A tradition we continue each year is we have one last summer fun day before school starts. What’s more fun then a long, summer fun day outside, during something fun before you get back to the school year.We try to plan this for the day before we start school but it doesn’t always work. For instance, last year we knew the weather wasn’t going to be great by the time we started so we did it a little earlier. But the kids still recognize that its our last BIG summer fun day and they love it. Typically they talk about it well into fall.
That doesn’t mean you have to go all out and spend a lot of money. It just means that you make it fun! Here are some hints to make your last summer fun day a hit!
GO TO THE BEACH (OR POOL)
What says summer more than a day at the beach or the pool. If you are close to a beach, head to the beach for the day, or at least part of the day. If you don’t live on the coast (which we do NOT) find a local pool. You can swim, relax in the sun, build sand castles, play games, and have a nice, relaxing day having fun together. Then head to get some ice cream afterward. You kids will love having a last hoorah in the water.
One year, we headed to a local pool at a hotel and played there all day. They had day passes and I was able to get an online coupon that kept our costs down. You don’t have to break the bank, just have some fun!
PICNIC AT THE PARK
Swimming not your thing. Head for a day at the park. Sleep in, pack a lunch for the park, and head to a big park, maybe one that is further away that you don’t go to regularly that has new and fun things to do, and spend a few hours hiking, playing on the playground, picnicking under a tree, and exploring nature. Don’t bring the books or start a formal leave collection (I know, its difficult) but just have fun. Maybe read a fun book under the tree after lunch. Depending upon your children’s ages, you may want to hike or bike. Enjoy the weather and leave the school books and chores behind.
AMUSEMENT PARK
Another fun way to spend your last summer fun day is taking a day at a local amusement park. Have dad take the day off and celebrate the end of summer together. If you plan for this, you will find that you have this fun thing at the end of the summer planned and you can keep it a surprise for the kids if you want. That’s what we are doing this year – a surprise trip to a small amusement park not far away that the kids have been really wanting to visit. It should be a great way to celebrate back to school AND because we start later in the year then the local schools, it will be less crowded, a super bonus for us!
KIDS VOTE
Another fun thing is to let the kids decide. Wake up in the morning, make the kids their favorite breakfast and then announce “it’s the last day of summer – let’s have a summer fun day, what shall we do?” and let them throw out ideas. You might be surprised what they come up with. Maybe they will pick the zoo or museum or water park or bike rides or sprinklers in the backyard. You never know what they might pick. Of course, in my family, it will ALWAYS include “can we get ice cream?” Which, of course, we will do!
No matter what you choose to do, remember the goal is to have a good time as a family before you get back to the schedule of your school year. Don’t fret about dinner or worry about the chores, just get up, have fun, and make the day about the kids. You will enjoy the day off of the normal schedule too. Enjoy it and some memories together!
Do you do a last fun summer day? Do you always do the same thing or mix it up? I would love to hear your suggestions.
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