Summer’s coming: 6 simple traditions to celebrate the end of the school year (+ free downloads)
Summer is coming!
We are officially on countdown until that last school bell rings. Right now, I have a fourth grader, sixth grader, and an eighth grader who are itching for a break from school. Let’s just say, after a full year of homework, projects, essays, field trips, and morning alarms, I am ready for summer break to begin too.
I get excited coming up with ways to take time to reflect and celebrate all our fellas have accomplished in the school year.
One of the best ways to celebrate the beginning of summer break is with a few easy and fun last day of school traditions.
1. End of year reflection
One easy way to capture the memories of a school year is an end of year review. Each of our sons takes time to reflect on their year before we plunge full force into summer. These reflections have been simple mementos our sons enjoy going back to read as they have grown.
Sign up here to receive you FREE “My year in review for kids” printable
2. Milestone photo opp
I love to capture the memories of my children. Taking their picture at the end of the school year is an easy way to see the physical growth and development of your child. As a family, we often spend time together looking back over the first day of school pictures to see just how much our fellas have grown.
Mom tip: Letterboards and chalkboards are simple photo props to help document essential details for your pictures like date, grade, school, etc.
3. Host a car party
Oh, this is a new one to our family list thanks to a friend of mine. When it’s time to pick up the kid for that last day, show up with a party in your car. Throw some balloons on the floor, hang a few streamers from the car ceiling, and put on a few fun tunes. Take your time getting home and have fun. This is sure to be a hit!
4. Write a letter to your child
As a mom of four, the journey with each fella throughout the school year is filled with highs and lows. It’s important you take time to reflect and rejoice in the growth of your child.
Not sure where to start: sign up here to get your free “letter to my child” printable
5. A few of my favorite things dinner
Have a celebration dinner for your kiddos with a few of their favorite things. This annual dinner feast is sure to become a fan favorite. Whether it’s breakfast for dinner, ice cream, or pizza, just enjoy. These family dinners are a time my husband and I use to praise our children, share about positive character traits we have seen develop throughout the year and shower them with love.
Mom tip: Sometimes, school years are more challenging for one kid than another. Be sure you are able ahead of time to equally shower your children with praises. I know it can be hard when you have walked a difficult season, but your words of praise are seeds of life planted in your child.
6. Create a time capsule
Time capsules have become an easy way for me to decide what to keep and what to purge. Inside the time capsule, you can include artwork, handprint, current family photo, school photo, year in review page, a letter from parents, notes from teach, and any other special mementos.
Look, momma, you don’t have to do a lot to start creating your own family end-of-school-year traditions. However, you choose to celebrate, have fun. Your kids will be so, and you get to create memories for years to come.
Celebrating summer break,
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Renee Theresa
A car party! What a great post for fun new traditions! Cant wait to try this!!
Mamie L. Pack
Renee TheresaOh, yes! I would love to know how it goes for you.
nora lovely world
i love ideas as well as concept, very good ideas to evacuate post-school stress
Mamie L. Pack
nora lovely worldYes!!! Little things can bring such joy for our kids.
Laura Jafarkhani
Great suggestions! I love the pictures one. I try to get pictures at the beginning and end of every school year but I have not been good about organizing them and often forget what year they were from. I think my kids would love the favorite things dinner too!
lightcamerafamily
SO doing one of these! Thank you! xoxo
Amanda Krieger
i LOVE simple celebrations like this with my kids, thanks for this fun list!
Annie
Oh these are all awesome ideas! Love the car party – and the special dinner 🙂
Mamie L. Pack
AnnieAwesome!!! My kids love the dinners.
stmarie38
super cute ideas!!!! I love to celebrate things with my family and these are some great ideas!
Mamie L. Pack
stmarie38So much fun to little things like this for our kids.
Brigham Knows Best (@brighamknowbest)
These are some awesome ideas! I’ll have to remember these when my daughter gets older.
Mamie L. Pack
Brigham Knows Best (@brighamknowbest)Awesome!!
Safi
These are such fun ideas! Definitely using the car party idea when my son is in school! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Mamie L. Pack
SafiOh, I am sure your kiddo will love the car party!
Sonja- Too Much Character
That car party idea is adorable! I am excited to try these out next year with my little man.
Mamie L. Pack
Sonja- Too Much CharacterOh, the car party is always a hit and simple to do.
Maggy
Sooo happy summer is here!! Get to relax a bit!! Loved your tips and will be trying some of these with the kiddos
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Jasmine
My sons still too little for school but this will be good for when he starts a few years from now.
Mamie L. Pack
JasmineMaking memories is one of my fav things to do as a momma.
Anita Doseck
Love this! A time capsule is my favorite suggestions!
Mamie L. Pack
Anita DoseckOh, I love that idea Anita.
Leslie W.
I love the idea of writing a letter to your child! How sweet!
HOPE
My mum’s a teacher and would love these x
Mamie L. Pack
HOPEYay!!
doctorjacquie
These are some pretty creative ideas! I love the time capsule idea.
Mamie L. Pack
doctorjacquieSo much fun and great way to keep memories.
dayniasawyers
With covid19 things are a little different this year. The reflecting most definitely is a good idea…. and of course any celebration needs food.
Mamie L. Pack
dayniasawyersI agree. We need to adjust to help our marriages thrive.