10 Fun Ways to Spend the Rest of Summer

Summer is coming to a close, and pretty soon school bells will be ringing again. Your kids will be gone, and the warm temperatures will follow. Take these last few moments of the season and spend the closing days with your kids, embracing opportunities to savor some fun with family and friends. It’s the little things your child will love the most, so devour these sweet and simple ideas while there’s still a little time left.

Food is always a treat, but make it with summer style. “Try your hand at making ice cream, and use the fruits of the season, peaches or strawberries, different fruit depending on where you live,” says parenting expert and psychologist Susan Newman, author of Little Things Long Remembered: Making Your Children Feel Special Everyday. “Also, make pancakes and muffins with your kids. All things they’ll love.”

Got a crafty kiddo? Get active, get social, enjoy the warm weather, and allow your child’s creativity to run wild during the final weeks of the season. “Gather neighbors and friends, decorate bicycles and have an end-of-summer bicycle parade,” Newman says. Many folks do this at 4th of July celebrations but modify it for a celebration to mark the beginning and end of the season.

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Your children will all probably need school supplies, so make it an event for each of them. “Make a big deal out of school shopping,” Newman says, “even if your child only needs paper and crayons for the upcoming year, not clothes. Have a mom-daughter or mom-son day, taking your child to lunch—and take one at a time if you have more than one kid, so each feels special.”

“Take an end-of-season bike ride as a family, with a lure at the end—maybe an ice cream cone or a picnic, visiting a special friend perhaps.” A scoop of chocolate ice cream, or a hug from grandma at the end of the ride, usually keeps a child pedaling.

The great outdoors are made greater during the right kind of weather, so savor summer’s warm days and perfect nights. “Take blankets outside on a clear night and watch the stars before it gets too cold,” Newman says. See how many constellations your kids can spot, or point them out. See The Big Dipper? What about Orion? “Then, pitch tents for a night out in your backyard. Kids absolutely love that.”

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“If you have a project started, finish it,” Newman says. “There won’t be time once school is back in session. Maybe it’s a treehouse, or a fence you were building with your child.” Or hey, actually make that birdhouse you were planning on …

It’s an oldie, but a goodie: “Go fishing,” Newman says, emphasizing that it's the little things that matter most when summer days are coming to a close. “You only have a few weeks left. Get to the things you haven’t yet done.”

If you live near a river, this one’s a must: “Go tubing. That’s an absolute blast.” Great scenery as you soar through the rushing water with your kids? You’ll be exhausted by the end, but in the best way.

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“Have a Last Day of Summer Awards dinner, being sure every child gets something,” Newman says. “Maybe a new book for the child who reads the most, a bathtub toy for the best swimmer. All ages, from toddlers to teenagers, love this.” Do this yearly, and your kids will really get into it.

“Let your child have a final party,” Newman says. “Allow him to invite all of his friends. It can be really simple, just a backyard gathering.” It’s also the perfect segue into school, getting to spend time with his entire group before classes begin.