Back-to-school shopping is about more than shopping. Sure, backpacks and bigger shoes and lunchboxes and gluesticks need to be acquired, but in the midst of practical purchasing, there’s an opportunity for something even more important: family bonding.

Regardless of the kids’ age, this time of year provides the chance to celebrate a well-spent summer – or a relaxing, purposely underplanned summer – and the fresh, new year ahead. It’s about slowing down the final moments of one phase and leaning enthusiastically into the next. 

Recently, I had the honor of documenting this shift with Sara and Parker when they spent the afternoon at Bayshore, just one week before Parker starts second grade. The convenience of having everything they needed to cross items off the supplies list and still have a fun and memorable day made the experience easy, affordable and unique.

Here’s how our back-to-school Bayshore daycation went down, along with a few extra ideas.

Balancing the back-to-school wanna-dos with the must-dos 

Like most kids, Parker was more enthused about burning off steam than buying new clothes. Thus, we started our day with Kid’s Empire, a vibrant, spacious indoor playground where he bounced, climbed, slid, danced and even rode a "motorcycle" for the first time. 

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We were surprised to learn that Kid’s Empire is also adult-friendly. Parents, grandparents and caregivers can participate in the adventures alongside their little people.

“We welcome the entire family,” says Delano Harris, assistant manager at Kid’s Empire. “Parents bond with their children while the children focus on having fun.”

We then walked a short distance to Hawaiian Fluid Art, where Parker decorated a resin tumbler – a fun activity for him that will serve as his school water bottle. 

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Parker was enthralled with this experience. He was presented with numerous fun choices, from the type of Hawaiian lei he wore during his hands-on painting experience to paint colors, sparkle shades and more. “The more colors the merrier!” Parker exclaimed during the process. “I can’t wait to bring this to school!” 

Husband and wife team Jing Wu and Wei Tao opened the interactive art studio last summer. They offer a variety of different projects with as much or as little guidance as guests desire.

“Everyone is an artist here,” says Tao. “There is no age limit – everyone is welcome from two years old to (very) old.”

For families who are feeling movies and games more than an art project, the ACX Entertainment Center features a six-screen cinema, arcade, pizza restaurant called Backlot Pizza + Kitchen, and 11-lane bowling alley. 

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One-stop for shoes, clothes and tech needs

Every item needed for the start of the school year is available at Bayshore. Target’s got the classroom supplies; Foot Locker, Journeys, Nike and Champs are stocked with shoes; technology dreams can be fulfilled at Apple; and Gap, Gap Kids, Old Navy, H&M and more have the styles. 

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Need groceries for lunches? No problem. Trader Joe’s never disappoints when it comes to easy, nutritious food that kids (hopefully) will eat.  

Dessert first? Absolutely.

After so much activity, everyone – especially Parker – was ready for sustenance. Bayshore is home to myriad eateries from trendy chains to locally and family-owned. Pre-planning where to eat during the excursion is a solid choice for some families, but Sara and Parker went with the flow. Even if it meant a doughnut before lunch. 

We slipped into Mochinut – a first for Parker – and he was delighted by his double chocolate donut. Mochinut donuts combine traditional American donuts with the stretchy, chewy texture of Japanese mochi.

Mochinut also serves Korean hot dogs (think stick-less corndogs crusted with crushed hot Cheetos or crispy panko/potato breading), canned Asian drinks and soft serve ice cream in flavors like ube, honey butter and strawberry lemon.

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Exotic Snack Guys is another treat shop at Bayshore that caught our attention. Exotic Snack Guys sells “the wildest, rarest and most viral snacks” from over 40 countries, including international favorites to TikTok famous treats. Parker, after examining many of the brightly packaged goodies, settled on Hello Kitty mango marshmallows. (I might have to go back for the Miller Lite Beer Can Chicken Pringles when visiting Bayshore sans kids.)

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“Real food” options at Bayshore

There are so many restaurants to choose from, including California Pizza Kitchen, Mallard’s, Cheesecake Factory and FreshFin –  to name a few. We decided on Thai Boat Noodles because we were attracted to the family-owned aspect and liked the idea of the kid-friendly chicken strips and egg rolls. 

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The majority of the massive menu features authentic Thai dishes for dine-in and takeout, like Green and Red Curry Soups, Pad Thai, Pad Ka Paow, Thai Noodle Soup and Glass Noodle Salad. Brother and sister Eh Kyaw and Aaliyah Winter own the restaurant and developed their passion for cooking while growing up in a small village in Thailand.

Parker’s take on Thai Boat Noodles? “Very delicious!” he said, patting his stomach.

Making back-to-school extra special at Bayshore

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We ended the day with a stop at SereniTEA for a back-to school bubble tea toast. This Milwaukee-based chain has dozens of teas and toppings that guests can mix and match to tailor to their preferences. The environment is also cute and relaxing, making it the perfect final stop of a delightful and productive day.

“Can we do all of this again tomorrow?” Parker asked, while slurping up the last of his boba balls.

Bayshore is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Follow Bayshore on Facebook and Instagram. 

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