Instead of an End of the School Year Party, give your child something to look forward to this month as schools wrap up with a First Day of Summer Party.
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CELEBRATE THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR WITH A FIRST DAY OF SUMMER PARTY!
Another strange school year for the books, we are pumped for summer! Finally a summer where we can actually go on vacation, see some family and venture a little closer back to “normal”.
I love finding a reason to celebrate something each month, and this time, I’m throwing another 1st Day of Summer Party! Want some ideas on how to kick off the season with your kiddos? I’ve got you covered:

HOST A FIRST DAY OF SUMMER PARTY AT HOME
1. DECORATE THE HOUSE THE NIGHT BEFORE
Use streamers in the doorway, set up some surfer-themed music, lay out beach-towels and activities in the living room, and a summery tablecloth and banner in the breakfast room.



2. HAVE A FIRST DAY OF SUMMER BREAKFAST
Dress donuts up as pool floaties with little umbrellas, milk with silly straws, and bowls of fresh fruit on skewers.



3. GIVE A FIRST DAY OF SUMMER GIFT
Find a few special goodies such as a new summer shirt, brand new art supplies, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, blow up pool, seeds for a garden, and set them all in a beach bucket.
4. START A FAMILY BUCKET LIST
Print a Summer Bucket List to kick off the fun of summer! Pick one thing to do each day.
5. PLAY A FEW GAMES TOGETHER
Our favorites are Limbo, Musical Chairs, Bingo, Charades, Go Fish, and Sorry.
6. HAVE A PICNIC AT THE PARK
Take the kids to a local park and bring a snack lunch from home (carrots in peanut butter, string cheese, trail mix, cut up fruit and veggies with hummus, etc). Spread out a blanket or set up some camping chairs. Toss a Frisbee around, fly a kite or feed the ducks.

7. TAKE A REST WITH A NEW BOOK
Give each child a new book they can enjoy on their own in their room for an hour rest time. It could be the start of a series, or one of your favorites as a kid. We like Choose Your Own Adventure and anything by Mo Willems.
8. PLAY WITH WATER
Set up a kiddy pool, a sprinkler, water balloon fight, a water table or fill a bucket with water and let them get creative with toys, buckets, rocks and plants. Anything to get them excited to play outside.

7. WATCH A SUMMER-THEMED MOVIE WITH DINNER
Wrap up the night with dinner outside and a movie under the stars. Exhausted and ready to turn in? That’s ok! Order pizza and watch a movie inside. At intermission, break out the ice cream sundaes or individual bowls of popcorn.
Want a cute party itinerary, summer bucket list and more printables for your summer? Get those plus 50 more printables in my Intentional Traditions and Celebrations for Families Set!
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE…
For more posts on what to do now that it’s the end of the school year, read:
- 5 Tips to Slow Down and Be Present With Your Kids
- 8 Reasons Why You Need a Summer Schedule
- 14 Service Projects for Kids and Families
- Teach Your Kids Independence with this Printable Play Chart
- Teach Your Kids Responsibility with this Chore Bingo
Happy Summer!


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Oh, this is great! I think we all need a bit of closure, and this is a fun way to make it happen!
Yes, I didn’t realize maybe I needed some closure as well! Hope you are doing well!
Great ideas!! Love your summer bucket list, too.
thank you! trying to keep the kiddos optimistic! enjoy reading your blog as well!
Amy, this is awesome! What a good idea–for both the kids and the parents!
Thanks so much for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!
How cool! Thanks for the feature!!
Love – bucket list – a great combo of active outdoor ideas as well as activities to keep us occupied on rainy days! (viewed through Inspire Me Monday)
Thank you for stopping by!
Thank you for sharing this article. Students really look forward to their summer vacations!
Thank you for reading! Miss my teaching days!