As the calendar flips toward September, families across Europe brace for the annual end-of-summer ritual: the return to school. In Malaga province, Spain, and throughout Germany, the rhythms of the academic year are set not just by timetables and textbooks but also by cherished playground games, quirky traditions, and, inevitably, a smattering of schoolyard slang. Whether you’re a local parent or an international newcomer, understanding these routines and cultural nuances can make all the difference in navigating the back-to-school season.
According to Sur In English, the 2025-2026 academic year in Malaga province kicks off in staggered waves. Nursery school children are the first to don their backpacks, returning to classrooms on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. Just a week later, on Wednesday, September 10, their peers in Infant and Primary Education follow suit. For older students, the wait is a bit longer: secondary and special education pupils, as well as those attending official language schools (EOI) and art colleges, begin their studies on Monday, September 22, 2025. This tiered approach helps ease families back into routine after the long summer break.
Meanwhile, in Germany, the return to school is already underway by late August 2025, as reported by The Local Germany. For many children, this marks either a return to familiar territory or, for the youngest, the thrilling (and sometimes nerve-wracking) first day of school. International parents, in particular, find themselves thrust into a world of new vocabulary and customs, from the iconic Schultüte (a cone of sweets and school supplies given on the first day) to a dizzying array of playground games and disciplinary terms.
Malaga’s academic calendar is peppered with important milestones. The first public holiday break comes on Monday, October 13, 2025, when the Spanish national day is observed (the holiday, which falls on Sunday, October 12, is moved to Monday for school purposes). The Christmas holiday stretches from December 22, 2025, to January 6, 2026, offering families a much-needed respite in the heart of winter. The school year officially wraps up on June 23, 2026, for most students, with the notable exception of those in the 2nd year of Bachillerato, who finish earlier on May 22, 2026.
While Spanish schools focus on the logistics of term dates and holidays, German primary schools are alive with the sounds of children playing Fangen—Germany’s version of “tag” or “it”—a perennial favorite in playgrounds across the country. Variations abound: in Feuerfangen, anyone who is tagged joins the ranks of catchers, while Kettenfangen ups the ante by requiring catchers to link hands, forming a human chain. Another staple is Räuber und Gendarm, or “cops and robbers,” which blends the thrill of tag with elements of hide and seek. Here, a group of “police” must catch the “robbers” and bring them to a designated prison, only for daring teammates to attempt a dramatic rescue.
Physical punishments among German children, while less ritualized than the “bumps” or “pinch, punch, no returns” games familiar to British schoolchildren, do exist. The Nackenklatscher—a slap on the back of the neck—is a common, if frowned-upon, form of roughhousing, while a Backpfeife is a slap on the cheek. However, German schools have made strides in promoting non-violent conflict resolution. Children are taught to stand back, raise an open hand, and declare, “Halt, stopp, ich fühle mich gemobbt” (“Halt, stop, I’m feeling bullied”) when they feel threatened—a simple phrase that empowers even the youngest students to assert their boundaries.
Gymnastics are a beloved part of German playground culture. The Purzelbaum (forward roll) is a rite of passage, while more daring children might attempt a Salto (forward flip) or Flic-flac (backward flip). Cartwheels, known as Radschlag, and the splits, or Spagat, are coveted skills, often practiced with the encouragement (and sometimes envy) of classmates. The Brücke, or bridge, rounds out the repertoire of playground acrobatics. For football enthusiasts, Tunneln (to nutmeg an opponent by passing the ball between their legs) and Meg (a term borrowed from YouTube football culture) are the moves to master. Jonglieren, or juggling, is another playground favorite, as children strive to outdo each other with their “keepie-ups.”
Of course, the playground isn’t all fun and games. Insults and teasing are a fact of life, with terms like Heulsuse (cry-baby), Angsthase (scaredy cat), and Streber (swot or nerd) making the rounds. Savvy kids deflect these barbs by shouting “Spiegel!” (“Mirror!”), turning the insult back on the perpetrator. The culture of discipline extends into the classroom, where formal reprimands—known as a Tadel—serve as official warnings for misbehavior. While Nachsitzen (detention) is relatively rare in German primary schools, accumulating too many Tadeln can result in a Schulverweis, or suspension. These terms are essential for international parents trying to decode their children’s stories about school life.
Back in Malaga, the school year’s structure is designed to balance academic rigor with ample opportunities for rest and celebration. The Christmas break, spanning over two weeks, allows families to reconnect and recharge. The early finish for 2nd year Bachillerato students recognizes the pressures of final exams and university applications, giving them a head start on the next phase of their education. Meanwhile, the staggered start dates for different age groups help schools manage resources and transitions more smoothly.
For families moving between countries or cultures, these details matter. Knowing when the first day of school falls, understanding the logic behind public holidays, and being able to decipher playground slang can help children—and their parents—feel more at home. As The Local Germany notes, “By the time children reach their teens, parents have little chance of being able to understand them anymore regardless of how good their German is (largely because this is how most teens prefer it). But with younger children at least, parents still have a chance.”
Whether it’s learning the rules of Kettenfangen, figuring out when to shout “Spiegel,” or simply remembering when to pack a lunch for the first day back, the start of the school year is a moment of anticipation and adjustment. Across Malaga and Germany alike, it’s a time when routines are reestablished, friendships rekindled, and new adventures begun—one playground game, and one classroom lesson, at a time.
As the school bells ring and children flood the playgrounds, parents and students alike are reminded that education is as much about community and culture as it is about curriculum. The first days back may bring nerves and excitement in equal measure, but they also offer a fresh start—and the promise of another year of learning, laughter, and growth.
