ideas for artwork:

– Grid It. To create a graphic, tidy arrangement – paint 13/8-inch lattice in high-gloss paint and adhere them to a wall with glue and nails. Screw Bulldog clips to the lattice to hold a rotating selection of art.

– Publish It. Websites like Blurb, Snapfish, Plum Print, and Shutterfly have templates to help you make photo books of your child’s art and school work.

– Frame It. Shrink it down to a smaller size and make a collage with multiple pictures in one large frame.

– Share It. Glue it to brightly colored construction paper or card stock — then have him write a personal note on the back. Send it off to interested parties like grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

Get Creative with Lunches. Pack protein-rich lunches, balanced with fruits, vegetables, and other wholesome items to ensure that your children will have the energy and brainpower to make it through their school days.

 – The Elvis Burrito. Spread peanut butter on a toasted whole-wheat wrap, sprinkle with crumbled bacon and drizzle with honey. Add a banana at the edge of the wrap, then roll, pressing gently to break the banana and form a cylinder shape. Or, slice the banana, scatter, and roll.

 – Pretzel Kabobs. Lunch meat and cheese rolled up together, sliced, and skewered with pretzel sticks. Add mandarin oranges, shelled edamame and a fat-free chocolate pudding for a treat.

– Pizza Roll-Up Bento Lunch. Make easy pizza-inspired roll-ups, add colorful crunchy vegetables and fun-shaped cut watermelon.

– Hole New PB&J. Peanut butter and jelly on a whole wheat mini bagel. Add cherry tomatoes, pineapple chunks and a few mini oatmeal cookies.

Slow Cooker Dinner.

– Char Siu Pork Roast. This tender pork roast pairs well with rice and stir-fried vegetables.

– Kid-Friendly Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken, Bacon & Tater Tot Bake. Your whole family will love it!

– Marie’s Crock Pot French Dip. Served with a simple side and dinner is done!

– Pizza Quinoa. This easy recipe tastes like the classic comfort food but is totally guilt and gluten free.

Tech Savvy Apps. Download a few of these apps, and let your phone do the hard work for you!

– School A to Z is filled with tutorials and games, the app is a crutch for parents and kids alike.

– Cozi Family Organizer lets you manage your family calendar by adding appointments, setting reminders, and uploading to-do lists that all family members can see.

– Clipboard by VolunteerSpot can easily seek out helpers to aid in classroom duties.

– Allowance+ Bank of Mom and Dad helps parents keep track of their children’s money and automates management of allowances. Help build kids’ financial literacy by tracking where their money goes.

As you get geared up for school and send the little ones off to the classroom, we invite you to share your Signature Homes Story photos with our community. Tag us at: @SigHomes @SigHomesSales @SigHomes #SigHomesStory

Be sure to follow Signature Homes on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram as we share news and updates about our exciting new home communities as well as helpful homeowner tips.