We are almost to the end of the school year! Who else is excited?
It's time to celebrate getting through another school year together! I love planning a special "celebration" for my kids on their last day of school. It doesn't have to be a big party, but just a simple tradition your kids will remember for years to come.
Celebrate the young kids:
- Make a "Summer has begun!" banner they can walk or run through when they walk in the door at home - every year I would make a “run through” banner getting them excited for the next grade to come. In Kindergarten it said “1st grade here we come!” It became a tradition we still do to this day, even through high school
- Grab some ice cream at Bert & Rocky's or Handels
- Go to Sonic for slushies during their daily happy hour (2-5pm)
- Grab some friends and head to the park and let the kids play!
- Surprise them with popsicles at home
- Gift your kids a couple of brand-new books they'd love for summer reading
- Head to the dollar store to stock up on summer fun items
- Make a summer fun bag with pool or backyard water toys
- Create a coupon book full of fun things to do that your kiddos can cash in this summer. Remember it's okay to set some boundaries for when these can be redeemed.
- Have a tie-dye party to design summer lounge shirts to wear over summer or as a bathing suit cover-up
- Plan a special picnic dinner or after-school snack to talk about their summer plans and goals.
Celebrate your teens:
- Take them out to their favorite restaurant or drive-thru! Sit and talk without the distraction of phones - it's time to connect!
- Create a summer survival kit for them — gum, some fun money, gift cards to buy a new swimsuit, fun nail polish, a hat they would like, hammock, Harry Styles magazine (just sayin'), etc.
- Gather up a basket of their faves ... you know, those things you won't usually splurge on for them.
- Give them restaurant gift cards or a little extra spending money for the summer. Even a gas card is welcomed!
- Coupon books might seem silly to a teen, but not when they are filled with unusual "values!" Think out of the box for your teens with a coupon book filled with unexpected treasures like:
- Get out of one summer family activity
- Give one chore back to mom and dad for the week
- Good for one free tank of gas
- You pick the movie for a family night
- Choose a book that you enjoyed that your parents must-read
- One breakfast delivered in bed
- You call dinner of your choice
Celebrate your teachers:
- Join forces with a few families and buy your teachers a gift card to a nice restaurant so they can celebrate on someone else's dime
- Create a summer survival kit for them — a restaurant gift card, favorite candy, favorite soda, an outdoor candle, and a book you recommend
- Lotto tickets are an inexpensive and a fun way to remind your teachers how lucky your kids were to have them this year
- A special sweet is always a treat and the perfect way to celebrate
- Do a little detective work and find out their favorites — candy, drinks, snacks, pens, fast food, magazine, etc. — and gift them with one, or a few
- Ask your kids what their teacher likes to do for fun. They probably know! Then get them something that they can enjoy while doing that. For example, if your teacher loves to hike, get them outdoor gear. Or if your teacher loves the beach, gift them a nice beach towel
- Write them a note from the heart and tell them why you appreciated them this year. Be specific!
Celebrate yourself:
- Do something you enjoy BEFORE the kids are out of school. By yourself. Or with a friend. Whatever makes you happy.
- Get a summer mani/pedi done!
- Gift yourself a little secret stash of treats that you enjoy. This can be food or nonfood items. When you feel like you might lose it this summer, remember that stash and take a moment to pick out a treat just for you.
- Grab a book you have been wanting to read and set aside a few minutes every day for reading time this summer and force yourself to stick with it. Even little kids can read for 15 minutes, and you will be happy that you took the time each day. Trust me.
- Schedule a weekly/bi-weekly/monthly date night with your partner, a girls/guys night out, or both! And make it sooner rather than later!
- Write a list of things that you would like to do this summer and share it with your kids. You might be surprised at what they make happen for you!
No matter what you choose to do, make a point to do something to celebrate making it through another school year!
Christen Reiner is the publisher of Macaroni Kid Lakewood-Littleton and Macaroni Kid Denver.
