Summer’s coming: 6 simple traditions to celebrate the end of the school year
Summer is coming!
We are officially on countdown until that last school bell rings. Right now, I have sixth, eighth, and sophomore who are itching for a break from school. Let’s just say, after a full year of homework, projects, essays, distance learning quarantining, and morning alarms, I am ready for summer break to begin too.
Before we start planning all the good fun we want to have for the summer, its important to teach our fellas to be completely present and how to finish well.
So we are going to take time to embrace the beauty of the end-of- school year moment.
Plus, 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. Our simple end-of-year reflection allows our kiddos to reflect on the year in their words. We want them to pause and reflect on their school year before we plunge full force into an exciting summer. These reflections have been simple mementos our sons enjoy going back to read as they have grown.
Mom tip: Use our End-of-Year Reflection download to help you get started. Print of one for each kids and keep in in a notebook. If your kiddos are too young to write, let them answer while your capture their words.
2. Milestone photo opp
I love to capture the memories of my children. Taking their picture on the last day of school 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!
Mom Tip: Use school colors to decorate the car and take the long way home. Let your kiddos enjoy the car party just for them.
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. Plus, your letters become keepsakes for your child for years to come.
Mom Tip: Use our Year In Review from Mom download to help you get started. Seal each review and place in a box for each kiddo. Can make for a great graduation gift.
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.
When planning out the dinner, be sure to focus on more than academics. Talk about how your child has matured, overcome challenges, lessons learned, and how you are grateful for everything God has done in the lives of your children.
Mom Tip: If dinner is not your thing, feel free to make it a breakfast celebration. The important part is to carve out time to intentionally celebrate your child.
6. Create a movie
Gather you favorite pictures throughout the year and put them into a movie. Get some of the movie snippets, Boomerangs, TikTok videos and selfies then put them an end-of-year video recap. Invite your family together to remember, celebrate and laugh.
Look, momma, you don’t have to do a lot to start creating your own family last day of school celebrations. 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.
Allison
Love this! I’ve recently reaped the benefits of reflecting after previously rushing through life. Such a great idea to apply to our kiddos’ lives too! And I love your letter idea! I wrote letters to my littles before they were born, but want to pick up that practice again!
Mamie L. Pack
AllisonWriting letters is a phenomenal gift for your children later in life. They get to read your words and your encouragement. Simply priceless.
Yvonne Morgan
Great ideas as we find ways to return to a new normal. Thanks for sharing.
Mamie L. Pack
Yvonne MorganThanks for reading Yvonne!
Elizabeth
Great ideas!! We used to do some of these when my kids went to public school, but looking forward to starting some new traditions now that we homeschool
Debra
These are some fun ideas! I love the crear a movie idea. I might make one for my kids.
Nishtha
These are all great ideas! Will try a coupe with my MS & HS graduate. Happy summer!