Back-to-School Tips for Military and Traveling Families

Real-life strategies, flexible routines, and helpful printables to start the school year strong—no matter where you live or learn.

For many families, back-to-school season means fresh notebooks and first-day photo shoots. But if you’re a military family, homeschooler, or frequently traveling parent, this time of year can look—and feel—a bit different.

Whether your kids are starting school after a PCS move, learning on the road, or transitioning between routines, these flexible, family-tested tips will help you start the year with confidence. Here are some of our favorite back-to-school tips for military families.

1. Celebrate Back-to-School—Wherever You Are

You don’t need a perfect setup or traditional classroom to kick off a great school year. Celebrate the first day of school in a way that fits your family’s current season:

• Cook a special breakfast

• Take “First Day” photos with printable signs for each grade level

• Go on a nature walk, visit a local landmark, or write family goals for the year

Click Here for Template Link

2. Make Learning Part of Everyday Adventures

When you’re a traveling or military family, life offers plenty of learning moments outside of the classroom. Here's how to make the most of them:

• Turn local hikes or walks into nature scavenger hunts

• Visit museums, zoos, or historical sites (use your America the Beautiful Pass!)

• Use road trips to teach geography, map reading, or cultural awareness

Even a trip to a new grocery store can teach kids about food, money, and culture.

✅ Educational Add-On: Check out our Travel Journal for Kids — great for documenting adventures and reinforcing writing skills.

3. Help Kids Adjust After a PCS Move

Starting a new school after a move can be tough—especially for military kids. Here’s what has helped our family settle in quickly:

• Reach out to the new school’s military liaison or counselor before the first day

• Help your child write an “About Me” letter or draw a picture to introduce themselves

• Attend welcome events, base playgroups, or library story times

My favorite back-to-school tip for military families:

Sign Up for Local Activities Right Away

Getting involved in local sports, clubs, or art classes is one of the fastest ways for kids to make new friends after a move.

When we PCS, I try to sign my boys up for a local program as soon as we have a home address. It provides them with a routine and an opportunity to meet peers outside of school.

💡 Bonus Tip: Don’t forget to ask about military discounts when signing up for activities!

Find Local Homeschool Groups

When we were homeschooling, joining homeschool co-ops or field trip groups helped our kids build friendships and explore new interests.

You can find local groups on Facebook or even at the base education office.

4. Keep Learning Flexible (and Fun) While Traveling

If you're roadschooling, traveling between homes, or just taking a non-traditional path this year, it’s okay to step away from rigid schedules. Here are some flexible learning ideas:

• Use audiobooks during long drives

• Schedule "museum days" or virtual field trips

• Keep a mini backpack with activity books, travel journals, and art supplies

5. Create a Sense of Belonging (Anywhere You Land)

Kids thrive on routine and community—even when life is full of change. Simple family rituals can help them feel grounded:

• Weekly family game or movie night

• Sending postcards from each new location

• A “travel wall” where kids can display souvenirs, maps, and artwork

• Video calls with faraway friends and family

These small habits go a long way in helping children feel connected, confident, and safe—no matter how many times they’ve had to start over.

6. Ease First-Day Nerves with Meaningful Read-Alouds

A new school, new friends, and unfamiliar routines can bring big feelings—especially for military kids or those who have recently moved. One of the best ways to open conversations and calm anxieties is through stories.

We’ve curated a list of comforting, empowering children’s books that help kids process first-day jitters, change, and uncertainty.

📚 Read this next: Books to Help Kids Overcome Anxiety About School or TransitionsIncludes read-alouds, discussion prompts, and parent tips!

7. Support Kids Emotionally After a Move

Moving is more than boxes and goodbyes—it’s an emotional journey, especially for kids. Stories about moving can help them feel seen, understood, and more hopeful about what’s ahead.

Whether you’re starting fresh in a new town or navigating goodbyes for the first time, these books can open the door to healing conversations.

🧳 See our picks: Books for Kids About Moving and Starting Over Perfect for bedtime reading after a big move or the night before a new school year begins.

Start the School Year With Confidence

Back-to-school doesn’t have to mean back to the same old routine. For military families, homeschoolers, and traveling parents, it’s a time to reimagine learning, build resilience, and grow together—wherever you are.