Whether school for your kids ends in May or continues all the way through June (as it does for us) lots of families have special ways they like to celebrate the last day of school and the start of summer vacation (which can also serve as the kick-off to your own DIY Summer Camp!) Here are some great last day of school ideas to celebrate the start of summer!
#1 Last Day of School Ideas: Plan a Special Breakfast!
Whether you do something totally unexpected and silly- like serving cake for breakfast- or you go the route of preparing a yummy breakfast casserole the night before that you can pop in the oven before you start waking up the kids (like this one from Happy Brown House), it's nice to do something different to get this special day started right!
#2 Take a Last Day of School Picture
Certainly, you took a “First Day of School” picture, right? Why not take one on the last day of school with one of these signs and hang them side-by-side on the fridge? You won't believe how much they've grown up in just one school year!
#3 Be Sure to Thank the Teachers
This is an awesome idea to thank your child's teacher and help them get their summer started off right too!
If you've already contributed to the class gift or have dozens of teachers in your kids' lives (like I do!), then at least have your child construct a thoughtful thank you note for each teacher, and you can write a line or two at the bottom about how much you appreciate all of their hard work this year!
#4 Create a Banner or Finish Line
There's going to be that moment when they hop off of the bus or walk through the front door for the first time this summer- make it memorable! It can be as simple as a strand of crepe paper stretched across the driveway, or I love this idea for a streamer-filled doorway for the kids to walk through from RedHeads Plus One!
Looking for some fun things to do with the kids?
Check out some of our family's favorites! Here's our list of the best backyard games This is an affiliate link: MomOf6 earns a commission if you purchase, at no additional cost to you. and for those rainy days- here are our favorite board games This is an affiliate link: MomOf6 earns a commission if you purchase, at no additional cost to you. !
You can find more great resources for busy Moms over on my Amazon influencer page This is an affiliate link: MomOf6 earns a commission if you purchase, at no additional cost to you. !
#5 Add Some Water Balloons!
A certain awesome Mom-friend of mine greets her kids right off of the bus by pelting them with water balloons every year! But it's also fun to just pre-fill a big bunch of balloons and let the kids have a water balloon fight right when they get home!
Our favorites are these self tying water balloons This is an affiliate link: MomOf6 earns a commission if you purchase, at no additional cost to you. – that you fill in big bunches at once! Or try these glow in the dark water balloons This is an affiliate link: MomOf6 earns a commission if you purchase, at no additional cost to you. for a nighttime fight!
#6 Get Them Some Stylish New Shades!
I love this idea to give your kids a gift of new sunglasses with this adorable free printable tag that welcomes in the start of summer!
I found cool polarized kids sunglasses This is an affiliate link: MomOf6 earns a commission if you purchase, at no additional cost to you. that have rubber arms and are flexible (perfect for kids who will leave them just about everywhere this summer!). And for my teens, I am buying these polarized sunglasses This is an affiliate link: MomOf6 earns a commission if you purchase, at no additional cost to you. that are perfect for an active summer!
#7 Build Your Own Slip ‘N Slide
Now that summer has officially started- bring on the water play! I love this DIY slip and slide idea! Simple to make and set up- and your kids will have a blast! Check out how they did it over on HGTV!
#8 Serve Ice Cream and Cupcakes
Make a project out of creating your own chocolate cups, make homemade rainbow ice cream, and then serve it alongside these adorable sunshine cupcakes– a special afternoon treat will keep the smiles going!
#9 Create Your Summer Bucket List
If you haven't had a chance yet to brainstorm a list of places you want to visit, things you want to do, and things you want to make together- then let this free bucket list printable help to get you started!
#10 Camp Out in the Backyard and Make S'Mores
You don't have to go on vacation to enjoy some family together time- pitch your tent in your own backyard, string up some lights and allow the kids to drag out their sleeping bags, pillows, and board games. Build a campfire and have the fixins for s'mores ready to go!
Please check out my DIY Summer Camp page for lots of ideas on how to host your own kids summer camp at home!
Here are some more great summer ideas for you:
- Free Family Summer Bucket List Printable
- Free Printable Summer Schedule
- 50 Fun Summer Activities, Crafts, and Field Trips (From Pre-K to Teens!)
- DIY Roller Coaster Ride
- Teach Your Kids How to Play Crazy 8's!
So tell us- what are your favorite last day of school ideas to kick off the start of summer?
D. says
This email is so full of good ideas!! Thank you for sharing them with us!!
Happy Summer!