From Family Parties to Amusement Parks: How Kids Celebrate the Start of School

For more than 37,000 children in Saxony, the first day of school is approaching. This will be celebrated in many places on Saturday. (File photo) / Photo: Sebastian Willnow/dpa

First-day-of-school celebrations can be costly for families

Even without a big party, the first day of school can be expensive. Franz Richter, a master butcher in Leipzig, has noticed fewer catering requests but more orders for barbecue parties. Especially at larger back-to-school parties with 20 to 30 guests, people like to put something special on the grill—such as beef or lamb sausages.

For orders of this size, families now have to budget about 800 to 1,200 euros, says Richter. Prices are thus about twice as high as they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. Most parents, however, are willing to spend a fair amount to make their children’s special day memorable.

The start of school is also an important date for the restaurant industry, says Axel Klein of Dehoga Saxony. Particularly elaborate celebrations are rare. Many families celebrate at home or in restaurants—and are increasingly making sure that the children get some exercise and a little adventure.

“Some establishments offer table tennis, have animals on the premises, or feature a petting zoo,” says Klein. Joint celebrations involving several families are also in demand so that the children can play together. Demand for suitable restaurants is high at the start of the school year, Klein said. Families should therefore make reservations early. In western German states, too, the start of school is now being celebrated more enthusiastically.

The start of school is celebrated on a grand scale, especially in the east

The start of school remains “a big party” in eastern Germany, adds event manager Fischer. In many western German regions, the “Zuckertüte” is still handed out on the first day of school without a comparable family celebration. “In Saxony, the start of school is a major and important tradition.”

It all begins with the ‘Zuckertüte’ parties at the end of kindergarten. Then, on the weekend before the first official day of school, the big enrollment celebrations take place, complete with the handing out of the ‘Zuckertüte’ goodie bags. On that day, the schedule often includes a first visit to the classroom, photo sessions, coffee breaks, and visits with relatives. “While parents want to give their child a memorable experience, they also have to be careful not to overwhelm them. The day is really exhausting,” says Fischer.

Amusement parks are focusing on the start of the school year

The Oskarshausen Adventure Park in Freital demonstrates that, in addition to the traditional family celebration, there is also a demand for all-inclusive, worry-free packages. The "Zuckertütenfest" has been held since 2019. Having started with fewer than 100 guests, demand has risen significantly over the years, the company reports. Some guests put their names on the waiting list as early as a year and a half in advance, while others made last-minute decisions depending on the weather.

The celebrations ranged from small groups of four to ten people to family gatherings with 20 or more guests. The idea reportedly arose from visitors’ requests: reserved tables, decorations, waitstaff, and a single bill were intended to take the organizational burden off families. According to the company, food, drinks, entertainment, and access to the attractions are now included in a flat-rate package.

Other amusement parks have also embraced the start of school as an event. At Belantis near Leipzig, the “Zuckertütenfest” (back-to-school celebration) will be held on Saturday. First-day-of-school students will receive free admission, a filled “Zuckertüte” (goodie bag), and a meet-and-greet with Asterix and Obelix. At Plohn Amusement Park in the Vogtland region, the back-to-school party will run until 10 p.m. that day. After a variety show and rides, children and their guests can look forward to a special laser show—and fireworks to cap off the evening. Here, too, new first-graders get free admission.

From Family Parties to Amusement Parks: How Kids Celebrate the Start of School

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First-day-of-school celebrations can be costly for families

The start of school is celebrated on a grand scale, especially in the east

Amusement parks are focusing on the start of the school year

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