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Believe it or not, this school year is almost over. And what a whirlwind it was. It feels like just a few months ago we were setting up Iliana's school table beside my work desk and dialing into her first zoom class, each of us not knowing what to expect. Well, fast forward and here we are finishing up her kindergarten year! She just received the "Out of Her Bubble" award this morning for always showing her class her bubbly personality and to say she has risen above all things thrown her way this year would be an understatement - so we want to celebrate! We aren't do ALL of these things but I wanted to put together a fun list that you could draw some inspiration from and to show off some fun posts I have found over the last couple weeks!
Let's go!
1. Make a summer countdown
Sometimes with smaller kids, the idea of time is really hard to comprehend so there's the constant question of "Is the last day of school tomorrow?" 2 weeks away from the actual end of school so I love to create these countdown rings for Iliana to pull off each day. It gives them a visual of how much time they have to left to wait for something! And it creates lots of excitement!
2. DIY Annual "Last Day of School" shirt
This one might be one of my favorites! Iliana DIY-ed her own shirt using fabric paint and a women's size t-shirt. She will add something to the shirt and take a picture in it on her last day of school every year until she graduates high school (I can't even think about that!) So of course it will start pretty big this year and slowly but surely she'll start to fit it and it will get more and more designs!
3. Last Day of School photoshoot
C'mon, you know we love a reason to have a photoshoot and what's not more exciting than "graduating" to the next grade! We had some adorable ones last year when she graduated preschool that were in an actual cap and gown, so this year we went with more FUN!
4. Oh, the Places You'll Go
This is one of my absolute favorite books so this will be annual, too! Get your child's teacher(s) to sign a note to your child every year and it will be such a keepsake to look back on when they are finished, or at least a good laugh.
5. Host a Water Play Party
We are doing this one next weekend, the theme is Aloha Summer and we are still getting all the pools and slip n' slides ready, but I can't wait to share more with you guys! Out of all years, this is one that the students (AND parents) should be celebrated a little more extra!
6. Last Day of School Interview
I came across this idea from an amazing blogger, Mariah from Giggles Galore. This is another super fun thing to do annually with your child to see how their answers change over the years! You can find the printable HERE! ( visit her adorable instagram here!)
7. Throw an Ice Cream Party
Who doesn't love ice cream?! and the way the weather has been lately, this sounds like the perfect celebration treat! Here's another FUN idea from Deb over at @myfourwonders . She uses marshmallow fluff, icing and sprinkles to create the best ice cream cone I've ever seen!
8. Cook your student's favorite meal for dinner
Iliana's favorite is hotdogs so I say that is pretty perfect for this Memorial Day weekend!
9. Create a summer banner for them to come home to
From a posterboard to a long banner all decked out, having a fun "Congratulations _____" for them to pull up to when they get home would be so exciting and make them feel so loved and proud!
10. Camp out in the back yard or state park
I love a good camp out but we have never gone as a family. We'd be testing the waters in the backyard on this one.
11. Create a summer bucket list
Summer is the perfect time to bust out the annual bucket list of traditions, water parks and yummy snacks! Post it where the family can see and schedule it into your summer calendar so you make sure to fit in all of those amazing summer memories!
12. Surprise them with a trip to their favorite place after school
Whether it's the zoo or the local icee shop, celebrate by going to their fave spot right after school on the last day!
13. Post their best schoolwork around the house
Whether it's a school paper, their first 100 on a quiz or a unique piece of art work, your student will KNOW you are proud if they see their best work from the school year posted around the house!
14. Set up an after-school snack bar
Are you the house that all the friends come to after school? I hope to be one day! But if you are, how fun would it be to set up a snack bar with all the fun snacks for your student and best buds to come home to!
15. Fill car with streamers and balloons
I can't wait to do this one tomorrow to completely surprise Iliana after school!
16. Create a summer fun-filled sand bucket
Bubbles, chalk and all the fun things! Start with a sand bucket or cute basket and fill it with activities for your student to enjoy all summer long! My friend Lar at @allformylittles created the cutest basket for her daughter Sloan!
I also created some pendant printables for you to print and add to your baskets if you need!
17. Make an exciting breakfast
Iliana doesn't like things to be TOO crazy with her food, but we'll definitely be adding some sprinkles and icing to her donuts in the morning!
18. Library trip for some new, fun summer books
I am such a fan of getting my children into the library! Books are an amazing resource for children and this is an important time to continue building their reading skills throughout the summer! Taking a trip to the library and letting them pick out books to enjoy every couple of weeks will be on our must-do list this summer. You can even partner with your local library's children's librarian to make sure you are getting books at their reading level!
19. Create a summertime essentials basket
This is where the less fun, but super essential stuff comes in, like sunscreen, hats and bug spray! Make it more fun for your child by setting it up in a fun basket to keep everything together and organized at home.
20. Decorate the car for carpool
Grab some washable car chalk and go to town! Dollar Tree also has TONS of balloon choices for you to swing by and grab a bundle before carpool on their last day!
I hope you loved all of our ideas and I can't wait to see how you will be celebrating! Is there one of ours that made it to your list? Or do you have your own traditions? Let me know so I can share and give it a try!
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