Back to School: How to Make a Blessing Backpack

Two of my grandchildren start kindergarten this year—and the tension is already building.

Back to school means new teachers, new classmates, and new material. Perhaps even a new school or a new season. A transition to kindergarten, high school, or even college. 

While beginnings offer a fresh start, the unknowns can be scary. Unsettling. 

And the expectations? Heavy. 

As a grandmother, I treasure the opportunity to pour into my grandkids spiritually. To challenge them to do life with God. All of it. Even going back to school. 

I want my grandchildren to start the new school year with God and with the peace only He can give. I’ll let my sweet daughters-in-law shop for the new backpacks, the school supplies, and the next size up in shoes. I’ll come alongside them with a surprise, bonus backpack.

One for each grandkid.

Filled with supplies that encourage them to navigate this school year with God.

Will you join me?

Here are some suggestions for your grandchild’s back to school blessing backpack:

1. A blessing for the new school year or a letter. 

And he [Jesus] took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:16 NIV

Check July’s blog post for crafting a biblical blessing. I’ve included templates. Personalize these blessings or correspondence for each grandchild.

2. Christian jewelry, stickers for their notebooks and folders, or art for their homework space to keep God front and center this school year. Ancient Israelites kept visual reminders of God and His word. It still works.

Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your forehead. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:8-9

Here’s a link for a sweet bracelet crafted by my daughter-in-law. Amazon has plenty of faith-based stickers. Love art? Click here.

3. An age-appropriate devotional or Bible study. 

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8

I’ve listed a few options, but there are a lot to choose from. If you have a favorite, please share in the comments. 

Preschoolers: Laura Sassi’s Tender Heart Devotions, Prayer Book, and Bible

Elementary: Jesus Calling for Kids by Sarah Young

Doodle Devotions for Kids by Nancy Taylor

Preteens/Middle Grade: Let’s Be Friends by Calyn Daniel and Blythe Daniel

Teens: Dangerous Devotions for Guys by Tim Shoemaker

Classics: My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers

Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

4. Memory verse cards that you can learn together. 

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

Memory verse cards

Attributes of God key ring

5. A prayer journal, coloring book, or prayer chart. 

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3

Journaling is a great discipline to begin whether they are recording their prayers or keeping a track record of how God works in their lives.  Amazon stocks them for every age.

Journal for elementary aged kids

Journal for teens

6. Colorful pens, pencils, and highlighters. Add sticky notes, index cards, and maybe a planner for teens. 

Then the LORD replied, “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.” Habakkuk 2:2

We retain more when we write things down. Art allows some kids the option to draw and doodle while they pray or think about a Scripture passage. 

7. Stories that point your grandchildren to God. Fiction is a powerful tool, one that Jesus used often. Check the list below.

Then he told them many things in parables, . . . Matthew 13:3

Consider Christian magazines like Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse, Jr., Clubhouse, and Brio. Cadet Quest focuses on boys. Sports Spectrum is for your sports lovers.

Kid Lit:

Preschool/Elementary: Little Mole Goes to School by Glenys Nellist

Older Elementary: Andrew Clements, Jerry Spinelli, and C. S. Lewis offer great general market fiction. S. D. Smith’s Green Ember series is excellent. 

Middle School: Tim Shoemaker writes Christian suspense. Taryn Souders writes mysteries.

Teens: Lord of the Rings by Tolkien is a must read. Nadine Brandes and Sara Ella both write Christian fiction for YA. The Lion of War series by Cliff Graham is graphic but focuses on David’s mighty men. 

After you’ve filled those backpacks, pray. If they are excited about the new school year, celebrate its beginning. If they are anxious, ask about their concerns and follow-up later to see how things are going. 

 Make back to school an adventure with God.

Bonus: My first book launches next spring. In preparation for its debut, my co-author and I will send out the first Detective Dispatch next week. Check it out here.

P. S. Please share any of your favorite backpack items or back to school ideas in the comments. Thank you!