Epic Last Day of School Traditions to Start Immediately
The last day of school is perhaps the most anticipated day of the year for school aged kids. No more homework, no more waking up super early, no more obnoxious kids in your class- just the blissful summer, stretched out before you with no expectation. *Sigh* If only grown ups had care free summers without responsibility, but alas. However, although that countdown to the last day of school starts back, oh, probably around Christmas break, you can make that last day even sweeter by adding some last day of school traditions of your own.
My favorite memory of school to this day is a simple tradition my bus driver did every year as long as I rode the bus. On the last day of school, when we got to the end of the road our school was on, she would pull over- and every kid on the bus knew that was their cue to rip out all of their old school work, notebook paper, handouts and quizzes, and have the most ridiculous paper fight ever. It only lasted a few minutes, and then our bus driver would hand back a trash bag, everyone would clean up, and we’d continue on our journey home. It was such a quick, simple thing, but it made a lasting impression and we looked forward to it all year. From silly string attacks to memory quilts to brownies for dinner, we’ve rounded up the best last day of school traditions that are sure to make your kids day even more awesome than you thought possible.
Peanut Butter Blossom has a fun way for parents and kids to celebrate together- Ok, it miiiight be a little bit more fun for the parents than the kids, but hey, they’ll get theirs. When they get off the school bus on the last day, hide and attack them with silly string. If they’re too young to have cell phones or other electronics in their pockets/backpacks, why not chuck some water balloons in the mix too?
The sister team behind A Beautiful Mess have created this great free summer bucket list printable so you and your kiddos can plan out what they want to do over the summer. Find a drive in movie? Go to the beach? Catch fireflies? Add it to the list. You can look back on the list at the end of summer and see what you accomplished, and what you need to squeeze into the last couple days you have left.
Have brownies for dinner. Yes, really. Maybe make it an early dinner so they’re not all hopped up on sugar before bedtime, but school’s out! It’s time to celebrate! This decadent skillet brownie recipe from Handmade Charlotte looks divine. You’ll have the rest of the summer for healthy dinners and balanced meals (summer is farmers market season y’all) but for tonight, let them eat cake. Or brownies. Or ice cream. But maybe not all three. If you’re looking for something with a teensy bit less sugar (and less calories, cause you’re getting in on this too, don’t lie) try making a chilly sweet treat like snow cones, which is as easy as pushing a button with the Little Snowie Ice Shaver. Check out these 21 all natural diy snow cone syrup recipes from A Modern Homestead.
Little snowie ice shaver, $190 at Amazon
Make a baller balloon banner (say that three times fast) letting your kids know that they crushed this school year, and you are proud of them. Try this diy painted balloon letters tutorial from Oh Happy Day. Bonus points if you hang it in your front yard. Extra bonus points if you hang it off of your car in the school pick up line.
Think of it as a summer essentials bucket, like an Easter basket filled with bubbles, beach toys, sunscreen, and new flip flops. You can put the Bucket List printable from A Beautiful Mess in there too, and give it to your kids in the morning before they leave for their last day of school, or have it waiting for them when they get home. Either way, it’s a great way to jump start the fun and stock up on summer essentials. Check out these bucket ideas from Somewhat Simple if you need some inspiration.
To really put some oomph in the last day of school, try making these ginormous confetti poppers the night before with your kids, and when they get home, they get to shoot them! These are truly eye popping, and so much easier to make then you’d believe. Head over to Sugar and Cloth for the how to.
If you’re looking for something a little more sentimental, try this adorable art quilt diy from Say Yes. You can give your kids a square of calico cloth each year on the last day of school, have them draw their favorite thing that happened that year, and when they graduate high school, sew the squares together to make a quilt of their favorite school day memories. Or, you know, keep it for yourself. We’re not crying, you’re crying.
Start the last day of school morning off right by sneaking into their room the night before and filling the room with balloons. They’ll wake up to a colorful, fun surprise they can pop their way through to the breakfast table. This one is pretty self explanatory, but check out the details at Katie’s Pencil Box.
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