How To Celebrate The Last Day of School!

Every year, when the last day of school rolls around, I feel this weird mix of emotions. Excitement that we don’t have to be on a strict schedule, a tiny bit of panic about what the heck I’m supposed to do with the kids for the next three months, and the urge to mark the day somehow, even if it’s just something small.

I used to think I had to go big when celebrating the last day of school. Pinterest-level treats, themed balloons, maybe a surprise backyard party with a HUGE blow-up water slide and coordinated snacks. Not going to lie, I tried this one year. It was fun but I spent weeks picking up my house and getting my yard back to normal. I have changed since then, and this is what actually works in my family: simple, low-stress, easy ways to celebrate that still makes the day feel different.

We use to celebrate with the whole neighborhood but as my kids grew older, I realized that I like to do something a bit more personal with just us and maybe a few friends. Something that gave us a little more family time before the chaos of the summer started. After the chaos of the last few weeks of school (field trips, big year-end projects, theme days, spirit week — why is there always a spirit week?), I want something that doesn’t require too much planning or prepping, but I still want the kids to feel like it’s a special day.

Here’s what we’ve done that has been successful.

Small Gifts

I like giving a small gift to my kids at the end of the school year, mostly to set the tone for summer. Something fun, maybe a little unexpected, but not something that screams, “Here’s another toy to lose under the couch.”

Books are usually my go-to gift. I love to read, and I like to pass that hobby on to my children. Not school-y books, I’m talking the kind of stories they stay up reading with a flashlight under the covers. A book that is fun and exciting to them and that they won’t want to put down. I like to really think about each child and get a book that is geared towards them. If you can do it, a entire series is great so they have something to read all summer.

Outdoor toys are a close second choice for gifting. You cannot go wrong with things that encourage them to run around the neighborhood, get into a little bit of trouble, and leave you alone for a bit. Chalk, bubble wands, stomp rockets, those weird little glider planes that come in a three-pack, all are perfect. You can do jump ropes, moon sand, or crafts.

And then there are the gifts that lead to little adventures. A water bottle to go hiking with, a new bike helmet to go on bike rides, or some water toys that you can take to the near by splash pad or the public swimming pool.

Try and use your imagination, do something that works for your family and the town you live in.

After School Surprise

When I pick my children up from school on their last day, they will throw their backpacks in the trunk, and we’ll go get an ice cream cone. That’s it. No plan, no RSVP. We sit on the curb, they tell me about how someone cried during the class party, and we wipe sticky hands on napkins that don’t really do the job. It feels like summer is officially here.

Or I surprise them and take them out to lunch. You can make this as big or as small as you want. You can go to a sit down restaurant or pick up something simple and go have a picnic at the park. They can celebrate that they don’t have to eat school lunch for the next three months!

Mini Backyard Party

This one is successful if it ends up being a nice day on the day they get out of school. Which is not always the case. I turn on the sprinkler. I throw some watermelon slices on a plate. We do a craft project in the backyard or play yard games. Sometimes the kids will invite some friends over. For us just relaxing in the backyard with some popsicles and talking with my children is a nice way to bring in the summer.

“YES” Afternoon

Not a full yes day, just an afternoon where I say yes more than usual. Yes to popsicles before dinner. Yes to building a couch or pillow fort that will wreck the living room. Yes to watching two episodes instead of one. You can almost see their shoulders drop. It’s like they know the rules have shifted, and it’s summer now.

Go Somewhere Unexpected

If you’re up for a little more adventure, take them somewhere new. Doesn’t have to be far. A new playground, a hiking trail, a beach or lake you don’t usually visit. Bring snacks, let the day unfold, and don’t worry too much about structure. Those spontaneous moments are the ones they remember most anyway.

Going somewhere unexpected is almost my favorite way to celebrate the end of school. To take the kids somewhere out of the norm so fun and exciting. I can them somewhere we haven’t been able to go to because of the chaos of school. This one screams summer to the kids. Let’s them know that the adventures for the next couple months are about to begin!

The truth? The last day of school doesn’t need to be a production. The year is done. You made it through the permission slips, packing lunches, the shoe drama, the math homework you barely understood and had to pass off to your husband, the lost water bottles, the early mornings. That’s a win.

Do something that feels good. Something that tells your kid, “I see you. You did a lot this year. Now go have some fun.”

And if you don’t have the energy for even that? Pick up a frozen pizza and let them stay up a little too late. That counts too.

Whatever you do, big or small, try and make it fun for the kids, Let them know how proud you are of them making it through the school year with all the ups and downs. Celebrate that they made it through hard things. It doesn’t need to be perfect as long as they have a good time!